The Stage is Set: Kolkata Derby Returns to the Durand Cup!
The footballing heartbeat of India is set to race again as the Kolkata Derby returns tomorrow, with Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC in the Durand Cup quarterfinals. The clash between the Green and Maroon and the Red and Gold remains one of Asia’s most iconic rivalries, and this edition promises another chapter filled with passion, intensity, and drama.
East Bengal FC: New Team, New Energy
East Bengal FC come into the derby with renewed confidence. Under the guidance of Oscar Bruzon, the Red and Gold brigade have built a fresh side that has looked sharp throughout the group stage. Winning all their fixtures, they advanced into the knockouts as table toppers, marking themselves as serious contenders.
However, they will miss the services of Basim Rashid, who returned to Palestine after the unfortunate passing of his father. Adding to their concerns, Jay Gupta, who joined the squad recently, is yet to be registered and will not be available for the derby. Despite these, East Bengal’s form and momentum in the Durand Cup have instilled hope among their supporters that the team could break Mohun Bagan’s dominance in recent derbies.
Mohun Bagan SG: Injury Concerns but Big Names Return
On the other side, Mohun Bagan SG have also qualified for the knockouts as group leaders, though their campaign hasn’t been without challenges. Their final group match highlighted their injury issues, with more than five main players sidelined.
The Mariners, however, received a boost ahead of the derby as Suhail Bhat, Alberto Rodriguez, Tom Aldred, and Dimitri Petratos all took part in pre-match training. Their availability will be crucial to continue their stronghold in derby history, having dominated East Bengal in recent seasons.
Tomorrow, as the whistle blows, the Durand Cup quarterfinal will transform into a battlefield where emotions will run high, and the roar of the Kolkata crowd will echo far beyond the city.
Coaches View on Kolkata Derby:
It’s a good test for us to see how close or how far we are from the best team in India– Oscar Bruzon ahead of the derby.
“We understand that tomorrow we are going to have lots of threat in the field. We have respect for our rival, they are champions for a reason of ISL and Shield, having a lot of quality players in all departments. So it’s a good test for us to see how close or how far we are from the team that was the best team in India last year.
Mohun Bagan have lots of continuity on the ideas, players, and set-ups that they have from last year, that is an advantage. But for us, it’s an advantage having a new team. I think our team is much stronger than the previous year. So let’s see on the pitch which advantage is gonna win.“
For us, it’s important to win, we are fighting to win the trophy, for the club, for us – Jose Molina
“I’m preparing my team in the best way as possible from my point of view, trying to win towards right, and you will see tomorrow if I achieve my goal or not. For us, it’s important to win. Of course, we are fighting, trying to win the trophy, for the club, for us.“
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