Mohun Bagan and East Bengal clash in the IFA Shield final, with fitness, selection and balance shaping derby preparations.

The most anticipated match in Indian Football is set to be played on Thursday at Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, as the city rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal, are set to face each other in the IFA Shield final. The derby is set to be staged for the 4th time in a gap of a few months: first, the arch rivals met in the ISL 2025-26, then in the Durand Cup final, where East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan, and they also faced each other in the Calcutta Football League, showing a commendable performance with a young team; East Bengal drew the match against the Mariners.

Overall, in the last few matches, the red and gold brigade succeeded in holding on against the green and maroon. The match will raise many questions for the teams as the flagship football event of India, ISL, is approaching, and after a heatwave of national friendlies, players are going to be tested, making the event more complicated for the coaches.

Mariners need to find balance

In the curtain-raiser of the IFA Shield, Mohun Bagan set the stage ablaze, defeating Sreenidi Deccan FC with a margin of 6-0. After that, whenever an opponent came studying the game plan, Mariners failed to create pressure on the opposition. In the second match of the group stage against North East United FC, the problem was finishing, and in the semi-finals, Punjab blocked all possibilities in the midfield and ensured a draw after playing 120 minutes; it was Vishal Kaith who remained the hero and helped Mariners to reach in the finals. The Mariners’ head coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis, accepted in the post-match press conference that, with this performance, they are not ready for the ISL.

Before the finals, Mariners got their key Indian core back, Anirudh Thapa, India’s only goalscorer against Uruguay, and left-back Abhishek Singh Tekcham skipped the training session. On the other side, Ashish Rai and Australian striker Jamie Maclaren’s injury also created worries in the dressing room.

Panos, in the pre-match press conference, confirmed that they are recovering better, but they are not confirmed for the playing XI. Miguel Ferreira’s form has also remained a concern. That means Mohun Bagan needs to manage many things. Mariners head coach added in the pre-match press conference, “We have one more game after three-four days… we have a lot of overloaded players, and we are scared of injuries. Now I cannot tell you who can play and how much can play. But we will try to be fresh and ready to play this game.”

Juniors to lead East Bengal in the IFA Shield final?

Red and gold brigade enforced a dashing 7-2 victory in the semi-finals against North East United FC and will come into the finals with high confidence, but for them the team selection is going to be a headache with the AFC Champions League Two approaching. They have also got back their Indian players, but like Mohun Bagan, there are plenty of things to be concerned about. Habas specifically mentioned Anwar Ali and said on his game time, “We have one player playing 90 minutes in the last three or four matches.”

East Bengal competed in the group stage by mixing the Junior and senior team players; it was only in the semi-final when foreigners enjoyed their game time in the IFA Shield. Loba got a goal in his debut, and Ramirez also remained a highlight.

Habas added, “We have to control the possibility of playing one player or another, for not too many minutes or fewer minutes.” With players in form and a solid team, finding the starting 11 is the main task for Habas; it is not just about 90 minutes but also about making a game plan for the mega clash against Al-Shorta, coming up on 13th October.

The title is at stake for both clubs, answered needed to be found. Better plans or a balanced side: which is going to be worked out? It will be the most exciting thing to see in the IFA Shield finals.