One of the most successful Indian clubs in recent times, Bengaluru FC will host East Bengal FC in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign opener at Shree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. The Kolkata giants head into this clash with high expectations, owing to several heavyweight changes in the squad.
Two-time ISL champions, Bengaluru FC, are still the favourites in this clash keeping in mind the recent performances of both clubs. The Red-and-Gold brigade, under their head coach, Carles Cuadrat won the Super Cup earlier this year — a major trophy for the club after 12 long years. If they play to potential, they will look to steal a point or perhaps upset the home crowd.
Chaos surrounding Anwar Ali’s status is a fresh topic of discussion. The Delhi High Court has set aside the AIFF proceedings including the no-objection certificate issued to the player. The matter will be re-heard on Saturday. Reportedly, Mohun Bagan have sent Ali an e-mail, saying he is their player and he has to join training. It is to be noted that the player has travelled to Bengaluru as a part of the East Bengal squad. But as it stands, Ali is legally neither East Bengal’s nor Mohun Bagan’s at the moment, until a fresh verdict.
Head-to-Head
In head-to-head records, the Kolkata side is ahead with a superior win ratio of 10 to 7. Only 1 match ended in a draw. If only ISL matches are considered, eight matches have been played between these two sides. Here also, East Bengal are ahead with 4 wins and three defeats.
East Bengal FC
The Red-and-Golds will look forward to turning the tide with perhaps the best squad in their ISL journey. In the four seasons they’ve played ISL, they finished 11th in one and ninth in the other three seasons. The last season was perhaps the best for the legacy club in terms of display of football, but it didn’t reflect on the league table, owing to small mistakes and close losses throughout the season.
The current squad promises a top-6 finish at least for Cuadrat and his boys. The inclusion of last season’s top scorer, Dimitrios Diamantakos of Greece, and top assist provider, Madih Talal of France, has already garnered much attention from the fans, and they expect them to deliver. Hector Yuste’s transfer from Mohun Bagan is expected to bolster the defence. Eyes will be on young David Lalhlansanga in the midfield, who played a pivotal role in Mohammedan SC’s I-League winning campaign.
Key players like midfielder Hijazi Maher, Saul Crespo and Brazilian forward Cleiton Silva have been retained. A well-balanced side this time, Cuadrat can expect a lot from this side, if everything falls in place.
It’s been a horrendous 12 months for Indian football, and the upcoming ISL season must somehow bring the positive vibes back, while stopping the fan exodus away from the stadiums.#ISL https://t.co/5H8n5mjfZE
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 13, 2024
A word from the coach
“We’re building a squad with an eye on the future, and I feel positive about it. This team is designed for long-term success, with players signed on 2-3-year contracts. Our challenge is to create stability within the squad. We’re moving in the right direction — this club has never made it to the playoffs or finished in the top six, but now we have the talent to achieve that. Once you’re in the top six, you’re just four games away from winning.”
Carles Cuadrat in the pre-match press conference.
Bengaluru FC
Although a club with a lot of success, the last season for The Blues was not one to remember. They finished 10th – their lowest-ever league rank. The appointment of head coach, Gerard Zaragoza, didn’t help much to change their fortune. They made multiple changes in the squad, retaining only two foreigners and bringing in four new internationals, two of them debuting in Indian football.
Bengaluru have roped in Argentine striker, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, and Spanish attacking midfielder, Alberto Noguera — both from Mumbai City FC. Spanish midfielder, Pedro Capo, joins the side from the Spanish Segunda Division side, Eldense. Another Spanish midfielder, mainly winger, Edgar Antonio Mendez, has been included in the squad from the Mexican top-tier side, Club Necaxa. He is a player with rich experience in La Liga clubs like Grenada, UD Almeria, Deportivo Alavez and many more.
A word from the coach
“That Vinith is part of the first team shows that Bengaluru FC are doing something right. It shows that our academy and scouting are on the right path. We can see players like Shivaldo and Fanai arrive and they wanted to play, and they weren’t scared. Vinith arrived at eight or nine years old, and now he’s in the first team which is great. But they all need to improve a lot.”
Gerard Zaragoza in the pre-match press conference.
Players to watch out for
Needless to say, for the East Bengal fans, all eyes will be on their new Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos, who has already given rise to a new fan chant — ‘The Real Dimi’ and ‘Dimi God’ —to mock Mohun Bagan striker Dimitri Petratos.
Madih Talal and Saul Crespo will be instrumental in governing the midfield and Brazilian superstar, Cleiton Silva, is already the fans’ favourite.
BFC’s Argentine forward will be a man to watch out for. Already an established name in Indian football, Pereyra Diaz, with 29 goals and eight assists in the league, will be crucial in The Blue’s attack. Whenever a new foreigner sets foot on Indian soil, a surprise is expected.
Rahul Bheke, the Indian defender, makes a comeback to The Blues from Mumbai City FC. He was a key member of the BFC side that won the Cup in the 2018-19 season. Bheke will be one of Zaragoza’s key men in the defence.
Recent forms
In the recently concluded Durand Cup, Bengaluru FC bottled a 2-0 lead against Mohun Bagan Super Giants, where they lost the semifinal 4-3 in penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. East Bengal, on the other hand, lost surprisingly to Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 in the quarterfinal.
Prediction: Bengaluru FC 1-1 East Bengal FC
Also Read: This ISL season needs to put the beauty back in the game