The club is currently grappling with salary issues and ongoing disputes over shares between officials and investors. Adding to the turmoil, head coach Andrey Chernyshov nearly resigned from his position but decided to stay on after discussions with the club. However, Mohammedan will not have his services in the dugout, as the Russian coach has requested a few days off. As a result, assistant coach and former Mohun Bagan footballer Mehrajjudin Wadoo will take charge as the interim coach.
Despite these challenges, Wadoo and his players remain determined to put in their best efforts in the Kolkata Derby.
“We are happy that the players are focused despite the problems. They will give their best on the pitch and try to get the result. We want to win for the fans. We understand the importance of this game,” Wadoo said in the pre-match press conference.
Mohun Bagan have enjoyed an impressive league campaign so far, securing 12 wins and four draws in 18 matches, making them the first team this season to reach the 40-point milestone. Despite the significant gap in the standings, Mohun Bagan head coach Jose Molina believes the derby will be a closely contested battle. He expects Mohammedan to fight hard, meaning his team will have to stay alert.
“I remember at the beginning of the season when we played against Mohammedan, everyone was talking about the derby. Now also, it’s a derby. Of course, there’s a difference in the table, but Mohammedan will show character and put in their best efforts to win,” said Molina.
The Mariners will miss their defensive stalwart Alberto Rodríguez due to a niggle, with Dipendu Biswas likely to replace him. This means Molina will need to adjust his defensive setup and field a new combination at the back. On the bright side, Ashis Rai returns from suspension, bringing stability to the right flank, where he has formed a strong partnership with winger Manvir Singh.
A key tactical decision for Mohun Bagan will be whether they stick with three foreigners in the starting XI or opt for four overseas players in Rodríguez’s absence. Despite holding a seven-point lead over second-placed FC Goa, Molina insists the title race is far from over and wants his team to stay focused.
“I think there are still six matches left in the season. Of course, we have an advantage, but there’s still a long way to go. The only thing on our minds is tomorrow’s game,” he said.
One area of concern for the Mariners has been their lack of goals in recent games. They have managed just three goals in their last four matches despite dominating possession.
However, their defensive record has been outstanding, keeping ten clean sheets in their eighteen games so far. They have also conceded the fewest goals, allowing just fourteen, and currently boast the highest goal difference in the league with eighteen.
When these two sides last met, Mohun Bagan secured a comfortable 3-0 victory, dismantling Mohammedan’s defence. However, Mohammedan SC have shown signs of improvement since then, except for their 3-0 away defeat to Mumbai City FC. They have drawn three of their last five matches and registered a victory against Bengaluru FC, indicating that they are gradually finding their rhythm as the season progresses.
This recent run highlights their growing resilience, but one major concern remains—they are yet to win a single home game in their debut ISL season.
As the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan prepares to host this derby, both teams have plenty at stake. Mohun Bagan SG will aim to continue their winning run and maintain their grip at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Mohammedan SC, with nothing to lose, will hope to put in a gritty effort and pull off an upset.
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