Author: Webdesk

-Rahul Giri in Kolkata Since Oscar Bruzon took charge at East Bengal, injuries have been a constant headache. In almost every game, the Spanish head coach has had to redraw strategy. At times, he has even been forced to deploy players in unfamiliar positions. The situation has become even more precarious following injury blows to two key foreigners — Hijazi Maher and Cleiton Silva. Hijazi, the defender, reportedly twisted his knee during training on Tuesday, while the striker suffered a groin injury during the last match against Kerala Blasters. Both players will miss East Bengal’s upcoming fixture against Mumbai City…

Mohun Bagan will aim to further solidify their position at the top of the table as they face Bengaluru FC in a highly anticipated clash, often referred to as the Indian ‘El Clasico’. On Monday, the Salt Lake Stadium is expected to host more than 30,000 spectators, with the stakes heightened following Mohun Bagan’s disheartening defeat in the reverse fixture. Adding to the intensity is the fact that the Mariners have dropped crucial points in their last two matches, making this game a must-win for them to maintain their grip on the league shield. A slip-up could reopen the title…

East Bengal FC avenged their earlier defeat to Kerala Blasters with a 2-1 victory in front of their passionate home crowd. The star of the show was none other than their Keralite midfielder PV Vishnu, who opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a moment of pure brilliance. Vishnu latched onto an accurate long pass from Cleiton Silva, effortlessly beating his marker Freddie Lallawmawma before calmly slotting the ball past Kerala goalkeeper Sachin Suresh. It was a goal that not only electrified the stadium but also marked Vishnu’s fourth of the season. With an assist already to his name,…

As Kerala Blasters gear up for their crucial match against East Bengal, Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview. Sadaoui has contributed 12 goals this season (7 goals, 5 assists) and is just two away from becoming the third-highest contributor in a single season for the team. With three years of experience in the Indian Super League (ISL), Sadaoui reflected on the league’s growth, his team’s current form, and his personal goals for the season. ISL’s Evolution: A Competitive Battleground Having been part of the ISL for three seasons, Sadaoui highlighted the league’s increasing competitiveness. “I…

Mohun Bagan SG travelled to Chennai aiming to solidify their hold on the ISL shield after a frustrating draw against Jamshedpur. The previous game served as a wake-up call for the Mariners, as they squandered several opportunities. Against Chennaiyin FC, they cannot afford any slip-ups, as a misstep could intensify the ISL shield race. Chennaiyin, currently in 10th place, have managed only two wins and three draws in their last 10 games. This time, Owen Coyle’s side are expected to pose a tough challenge for the visitors. Notably, Chennaiyin and Mumbai City FC are the only teams Mohun Bagan have…

Rahul Giri in Guwahati The last time that Mohun Bagan and East Bengal clashed in a Kolkata Derby in such a quiet atmosphere was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when matches were played in empty stadiums. On Saturday, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, it felt eerily similar. With only 2,567 spectators in attendance, the atmosphere was far from what one would expect for a clash between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. The occasional cheers from the sparse crowd were drowned out by the sound of the ball being struck and the coaches’ instructions echoing across the empty stands.…

Rahul Giri in Guwahati It was 10:30PM at a five-star hotel in Guwahati, and I was eagerly waiting for the East Bengal team to arrive, braving the chilly breeze as the temperature dipped to 13C. Within 10 minutes, the red-and-gold brigade’s bus entered the hotel premises, and as the players stepped out, their tired faces clearly reflected the fatigue of the journey. And why not? They had their final training session in Kolkata around 11AM, and had to board an 8PM flight due to some logistical complications. In contrast, the Mohun Bagan players appeared much more energetic when they arrived…

It was the 95th minute on the clock, and East Bengal FC was leading 1-0 against Jamshedpur FC. Nikhil Barla of Jamshedpur FC chested down a long ball inside East Bengal’s box, poised to take a shot on target. That’s when Anwar Ali made a heroic, goal-saving tackle from behind, preserving the lead and giving the fans a collective sigh of relief. The Punjab-born defender has been a revelation for East Bengal FC, playing in three different positions in their last three games. Against Odisha FC, he featured in his natural role as a central defender. However, after Saul Crespo…

Before the gripping contest last night, there was an 11-point difference between East Bengal and Punjab FC. However, East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon confidently stated during the pre-match press conference that tactically there’s hardly any difference between the two sides. The Spanish tactician didn’t fail to back up his words, as on Tuesday he and his boys lit up the Yuva Bharati Krirangan with a remarkable comeback victory that will be etched in the club’s history for many reasons. Despite being without their attacking lynchpin, Mahdi Talal, captain, Saul Crespo, and in-form striker, Dimitrios Diamantakos—who were all unavailable due…

East Bengal is all set to lock horns with 5th-placed Punjab FC on Tuesday, but they will be without key midfielders Saul Crespo and Madih Talal. Adding to the concerns for head coach Oscar Bruzon, Jeakson Singh—who recently regained his form with a scorching goal against Chennaiyin FC—will also miss the clash after receiving a red card in their 2-1 loss against Odisha FC. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Oscar Bruzon acknowledged the challenges ahead. He said, “We are facing a challenging moment, but we’re dealing with it honestly. It’s important not to get emotional and to keep working…