The second phase of the Indian Super League (ISL), Season 10, began on January 31, 2024, with a game between Jamshedpur FC and Northeast United. On Saturday, February 3, fans are gearing up for the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) and East Bengal FC (EBFC). This most-awaited fixture is set to take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Both teams will look to begin this new phase with a win in front of the home crowd.
Standings in ISL 10
MBSG – 5th position with 19 points in 10 games (6W, 1D, 3L)
EBFC – 8th position with 11 points in 10 games (2W, 5D, 3L)
Head-to-Head
As of now, 395 matches have been played, and EBFC have won 141 games while MBSG have registered 128 wins. However, since 2014, Mohun Bagan have shown some dominance in this fixture. In 32 matches, they have won 15 times, while losing nine. In fact, in ISL history so far, they have faced each other six times and all those games have been won by the Green-and-Maroon brigade.
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Sahal Abdul Samad and Anwar Ali are ready for the Kolkata Derby!
Ashis Rai’s availability remains uncertain.
Find out what both the Spanish coaches had to say in the pre-match press conference!
Tune in for all the updates.@Limca_Official@Rahul_01Giri @snehasis_95… pic.twitter.com/JUupT5P6lp
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) February 2, 2024
Recent Form
MBSG – After being undefeated in their first seven matches, they suffered three back-to-back losses and also failed to cross the group stage of the AFC Cup. Hence, their former coach, Juan Ferrando, got sacked. Recently, Clifford Miranda, the assistant coach, led the team in the Kalinga Super Cup.
Many first-team players were either injured or busy with the national team in the Asian Cup. Hence, they suffered a 3-1 loss against their arch-rival EBFC and failed to qualify for the semi-final. Even their home form has been a concern this season. In five games, they have managed only seven points with a goal difference of -1.
EBFC – Carles Cuadrat and his men did not begin this ISL season in their preferred style. After losing only to MBSG in the Durand Cup final, East Bengal fans were expecting a better start. But they managed only four points in the first five games. Then, they managed a five-match unbeaten run with 7 points in the bag.
The momentum continued in the recently concluded Kalinga Super Cup, as they won all three group-stage games first and then, the semi-final and final. Thus, the Red-and-Gold put an end to their 12-year drought of winning a trophy at the national level. Across all competitions, the team are currently undefeated in their last 10 matches.
Recent Updates from the camp
MBSG – As India got knocked out of the Asian Cup, all the national team players are back at the club and will be available. Antonio Lopez Habas, the new coach, has also indicated in the pre-match press conference that both Sahal Abdul Samad and Anwar Ali will be available for the game – if not in the playing XI, then at least for some minutes off the bench.
However, as we reported earlier, Asish Rai might miss the game as he did not train with the team in the last few days due to an injury. Joni Kauko has also joined the team after a long injury lay-off. Liston Colaco too is uncertain.
EBFC – Carles Cuadrat will not have the services of Souvik Chakrabarti as he received a red card in the Super Cup final against Odisha FC. That will be a huge loss as the Bengal midfielder has been the star player for them throughout the season so far.
Another midfielder, Borja Herrera, has also joined FC Goa on loan in the January transfer window, although the move left all fans shocked and surprised. The Spaniard had delivered some outstanding performances in the Super Cup. Another Spanish footballer, Javier Siverio, has also left the club, on loan to Jamshedpur FC.
However, they have signed Spanish midfielder Victor Vazquez and Costa Rican striker Felicio Brown Forbes for the remainder of the ISL 2023-24 season. But their availability for this huge clash is a question mark.
PC Quotes
Subhasish Bose (MBSG) – “ISL second round is starting. We had a bad phase before the break. But, within this break, as a team, we have become more compact. They (EBFC) have been playing well but as coach said, there are no favourites in the Derby. So, we will look to give our best on the field.”
Carles Cuadrat (EBFC) – “We all are very happy with the players. I am very happy with the squad. We just need to find solutions within the available squad. I am sure whoever is going to get some opportunity, he will certainly do a good job.”
Players to watch out for
MBSG – Hugo Boumous, Subhasish Bose, and Dimitri Petratos
EBFC – Cleiton Silva, Nandhakumar Sekar, and Hijazi Maher
Kick off time and Where to Watch:
7:30 PM IST
Live Streaming: will be available on Jio Cinema
Live Telecast: match will be broadcasted on Sports18
Also Read: Special Bagan-East Bengal Derby Should Showcase Banter, not Violence