1657 days and counting. That is greater than 4 years and 6 months when East Bengal final gained in opposition to their bitter rivals Mohun Bagan in a Kolkata derby.
However with a brand new coach and a model new crew at helm, East Bengal will look to take recent guard in Durand Cup’s much-anticipated conflict in opposition to their conventional rivals Bagan, right here on Saturday.
Carles Cuardat, who coached Bengaluru FC to the Indian Tremendous League title in 2018-19, gives a recent ray of hope to show the tide for the red-and-golds.
East Bengal completed ninth of their inaugural ISL season, whereas in 2021-22, they slumped to the underside of the 11-team desk, profitable only one out of the 20 matches.
Within the final season, they completed at ninth spot with six wins from 20 matches.
The Spaniard is effectively conscious that he has a giant job in hand, however having assembled a powerful squad with the likes of Cleiton Silva and Javier Siverio up entrance, he has rekindled the hopes of followers.
“Supporters are nice and supporting us all through. We all know how excited are they. We simply need to inform them we’re additionally working exhausting. We’ve loads to present to them,” the 54-year-old East Bengal gaffer mentioned in a media convention.
East Bengal had final gained in opposition to Mohun Bagan, a 2-0 consequence, approach again in January 27, 2019 within the I-League.
Since then, Mohun Bagan have gained eight on the trot and drew as soon as in opposition to East Bengal throughout all competitions.
“I come from a tradition the place Barcelona did not win La Liga in 14 years (1959-60 to 1973-74), for 10 years (from 1974-75 to 1984-85),” mentioned Cuadrat, who spent 12 years as a participant with Barca’s youth groups and was their health coach from 1998 to 2005.
“(At East Bengal) We try to create one thing with new gamers, attempting to alter the dynamics of the membership. Based mostly on the expertise of my colleagues in ISL, it takes two to 3 years to succeed.”
The Durand Cup derby can even mark the primary huge match of the season, earlier than the groups go into the ISL mode.
On paper, Mohun Bagan, the ISL reigning champions, look like clear favourites to carry on to their bragging rights however the truth that the star-studded facet is but to return on their very own will give Cuardat a possibility.
Mohun Bagan assembled a younger facet that delivered a 5-0 win in opposition to a sloppy Bangladesh Military FT within the Durand Cup opener.
However in opposition to I-League champions Punjab FC, they appeared rusty in securing a 2-0 win.
Whereas the primary was a gifted personal aim by Punjab, it took Mohun Bagan forty eighth minute to attain their first aim.
“We all know it is a crew with lots of energy, gained final yr’s (ISL) title and they’re getting ready for the AFC Cup. However we’ve a brand new crew with some promising gamers,” Cuadrat mentioned.
“Each match is a chance for us to enhance our ways and prepare for the season. By no means say die perspective, we’ve to point out that within the area.”
East Bengal’s premier striker Cleiton Silva, who gained the Footballer-of-the-Yr award on the membership for his 14 objectives and 4 assists in all competitions final season, will arrive solely on Friday and thus might be a uncertain starter.
As for Mohun Bagan, they can not afford to go all out as they’ve a much-important AFC Cup match in 4 days time.
“AFC Cup is necessary as a result of it is worldwide competitors. Clearly, the gamers prepare, they’re within the season and it is the final match earlier than the AFC Cup, so we are going to look to win it,” mentioned Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando.
“The matches (we gained in opposition to East Bengal) have been all previously, our focus is on the current and win this to safe a passage to the subsequent spherical.”
Mohun Bagan have six factors from two matches and one other win will affirm their quarterfinal berth within the event.
East Bengal, then again, have one level after drawing in opposition to Bangladesh Military FT. Six group toppers and two finest runners-up full the last-eight.
Mohun Bagan, who’ve additionally recalled their former coach Anotonio Lopez Habas this time as technical director, seem like a soccer powerhouse having assembled a powerful facet within the switch window.
They’ve lots of aim scoring choices in A-league winner Jason Cummings, Dimitri Petratos, Albanian worldwide Armando Sadiku to go along with the Indian duo of Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco.
Bagan’s defence has added Anwar Ali to go alongside Australian Brendan Hamill.
“I am joyful we’ve an excellent squad. It is troublesome to select an XI, however that is my job. An important to consider is my plan and get the very best out of every participant,” Ferrando mentioned.
