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The first Kolkata Derby of the 2019-20 season ended in a 0-0 draw as both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan shared the spoils. Both the teams had plenty of chances but missed the cutting edge in the final third to inflict the blow.
East Bengal began the game with a 4-4-2 formation with Lalthuammawia Ralte starting between the sticks. The quartet of Mehtab Singh, Marti Crespi, Kamalpreet Singh, and Abhishek Ambekar completed the back-four. Kassim Aidara and Lalrindika Ralte played in the centre of the park and Brandon Vanlalremdika and Pintu Mahata galloped down the wings. Marcos Jimenez de la Espada and Ronaldo Oliveira, who got his first start, shared the responsibilities of scoring goals.
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Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, played in a 4-5-1 formation. Debjit Majumder guarded the goal and Ashutosh Mehta, Francisco Morante, Gurjinder Kumar, and Lalramchullova took charge of the defensive proceedings of the game. SK Sahil, Surabuddin Mullick, Francisco Gonzalez, Nongdamba Naorem, and Joseba Beitia manned the midfield whereas Suhair VP played as the lone man upfront.
#5 Kibu Vicuna reigns supreme in the battle of Spanish tacticians
The first Kolkata Derby of 2019-20 season saw the first time both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan were helmed by Spanish managers. While Alejandro Menendez' East Bengal exploited the wings and pounced on the long balls and dead-ball deliveries from Lalrindika Ralte, Kibu Vicuna's Mohun Bagan took the ground route and carved the defence through silky passing.
The latter bossed the midfield with Joseba Beitia, in particular, creating havoc for the opposition midfield and defence. His combination with Nongdamba Naorem in the left flank was also difficult for the East Bengal defence to contain.
East Bengal grew in stature in the second half and created some goalscoring opportunities. But, Mohun Bagan still had overall control of the game.
In the game of tactical battles, Kibu Vicuna had the upper hand in CFL Kolkata Derby. But, the real battle will be in the I-League.
#4 Mohun Bagan and East Bengal miss Colado and Chamorro's brilliance in the final third
Salva Chamorro's suspension forced Mohun Bagan to play VP Suhair as the lone striker. While the former East Bengal man was prolific in the Durand Cup semi-final victory against Real Kashmir, the trickery in the final third and finishing which Chamorro brings to the table was missing from him.
East Bengal started with Marcos Jimenez de la Espada and Ronaldo Oliveira and decided to bench Jaime Colado. This was in accordance with head coach Alejandro Menendez' plan to give them exposure before I-League begins.
Jaime Colado has been with East Bengal for a year and even scored against BSS and Aryan earlier in the Calcutta Football League. Espada and Oliveira are yet to reach the same level of understanding with their teammates as that of Colado. East Bengal cannot be dependent on one player in the final third. Once Oliveira and Espada settle down, they should be a formidable side in the attacking forefront.
#3 Ronaldo Oliveira shows glimpses of Jobby Justin
East Bengal fans hyped Ronaldo Oliveira as Jobby Justin's successor even before he penned a deal with them. The top goal-scorer in the Goa Professional League is yet to score for them but has shown glimpses.
Certain traits which Jobby possessed like drifting to the wings and getting the better of the opposition full-back to cut in was witnessed in the Kolkata Derby today. East Bengal fans in the stands were full praise of him in the 8th minute when he got hold of the ball in the rival's half and dribbled all the way into the centre.
Jobby not only scored goals but also created opportunities for others. That characteristic is missing from Oliveira's arsenal so far. The good news for him, however, is he is under the tutelage of Alejandro Menendez.
The Spaniard is known for getting the best out of the strikers and he has already started to do wonders with Bidyanandha Singh. Oliveira will also start to flourish as time progresses.
#2 Both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal missed plenty of chances
The 0-0 scoreline didn't do justice to the match as there were plenty of goalmouth actions for East Bengal and Mohun Bagan to exploit and score goals. The best chance of the game came in the 64th minute for East Bengal when Pintu Mohata found Ronaldo Oliveira in the six-yard box. However, he shot the ball straight into the rival goalkeeper's hand.
Mohun Bagan, too, had the opportunity to take the lead earlier in the contest when Suhair VP found himself in a one-on-one situation in the 45th minute of the match. With acres of space in front of him and no one closing him down, he tried to go for glory from distance but the rival goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte was positioned perfectly to get a hold off the ball.
Mohun Bagan forward line failed to forge an understanding with Joseba Beitia to score a goal. The same was the case for East Bengal as they couldn't convert Lalrindika Ralte's deadly set-pieces and long balls into goals.
#1 CFL title running out of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan's hands?
The last time the CFL title didn't go in East Bengal or Mohun Bagan's trophy cabinet was way back in 1981, when Mohammedan SC clinched the honours. Since then, the title has been swinging between the two giants of Kolkata football but now it looks we might have a new winner.
East Bengal are on the fourth spot in the points table with 7 points from 4 matches. Peerless are ahead on them on account of goal difference whereas George Telegraph have two points more than them having played the same number of matches. Bhowanipore are leading the pack now with 10 points but having played an extra game.
Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, are languishing on the eighth spot with 5 points from 4 matches. Peerless had given the Mariners a scare in the previous season by finishing ahead of East Bengal in the second position.
But, the contest was always between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to take the honours for decades. But now, it looks as if the tables have turned. The 'Big Two' are playing catch-up to George Telegraph and Bhowanipore, who can clinch the title for the first time in their club history.
