I-League 2018-19: 3 reasons why East Bengal can script second Kolkata Derby win over Mohun Bagan

East Bengal are going to play the second leg match against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan of this edition of the I-League on Sunday, 27th January at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The red and golds are not in a favourable position this time. With 22 points from 12 matches, they are sitting on the fourth position on the league table. Given the chance that they would be second with a win, East Bengal will be aiming all the three points from the match.

But the task is not easy. Mohun Bagan got a new lease of life under their new coach Khalid Jamil, as they won two back-to-back matches. It will be ‘revenge’ match for Jamil too, who was sacked last season after failing to deliver results. Also, Sony Norde will once again be playing a Derby, after missing the last three encounters.

“I have always said that I treat all the matches equally. Definitely this (Derby) is going to be a big match for us, but we are focusing on our team because sometimes small mistakes can cost you the game. We don’t want that,” said Alejandro Menendez before the match.

Let us look at the reasons why East Bengal could possibly come out victorious on Sunday.

#3 Closed training sessions

Ahead of the Derby, Spaniard Alejandro Menendez has preferred close door training sessions.

Since he was hired as the coach of East Bengal, Spaniard Alejandro Menendez kept allowing the fans and the media to witness their training sessions. But ahead of the Derby, he preferred close door training sessions.

The situation is the same like it was in the first leg. But there is a slight difference this time. In the first leg, the boundaries of the practice ground were covered with black clothes upon instructions by Menendez. That didn’t serve the purpose as one could easily see what was transpiring inside.

This time, Menendez changed the practice ground altogether. Instead of VYBK, East Bengal are now training inside Sports Authority of India training ground, which was built during U-17 World Cup. Media and fans are strictly not allowed.

That proves the Spanish coach is taking the match seriously and he doesn’t want to throw his strategy open. He also wants his team to be supremely fit when they take the field on Sunday.

For that, Menendez introduced Speed, Agility and Quickness (SAQ) training among red and golds footballers. The players were instructed to increase their quickly in order to bamboozle opponent defenders. They should also change their position in the process.

The next part was grid training where five players will move by playing passes within them. One player will be on the opposite side to block them. This was dedicated to the defenders to block counter-attacks.

The players were divided into two teams and played a practice match, but usual size of the field was shortened so that they could find space and play short passes.

“The players needed to concentrate on the match. For that, a close door training session was inevitable. Also, we had to work on some strategies which we don’t want to divulge,” Menendez said at the pre-match press conference.

East Bengal may come out with a different approach and different strategy this time which could win them the match.

#2 Availability of all six foreigners

As Enrique Esqueda has joined the team already, East Bengal will get all the foreigners ahead of their match against Mohun Bagan. For the first time, all the foreigners will be available for selection.

East Bengal have suffered without a second striker when Esqueda broke his rib and went back to his country. Come Sunday and he will most probably be included in the starting line-up. “Esqueda is fit and he is ready to play,” Menendez said on Friday.

Esqueda, who missed the first leg of the Derby due to injury, will be eager to make a mark this time. He has developed a good combination with Jobby Justin and the duo could create havoc against the green and maroon side.

If Esqueda starts, then Jaime Santos will have to sit in the dugout. Toni Dovale has already settled himself in the team and he will be starting on Sunday.

All the regulars including Kassim Aidara, Borja Perez and Johnny Acosta are fit and will be there in the starting line-up.

#1 Confidence after winning the first Derby

There was a time when East Bengal had a great team and came out winning this fixture almost every time. But after April 9, 2016, fortunes changed as the red and golds failed to win against their arch-rivals for as many as 32 months.

After their much needed win against Mohun Bagan on December 16 last year, East Bengal got a new found confidence. They are very much in the title race and a win on Sunday would catapult them into the second position on the league table.

East Bengal, clearly, don’t want to miss the opportunity. Thanks to physical trainer Carlos Nodar Paz, there is always a vibrant mood in the camp. All the players have a friendly relation within them and this is helping them to give their best on the field.

Also read: I-League Schedule I I-League Points Table

East Bengal made a tradition to gather at a nearby hotel a day before all their home matches. This time they assembled in the hotel on Friday, 48 hours before the match. This proves that everybody is taking the match very seriously.

Edited by Kingshuk Kusari