#4 Borja Fernandez and Javi Lara
The two Spanish midfielders are hugely crucial to Kolkata’s fortunes. Borja’s defensive work in midfield is as good as anyone else in the league, but his passing is an underrated aspect of his game. A lot of times, it is Borja who is starting off Kolkata’s attacks with an incisive pass to one of the front players.
Lara is a slightly different kind of player to Borja. He plays in a slightly more advanced role in midfield than Borja and is the one linking the midfield with the attackers. Although he doesn’t have any assists this season, he has got himself three goals this season. But given that Kolkata have not won any game this season by more than one goal, all of Lara’s goals have come in situations where they have rescued points for Kolkata.
It is not just their ability on the pitch that makes Borja and Lara indispensable for Kolkata. Their experience and leadership on the field in invaluable for Molina. Especially this season with youngsters like Prabir and Abinash Ruidas making a huge impression, it will be a bigger duty for the experienced duo to guide them through on the pitch.
This will be the biggest game they have played in their careers so far, especially Ruidas, who has impressed one and all so far this season.