Kolkata, 3 February (HS). The Salt Lake Stadium ground will witness the first Kolkata derby of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season this evening when Mohun Bagan Super Giants and East Bengal FC clash at the ground at 7:30 PM IST. These two teams have a historically very important rivalry that has been going on for over a century. After a spectacular title success in the Kalinga Super Cup played in Odisha, the Red and Gold Brigade will be equal contenders for three points in the upcoming Kolkata derby.
After the last few disappointing campaigns, the Red and Gold team started a new chapter by appointing former Bengaluru FC head coach Carles Cuadrat as their tactician. They then made it to the final of the Durand Cup and then remained close to a playoff spot through the middle of the ISL season, and have now won the Super Cup title which will give them the chance to compete in Asia next year.
The Mariners, on the other hand, entered the current season with an extremely strong squad after adding several marquee players in the summer. However, Mohun Bagan Super Giants struggled in December due to injuries to players and other complications, so the club dismissed Juan Ferrando and brought in a familiar face in the form of another Spanish head coach, Antonio López Habas. Made my way back to the club. Habas will be seen on the touch-line for the first time this ISL season and there couldn’t be a better chance for him to make his impact than in the Kolkata derby.
East Bengal FC’s Spanish head coach Carles Cuadrat said pre-match, “After a big win, you can lose concentration and we are working on that. “However, I know I don’t need to ask for anything from my players to motivate them as they are fully focused and motivated to play another big encounter against our rival in the Kolkata derby.”
Antonio Lopez Habas, Spanish head coach of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, said, “My intention in football is always to prepare my team in such a way that it can compete with the rivals. Yes, the opponent is important, but for me the most important thing is to look at my team and work on it instead of looking at the opponent.”
So far 6 matches have been played between the two teams and all the matches have been won by Mohun Bagan Super Giant.