Following the cancellation of what was supposed to be the season’s first Kolkata derby in the 2024-25 Durand Cup in August due to security reasons, the City of Joy is finally gearing up for the biggest clash in Indian football. Friends become foes and neighbours grow distant for few days every year when the two rivals come face to face in this city gripped by football fever.
One such day was lost in August amidst escalating protests in the aftermath of the rape and murder incident at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. In an unprecedented turn of events, fans of both the clubs, who in general don’t see eye to eye, also united in protests.
However, with East Bengal FC set to take on Mohun Bagan SG in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday, Kolkata will be split into two again. The two teams, though, will step on to the hallowed turf of the Salt Lake Stadium from opposite sides of the spectrum.
The fourth-placed green and maroon brigade is in a decent run of form after winning two and drawing one in its four matches so far. On the contrary, the red and gold team is at the bottom of the table having lost all their four matches.
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With new coach Jose Francisco Molina at the helm, Mohun Bagan have kicked off their season on a positive note. The defending ISL Shield holders made it to the final of pre-season Durand Cup only to suffer an unexpected defeat to NorthEast United FC.
However, with key signings like Jamie Maclaren and Greg Stewart shining, it didn’t take Mohun Bagan long to move past their Durand disappointment. They have already won their first derby of the season against Mohammedan SC. Ahead of Saturday’s clash, the Mariners received a further boost with Sahal Abdul Samad returning from injury.
Maclaren, who is the all-time top scorer in Australia’s A-League, was roped in by Mohun Bagan ahead of the 2024-25 season. Believed to be the most expensive signing in the history of Indian football so far, the 31-year-old got a taste of the passion involved in Kolkata when he scored in his team’s 3-0 win against another city rival, Mohammedan SC.
He said, “The day I landed at Kolkata, from airport to the hotel, I heard only one thing from the fan: derby, derby. It’s here now. I am looking forward to it. I hope to contribute to ensure we win the derby.”
“These derbies are what you play the game for. There are not many matches I have played where 60-70 thousand people come. So, it’s a humbling opportunity for me as a player.” Maclaren further added that the derby was one of the major factors for him to come to Mohun Bagan.
Despite such attacking threats, defence remains a concern for Molina. Having scored eight, the second highest in this season’s ISL so far, Mohun Bagan have also conceded seven.
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This is where East Bengal will hope to pounce on after spending a fortune in the last transfer window to bolster their forward line and midfield. They roped in last season’s top scorer and highest assist provider, Dimitros Diamantakos and Madih Talal, respectively.
The Torchbearers also got hold of Indian midfielder Jeakson Singh and striker David Lalhlansanga, along with defender Anwar Ali, arguably the most controversial signing in Indian football in recent times. However, all these activities in the market have failed to achieve desired results.
The club have had to part ways with their cherished former coach, Carles Cuadrat, who had led them to their first trophy in over a decade with last season’s Super Cup victory. This came after suffering three consecutive league defeats.
Interim coach Bino George could only watch helplessly from the sidelines as his team suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat, losing 0-2 to Jamshedpur FC just before the international break. With new coach Oscar Bruzon yet to take charge, George would hope to discover some light at the end of the dark tunnel that East Bengal currently find themselves in.
Diamantakos and attacking full-back Nishu Kumar have returned from injury and are expected to be included in the squad for Saturday's derby against Mohun Bagan. Their presence will boost the team's attack and, hopefully, provide the Bangal Brigade fans with something to celebrate.
However, given their current form and having lost seven and drawn one in eight ISL derbies so far, East Bengal face their arch rivals at possibly the worst time.