The Kolkata Derby : Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal : Match preview, Team News and Playing XI

The day Kolkata stood steel the day Bengalis divide into two parts and the day attention of whole Bengal in just one location. It is the day when the two Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal collide in a Football match. The rivalry of 98 years and it will be the 367th time since 8th August 1921 they have been facing each other. All roads will lead to the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday afternoon as arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will once again renew their rivalry on the football pitch.

Mohun Bagan and East Bengal both are not in good position in I-league as league leader Chennai City FC well in top with 9 points and 8 points lead respectively from Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Although East Bengal played one less match than Mohun Bagan and Chennai they will be desperate to win this match as this will be their last chance to win the I-League as they have never conquer the National Football League since it was established as I-league. Mohun Bagan on other hand little bit on stable path after Khalid Jamil the AFC pro License holder coach took over the job of the Manager. Last year Khalid was the coach of their arch rival East Bengal and he had limited success. Khalid Jamil never won any derby in his career and last year his team East Bengal practically humiliated by Mohun Bagan in 2nd derby of I-league.  Khalid was sacked by East Bengal after a disappointing end in the last season, failing to win the I-League and even the Indian Super Cup. After being out of action for a few months, the ‘green and maroon’ brigade’ summoned him to revive their season. But the former I-League winning coach is not eyeing at revenge over his ex-club but is focussing on the match and Mohun Bagan.

Mohun Bagan went down 3-2 in the reverse fixture on December 16 and therefore will be looking to make amends for the previous loss. Although the Mariners have managed to turn things around under the guidance of Khalid Jamil, a stern test awaits them when they host East Bengal.

Pintu Mahata, Arijit Bagui and Omar Elhusseiny are all available for selection which is definitely going to boost Bagan's confidence ahead of the crucial tie. Moreover, Sony Norde's current form is assuring the Bagan faithful that they can avenge the earlier defeat.

Most battles are won or lost at the centre of the park and Bagan's midfield is certainly a cause of concern. The likes of Yuta Kinowaki and Darren Caldeira were outplayed against NEROCA and now it remains to be seen whether they can hold their ground against Lalrindika Ralte and Kassim Aidara.

Henry Kisekka and Aser Dipanda are not in the best of form which is bound to put more pressure on Norde. The Haitian will have to don the role of creator as well with neither Caldeira or Kinowaki are adept at creating scoring opportunities.

Set-pieces can determine the outcome of the match and it is no surprise that both coaches have focused on dead ball situations in their practice sessions in the run-up to the derby.

Both teams have specialists in Norde and Ralte who will have the onus of delivering inch perfect crosses from free-kicks and corners. Norde was seen sharpening his skills even after the practice session so that he can hit the bull's eye on the big day.

Enrique Esqueda is fit and will be used on Sunday. The attacking trident of Jaime Colado, Enrique Esqueda and Jobby Justin will test Bagan's backline which has suffered in the current campaign. Eze Kingsley must marshall his fellow defenders as much will depend on how well Bagan organise their defence.


Team News

Mohun Bagan AC: Sourav Das and Sukhdev Singh will not be available on January 27, against East Bengal for their injuries. Fit-again Omar Elhusseiny will be available on the day of Derby though he might start the game from the reserves, as he suffered a leg injury against NEROCA FC on January 12. Arijit Bagui will possibly be there in the starting XI, who has been out of the pitch for the last two matches.


Quess East Bengal FC: After getting a red card in the match against Indian Arrows, Manoj Mohammed will not be available against Mohun Bagan on January 27. Meanwhile, fit-again Enrique Esqueda has joined the Red and Golds on January 21, who returned back home due to his injury in the ribs last month. Alejandro Menéndez got his trump card back right before the second leg of the Kolkata Derby. The Red and Golds fans can hope to see their Mexican Striker back in action on Sunday against Mohun Bagan.

Probable Playing XI

Mohun Bagan : 

Shilton, Arijit, Kimkima, Kingsley, Gurjinder, Caldeira, Yuta, Sony, Omar, Pintu, Dicka




East Bengal :

Dagar, Samad, Perez, Acosta, Chullova, Dovale, Lalrindika, Aidara, Danmawia, Colado, Justin