The iconic Kolkata Derby is back with Mohun Bagan Super Giant taking on arch-rivals East Bengal FC in what promises to be a riveting match under the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 19 at the historic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. It will be interesting to see which team will be bouncing back from two tough starts into a hopefully calmer home showdown with two winless clubs. With the city buzzing in anticipation, this storied rivalry brings with it a rich history and fierce competition, and both teams will be looking to reverse their challenging starts to the season.
A Tale of Two Struggling Teams At ISL 2024
East Bengal FC is the first team in the ISL 2024-25 to lose all of its first four matches and is frantically searching for the maiden points, a club low in the history of that club. On the other hand, an attacking fire-power that has been banging in seven goals in the opening four games has hurt Mohun Bagan Super Giant in its fragile defense. Both teams have much to prove so this version of the derby is all the more crucial.
Mariners In Form
Mohun Bagan Super Giant goes into the derby, having galvanized confidence from an authoritative 3-0 win over Mohammedan SC. Head coach Jose Molina would like to carry that forward, becoming the first side to win successive matches and collect successive clean sheets for this season. Mariners have scored in all of their last 12 ISL matches at the Salt Lake Stadium and are among the second-highest scoring sides by any team at a single venue in a calendar year – after netting 29 in 2024.
Statistically, Mohun Bagan has been the most efficient attacking unit this season. They average 7.3 shots on target per game with a league best shooting accuracy of 55.8%, making them a daunting challenge for any opposition defence.
East Bengal FC Struggles And Their Quest To Redeem Themselves
East Bengal FC faces this derby at a very crucial point of their season. Winless in their last eight ISL derbies against Mohun Bagan, the Red and Gold Brigade have conceded at least two goals in every one of those matches. It is the chance for them to reverse the trend this season and take home a much-needed win. Though his team has struggled under him, head coach Bino George remains confident in the management’s squad and is positive that his team will get through the game with all the strategies right.
Players To Watch Out For
Madih Talal from East Bengal FC has made East Bengal indispensable as he tops the chart with his passes ending in the final third of the pitch at 83 and also tops the list in successful passes in that area with 63 passes in the 2024-25 ISL season. His vision and his sense of playing orchestration will be superb for the Red and Gold Brigade.
Dimitri Petratos from Mohun Bagan Super Giant has been very consistent in the Kolkata Derby, with five goal contributions from previous derbies. But he has scored only once out of six ISL matches, and it would be a vital game to leave a mark for him.
Will East Bengal Break Their Derby Curse?
The Kolkata Derby is always an affair to remember, and this one did promise to be one as well. Mohun Bagan Super Giant has dominated in recent times when the two teams play against each other, but East Bengal is on its way to try to seal a turnaround in fortunes here. Will this be the match that stretches the Mariners’ dominance over the Boro or can East Bengal break free from the shackles and secure a memorable victory?
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
