Preview: East Bengal aim to turn the tide against ATK Mohun Bagan

The Mariners are undefeated in the last eight derbies.

The titans of Indian football collide on Saturday, as East Bengal lock horns with arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium. This ISL 2022-23 fixture is currently of zero importance to both sides, since the Red & Golds have been knocked out of the playoffs race long back, and the Mariners have already embraced their fate.

The Stakes

East Bengal

When it comes to the Kolkata derby, no statistics come into the picture. It really doesn’t matter where the teams stand in the points table. The quality or depth of the team goes for a toss.

East Bengal last defeated ATK Mohun Bagan in 2019 and are yet to defeat them in the ISL. Thus, Stephen Constantine’s army will be hoping to salvage three points, end their season on a high and give their fans something to cheer for.

ATK Mohun Bagan

Juan Ferrando was under tremendous pressure a few weeks back when his team had lost form. In the previous match, after ATK Mohun Bagan secured their playoffs berth, he was the most relieved man.

His side’s current aim will be to secure the home fixture for the eliminator game. Thus, three points are of immense importance to the Mariners.

Injury & Team News

East Bengal will miss the services of Ivan Gonzalez. ATK Mohun Bagan meanwhile, have Carl McHugh injured. However, we believe he might be either in the line-up or in the bench against East Bengal.

Head-to-Head

The rivalry dates back to 1925, when East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan, courtesy a goal from Nepal Chakraborty. The two sides have met 383 times prior to this game.

East Bengal – 132

ATK Mohun Bagan – 126

Drawn – 125

Predicted Line-ups

East Bengal (4-4-2)

Kamaljit Singh (GK); Sarthak Golui, Lalchungnunga, Charalambos Kyriakou, Jerry Lalrinzuala; VP Suhair, Mobashir Rahman, Alex Lima, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Jake Jervis, Cleiton Silva

ATK Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1)

Vishal Kaith (GK); Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Slavko Damjanovic, Subhasish Bose; Glan Martins, Carl McHugh; Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco; Dimitri Petratos

Player to Watch

Naorem Mahesh Singh (East Bengal)

Mahesh has been the recent talk of the town, after he scored a stunner against Mumbai City to hand the Shield winners their first home defeat. The prolific left winger has scored twice this season and assisted seven times, second after FC Goa’s Noah Sadaoui who has nine to his name.

If left free to roam, Mahesh can create havoc. Thus, it would be Asish Rai’s duty to look after the 23-year-old’s activities on the left flank.

Dimitri Petratos (ATK Mohun Bagan)

You might be surprised to see his name in this section, rather than Carl McHugh, who scored a brace in the last game. But, Petratos is the player East Bengal need to be wary of. The Red & Golds never had a problem up front. Rather, it was their defensive third which leaked in way too many goals.

Petratos has netted eight goals and has provided seven assists in 18 appearances for the Mariners. He’ll be Juan Ferrando’s trump card against East Bengal, for sure!

Did You Know?

• ATK Mohun Bagan are unbeaten in the last eight Kolkata derbies.
• In between February 2007 and February 2009, East Bengal were not able to defeat the Mariners across seven derbies.
• From 20th September, 1969 to 5th January, 1975, for 1932 days and 17 derbies, East Bengal remained undefeated to Mohun Bagan, a record intact.
• The highest number of goals scored in a derby is eight, a 5-3 scoreline in 2009, which ended in Mohun Bagan’s favour.
• The highest victory margin in a Kolkata derby remains 5-0, a feat achieved by East Bengal way back in 1975.

Telecast

The East Bengal vs ATK Mohun Bagan game will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium on 25th February, 2023 (Saturday). Kick-off is scheduled at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be telecasted live on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will stream the game.