Calcutta Football League 2024: Mohun Bagan's predicted lineup against East Bengal

Mohun Bagan’s form in the Calcutta Football League has not been up to the mark.

The biggest of all the fixtures in Indian football, the Kolkata Derby is set to happen for the first time in 2024-25. 30-time Calcutta Football League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant are to lock horns with the most successful team in the competition, East Bengal.

The Mariners, playing with a young squad full of bright prospects haven’t got an ideal start to the campaign. The team are yet to win a game in CFL 2024, having drawn the first two games due to finishing vows and defensive errors.

Arch-rivals East Bengal are having a different picture in their campaign, having dominated in their first two games with massive wins. However, with stakes as high as this, form plays a minor part in these matches.

With that being said, let’s have a look at how the young guns of Mohun Bagan could lineup in this season’s first Kolkata Derby:

Goalkeeper: Raja Barman

The 23-year-old goalkeeper has started in the first two games for Mohun Bagan and is expected to start once again.

Barman failed to keep a clean-sheet in the initial games, forcing Mohun Bagan to share the spoils. He will however be able to compensate for the setbacks by showing his reflexes in this one.

Right-Back: Raj Basfore

The 2003-born defender has started from the right against both ASOS Rainbow and Bhawanipore Club. Deggie Cardozo is expected to have full faith in the talented defender in this game too. 

Basfore needs to keep his head calm in a high-voltage game like this, as we have seen him getting booked previously in Super Cup 2024.

Centre-Back: Dippendu Biswas

Another 21-year-old, Dippendu Biswas is known for his error-free defending. Observing silly mistakes in the first two games, Mohun Bagan might field Biswas in this all-important fixture to change things. 

He is yet to start in CFL 2024 and fans haven’t seen him play much, as he got only 10 minutes of action in the ISL 2023-24 playoffs.

Centre-Back: Sumit Rathi

The ace defender is probably the most high-profile player in Mohun Bagan’s CFL 2024 squad. From getting regular minutes in the ISL as a teenager to a lack of game-time among big names, Rathi is having it a bit tough now.

Cardozo didn’t make his No. 1 defender start in the first two games, maybe to save him for this clash. To get his old spot back, Rathi needs to capitalize on this game and the campaign ahead.

Left-Back: Brijesh Giri

Brijesh started in the game against Rainbow while missing the campaign opener. He is expected to play a key role in this game, with his ability to change flanks and operate from the left wing when necessary.

Central Midfielder: Abhishek Suryavanshi

The 23-year-old talented midfielder won hearts with his skills last season. The midfielder will be the biggest cause of worry for East Bengal’s defence.

Besides performing his duties in midfield, Suryavanshi has the talent to provide assists and take regular shots. He didn’t start in the campaign opener, but captained the Mariners in the last game.

Central Midfielder: Sibajit Singh

The teenager curled a wonderful free-kick to give Mohun Bagan an initial lead in the first match. He has impressed everyone with his pace and skills in the ongoing tournament and the Mariners will be hoping to see some magic from him in the derby.

Right Midfielder: Serto Kom

The prospect with his dribbling skills can haunt East Bengal’s defence. His impact was initially felt in the game against ASOS Rainbow. He needs to gel well with Taison Singh and assist Suhail Bhat without errors.

Central Attacking Midfielder: Salahudheen Adnan K

Having played both the games, Adnan is yet to score a goal in the campaign. He hasn’t shined in the past two encounters and he needs to up his game in this one to protect his spot.

Left Midfielder: Taison Singh

The India U-20 winger, with his pace, skills and shots, can prove to be Mohun Bagan’s trump card in the clash. In Suhail’s double against ASOS Rainbow, Taison provided him with perfect assists from distant free-kicks. 

Mohun Bagan can shock a formidable East Bengal side with good set-pieces, particularly from Taison.

Striker: Suhail Bhat

The 19-year-old lethal forward struck a wonderful brace against Rainbow to give Mohun Bagan an initial lead. He also captained the side in the first game. For Mohun Bagan to bag full points, the Taison-Suhail combination will be vital.

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