ISL 2025-26: Oscar Bruzon stays focused ahead of Jamshedpur FC clash

East Bengal to lock horn against the Red Miners in their third home game in ISL 2025-26.

East Bengal FC will host Jamshedpur FC on 27th February 2026 in Indian Super League Season (ISL) 2025-26. East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon wants to maintain the momentum they left in the previous match against SC Delhi at home.

As things stand these two teams are set to take on with each other for the top spot. The match marks more than a game. This will be a test of their fortune against all odds in the new ISL season, as the Men of Steel goes to the city of joy to face East Bengal.

Oscar Bruzon and his Torchbearers will be set for their third consecutive win in a row in front of their home fans and retain their top spot in the points table.

Before the match, Captain Saul Crespo and Head Coach Oscar Bruzon addressed the media and shared their viewpoints.

Oscar Bruzon was asked about his plan against Jamshedpur FC and his thoughts on the Red Miners.

When Oscar Bruzon was asked what his aim in tomorrow’s match against the Men of Steel will be, will they only go for all the three points or will they also want to increase their goal difference tally.

Oscar stated: “I am glad that you’ve asked this question, it is evident from this question that I can see you’ve confidence in the way that we’re playing this season so far. We will focus first to win the game, and, in the consequence, we would also like to carry the momentum from our last two games. We know our pattern of playing and want to reach the peak of our performance. We also want to carry our winning momentum as we are playing quite well but remember still some of our players are recovering from the injuries.

“First of all, I would like to say both the teams have won their first two matches in the start of the league and are on 6 points which is not an easy task at all. Secondly, we played against Owen Coyle last year when he was the coach of Chennaiyin FC. So, we know his style of playing, their strong and weak points, they also know our strong and weak points. I know they have quality players like Madih Talal and Messi Bouli in the upfront and depends a lot on set pieces and transition playing. Let’s see tomorrow who wins this strong tactical battle.” he also stated.

Oscar shared his thoughts on the importance of Miguel Figueira and the threat of Madih Talal and Messi Bouli

The Spaniard stated: “Yes Miguel is a very important player for us. But we know the threat of Madih Talal he will be playing as a linking player with Messi Bouli. They’re quality players and will create a lot of pressure to us sometimes through their pace, but we would like to give away a smaller number of fouls to them tomorrow. Because they’re a very strong side in set pieces with the likes of Madih, he has a very good kick, Messi, Pronay and others. They would be waiting for our mistakes in the midfield and would like to build up from those errors.”

“No, as a team we don’t have any regrets of releasing Talal. He was not in a good condition after last year’s injury. It was a mutual decision of the club and the team management to release him last year we could take depending on the situation. But he has recovered well, and have also scored in the first match, I wish him well for the rest of the season. He is a quality player and we’re aware of the threat he possesses.” Oscar also stated.

When the gaffer was asked about the psychological preparation of the team ahead of their home game of the season.

He explained: “We are not focusing on the goal difference or the points table, as I have told our main focus will be on tomorrow’s game. We are improving day by day and want to focus one game at a time. Yes, it’s good to win two matches in a row, but if I’m not wrong on this day itself that is on 26th February last year, we won three matches in a row for the first time in the ISL, so we can repeat that again tomorrow if we carry the momentum. But again, there is no room for over confidence in the team, the atmosphere is positive but if we play like this and carry the momentum we can achieve what we are up to. But it is still not the time to think about the trophy and all the other things.”

Bruzon shared his views on the availability of Miguel, Saul and Anton against Jamshedpur and raised his voice against fake news

When Oscar was asked about is there any injury concern regarding East Bengal’s main force of the midfield so far, Miguel Figueira.

He stated: “No Miguel is completely fit and he will be playing tomorrow. As I have told earlier, we want to maintain a good atmosphere within the team and want our players to stay fit psychologically so that they can give their best on the field. And regarding Saul we will take the decision tomorrow morning after consulting with the medical team. Anton is completely fit, whether he will play tomorrow or not that depends on the availability of Saul, you will get to see tomorrow. But definitely at some point of time in the game, he will get a chance to play as I have already mentioned that we will go with all the four foreigners in the playing eleven.”

“Like Saul I would also like to highlight one point that when we are playing well, the atmosphere within the team is good, some newspapers and media persons are spreading fake news about our players, coaching staff, team management, leaking all the confidential information of the team and trying to recreate a negative culture. It’s my request please stop doing all this and don’t spread this kind of fake news. The team is doing well finally after a long time, there is no difference within the team, and we share a strong bond amongst us. I would request all our fans to refrain themselves from this fake news and they need not to believe in all this news now.” he also said.

Saul Crespo was asked about his recurring fitness problem and his thoughts on the opponents, Jamshedpur FC.

When Captain Saul Crespo was asked about his fitness and how much he is prepared to play the match against the Red Miners, as he has suffered from a muscle strain and was not featured in the last match against SC Delhi.

He stated: “Tomorrow morning I will check up with the medical team, and I am quite fit to play against Jamshedpur but will check with the medical team tomorrow and we’ll see.”

“Jamshedpur is a very strong team and they have good players like we know the quality of Talal, and Messi, what threats they possess. We also know their coach Owen and his style of playing. But before answering any other question I want to clarify one thing, for the last few days I have been hearing and seeing a lot of fake news being spread about me and the team. As a captain of the team I don’t like all this fake news, please stop spreading all this news. Some people are trying to create negative atmosphere in the dressing room. But I can say we have a very good relationship amongst us including all the players, staff, coach Oscar, Bino and everyone. The atmosphere in the dressing room is very good, and we share a strong team-bonding amongst us.

“No, I don’t think it’s a recurring problem, that is my fitness. Because this season so far, I have just missed only one match, that is the last game against SC Delhi in the ISL. Before this I have played all the matches in the Durand Cup, the IFA Shield and the Super Cup.” he also added.

Crespo also reflects on East Bengal’s solid start to the league this year and his message for the fans.

Saul Crespo acknowledges the importance of the large number of home games this season and the support of their home fans.

Crespo explained: “Yes, we’ve started this season very well with two back-back wins in our bag. I have told the team, we need to carry this momentum as our team is very strong this year and we are preparing really well. There is no room for over confidence at all in the dressing room.”

“Yes, this year we’ll be playing a greater number of home matches, it will help us because we’ll get the support of our home fans. This is a huge boost to our confidence level. Fans are an integral part of the club, so we need their support and requests them to come in large numbers in our upcoming matches too.” he finished off.

Oscar and Saul shared their message for the fans of the Red and Gold Brigade.

Fans came in large numbers in the last two home games of the Torchbearers and have witnessed the emphatic victory of their team.

Saul stated: “I would like to thank all the fans first of all. They are an integral part of this club. We need them and request them all to come tomorrow again and support us for good positive results. We as a team share a strong bonding with them as well.” he said.

Oscar said: “As I have told they are our biggest strength. They should come and support us in large numbers as they are doing. We need their support to carry this momentum and produce positive results for the club and the supporters.” he finished off.

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