Mohun Bagan predicted lineup for East Bengal clash in ISL 2024-25 Kolkata Derby

The Mariners will hope to grab their first Kolkata Derby win of the season.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant are raring to go in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25, after a mellow start, as they come up against longtime rivals East Bengal FC. The Mariners have still managed to pick up two wins against NorthEast United and more recently Mohammedan SC, while also drawing with Mumbai City FC on opening day.

East Bengal on the other hand, have been on a six-game losing streak; a record that didn’t sit pretty with the clubs’ vocal faithful or management, as Carles Cuadrat was axed. Interim coach Bino George oversaw yet another defeat at the hands of Khalid Jamil’s resurgent Jamshedpur FC. 

The Green and Maroons will have all the more reason to prey on the Torchbearers’ wounds as they demolished ISL debutants Mohammedan 3-0 in a swashbuckling mini Kolkata derby display. Fans were delighted at Jose Molina’s tactical preference and should he stick with the same, Mohun Bagan have more than enough to concoct a recipe for success.  

Formation: 4-2-3-1

While he has tinkered with a three-back system, Jose Molina seems to have found that his Mohun Bagan side flourishes with a back four. More so, if a fully foreign centre-back pairing of Alberto Rodriguez and Tom Aldred is fielded, allowing the more attack-minded fullbacks to concentrate on overloading the flanks. It will also allow the attacking quartet to combine to devastating effect.

Goalkeeper – Vishal Kaith

Vishal Kaith is an undoubted candidate to start between the sticks for Mohun Bagan. Who else but the ISL Golden Glove-winning watchful guardian to keep a tight vigil on East Bengal’s slippery forwards and daunting midfielders? 

Despite keeping fewer clean sheets than last season, Kaith has been reliable with a 32% shot-saving accuracy and managing to concede only 7 times from a whopping 46 shots on target. His underrated ball distribution has also been a welcome route for the Mariners to shock their opposition on the break.

Right Back – Asish Rai

Under-fire right-back Asish Rai has endured a tough start to the season, with underwhelming displays for both club and country. While he has been heavily criticized for his defensive lapses and faulty decision-making upfront, Rai put in a commendable shift for Mohun Bagan against Mohammedan.

The fullback’s confidence seems to have taken a hit, but he did well to win his only aerial duel and 60% of his ground duels in the last game. With the added security of Aldred and Rodriguez, covering the space behind him, Rai can be expected to return to being the marauding presence down the right wing he is renowned for. 

Centre-Back – Tom Aldred 

Despite a slow start to life in the ISL, Tom Aldred’s redemption arc has slowly started to bear fruit. Aldred might have looked slow on the field in certain situations but his underlying numbers have been no joke. 

The Aussie centre-back has won 78% of his aerial duels in four games for Mohun Bagan in the ISL 2024-25 while committing only an average of 1.3 fouls per game. Aldred will be further vitalized to take on an underperforming Diamantakos but shall nevertheless prove a worthy opponent for the athletic Greek striker even if he manages to brush off his troubles.

Centre-Back – Alberto Rodriguez

Alberto Rodriguez has only started two games in the ISL 2024-25 so far yet his partnership with Aldred has looked like a tried and tested foundation for Mohun Bagan. The Spanish centre-half scored in his debut against Mumbai City and can be a lethal threat to the Torchbearers from set-pieces. 

Surprisingly, his towering stature belies his passing range and accuracy as he has broken lines quite often, averaging a 71% accuracy in the opposition half. Needless to say, Rodriguez will give Molina the perfect option to play out from the back but obstruct the likes of Madih Talal and Nandhakumar when called upon.    

ALSO READ: East Bengal predicted lineup for Mohun Bagan clash in ISL 2024-25 Kolkata Derby

Left Back – Subhasish Bose

Subhasish Bose has turned the harsh criticism he has faced for his underwhelming displays for the Indian football team into fuel for his league performances. The fullback has fulfilled his role as Mohun Bagan’s skipper down to the T, leading with two goals and an assist.

Bose has displayed an uncanny habit of popping up at the right place at the right time, more specifically during set-pieces. This has given him an edge over unassuming opponents who dismiss his lanky frame but fail to realize his cutthroat finishing skills. Likewise, he can use his dribbling finesse to ease pressure on Mohun Bagan’s flanks while setting up his teammates against East Bengal or bomb down the left flank to restrict their pacy wingers.  

Central Defensive Midfielder –  Anirudh Thapa

Anirudh Thapa might not have been much of a goalscoring sensation or midfield maestro that he usually is, but he has managed to construct a well-oiled unit in the middle of the park for Mohun Bagan. Alongside Apuia, he has struggled at times to outlast and outperform the more technically gifted foreigners but he has held his ground regardless.

East Bengal’s tendency to drag players wide, will grant him lucrative openings that he should be able to exploit given his calibre. Thapa’s turnover of three key passes might look insufficient in this case but what makes him more useful is his record of 20 recoveries in four games, meaning he will harrow the Torchbearers and help turnover possession in crucial areas for his side.

Central Defensive Midfielder – Apuia

Apuia’s role has changed once again this season as he has been fielded more as a number six than the energetic number eight that Petr Kratky had encouraged him to become at Mumbai City. However, like Thapa, he holds the potential to control the tempo of the game, taking it by the scruff of the neck at his beck and call. 

The Indian midfield general’s eye for a pass has also improved with time and is as efficient as he is with his quick turns and tactful tackles. Apuia displayed the tenacity to keep up with teams that break on the counter through long balls, stretching their opposition forcefully to open up gaps, in Mohun Bagan’s 3-2 win over NorthEast United. If he can emulate the same against East Bengal, he can cause significant problems down the middle.

Right Midfielder – Manvir Singh

Manvir Singh has not exactly been his best self for Mohun Bagan this season. His inability to put the finishing touch on promising moves has jeopardized vital points for the Mariners as well.

Amidst the backlash, Manvir can profit off the team’s uplifted mood, carving out a place on the right wing, and getting back to what he does best: terrorize opponents with his pace and thunderous shooting. Playing on the right flank as a traditional winger might pose more challenges but the winger can utilize East Bengal’s lapses in communication and feast on the disconnect between their centre-backs and fullbacks.

Central Attacking Midfielder – Greg Stewart 

Greg Stewart’s return to form has been stellar; so much so that he has displaced the twinkle-toed Sahal Abdul Samad out of Mohun Bagan’s starting lineup. While he has already displayed his laser-guided passing with three assists this season, it was against Mohammedan that he also put on a solo showcase. 

For the Mariners’ third goal, Stewart glided past the entire defense as the Black and White Brigade stood shellshocked and watched his right-footed effort get nestled beautifully into the bottom corner. The Scotsman’s silky feet seem to have been restored after a momentary dip in form, and should he use them once more, he can rip the Torchbearers’ disjointed defence to shreds. 

ALSO READ: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan: Three key battles that could decide ISL 2024-25 Kolkata Derby

Left Midfielder – Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco is another name that has had a slow and ineffective start in the ISL 2024-25 but his true threat lies in his fearless and direct take-on. Liston has also created five key chances in four games for Mohun Bagan but has been wildly inaccurate with his shooting.

Fabled for his rocket right foot, the Indian left winger’s power has overcompensated for his accuracy this season, and has been a cause for concern. If he can somehow keep his shots on target and improve his decision-making marginally against East Bengal, Liston will surely be able to add his name to the goalscoring charts. 

Striker – Jamie Maclaren

After his hyped move to the ISL, the record A-League goalscorer finally opened his account against Mohammedan SC with a bullet header, in what was also his first start for Mohun Bagan. Jamie Maclaren ran his socks off, getting behind defenders and drawing them to create space as his side ran out unchallenged winners in the game.

Maclaren also displayed an outstanding work rate, leading his side’s press from the front and closing down the passing lanes. If his pinpoint accuracy and linkup play can be utilized similarly, he might just be Mohun Bagan’s newest Australian goalscorer in a Kolkata Derby!

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