Oscar Bruzon is aware before all-important clash against Punjab FC at home

East Bengal will host Punjab at home.

East Bengal will face off against Punjab FC in their upcoming 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) clash, which will take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on May 11, 2026, with a 7:30 PM IST kick-off.

Currently, East Bengal FC are sitting at the top of the points table with 21 points from 10 matches and are only ahead of its arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan SG, in terms of goal difference. So the match against the Shers is very important in the context of the title-winning race.

With both these teams eager to strongly challenge for the ISL 2025-26 title, this should be a really feisty and entertaining encounter as it’s a major opportunity for both sides to prove their credentials as potential title winners.

But if the Moshal Brigade wins this match and the Mariners also win against Inter Kashi, then the iconic Kolkata Derby will be the decider of this year’s campaign after a long time.

Ahead of the all-important clash against Punjab FC, East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon and PV Vishnu have addressed the media.

Here is a detailed report of the pre-match press conference between East Bengal FC and Punjab FC.

Before starting the press conference both head coach Oscar Bruzon and PV Vishnu wished everyone ‘Happy Mother’s Day.’

PV Vishnu: “Because of my mother, I’m here today. She has always supported me during my tough times, that’s why I am smiling today. Thank you, he added.

Oscar Bruzon: “Happy Mother’s Day to everyone. No doubt that the mother is one of the best things in life. We had an example this week, one of our friends lost his mother last week, so I want to send condolences to him. It is a sad day for him, but for all of us, it’s a day to enjoy and have fun with our mother. Mothers are a part of the emotions and a personal thing to everyone, so Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom as well, he added.”

Gameplan against Punjab

Oscar Bruzon will be making his 50th appearance as the head coach of East Bengal FC during the match against Punjab FC, which is surely a milestone for both the club and the coach. Before the match Bruzon shared his gameplan against the Shers and told that Punjab FC is a very good competitive side as well.

Oscar stated: “We are giving equal importance to every match this season, then only we can become Champions and stay alive in the hunt. Punjab is a very good, balanced side. They are playing a very good brand of football this season. I’ve also told this before in the press conference that Punjab is a very good side this season, they are playing a very different kind of football this season.”

“Punjab FC have been one of the most formidable and consistent sides in the ISL season; that has been my view from day one, and nothing has changed. They are a very well-balanced team. They are dangerous in transitions, and have quality and physicality in the central areas that can hurt us if we switch off for even a moment. We are fully aware of what is at stake. Our focus is entirely on them, nothing else exists for us right now.”

“We met them last year during the Super Cup semi-finals, but a lot of things have changed since then. They have a lot of good players in their squad who can build the game from the central areas. We know that how important this game is for us in the context of the Championship and finishing in the top six; this is also our last home game at Salt Lake. So we need to understand the characteristics of our opponent, adjust and play accordingly, he also added”

Views on winning the Championship and availability of the foreigners

Oscar Bruzon is still not thinking about winning the Championship but his only focus is now to win their last home game of the season against the mighty Punjab FC.

“No, not thinking about the Championship now. We have lost two finals this season on penalties. We couldn’t win those two trophies. Our focus is now only on the Punjab; no outside noise can affect us. I am telling my boys more than 100 times that they just focus on the Punjab game this week and not the Championship or the points table.

“I can understand your question. Here in India, people only understand a fixed style of play, either 4-2-31 or 4-4-2. I will answer it in my way. They only think that Vishnu can play as a winger or Jeakson can play as a midfielder. But we adjust to the demand of the game. Every game demands something different that we’ve already shown. The game changes after the 70th minute. So if you ask me about the availability of Rashid, I’ve already mentioned that Punjab is a side that uses its central areas very well to attack. They have number nine like Osuji, and very good foreign players who can build the attack from the wings as well. So knowing the characteristics of Rasid, it is very evident from this whether he will be in the playing eleven or not.”

“Our only focus is on the game against Punjab and finishing in the top three positions. So Kevin will play and give his 100%, if he gets another yellow, we will have to adjust accordingly and accommodate someone else for the derby, he added.”

Views on the Punjab Attack Line

“Effiong have scored 8 goals this season so far, for that I need to compliment their coach, Panagiotis. For me, Punjab is a very good side this season and one of the contenders of the league as well. Nsungusi is a player who can build up the attack from the central zone and can also score goals from the set-pieces. He has been a disturbance for the two central midfielders in many of the games, so we have to ensure that even if he gets a half-chance to score, we cannot give him any space, he added.”

“They’re the Brokers and Cancers of the Club”- Oscar on the former players of East Bengal

Oscar Bruzon was asked about the team’s mentality after the setback against Kerala Blasters match this season. He was asked how he helped his team to make a comeback amidst all the outside noise, he was quite agitated and mentioned few names of the former Indian players of East Bengal and described them as the ‘Cancers’ and ‘Brokers’ of the Club.

The Spaniard stated: “As you know, after the Kerala game we had a break just before the International break. Yes, that game didn’t go in our favour. I want to be clear, certain former players like Rahim Nabi, Alvito d’Cunha, and Sandip Nandy do not actually want what is best for this club. In my view, they are like a ‘cancer’ or ‘brokers’ to the institution.”

“I believe these individuals are largely responsible for why East Bengal has struggled to find success for so long. They are now not talking about the Championship, but always try to punish, undermine and demotivate the team. This is a message for the fans and the club; this kind of mentality from the former players of the club is very harmful for the club.”

“So after the Kerala game, they are not talking about the team, where are they now. This is not about the coach, but about the system, my players, my style of play. I can understand there are emotions regarding the club, but I will say these kinds of players are the brokers of the club, cancers to the club, and because of them East Bengal was unable to do well in the past seasons, he added.”

On the Atmosphere of the Dressing Room

The head coach of East Bengal FC described how his coaching staff and the players have helped him to grow as a coach in the East Bengal outfit this season.

The Spanish Gaffer stated: “The atmosphere in the dressing room has been very good so far this season. A strong resilience and mentality have been shown by the players so far on the field. They are very confident and focused. I am very fortunate to be the coach of such a champion team, with champion players and a professional coaching staff. The management has also been very good so far, but the work is not done yet. The focus is now only on the Punjab game. Last week we were in fifth position, and fortunately, after the win against Mumbai, we are at the top of the points table. So we just want to focus on the 90 minutes of the Punjab game.”

“There is no pressure of expectations. As a professional coach, we are always under pressure, my coaching staff always help me to tell my players that they are a Champion team and motivates them with these words. I don’t know what a derby is; my only focus is now Punjab and Punjab. There is no pressure but only determination on how we can win the next three matches and ensure the Championship, he added.”

Evaluation of the metrics of East Bengal this season

Oscar Bruzon explained the performance of his team throughout this season and analysed the metrics on which East Bengal have excelled this season so far.

Oscar stated: “Oh, East Bengal has been fantastic this season. We have achieved and covered every metrics so far. Scored a lot of goals, defended well and were smooth in our midfield attack.”

“We are probably the best team in the context of metrics this season,, both in attack and in defence line. You were talking about Vishnu, yes, I would say that he is a very good player probably the best Indian player currently, as the Punjab coach has also told the same thing. He can be used in various positions in the wings or as a left-back. He has done well in the past for East Bengal and is doing the same thing this season, so it is a smart move by East Bengal to extend the contract with him. Like Vishnu Bipin is also there, who can be used in different positions, so we are lucky to have this kind of player in our team, who can attack as well as help the team in the defence line, he also added.”

PV Vishnu is grateful for playing in East Bengal

PV Vishnu has been one of the brightest youngsters of East Bengal in the recent days. His pivotal role helps East Bengal to play freely attack both the wings. In this season he has been already involved in four goal contributions so far.

Vishnu said: “I only focus on my game. And I follow the instructions of my coach, I play according to his plan only. I don’t think a lot about what the opponent coach is telling about me.”

“I don’t know let’s see, I always try to score goals for my team, but the main priority is to win. So maybe in this match I will score more goals, let’s hope for the best.”

“It is not difficult. As a professional player, we need to adapt to the coach’s tactics. I have also done that and have played according to the coach’s plan. He has always supported me a lot.”

“The coach has certain plans, and we all need to adapt to those plans. I am very grateful to East Bengal FC for everything I have achieved in my career. This is my home, and I will always work hard to make our fans proud.”

“I don’t know when I started playing for East Bengal and where it will go, but very grateful to be a part of this club. I am always trying to grow more as a player, doing a lot of hard work and contributing more to bring out more positive results for the side, he finished off.”

Message for the Amago Fans

Both head coach Oscar Bruzon and PV Vishnu have requested the fans of East Bengal to come in large number and support the team in their last home game of the season against Punjab FC at the Saltlake Stadium on Monday.

Vishnu: “I would like to tell everyone that please come and support us, this is our last home game of the season. We will try to win and play well for the team, he added.”

Bruzon stated: “I would like to request the management to remove those former players from the club for the betterment of the club, they’re very harmful. And would request the fans to come in large numbers and support us as they have done throughout the season, thank you, he finished off.”

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