Three strategies East Bengal must implement to build winning form in ISL 2024-25

Oscar Bruzon implemented his plans well for East Bengal recently.

East Bengal finally ended their winless run in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with a brilliant 1-0 win over NorthEast United.

The Red & Gold Brigade had to fight tooth and nail to neutralize the Highlanders’ attacking threat and ride on a Dimitrios Diamantakos winner to bag their first three points of the campaign.

With that being said, consistency is key for East Bengal to move up the Indian Super League table. They are still stuck in last place in the standings and need to consistently win matches to have any chance of closing in on the playoff places.

Oscar Bruzon has insisted that a playoff spot is essential for his side’s campaign to be deemed somewhat positive, but East Bengal are currently 11 points adrift of the sixth position.

It’s clear that East Bengal need to go on a significant winning run to close that gap and be in the running for a playoff spot. To do so, there are certain elements of their game they must improve to catch opposition teams off their guards. Here we look at the three things East Bengal must improve to build on a winning run in the ISL.

3. Create more chances through central areas

East Bengal have become too reliant on scoring goals based on how well their wing play works in games. Their mantra appears to be to move the ball out wide to their wingers or full-backs to swing in something inviting for the forward players to pounce on.

But that doesn’t work on every opposition, especially once they realize the pattern. East Bengal have to be more creative in creating slick passing moves through central areas and set up chances using their midfielders rather than just the widemen.

That means Madih Talal needs to take control of games and be more expressive with his passing in trying to create chances by slipping in slick through balls past the centre-backs. Saul Crespo also needs to move up in more advanced positions when East Bengal are desperate for goals, as he is also blessed with enough creativity to pull off unpredictable final passes.

The likes of Crespo and Talal also need to be braver in trying to slip into scoring positions or take more shots from long-range to keep the opposition players guessing and add a new layer to their side’s attacking style.

2. Be more efficient on the transitions

East Bengal have a really poor conversion rate in finishing off opportunities so far after eight ISL games. Despite averaging nine goal-scoring chances created per 90 minutes, the Red & Gold Brigade have only scored five goals – the joint-lowest for any team in the division. They simply cannot win games unless they score more goals on a consistent basis.

To do so, the players need to be at their efficient best. East Bengal have been particularly poor in transitions after regaining possession, just not being able to find that spark in the final third.

Even if their players are able to carry the ball forward in rapid fashion, poor decision-making or a lack of finishing has haunted them all season long. East Bengal’s players need to train harder in putting away chances from counter-attacks and really start hurting opponents after robbing them of possession.

If they can start being more clinical in finishing off these big chances from counter-attacks, the points should roll in more regularly for Bruzon’s side.

1. Feed more to Dimitrios Diamantakos

Dimitrios Diamantakos has emerged as the shining light for East Bengal’s attack in their shaky start to the campaign but seems to be getting better as the season progresses. After an impressive AFC Challenge League campaign, where he scored four goals in three games, the Greek forward is riding high on confidence.

He’s scored five goals under Oscar Bruzon’s system already, which included the sweet winner against NorthEast United. Diamantakos is a menacing figure in the opposition’s final third, as he often his runs perfectly to get past his marker and link and sneak into goal-scoring positions.

However, he’s just not getting enough service to be able to tap into his ruthless streak. The 2023-24 ISL Golden Boot winner has scored two goals from only three shots on target so far.

His teammates need to get the ball to him in promising areas inside the box to allow him to take more shots and threaten the opposition’s goal. If they’re able to put more chances on his plate, Diamantakos will start scoring more clutch goals consistently and win them games like he did against NorthEast United.

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