Jose Molina speaks about replacing Anwar Ali with this player ahead of NorthEast United clash

Mohun Bagan are desperate to earn all three points from the fixture.

Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan are still searching for their first win in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season and hopes to get that against NorthEast United at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday (23 September). The Mariners conceded two poor goals in the second half in the draw to Mumbai City, sparking concerns to come up about their defensive stability after losing Anwar Ali.

The India international, who is currently playing for East Bengal after a controversial summer transfer, was a pivotal part of Mohun Bagan’s backline last season and helped them win the ISL Shield title. The Mariners opted against signing a direct replacement for Ali in the form of a new domestic centre-back, only roping in Portuguese defender Nuno Reis to improve their backline.

What did Jose Molina say about Anwar Ali?

Ahead of the NorthEast United game, Jose Molina was asked if he had plans to use Anwar before he arrived at the club – a point when the centre-back was already close to exiting. He spoke a little bit about Ali and his potential replacements at Mohun Bagan, stating, “I watched Mohun Bagan’s matches from last season, a long time before arriving and saw his performances. That was to analyze the players and I watched all the players.

“But it’s different from watching on TV, then working with them every day in training, closely and knowing their personality, that idea can change. That is the real idea. When I watched the matches and analyzed players, I didn’t have a starting XI in my mind. I just watched the players to analyze them.

“When I came here, Anwar was not with us and I’ve never had him in my lineup. I respect him and think he’s a good player, but he’s now with us. I’m absolutely happy to have Dippendu Biswas, who is playing well and is getting better every day.”

Dippendu has started all two of Mohun Bagan’s recent matches, producing pretty solid shifts in their draws to Mumbai City and FC Ravshan Kulob in the AFC Champions League Two opener. At this point, it appears that the young centre-back has asserted himself as a regular in Molina’s line-up, but has to work hard to keep that place amid the competitiveness in the squad.

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