Kolkata: Since their Super Cup triumph, East Bengal’s journey appears to have been hit by inconsistency. Their resumption of the ISL campaign has so far produced a 2-2 draw with Mohun Bagan and a 2-3 loss at NorthEast United FC.
As they welcome Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday, coach Carles Cuadrat desperately seeks a change in fortunes, facing the challenge of rekindling playoff hopes in the league.
Cuadrat’s rearguard set-up clearly missed the presence of Souvik Chakrabarti in the past couple of matches. If the defensive midfielder’s return to action after serving his two-match suspension is a timely boost for Cuadrat, the Spanish coach will also need to rejig his attacking line without in-form Brazilian Cleiton Silva, missing the team’s first homecoming this year.
Of the two new signings, Costa Rican forward Felicio scored on debut during the match against NEUFC while Spanish midfielder Victor Vazquez — a former teammate of Messi’s at FC Barcelona — drew praise from his coach as well.
It remains to be seen how the two newcomers stand up and be counted as the red-and-golds seek their first win after six matches.
While addressing the pre-match press conference on Monday, Cuadrat highlighted the league’s punishing schedule, forcing his team to play 8 matches in February itself. And there is also an injury crisis to deal with. While Spanish defender Jose Pardo looks doubtful against Mumbai City, his fellow teammate and midfielder Saul Crespo is likely to miss the team’s next match at Hyderabad FC as well.
The last time the two teams squared off, East Bengal held the ISL Shield winners to a 0-0 draw, with Cuadrat hailing it as a “professional performance” from his defence.
A lot has changed in Mumbai’s life as well since then.
The departure of Greg Stewart, Rostyn Griffiths and Nasser El Khayati — all key members of their ISL Shield-winning team — means the team is going through a transition under new coach Petr Kratky. They have recruited Spanish attacker Iker Guarrotxena and Syrian defender Thaer Krouma in the January transfer window.
And, just like East Bengal, Mumbai too are coming into the match on the back of a 2-3 loss to Jamshedpur FC.
Coach Kratky, however, has warned his team of a possible backlash from East Bengal. “They won the Super Cup for a reason. They lost to NorthEast and wanna bounce back. So we have to be ready from the first minute,” the Mumbai coach said.
Punjab beat Blasters 3-1:
Debutants Punjab FC on Monday stunned hosts Kerala Blasters 3-1 in Kochi to notch up their second successive win in the league. After Milos Drincic put Blasters ahead in the 39th minutes, Punjab FC completed the turnaround through a brace from Wilmar Jordan Gil (42 & 61) and another goal from Luka Majcen.
As they welcome Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday, coach Carles Cuadrat desperately seeks a change in fortunes, facing the challenge of rekindling playoff hopes in the league.
Cuadrat’s rearguard set-up clearly missed the presence of Souvik Chakrabarti in the past couple of matches. If the defensive midfielder’s return to action after serving his two-match suspension is a timely boost for Cuadrat, the Spanish coach will also need to rejig his attacking line without in-form Brazilian Cleiton Silva, missing the team’s first homecoming this year.
Of the two new signings, Costa Rican forward Felicio scored on debut during the match against NEUFC while Spanish midfielder Victor Vazquez — a former teammate of Messi’s at FC Barcelona — drew praise from his coach as well.
It remains to be seen how the two newcomers stand up and be counted as the red-and-golds seek their first win after six matches.
While addressing the pre-match press conference on Monday, Cuadrat highlighted the league’s punishing schedule, forcing his team to play 8 matches in February itself. And there is also an injury crisis to deal with. While Spanish defender Jose Pardo looks doubtful against Mumbai City, his fellow teammate and midfielder Saul Crespo is likely to miss the team’s next match at Hyderabad FC as well.
The last time the two teams squared off, East Bengal held the ISL Shield winners to a 0-0 draw, with Cuadrat hailing it as a “professional performance” from his defence.
A lot has changed in Mumbai’s life as well since then.
The departure of Greg Stewart, Rostyn Griffiths and Nasser El Khayati — all key members of their ISL Shield-winning team — means the team is going through a transition under new coach Petr Kratky. They have recruited Spanish attacker Iker Guarrotxena and Syrian defender Thaer Krouma in the January transfer window.
And, just like East Bengal, Mumbai too are coming into the match on the back of a 2-3 loss to Jamshedpur FC.
Coach Kratky, however, has warned his team of a possible backlash from East Bengal. “They won the Super Cup for a reason. They lost to NorthEast and wanna bounce back. So we have to be ready from the first minute,” the Mumbai coach said.
Punjab beat Blasters 3-1:
Debutants Punjab FC on Monday stunned hosts Kerala Blasters 3-1 in Kochi to notch up their second successive win in the league. After Milos Drincic put Blasters ahead in the 39th minutes, Punjab FC completed the turnaround through a brace from Wilmar Jordan Gil (42 & 61) and another goal from Luka Majcen.