The momentous 1001st match of the Indian Super League (ISL) will be graced with the renowned Kolkata Derby, as East Bengal FC and debutants Mohammedan SC will clash for the first time in the competition at the Salt Lake Stadium on November 9.
On a day that will see the competition touch the landmark feat of four-figure matches when Chennaiyin FC meet Mumbai City FC in the 5:00 PM kick-off, it is only fitting and an age-old rivalry of Indian football embraces a new shape to feature in the ISL for the maiden time.
Both these teams have endured difficult starts to the season, with Mohammedan SC winning and drawing once in six games, and East Bengal FC losing all of their as many encounters.
They are placed 12th and 13th in the points table respectively, but with with two-thirds of the season still pending, the teams have ample time to get their campaign and form back on track.
East Bengal eyes for first points on board
The Red & Gold Brigade have lost their last two home matches. The only time they were defeated more times on a trot was a sequence of four encounters between October and December 2022.
They will want to put an end to this run against Mohammedan SC, thus bagging their first points of the season and setting some sort of momentum to fuel their charge this term.
One of East Bengal FC’s biggest concerns this year has been their inability to find the back of the net regularly upfront. They have scored four goals, but that is not reflective of their passing accuracy in the final third, i.e. 68.2%, which is the highest of any team.
They have played an average of 115.7 passes per game ending in this region in 2024-25, the second highest of any team (FC Goa – 125.8). The team will have to start converting that into tangible strikes going forward.
Mohammedan aims to break their losing streak
Mohammedan SC have been fairly impressive on the road given that it is their first experience in the competition. They have won and lost once each in their two away fixtures so far.
If they win against East Bengal FC, they will become just the third side to win two of their first three away games in competition history after Bengaluru FC and ATK.
Mohammedan SC has been at the receiving end of aerial dominance of other teams in ISL 2024-25, conceding five-headed goals this season.
It showed that they have been at the prey of lateral deliveries or set-piece deliveries from other teams, and the Mohammedan SC unit will have to fix their backline accordingly to strengthen themselves in this aspect.
Coach’s Corner
“We have massive confidence”
East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon highlighted that his team needs to be cautious when they don’t have possession and be at the top of their game during defensive transitions.
“The game has got national importance. We have massive confidence. Our approach towards the game in difficult moments, when we lose the ball, especially during defensive transitions is very important,” Bruzon said.
“We need to defend collectively”
Similarly, Mohammedan SC head coach Andrey Chernyshov stressed defending collectively and not putting the entire onus on the backline for the same.
“This is not only about defense. It starts with our attacking players. It’s about being together – the whole 11 players pressing high. We have conceded many goals in the last few games but it’s not always about defense, it’s also because of individual mistakes sometimes,” he said.
Players to watch out for
Saul Crespo: East Bengal FC’s Saul Crespo has averaged 66.4 touches per game in ISL 2024-25, only behind Ahmed Jahouh (81.3) and Akash Sangwan (70.9).
Saul has been the engine behind the team’s gameplay, being the foundation at the center of the park upon whom the Red & Gold Brigade has been established and operated late.
Mirjalal Kasimov: Mohammedan SC’s Mirjalol Kasimov has made an average of 6.8 recoveries per match in ISL 2024-25, the highest such aggregate by any outfielder in the competition this term.
Kasimov has made 41 recoveries in six games so far. His ability to recover possession and do it consistently, over and again, has been a central part of the team’s gameplay.
Madih Talal: Madih Talal has earned 2.7 fouls per game, providing the Red & Gold Brigade several opportunities to find goals from set-pieces.
Only the Bengaluru FC duo Alberto Noguera (3.6) and Edgar Mendez (3) have averaged more, and his fleet-footedness ensures that the team is never at the paucity of opportunities to net strikes.
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