On Monday at VYBK, Mohun Bagan will face North East United FC whom they tasted their first defeat of the season in Durand Cup Final. Mohun Bagan without a win in 90 minutes for last 5 matches and need to pull up their shocks to show everyone who they really are. There were many questionable decisions from the gaffer of the green and maroon brigade and supporters are also little relentless being in that odd situation after so much hype over there star studded squad.
They were successful for last 2 season by playing attractive attacking football but since Molina took charge the same flair gone missing for some strange reason. Although they have many alternative on their bench but it was hard to understand why we were unable to playing our suitable players when situation really needed that. They have certainly went into the shell in the second half against Mumbai after taking 2 goal lead in the first half and allowed the islander to back in the game. Players like Ashique Kuruniyan and their signature signing Jamie Maclaren strangely kept out from the matches where we needed their presence on the field to register the win.
On the other hand North East register their first win in the first match at Kishor Bharati Stadium the other venue of Kolkata and the home ground of Mohammedan Sporting. Although the newly injected club played brilliantly in front of their home crowd, North East did manage to register a win by scoring a late goal and it was again their latest inclusion Alaeddine Ajaraie who also scored in the Durand Cup Final. Although their star striker Guillermo didn’t have much in that match but somehow they snatched the all important 3 points.
In all the previous matches Mohun Bagan did have the problem organizing their defense and they were looking vulnerable in defensive transition. But, in their last match in ACL2 against Ravshan and with the inclusion of Deepak Tangri that problem was looked like solved. Because Deepak Tangri is a typical old school Defensive midfielder who does play little bit of physical and never allowed any space to the attacking midfielders. But you never know with Molina whether he would like to play Deepak or he will stick to his previous combination which conceded 9 goals in 4 matches. Also there would be another surprise as the biggest signing of the ISL season so far Jamie Maclaren could make his debut in this match. He also suggested to be 100% fit and ready to play with green and maroon jersey.
Well, it is now or never situation for Mohun Bagan and as we have seen in the past the team always shown character under pressure. They are the current champions and now they just need to act like champions.
Predicted Lineup:
Kick off Time: 7:30PM(IST)
Live telecast/streaming: JioCinema, Sports18 3, DD Bangla, OneFootball(International)
Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.
