It is 27th November 2020. It is Kolkata Derby Day where two Kolkata giants will face each other.
East Bengal will be playing their season opener and debut Indian Super League match versus the defending champions ATK who recently merged with another historic club Mohun Bagan. The newly formed entity made their debut as ATK Mohun Bagan on 20th November when they were up against Kerala Blasters FC which they won and now will like to continue their winning run in the league against East Bengal.
This will be the first Kolkata Derby in Indian Super League where East Bengal will face ATK Mohun Bagan. Though the rivalry between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan dates way back since early 20th century. But after Mohun Bagan merged with ATK FC now they will be playing as ATK Mohun Bagan against their ever rival East Bengal.
The Kolkata Derby is highly anticipated by football fans all around globe. The Kolkata Derby features in the world’s top 10 football rivalries and we hope it will continue in Indian Super League from today onwards. Though both the teams are new to the Indian Super League but the legacy and history they have combined is unmatched.
What to expect?
Fans will be expecting a high voltage Kolkata Derby like the way it has been all these years. But on paper the stronger side is ATK Mohun Bagan. East Bengal were the latest one to enter Indian Super League and thus they had the fewest time in their hands to make sure they have a pretty formidable team on paper.
Antonio Lopez Habas will play his usual high line brand of football and will try to catch East Bengal off-guard but on the other side Robbie Fowler needs no introduction but his managerial career has been brief and it is difficult to judge what he prefers but he will like to go with his preferred 3-4-2-1.
Historic Facts
Highest Goal Scorers in Kolkata Derby –
Bhaichung Bhutia – 14 goals for East Bengal and 9 goals for Mohun Bagan.
Jose Ramirez Barreto – 17 goals for Mohun Bagan.
Hat-tricks in Kolkata Derby –
Bhaichung Bhutia for East Bengal in 1997 Federation Cup.
Chidi Edeh for Mohun Bagan in 2009 I-League.
Key Battle
Anthony Pilkington vs Roy Krishna – This battle will be the most anticipated one tonight as the icons for both the teams will look to grasp all the points available for offer tonight. Krishna is not a new name in Indian Super League but Pilkington brings a lot of experience playing in the Premier League. Surely a battle to watch out for.
Squads
ATK Mohun Bagan –
Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharja, Dheeraj Singh, Arsh Shaikh, Aryan Niraj Lamba, Avilash Paul.
Defenders: Tiri, Sandesh Jhingan, Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal, Subhasish Bose, Sumit Rathi, Boris Singh Thangjam.
Midfielders: Edu Garcia, Javier Hernandez, Carl McHugh, Glan Martins, Michael Soosairaj, Jayesh Rane, Pronay Halder, Bradden Inman, Michael Regin, Sahil Sheikh, Ningombam Engson Singh, Md. Fardin Ali Molla.
Forwards: Roy Krishna, David Williams, Manvir Singh.
SC East Bengal –
Goalkeepers: Debjit Majumder, Rafique Ali, Mirshad Michu, Sankar Roy
Defenders: Abhishek Ambekar, Anil Chawan, Daniel Fox, Gurtej Singh, Lalramchullova, Mohamed Irshad, Nayaran Das, N Rohen Singh, Novin Gurung, Rana Gharami, Samad Mallick, Scott Neville, Pritam Singh
Midfielders: Bikash Jairu, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Haobam Singh, Jacques Maghoma, Loken Meitei, Milan Singh, Mohammed Rafique, Sehnaj Singh, Surchandra Singh, Matti Steinmann, Wahengbam Luwan, Yumnam Singh, Anthony Pilkington, CK Vineeth, Harmanpreet Singh
Forwards: Balwant Singh, Girik Khosla, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Aaron Amadi Hollowa
We cannot simply wait for this match to happen as East Bengal represents Red and Gold and ATK Mohun Bagan represents Green and Maroon. The battle between the Bangals and Ghotis is always termed as “Boro Match” by the people of Kolkata.
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