With a narrow gritty 1-0 win over Punjab, Mohun Bagan now head into the penultimate game of the League Phase of the Indian Super League against Bengaluru FC. With Mumbai grinding out a victory against Odisha, anything but a win will end the League Shield hopes for the Mariners.
With head coach Antonio Lopez Habas being still under the weather, assistant coach Manuel Perez Cascallana has had to step up to take up the mentorship responsibilities and guide the team at such a juncture. The role of the senior players along with him is significant in keeping everyone together and focused.
Mohun Bagan’s defense continues to be shaky and the team was quite lucky to escape their latest match with a clean sheet. Vishal Kaith in recent games has been a bit wobbly but he continues to produce one or two incredible saves per match.
In the Pre-Match Press Conference, Interim Head Coach Manuel Perez Cascallana reassured the fans that Habas is still the leader and instructor and he is just the communicator to the players during his absence.
Focus locked 🔐#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন #ISL10 pic.twitter.com/t1iiqUqNfC
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) April 9, 2024
He also explained that it did not matter that Bengaluru were out of the playoff race and that they would play for their supporters in front of their home fans and would leave no stone unturned to cause problems to the Mariners. That being said, Bagan too have their weapons prepared and they know when and how to attack and defend them.
Fan favourite Hector Yuste accompanied Manuel in the presser where he reiterated that only winning the upcoming two games mattered, regardless of how they win it. He trusts his teammates and the coaching staff. Yuste heaped praise towards Bagan’s upcoming midfield general Abhishek Suryavanshi.
Abhishek moved from Jabalpur based Pride Sports’ U16 team to DSK Shivajians’ U18 team. After getting scouted by ATK’s youth team, he got promoted to their reserves and got transferred to Mohun Bagan SG’s reserves from 20/21 season onwards. He cemented his place in the first team eventually and has been impressive during the second half of this season.
অভিষেক সূর্যবংশী। মোহনবাগানের বর্তমানে অনূর্ধ্ব তেইশ ফুটবলারদের মধ্যে সবচেয়ে বেশী ধারাবাহিক এই ছেলেটি। ISL-এ অভিষেক, অনিরুদ্ধ থাপার মত ফুটবলারকে বেঞ্চে রেখে ম্যাচ শুরু করছে। গতবারের RFDL, এবারের কলকাতা লিগ খেললেও অভিষেক কিন্তু সিনিয়র দলের সঙ্গে রয়েছে 2021 থেকেই। 19শে নভেম্বর… pic.twitter.com/FROcLZBo1P
— MBFT : Mohun Bagan (@MBFT89) March 8, 2024
Bengaluru narrowly missed the playoffs after a defeat to East Bengal in their most recent game. They were quite impressive in their recent games, holding Odisha FC to a goalless draw, losing only 2-1 to Goa, winning 1-0 over Kerala Blasters and winning 2-1 over Hyderabad.
While Bengaluru might have some inconsistencies in their defense during transitions but if they go into the match with the aim to defend first, it becomes quite the trouble to break them as they have conceded only 5 goals in their last 5 games, and have managed to score 5 too.
Bengaluru have a number of IndiaN International players from young to experienced: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary, Chinglensana Singh, Naorem Roshan Singh, Suresh Singh Wangjam and Sunil Chhetri. Sivasakthi will also be quite the trouble for the shaky Bagan defense as it has been the case against fast paced Indian forwards like Rahim Ali and Irfan Yadwad in the recent shock loss to Chennaiyin.
Together until the end! ⚡️
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) April 9, 2024
Back the Blues as they take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Fortress on Thursday. 💪
🎫 https://t.co/EO39FzFuh2#WeAreBFC #BFCMBSG #Santhoshakke pic.twitter.com/OgfqzhSv3S
Former Bagan player Javi Hernandez still can create moments of individual brilliance due to his incredible passing range and vision. Shivaldo Singh in midfield has been quite the revelation. He pairs with Harsh Patre, Suresh Wangjam or Keziah Veendorp who has had a decent first ISL season.
Slavko Damjanovic who was crucial in Bagan’s 22/23 ISL winning season now plies his trade at the IT capital of the country. Ryan Williams is a cheeky dribbler who switches flanks quite a lot and can cause quite the trouble. From the bench, Monirul Molla has produced moments of brilliance and possesses the ability to change a game.
It was a narrow 1-0 win for Bagan in the first leg at the Salt Lake. Mariners share a long rivalry against the Blues. Bagan won in penalties in the 22/23 ISL Final. In the 2014/15 I League season, a late goal from Bello Razaq ensured Bagan brought the I League to Kolkata, stealing it from Bengaluru themselves.
⚔ 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 ⚔
— MBFT : Mohun Bagan (@MBFT89) April 9, 2024
🎯 𝐈𝐒𝐋 𝟏𝟎
🆚 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐮 𝐅𝐂
⏰ 𝟏𝟏𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫'𝟐𝟒; 𝟏𝟗.𝟑𝟎 𝐈𝐒𝐓
🏟 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦, 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐮
📡 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝟏𝟖 𝟑, 𝐕𝐇𝟏, 𝐃𝐃 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚, 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚, 𝐉𝐢𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚… pic.twitter.com/1YVBXCW9b8
PREDICTION :
BFC 1-2 MBSG
The game is going to be a treat to eyes, we assume and a high scoring one in Bengaluru. Hope the Mariners will seal it and strengthen their position in the table.
LAST 5 ENCOUNTERS :
MB 1-0 BFC (ISL 23/24)MB (6) 2-2 (5) BFC (ISL 22/23 Final)
MB 1-2 BFC (ISL 22/23)
BFC 0-1 MB (ISL 22/23)
MB 2-0 BFC (ISL 21/22)
PROBABLE XI:
Mohun Bagan SG : Vishal (GK), Bose, Hector, Anwar, Hamill, Abhishek, Thapa, Kauko, Liston, Manvir, Petratos.Bengaluru FC : Gurpreet (GK), Poojary, Chinglensana, Jovanovic, Roshan, Suresh, Veendrop, Fanai, Javi, Chhetri, Drost.
Kick Off: 07:30 PM IST
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
Live Stream: Sports 18 network (TV) VH1 India (TV) DD Bangla (TV) Colours Bangla (TV) Jio Cinema (India OTT Stream) One Football (International OTT Stream)