East Bengal has had an encouraging season under Carles Cuadrat. The Kolkata giants improved in many aspects and also added a trophy to their cabinet.
Carles Cuadrat has been a central figure in East Bengal’s revival. After a long list of fruitless years in the ISL, the Red and Gold brigade had a year where they evolved as a team and also found success.
The long-term project with the Spaniard is still in process, but the signs of the team’s holistic improvement are something the team can build on next season. Here are some of East Bengal’s striking improvements under Cuadrat in his first season at the club.
East Bengal Transformation under Coach Carles Cuadrat
The Biggest Win Percentage
East Bengal’s performance saw a substantial improvement with Carles Cuadrat as coach. The team’s win percentage increased from 26% to 45%. This notable progress was reflected in various aspects of their gameplay and statistics. They also won the Kalinga Super Cup, this ending their trophy drought.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Under Coach Cuadrat, East Bengal achieved their highest points tally in an ISL season, securing 24 points. The team also scored the most goals in a season, with a total of 27 goals. Additionally, they registered the most clean sheets in a single ISL season, with seven clean sheets.
Home and Away Success
East Bengal’s win percentage at home in Kolkata rose from 20% to 47% under Cuadrat’s leadership. The team also recorded their biggest home win in ISL history with a 5-0 victory against NorthEast United. Their biggest away win was a 4-2 triumph over Kerala Blasters, also under Cuadrat’s tutelage.
Promotion of Young Talent
Coach Cuadrat has been instrumental in promoting young talent. He elevated 12 players from the B team to the first team, showing his commitment to nurturing and developing new players. The likes of Sayan Banerjee, PV Vishnu have been instrumental in the first team. Players like Shyamal Besra, and Mahitosh are also set to be integrated in the first team next season.
Historic Derby Victory
Under Cuadrat, the Red and Gold Brigade won the Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan for the first time in four years. The team secured a 1-0 victory at the Salt Lake Stadium during the 2023 Durand Cup group stages.
Kalinga Super Cup Victory
East Bengal ended their trophy drought with a fantastic Kalinga Super Cup triumph. The Torch Bearers beat Mohun Bagan 3-1 to qualify for the knockouts. They went on to beat Jamshedpur FC (2-0) in the semis and then Odisha FC (3-2) in the Final to clinch their maiden Super Cup title.
East Bengal’s progress and achievements under Coach Carles Cuadrat highlight his impactful leadership and the team’s remarkable transformation. They still are a team in process, but the results are promising.
