East Bengal face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a CFL Premier Division derby at the Barasat Stadium, which will host a big match after eight years, on Monday.
Both teams field their reserve sides in the CFL, even though Bagan did give game time to the likes of Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and Liston Colaco during some of the matches.
Bagan have a point to prove after the 4-1 rout in the Durand Cup final two weeks back. That’s why Monday could see Manvir, Sahal, Liston Colaco and Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte in action.
After Sunday’s practice session, a few Bagan fans did try to stoke the fire by chanting “revenge revenge.”
That Bagan are taking the derby seriously could be gauged from the fact that head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis has been active in preparing the team, even though assistant coach Bastab Roy will sit in the dug-out.
East Bengal, on the other hand, have decided to keep faith in the players who have been featuring in the league games. Akash Hemram is the man in form, scoring seven goals, including a hat-trick and a brace.
Head coach Antonio Lopez Habas decided not to use the first-team Indian players as he is focused on the AFC Champions League 2 campaign which begins next mid-week.
Coach Archisman Biswas has done well guiding his wards in the local league.
Both teams, along with Bhawanipore Club, are already in the Super Six from Group A.