Kolkata: Sanjoy Sen’s Mohun Bagan will be eyeing to rectify their defensive errors and get back to the winning ways when they will take on Santosh Kashyap’s Mumbai FC in a crucial I-League encounter at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium on Wednesday.
Churchill Brothers had stopped the nine games unbeaten run of Mohun Bagan as they beat the Kolkata giants by 2-1 on March 4.
Though Sanjoy Sen’s men have two games in hand, the gaffer who won the I-League previously with Bagan felt this game is very crucial for them to turn around from the reversal.
“We conceded child-like goals in the last game. We have to pay for our mistakes if we keep leaking such poor goals. This is a match where we need to turn around,” Sen told reporters on the eve of the tie.
For Bagan Darryl Duffy will not play as he has a groin injury.
Sen said that Mumbai, who have only won two of their 12 games played so far, might look to play for a draw and for that his team needs to be ready.
“I have seen Mumbai’s style and they might play for a point tomorrow. We will work accordingly. We cannot concede goals. Our lack of communication in the backline is a cause for worry. We need to rectify that. I have pointed it out categorically to my players,” the former United SC tactician said.
Mumbai will go into the tie with Brazilian recruit Alex Willian who has a groin problem.
Mohun Bagan are a well balanced team. They are playing perfect football and getting good results. We will try our best,” visiting coach Santosh Kashyap said.
Asked about playing for a stalemate on Wednesday, Kashyap said he never does that.
“I never go for one point. We hit the post twice and could have won in the first half (in first meeting in Mumbai where it was 0-0).
Kashyap showed lack of preparation time as the reason for his team’s poor showing.
“We coudn’t get time to build the team. We got three days before the first match as most players came from ISL (Indian Super League). We won the first two matches but I knew in long run it would be tough.”
Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan finance secretary Debasis Dutta said that the Kolkata derby second leg cannot be organised at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium due to security issues and Siliguri will once again host the marquee tie.
“We tried very hard but could not get permission (for Rabindra Sarovar Stadium). We had two options in Cuttack and Siliguri. In Cuttack, there was an ODI held recently (between India and England) so the ground is not ready. Therefore, Siliguri is our only option.”
Tickets for the Kolkata derby will be sold from April 3 and the high voltage match will be played on April 9.