Another derby! As I have been going through different newspapers in the last few days, I’ve got the notion that, media thinks Mohun Bagan will start as favourites. Identically, I’m happy, in fact really happy for that. We would love to start as underdogs. I’m confident about our players and I believe that they will prove all of them wrong in the derby. In my life, I have played this Kolkata Derby many times, scored 8 goals as well for East Bengal. I have seen many of these derbies as well, and to me, derby is a different game altogether.
Moreover, derby is played on the ground, not on paper. Whoever plays well, will eventually win. And who said it’s advantage Mohun Bagan? Will they play with 12 men and we with 9? Eventually, it’s the day on which everything depends.
The Kolkata League derby is a closed chapter for us and we love to take this one as a fresh challenge. We have been preparing & planning differently as well to repeat what we did last time.
I discussed with the senior players of the team and they said that all our new players have realized the importance of the derby and I’m sure they will come up with a surprise.
As an opponent, I respect our arch rival. They have a very balanced side on paper and players like Norde and Glen can change any game by their individual brilliance. But what will happen if we disconnect the supply line for them in the midfield? I know in Indian football, foreigners do make strong impacts and The Mariners have numerical advantage on that aspect as they have 4 foreigners. But we have full faith on our Indian lads and on their own day, our boys can outplay any opposition.
On the issue of Bernard Mendy, many people are saying that we might find ourselves in trouble as he will not be available in the derby. My question to them is, was there any chance of not playing this derby if Mendy was not chosen as a fourth foreigner?
I am telling you, it will be a new dawn, a new day tomorrow. Our boys are prepared to face any challenge which will come on their way. We are confident of showing a stellar performance to outsmart our rivals for one more time.
Just believe on us and we won’t betray the trust.