Defending champion Mohun Bagan SG will probably be desirous to stem the tide after struggling successive losses when it meets the title aspirant Kerala Blasters in a ISL-10 matchweek 12 fixture at residence within the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday.
With accidents and suspensions protecting an excellent variety of its first alternative gamers off the listing of availability, Mohun Bagan SG has discovered its fortunes deserting in the previous few rounds.
After making a vivid begin to the event the place it received 5 straight matches, Mohun Bagan noticed its energy depleting simply when the time got here to satisfy the sturdy opponents like Mumbai City FC and FC Goa, each of whom handed out a defeat to the Kolkata big.
Mohun Bagan SG’s beleaguered coach Juan Ferrando will probably be hoping to seek out enough high quality within the bench to string collectively a aspect that may tackle the may of Kerala Blasters, which is arriving after convincingly outplaying Mumbai City FC at residence.
The Blasters are presently positioned second within the league standings with 23 factors from 11 matches and will probably be in search of extra factors earlier than the League goes in for a protracted break owing to Indian nationwide staff’s Asian Cup engagements. Mohun Bagan is stranded at 19 factors that it earned within the first seven unbeaten matches earlier than struggling the successive setbacks.
The Ivan Vukomanovic-coached Blasters has not let the absence of its injured Uruguyan ahead Adrian Luna have an effect on the staff’s efficiency as different skilled gamers within the staff have creditably crammed within the void.
Greek ahead Dimitrios Diamantakos has been contributing lots within the putting zone for the Blasters and has scored six targets in 9 appearances. Loads will relaxation on him because the Blasters look to place out the problem of its very long time nemesis Mohun Bagan, which has received 5 instances in six conferences in its earlier nomenclature as ATK Mohun Bagan.
ALSO READ | ISL 2023-24: FC Goa’s Victor Rodriguez out for the season because of leg harm
The means the Blasters swept apart the problem of Mumbai City FC (2-0) within the earlier outing undoubtedly signifies the staff’s gaining energy, which it hopes to keep up towards Mohun Bagan and safe extra factors in its kitty.
“We have a great group of players, great characters and we have stuck together with team spirit and by fighting for each other. It’s nice to be at the top though we have played more games than FC Goa. We aim to revive our winning culture and rebuild a playoff-contending spirit,” Vukomanovic stated
For Ferrando the scene within the staff is that of an infirmary as the important thing Indian gamers like Anwar Ali, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan and Hugo Boumous proceed to nurse accidents whereas Liston Colaco continues to serve his suspension for 4 matches imposed by the AIFF disciplinary committee.
The ragtag mixture that Ferrando managed to subject towards FC Goa noticed Mohun Bagan crashing to a 4-1 defeat on the identical venue barely 4 days in the past. There isn’t a lot enchancment within the aspect as most of its Key names stay grounded whereas its forwards like Armando Sadiku and Jason Cummings proceed to battle for type.
“We continue with the same situation. Ashish (Rai) and (Hector) Yuste can play now (after completing their suspension period). Team is the most important thing for me and we are ready for the next match. We are thinking of the best line-up and trying to assess those who are fit to ensure that we get the three points,” Ferrando tried to placed on a courageous face earlier than the match.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com