Hero Indian Super League campaign for East Bengal would kick off tomorrow with a derby against ATK Mohun Bagan FC in a superb fashion. Before the SC East Bengal Vs ATK Mohun Bagan match , EBRP brings you a brief preview, tactics and probable XI of both the teams:
SC EASTBENGAL
Strength:
The strength of the team lies in its unity. Less than one month was available for practice, still the way the players have adapted with each other surely lessens the tension of our gaffer. Moreover the presence of Liverpool legend Robby Fowler in the sidelines would surely be another boost for the home side. The attacking duo of Anthony Pilkington and Maghoma, and the pair of Daniel Fox and Scott Neville at the back provide more promise.
Weakness:
East Bengal got the least time available for practice sessions among all the playing teams. Also, the Indian brigade would definitely keep Fowler under pressure, as it is primarily made of relatively inexperienced and unfit players. Also, we don’t have that much reliable custodian. Although Debjit Majumdar has experience of playing ISL, his fitness and form would be a factor of worry.
Tactics of the coach:
Fowler likes to play with three centre backs, with two wing backs or wide midfielders. Given that Neville and Fox are almost sure to start, the other Centre Back may be our new signing Gurtej. Two holding midfielders are primary in the formation that Fowler opts for. He likes his team to play with possession, and attack widely. In A League too, we saw our Gaffer to give strength on possession based football and go for counter only when his defense is properly arranged. It is Fowler’s debut in ISL, much of his tactics depend on what kind of players he got!
Predicted XI:
(3-4-2-1) Shankar Roy (GK), Daniel Fox, Scott Neville, Gurtej Singh, Abhisekh Ambekar, Bikash Jairu, Matti Steinmann, Eugenson Lyngdoh, Anthony Pilkington, Jacques Maghoma and Balwant Singh.
SC East Bengal Vs ATK Mohun Bagan EBRP Live Before Match Day
ATK MOHUNBAGAN FC
Strength:
Undoubtedly one of the favorites of the league, ATK Mohunbagan has ample strong points. The most remarkable is the presence of Roy Krishna, the top scorer of last year’s tournament. The signings of Sandesh Jhingan and Tiri provides extra physicality in the back. Also they are too confident and productive on counters, the tactics that brought nearly 15 goals last season. Mr. Habas also knows how to deal with tough matches, as he helped ATK win two ISL trophies.
Weaknesses:
In the first match against Kerala Blasters, we saw ATKMB perform behind expectations. Although they were confident on counters, yet they couldn’t capitalise on many occasions. Roy Krishna scored through a half chance, otherwise they could have lost 2 points. Also, the likes of Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal and Pronay Halder did not look much fit. Their organisation on opposition’s counter attacks is also questionable.
Tactics of the coach:
Antonio Habas has 3 years of experience in India, and always we have seen him playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, or at times 3-5-2 that he has used more frequently last year. Habas prefers wing play and long balls on counter. If given space in the middle, he can lunge counters with Krishna and Williams that often lead to goal. While defending, he pushes his holding midfielders mainly Halder to take the mid space of the defense line, to increase compactness near his penalty box.
Predicted XI:
(3-5-2) Arindam Bhattacharjee (GK), Tiri, Sandesh Jhingan, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das, Manvir Singh, Javier Hernandez, Carl McHugh, Pronay Halder, Roy Krishna and David Williams
