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Molina reluctant to let East Bengal warm up, before the mega derby, Cummings in a pressure-free mood
Sanchita Chatterjee, BSNewsAgency, Kolkata: If we look back at the past derby, the soft and warm tone of the two coaches around the fight between Mohun Bagan or East Bengal before the mega match would have created a different excitement and atmosphere. The verbal battle between the two coaches PK Banerjee and Amal Dutt or Subrata Bhattacharya and Subhash Bhowmik is a myth on the field. The footballers and members-supporters of both camps used to boil, centered around that chapan. But times have changed. Although the importance of the derby is the same, there are no loose and unkind comments on the faces of the Mohun Bagan and East Bengal coaches. Everything is wrapped in a professional manner. As Mohun Bagan Super Giant coach Jose Molina showed today.
Before facing arch-rivals East Bengal in the Durand Derby quarter-finals, Molina did not say anything that would give the opponent a chance to get heated. Instead, he analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of his team and the opponent in a cool, cool mood, as if he had played five more important matches. When Molina was holding a press conference in the media room in the late afternoon, there was a huge crowd of members collecting tickets for the derby under the Mohun Bagan gallery. The footballers were in a great mood as they started training. Jason Cummings, Jamie McLaren, Sahal, Liston, Apuya, Tom, Alberto and the rest of the team were in a good mood during the training. There was no sign of any extra tension on their faces. Rather, when asked if Cummings was fit to play the derby in a short period of preparation, Cummings flexed his arms and explained that they were ready to win the derby and go to the Durand semi-finals. This confidence is the USP of the Green Maroon Brigade in the Sunday derby.
Molina saw it all, but still he did not express any extra emotion or excitement in his speech. The question to the Bagan coach was, the expectations of the members and supporters surrounding the derby are sky-high. Especially if the team does not lose any derby under your coaching? Is playing the Durand derby at the beginning of the season with this favorite title an extra pressure in that case? Molina replied, 'I know the feelings of the members and supporters. Their demands too. For the last three days, the supporters have been demanding from me, Coach, we must win the derby. Yes, I also want to win the derby to satisfy the fans and keep the hope of winning the Durand Trophy alive.’ Although the goal is to win the match in the stipulated time, Molina has completed the tiebreaker practice keeping in mind the possibility of the match going into extra time. And in the absence of Manbir and Kian, he has also mastered the habit of attacking with the wings using other strategies.
East Bengal coach Oscar Brujon said that this time we will see a new East Bengal. He knows the weaknesses of the Mohun Bagan team. What are your observations about the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team? Molina said in a similar cold tone, ‘That’s right. The East Bengal team is strong. Their coach is also famous. It is natural that he has done his homework on us. He will also do whatever it takes to win the match. My team is not perfect either. At least at the moment, it is not fully prepared in terms of fitness. I have tried to prepare as much as possible in the 15-day practice. That doesn't mean we are behind or ahead of our opponents. I think both teams will perform in the derby in accordance with the team's condition at this time.'
Kian and Manbir are not injured. Subhasish has been in rehab for a long time. Suhel has returned to practice there. The doubts that were raised about Tom Aldred's game were dispelled by Molina's statement. He said that Tom is fully fit. Ready to give his best in the derby with Alberto. In fact, there is no problem. No tears were ever heard in Molina's voice. Today too, he said that he and his footballers are ready to face East Bengal in the fight on the field with those who are there.
Jason Cummings' voice also has a tone of confidence. He said clearly, 'I know the importance of the biggest derby in Asia. Thanks to the green and maroon for three seasons. We are in the midst of success. Besides, the understanding between us is in a good place due to playing as a team for the last two years. That is definitely an added advantage. It will be visible in the derby on Sunday. The fans are always on our side. We want to give them a derby win to fulfill their expectations.’ Molina is playing him a little behind McLaren in the absence of Greg Stewart. Regarding this, Cummings said that he enjoyed his role very much. Ready to give his best.