Super Cup semi-final: Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan set to rekindle an old rivalry

The last time the two played each other was almost a year back in the final of the now defunct Federation Cup when a dominant Bengaluru won 2-0.
Super Cup semi-final: Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan set to rekindle an old rivalry
Super Cup semi-final: Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan set to rekindle an old rivalry

Plenty has happened since the last time these two Indian football giants faced each other. Bengaluru FC has moved to the more glamorous Indian Super League (ISL) while Mohun Bagan has a new coach at the helm with Sankar Lal Chakraborty taking over after Sanjoy Sen resigned at the beginning of this year.

The two teams will face each other in the semi-final of the much-criticised Super Cup on Tuesday. The last time the two played each other was almost a year back in the final of the now defunct Federation Cup when a dominant Bengaluru won 2-0.

With both teams failing to win their respective leagues, they will most certainly be gunning for this title to add to their silverware.

Mohun Bagan’s coach heaped praises on his opposite number, Albert Roca. In an interview with Goal, Chakraborty said, “I will never forget the Federation Cup final last year where they dominated out and out. We also had a very good team but we lost 2-0. (Albert) Roca is a great coach. He changes his formation several times. So it is very difficult for us. All over the world, one player can win one or two matches but team game will win you the championship.”

Chakraborty has done a very good job in his first stint as head coach for Mohun Bagan after securing a 2-1 victory over Churchill Brothers in round-of-16 followed by an impressive 3-1 victory in the quarterfinals against Shillong Lajong. That said, this will be his toughest test yet as Bengaluru will be the first team from the ISL that Mohun Bagan has encountered.

When asked about the quality of his opposition, Chakraborty replied, “We are prepared. In India, Bangalore FC has one of the best infrastructure and well-prepared team. But we are also prepared for tomorrow’s (Tuesday) game. Budget, merit, etc. I am not considering that. In the last four-to-five years BFC’s performance, quality of players and coaches have been amazing (sic).”

Bengaluru FC comes into the game in imposing form. They have lost only 1 game in their last 20, which included 16 wins and 3 draws.

Their success has mainly come due to their front three of captain Sunil Chhetri, Miku and Udanta Singh. Chhetri and Miku have been in a race for Bengaluru’s top goal scorer for the season with the latter bagging 16 goals. Chhetri scored a hattrick in the quarterfinals of the Super Cup to put him one goal ahead of his teammate. The trio will have the tough task of dealing with Shilton Paul between the sticks for Mohun Bagan. Shilton was named the best goalkeeper of the I League, having kept a tournament high 8 clean sheets.

Known to set up in a compact manner combined with a formidable strike partnership of Aser Pierrick Dipanda and Akram Moghrabi, Mohun Bagan will be looking to hit Bengaluru on the break.

Former Bengaluru FC midfielder, Cameron Watson, who now plays for Mohun Bagan, will be looking to provide the strength and stability in the midfield for the attackers to be able to express themselves while going forward. The Australian holding midfielder has been solid since joining his new team midway through the season and will be looking to pull a fast one on his former employers.

The two giants have faced each other on 13 occasions previously, with Mohun Bagan winning on 5 occasions and Bengaluru FC on 3. The remainder of the games finished in draws, which will not be an option for the upcoming match.

The match will start at 4 pm IST and will be telecast on Star Sports.

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