Mohun Bagan Super Giant, under the astute guidance of coach Antonio Lopez Habas, is gearing up to extend their dominance in the derby clash against arch-rivals East Bengal.
The resurgent Mohun Bagan side, buoyed by their unbeaten streak of six matches since their last encounter with East Bengal, is eyeing a victory to not only maintain their derby record but also to ascend to the summit of the Indian Super League (ISL) table.
With Habas at the helm, Mohun Bagan has witnessed a remarkable turnaround, clinching four wins in their last six outings.
The Spanish tactician, renowned as the most successful coach in the Indian top tier with two titles under his belt, has instilled a winning mentality in his squad, propelling them towards a playoff berth.
Mohun Bagan's dominance over East Bengal in the ISL derby is noteworthy, having emerged victorious in six out of their seven encounters and settling for a draw in one.
A triumph in the upcoming fixture would not only solidify their derby supremacy but also put them on par with league leaders Mumbai City FC.
Habas, however, advised the team to be cautious about becoming overconfident.
"Overconfidence sometimes kills, we have to guard against it," Habas said on the eve of the derby at the Salt Lake Stadium.
"Derby is a different game. For me, the best moment is to win tomorrow. We are looking for only three points. For fans, it's a big game but for us, it has to be professional."
The coach credited the players' commitment for their turnaround in the second half of the tournament.
"I am very happy with the performance of all the players in the team. One thing important for me is that they are committed," Habas said.
Dimitri Petratos, who had bagged the equaliser in the previous Kolkata derby, will once again be the key figure in Mohun Bagan's attacks.
"Look I am enjoying my football. Trying my best to do what my team needs and coach needs," said the Australian who has created 18 goal-scoring opportunities since the start of 2024," Petratos said.
Petratos has netted seven times and assisted once in 14 appearances in this campaign. He has taken 36 shots with 50 per cent of them landing on target.
The scenario is different for the Carles Cuadrat-coached East Bengal who have slipped to No 10 on the table after losing thrice in their last five matches.
The Red and Golds not only have to win their remaining four games but they need three teams -- NorthEast United FC, Chennaiyin FC, and Jamshedpur FC -- to drop points to ensure their playoff chances.
"We have 12 points to play. They have been playing for long time. But still, we have to give our best tomorrow," the East Bengal coach said.
"I think Mohun Bagan at the moment are favourites but I think my players are ready to give their best," he said.
Match starts at 8.30 pm IST tomorrow.
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