East Bengal FC will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they host FC Goa at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday. The Kolkata giants are still searching for their first points of the Indian Super League 2024-25 season after suffering consecutive away defeats against Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC. The red and gold brigade will be eager to find their rhythm in front of their home supporters, especially after enduring a period of underwhelming performances since joining the league earlier in the decade.
The task won’t be easy. East Bengal faces a formidable opponent in FC Goa, a team known for their attacking prowess and who boast a strong record against East Bengal, having won five out of their eight previous encounters in the ISL. The match will be crucial for FC Goa as well, as they arrive in Kolkata following a disappointing opening home loss to Jamshedpur and a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mohammedan Sporting.
This match is likely to be a high-octane encounter with both teams eager to secure a much-needed victory. The tension is palpable, particularly for East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat, who has faced criticism from fans after their recent losses. While the defeats are concerning, the lack of intensity displayed by the team has been a major cause for concern. Cuadrat will be looking to instill a sense of urgency in his players and guide them to a much-needed win. A significant challenge for Cuadrat is the team’s lack of efficiency in the final third. The finishing has been inconsistent, and Cuadrat acknowledged the need for improvement in this area: “We have been working a lot on converting chances. We have been training a lot of days on how to make the right pass and get the right finishing. It’s a question of quality, technique, and the right decision at the right moment. And we are working on that. I am sure that the guys are going to improve with training.”
Meanwhile, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez expressed his concern about his team’s sluggish start to the season. Despite having talented players, Marquez believes their mental state needs to improve: “We are not in a good moment, especially mentally. It is not a problem physically or technically because we know the kind of players that we have. But the team seems tired.”
This clash at the Salt Lake Stadium promises to be a captivating battle as both teams aim to right the ship early in the season. The pressure is on for both coaches and players as they look to secure their first win of the ISL campaign and set the stage for a successful season.
