The excitement, hype and pressure that comes with a Derby clash are all there in abundance on the eve of the Durand Cup final.

The Salt Lake Stadium was abuzz with the final rehearsal for the closing ceremony as strains of music could be heard from the ground on Saturday. The service road leading up to the VIP entrance was packed with army cars and police vans.

The Durand Cup organisers had been praying for an East Bengal versus Mohun Bagan clash in the final and that has been answered. The demand for a ticket is sky-high as fans of both teams are desperately seeking to grab a seat at the stadium before the 4pm kick-off.

On Friday night itself, barely hours after releasing tickets for the summit clash, the organisers said “Super Sunday: Sold Out” and since then the demand seems to have just grown.

“It’s surprising we are finding it difficult to get a ticket,” an East Bengal fan rued.

East Bengal are a win away from their first major trophy in almost 11 years and their Derby triumph last month in the group-stage clash has given hope to their fans. Nandhakumar Sekar’s strike had helped the red-and-gold brigade to record their first win against the arch-rivals after four-and-a-half years.

“To play in the final is something that we had not really thought of because it has been a difficult way. We are proud of the way the team has been competing,” Emami East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat said at the pre-match news conference on Saturday.

“We’ll try to do our best, continue in the same way and win the match because it’s an opportunity to win a trophy,” said compatriot Juan Ferrando, the coach of Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Cuadrat will bank on his two midfielders Naorem Mahesh Singh and Nandhakumar whose speed down the flanks has made life miserable for the rival teams. Saul Crespo’s presence in the midfield provides support.

Bagan have an embarrassment of riches though new signings like Jason Cummings are trying to adapt to the new conditions.