ATK Mohun Bagan will start as the overwhelming favourites when they take on arch-rivals SC East Bengal in the ISL VIII Derby clash at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Saturday. The runners-up of last season have already made their intentions clear with a fabulous performance in the match against Kerala Blasters on November 19 and, going by their strengths, it will not be a surprise if they record a hat-trick of Derby victories in ISL.

Last year, ATK Mohun Bagan had won both the legs against their insipid rivals. The team this time have further bolstered their strength by bringing in the likes of Hugo Boumous, Finnish international Joni Kauko, Liston Colaco and goalkeeper Amrinder Singh. While Boumous, who netted a brace, and Kauko were brilliant in the 4-2 win over Blasters, Colaco scored gem of a goal. ATK Mohun Bagan’s man for all seasons Roy Krishna also got his name on the score sheet.

SC East Bengal coach Jose Manuel Diaz, however, is not losing sleep over the underdogs tag. “No, it doesn’t bother us. We will play to our strong points,” the Spaniard said.
SC East Bengal were held to a 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur FC in their first match and did not look impressive. “We must create opportunities in the attacking half because it becomes difficult if we’re defending all the time.” ATK Mohun Bagan coach Antonio Lopez Habas refused to believe that it would be cakewalk for his team on Saturday. “Yes we won the two Derbies last season. But history doesn’t always repeat itself,” Habas said.

Unlike past seasons, Habas’ accent this time is on attack as he fielded Krishna, Manvir Singh and Colaco upfront. The Spaniard, however, did not want to divulge
anything about Saturday’s strategy.

“I don’t understand why everyone thinks I’ll play every game the same way. You can’t do that because the situations, opponent and conditions vary from one match to another.”
Hugo and Krishna are expected to torment SC East Bengal, who now have the Fijian striker’s former teammate Arindam Bhattacharya as the goalkeeper as well as captain.

Coach Diaz, however, is focusing on the ATK Mohun Bagan team, rather than on just the attackers. “For me, the whole squad is a threat. So we’re making plans to stop the team instead of focusing on just individuals.”

Habas was asked about the rival duo of Daniel Chima and Antonio Peresovic. His answer was also similiar. “The plan is to stop the whole team, not individuals.”