East Bengal coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia said he would like to win the I-league title for the fans. “I would like to win the I-League only for the fans. We want to make the supporters proud of the team’s performance this season.

“We will not have a No. 10 in our squad. The No. 10 is our fans,” he said at the pre-match media conference. East Bengal begin their campaign with a match against Real Kashmir FC at the Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday evening.

East Bengal have never won the I-League, but under Alejandro they finished runners-up to Chennai City FC last season.

In his second season as East Bengal coach, Alejandro was asked about the difference between last season and the ongoing one. “This season I already know the team and the players.

“We are now a team everyone wants to beat and everyone wants to give their best against us. We are that competitive now,” he said.

Alejandro is expecting a tought I-league this time. “What I have seen in the first two days, I think the League will be very tight. It will require a lot of guts and gumption since all the teams start on an even keel.”

About Real Kashmir FC, Alejandro said: “It’s a very strong team. They were challenging for the title until the last fixture last season…”

The Spaniard added that the preparations for the league has been good.

Borja Perez returned to training on Monday and according to Alejandro the defender is expected to be back “beteeen December 16 and 22.” That means he could feature in the Derby against Mohun Bagan on December 22.

Lalrindika Ralte though will miss Wednesday’s match due to injury.

Kick-off: 5pm.