KOLKATA: It's early days in the 12th edition of
I-League
, but when East Bengal begin their home campaign at
Salt Lake Stadium
on Tuesday, they will feature in an early top-of-the-table clash against Chennai City FC.
East Bengal, under Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia, are the only team with an all-win slate so far this season, having won at Neroca FC and Aizawl FC. Chennai FC, on the other hand, head the standings with 7 points (2 wins, a draw).
Calling the shots will be the key objective for both teams, but the approach could be different.
The onus is on Alejandro's men to dictate terms as they look to make home advantage count. Against the two northeast sides in their den, East Bengal looked to be content in playing second fiddle with lesser possession but were far more effective in achieving their goal.
Mahmoud Al Amna's recovery from back pain means the team is missing the Syrian playmaker's creativity in midfield, but Mexican striker
Enrique Esqueda
(2 goals vs Neroca) and Jobby Justin (brace against Lajong FC) worked in tandem to see the team through those challenges. It remains to be seen how Alejandro approaches the challenge of living up to expectations in front of home fans.
The last time the two teams had faced off at Salt Lake Stadium, back in February, East Bengal - then under
Khalid Jamil
- walloped the Coimbatore-based side 7-1 to rekindle their I-League hopes only to fade out towards the end.
At the same venue on a new day and under a new coach, East Bengal may have the psychological advantage, but Alejandro is leaving no stone unturned to keep the team focused and maintain the winning momentum.
"We are taking it match by match. We have prepared for this match in right earnest and there are good vibes in the camp. We'll play for a win and I'm hopeful of achieving the target," the former Real Madrid youth academy coach said on Monday.
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