Mohun Bagan eye top spot as Benali insists NEUFC feel ‘no pressure’

“My pressure is different from the pressure Sergio has this season,” was how Juan Pedro Benali described the difference in expectations between himself and his “close friend” and fellow coach Sergio Lobera ahead of their Indian Super League clash in Guwahati on Sunday.

For, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant will look to leapfrog leaders Mumbai City FC — who went down to FC Goa on Saturday — to the top of the table with a victory at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, NorthEast United FC — dwelling among the bottom three — will aim for their second win at home after a mediocre start to the season.

“What do we have to lose? It is a game of 11 against 11,” Benali said at the pre-match interaction in Guwahati on Saturday. “We know Mohun Bagan is one of the strongest teams in the league, but I have confidence in my players. We have absolutely no pressure, and we are ready to compete.”

While the situation may be different for the ISL contenders on the day, the momentum should tend to follow both teams as the hosts will be back from an away draw against Kerala Blasters in their last game, after two losses in their home venue.

Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, come to the northeast on the back of a dominant 3-2 home victory against Punjab FC and will hope to continue their push for the League Shield.

“It is always a motivation,” Lobero said in Kolkata on Saturday of their aim for the top. “With five games remaining, we are in a position to fight for our target, which is to win the trophy. We are not under pressure; we are excited by the opportunity to get three very important points against NorthEast United.”

There are also injury concerns for both teams with Benali announcing the end of season for NEUFC skipper Michel Zabaco and Bagan missing the services of defender Asish Rai and Lalengmawia Ralte.

“Zabaco is out for the season. The doctors are working very hard; he’s working very hard on recovery. But in the end, with less than four weeks to go, he is on the edge. Maybe he can play the last two or three games, but he’s not sure,” stated Benali.

While Benali and his team are still being hit hard by the absence of their talisman for the last couple of seasons, Alaaeddine Ajaraie, summer signings Jairo Samperio, Lalrinzuala and Lalbiakdiaka will look to bridge the gap in attack upfront, along with India U-23 internationals Parthib Gogoi and Thoi Singh, and Ankith Padmanabhan.

However, a major impetus will be on the Highlanders defenders, who will need to play a leading role in restricting Bagan’s lethal strike force comprising the likes of Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings, Dimitri Petratos and Liston Colaco.

NEUFC, in fact, will need to up their game by notches if they hope to gift their fans something to cheer about at home.