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# David vs Goliath? Mohun Bagan eye derby redemption against East Bengal This is not just another Kolkata derby. Monday’s clash between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal at Barasat Stadium has all the ingredients of a David-versus-Goliath battle, with the two sides approaching the fixture from completely different perspectives. For Mohun Bagan, the derby is an opportunity to regain lost pride. East Bengal, meanwhile, are prepared to trust the young players who have carried the team through the Kolkata League campaign. ## Mohun Bagan desperate to erase memories of the 1-4 defeat The importance of Monday’s derby has increased for Mohun Bagan because of the disappointments of the previous season. After missing out on the ISL title, the Mariners suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat to East Bengal in the Durand Cup derby. That result continues to remain a painful memory, and Mohun Bagan are determined to respond with a victory at Barasat. According to the mood around the Maidan, the club management has also sent a clear message to the squad: the derby must be won at all costs. A victory will not immediately decide the Kolkata League title, but it would certainly help restore some pride among the supporters. Mohun Bagan completed their final preparations at their own ground on Sunday, with players such as Lallianzuala Chhangte, Apuia, Sahal Abdul Samad and Manvir Singh involved in the session. However, there are injury concerns. Anirudh Thapa missed the final training session because of a minor injury, while Chhangte’s participation remains doubtful. ## East Bengal ready to trust their young ‘Davids’ East Bengal are approaching the fixture very differently. Having already won the ISL and Durand Cup, the Red and Gold camp can afford to look at the Kolkata League derby with a different perspective. The club wants to reward the young players who have played throughout the league season rather than replacing them with the senior squad specifically for the derby. The argument from the East Bengal camp is straightforward: if youngsters have played through the heat and rain and helped the team reach the Super Six stage, they deserve the opportunity to play the biggest league fixture of the season. Gourav Saw, Monotosh Chakladar and Tanmoy Das are among the young players expected to carry the responsibility. A number of senior players, including David, Jassintk and Vishnu, have also been registered for the Kolkata League. However, head coach Antonio Lopez Habas has reportedly made his preference clear. Apart from Vishnu, who is carrying an injury, the other senior players have been asked to attend the ISL training session at the club’s main ground on Monday afternoon. That means the young East Bengal side could be handed the daunting task of facing a strong Mohun Bagan lineup. ## Who will lead East Bengal from the dugout? Another question surrounding the derby is who will take charge of the young East Bengal side. Archishman has handled the team’s league preparations throughout the season. However, assistant coach Bino George has taken charge of training during the last two days ahead of the derby. It therefore remains unclear whether Gourav Saw, Monotosh Chakladar, Tanmoy Das and their teammates will play under Archishman’s guidance or Bino George’s. The indications, however, suggest that Archishman could ultimately be handed the coaching responsibility for the derby. The stage is therefore set for an intriguing contest at Barasat. Mohun Bagan will arrive with a strong desire to reclaim pride, while East Bengal will rely on the young players who have earned their opportunity through an entire league campaign. In the biblical story, the young David defeated the giant Goliath against overwhelming odds. Could Barasat witness a similar upset on Monday? ### Kolkata League — Today **East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan** Barasat Stadium | 5:00 PM Live: Number Ten Sports App