East Bengal FC did their homework in the summer transfer market. After their last year’s fight in the Indian Super League (ISL), they could not qualify for the Super 6. The Red and Gold Brigade finished 9th in the league last season. However, with a much better team on paper, with Madih Talal and Dimitrios Diamantakos on the side, They failed in their opening game against Bengaluru FC.
On Saturday the side was facing one of their arch-rivals Bengaluru FC at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. East Bengal started with two foreign center backs Hector Yuste and Hijazi Maher. East Bengal never won their first game in the ISL history. That remained intact as the coach’s tactics from the start were horrible to watch. The team was looking dreadful on the pitch whenever the home team was attacking the defense was shaking like a school team.
Taking advantage of that the local boy Vinith Venkatesh scored on his debut against Carles Cuadrat’s side. East Bengal were even down to 10 men after Lalchununga was shown a red card after receiving his second yellow for a foul on Ryan Williams. The team looked very rusty and they could not create a single chance or play out in the midfield.
East Bengal needs to clear out the role clarity
Cuadrat is to be blamed for the loss of East Bengal? Yes, the Spanish manager did not play his best side according to the strength of the team which is the midfield and attacking part. He did not use Talal who was the highest assist maker last season combined with Diamantakos in the attack. They were interchanged in the second half of the game with no striker upfront. Cleiton Silva came on late in the game but could not do much. Every time the Red and Gold were pressed they either lost the ball or played long balls that had no destination.
The Spanish coach needs to understand the role clarity of the footballers and convey it to the footballers as well. With such massive names on paper, the side needs to be at their very best from the start of the season. The trio of Saul Crespo, Talal, and Diamantakos worked well in the Durand Cup 2024. He did not let the creator of the game start the match. Thus the result was what it had to be.
