Kolkata, March 27 (IANS) Mohun Bagan gaffer Sanjoy Sen believes there are no favourites in the Kolkata derby and the team capitalising on the day will win the contest as they head into their I-League home match against arch rivals East Bengal at the Saltlake stadium on Saturday.
“There are no favourites for tomorrow’s game. The team that capitalises on the day, wins!” Sen said at the pre-match media conference at the Mohun Bagan tent on Friday.
Asked about the long list of unavailable players for the encounter, Sen said:” Injury, cards are all part and parcel of football, you have other players to fill in their shoes, there’s no point sulking on whom we miss, we have to move on and play good football during the match.”
Sen, who turned the fortunes around for Bagan after their dismal Federation Cup, believes it is easy being on top but maintaining the position is the hardest thing to do.
“It is easy when you are at the top but staying there and continue being undefeated is the hardest thing to do. We still have 12 games to go and between us and East Bengal we just have a difference of only five points. Who knows when the tides will turn in their favour.”
The 54-year-old, who was instrumental in Mohammedan Sporting’s redemption to the first division of the I-League, also said he needs to draw the mathematics as to what combinations he will start upfront for Saturday’s game.
“I have not decided on the combinations yet, but we need to do the mathematics and analyse the opposition and only then can I fix the first 11,” said Sen.