No game is tougher than derby: East Bengal FC head coach Stephen Constantine

KOLKATA: East Bengal FC head coach Stephen Constantine stated he is looking forward to facing ATK Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata Derby in what will be his side's last Indian Super League (ISL) fixture of the 2022-23 campaign at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, in Kolkata, on Saturday.

"I thought we were convincing (against Mumbai City FC). It was one of our best performances this season. If you go back to our season, some of the games we played, like we did against ATK Mohun Bagan (in the reverse fixture), we dominated the first half. We dominated FC Goa and Odisha FC. We put Hyderabad FC on their knees, home and away. We have had a lot of moments where we have been very good despite all of our problems," he stated in the official pre-match press conference.

ATK Mohun Bagan registered a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture in October thanks to goals from Hugo Boumous and Manvir Singh. Much has changed since that fixture. While the Mariners will be looking to confirm a top-four finish with a win in the derby, opponents East Bengal FC are playing for pride and bragging rights.

Constantine was pleased with the way his side have progressed this season and believes their arch-rivals will come up against a different East Bengal FC side, compared to the one in the reverse fixture.

"I know everybody wants us to be in the top six. Nobody more than me. But to do that, you need to prepare, you need to plan and make sure that everything is okay. And this is what I have been working on for the last eight months. Going into next season and the Super Cup, we have a foundation. And then you have to build on things. I'm looking forward to Saturday's game because we are a different team than the team that ATK Mohun Bagan played in the first round," Constantine said.

Speaking on the advantage the Mariners hold with respect to their position on the table (fourtth), the Englishman refuted the argument and shed light on how derbies are a larger than life game that go beyond the recent results and league standings.

Constantine has been issuing a rallying call for all East Bengal FC fans to back and support the team by attending their home matches. The side has seen a slight decline in the number of fans attending the home games and it has been an unpleasant sight for the head coach this season.

"If our fans need me to ask them to come to a derby game, we are in serious trouble. Somebody did that a few years ago and said, we need the Indian fans to come and support the national team. If you need to be told to go and support your country or your club, you're in the wrong sport," he said. (ANI)

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