As the Indian Super League enters its decisive phase, East Bengal FC stand on the brink of something special. With just three matches remaining in the campaign, the Red and Gold Brigade are locked in an intense title race with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan. Yet amid growing excitement and speculation around the championship battle, head coach Oscar Bruzon remains determined to keep his side grounded.
Speaking ahead of East Bengal’s crucial clash against Punjab FC, Bruzon made it clear that his focus is firmly fixed on the immediate challenge rather than the bigger picture.
“At this moment, I am not thinking about the Derby or the Championship. My head is only on one name: Punjab,” Bruzon said during the pre-match press conference.
Despite East Bengal’s strong position in the league table and the mounting anticipation among supporters, the Spanish coach insisted that his approach has not changed throughout the season.
“We are moving match by match. My thinking hasn’t changed even a little bit,” he added.
Bruzon’s cautious mindset is shaped heavily by East Bengal’s recent experiences in knockout competitions. The club came painfully close to silverware in both the Super Cup and the Durand Cup, only to fall short in the finals. Those disappointments, according to the coach, serve as important lessons during the current title push.
“You may remember the Super Cup and the Durand Cup. We reached the finals but couldn’t bring the trophy home. From that experience, I prefer to focus only on the immediate step,” Bruzon explained.
With three league matches still to play, the coach reiterated that discussions around the championship can wait.
“We are not thinking about the top position or the championship yet; we are thinking one by one,” he stated.
The importance of the upcoming fixture has only grown after Mohun Bagan dropped valuable points in a recent draw, potentially opening the door for East Bengal to strengthen their position in the title race. However, Punjab FC are unlikely to make things easy.
Punjab’s head coach acknowledged the quality within the East Bengal squad, particularly praising their domestic core.
“East Bengal is a very strong team. Their biggest advantage is their Indian players,” he said.
Among those players is PV Vishnu, who has emerged as an important figure for the club this season. Addressing expectations from supporters, Vishnu spoke about his determination to contribute consistently in front of goal.
“I am trying my best to contribute to the team and meet the supporters’ expectations,” he remarked.
As the league season approaches its climax, the pressure surrounding East Bengal continues to intensify. But for Oscar Bruzon, the path towards glory lies not in dreaming about trophies or derby celebrations, but in maintaining focus on the next ninety minutes.
