East Bengal head coach Carles Cuadrat and right full-back Rakip attended the pre-match press conference ahead of their upcoming clash against Punjab FC at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan. Punjab FC currently sits in 11th position, while East Bengal holds the 8th spot and a win will take East Bengal to the 6th position with a total of 11 points.

Speaking about their opponents, Cuadrat praised Punjab FC for their well-deserved I-League win and acknowledged them as a formidable side with a talented coach and strong foreign players. He specifically highlighted the skills and abilities of Punjab FC's star player, Juan Mera, saying, "Mera is excellent, has very good technical skills, good dribbling and very good shooting with the left foot. He has been an important player for East Bengal in past" and hence indicates that Cuadrat will be cautious of his threats on the field.

Cuadrat also emphasized the advantage of having their supporters on their side, stating, “Our supporters are a big advantage and will try to bring our supporters to the stadium to help us”. He further mentioned that East Bengal is staying grounded and humble as a team, expressing their commitment to putting on a strong performance in this crucial clash. 

In conclusion, East Bengal is fully prepared to face Punjab FC and are determined to build on their recent success. With admiration for their opponents and an understanding of the challenges ahead, East Bengal looks to utilize their supporters' advantage and exhibit a strong and humble performance in this crucial clash.