The highly anticipated Mohammedan-East Bengal derby is just around the corner, and both teams are fully geared up for an electrifying showdown. The match is scheduled to take place at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Saturday. 

Before the match, Mohammedan SC football secretary and former Indian International player, Dipendu Biswas, spoke to Parallel Sports about the upcoming much anticipated derby.

Discussing about the team's preparation, he remarked, “The players are working incredibly hard. They performed well in the opening matches, but the last two games against Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad were disappointing losses. They’re now preparing to the best of their potential.”

“As a debutant group, they've performed impressively in the initial stages. While it's disappointing to see a dip in form, we’re confident they can make a strong comeback on Saturday against East Bengal,” he added. 

Commenting on East Bengal’s return from the ISL and its potential impact on their performance, he stated, “The jersey itself speaks volumes—it’s the passion and love that fuels the Big Three. Even if we lose 10 matches, we’re confident that we’ll come back stronger in the 11th.”

He added, “It’s not just about physical strength; mental resilience plays a key role too. East Bengal recently secured victories in the AFC Challenge League, so they’re in a better place mentally. However, Mohammedan is not far behind—they’re gearing up with their best strength for the challenge ahead.”

Biswas expressed confidence in his team, stating, “We have a squad filled with quality players. While the competition is fierce, I’m certain the spectators won’t be disappointed. I believe we’ll achieve a favourable result.”

While East Bengal FC managed to end their losing streak in the AFC stage, they are still searching for their first win in the ISL. The Red and Gold Brigade currently sit at the bottom of the ISL standings with no points, having lost six consecutive matches. Mohammedan SC, though not far ahead, are in 12th place with four points after suffering our losses.