Douglas Silva, the Brazilian central midfielder who had spent 11 years in Indian football has a unique achievement. The 48-year-old Brazilian midfielder is the only foreign footballer in India to have been unbeaten in the Kolkata derby. He has never lost a derby wearing East Bengal as well as Mohun Bagan shirts. However, the footballer who has recently completed his UEFA-A license still becomes nostalgic about his derby memory.

Speaking over the phone from his home at Sao Paolo before the ISL derby tomorrow on 25th February, Douglas sounded vocal, especially on East Bengal's disastrous performance in the League this season also. The red-and-gold brigade is languishing at the 9th position and Douglas slammed the club officials on the issue.

Douglas explained, "It is not that Stephen Constantine is a bad coach. He has enough experience in Indian football and footballers. But, having watched the team selection in almost every match, I feel he is being given the freedom to build up the team. Sarthak Golui is performing in one match and he is dropped in the team's very next match. Sumit Passi is being given chance in almost every match despite poor performance. Yes, Stephen made one mistake by roping in the Cyprus footballer who was not up to the mark. But if you look at the recruitment of foreign footballers in recent times you will find the club is roping in six-seven foreigners and one or two footballers out of them look like quality footballers. I am surprised to have watched how this faulty recruitment process is going on continuously for the last couple of seasons."

Commenting on the derby, Douglas stated, "It always becomes difficult to predict the derby. Anything can happen and the team that will deliver their best on a particular day will be able to win. But, considering the performance of both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in this ISL, I would say the green-and-maroon brigade is more composed. The style of play they are executing is reflecting the team game. They are not depending on particular one or two footballers to win the match. So I believe on paper they are ahead of East Bengal. Still, I will say again that it is difficult to predict a derby as it is always a match of nerves."