On Sunday, September 03, 2023, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Emami East Bengal will face each other at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in the 'Kolkata derby', to earn the right to be called champions of the Durand Cup 2023. The match will kick off at 4 pm Indian Standard Time (IST). Both teams had a brilliant campaign although most of the matches were very close. East Bengal have already defeated Mohun Bagan once during the group stages so they will be confident enough to go against the dominating Mohun Bagan side in the ultimate clash. Although the Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando just stated it as a pre-season earlier, he is also changing his words right now. On the other side, Carles Cuadrat will try to improve his side by giving a brilliant performance against their rivals.

Read Also: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan: Head-to-Head Stats

Controversial Semi-Finals

Both teams made it to the final after a fair share of controversy. East Bengal fans were accused of racism and hooliganism by NorthEast United supporters at the Salt Lake Stadium during the semis, which Red & Gold Brigade won dramatically in a penalty shootout after going 0-2 down in regulation time earlier.

Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, were handed a controversial penalty from a stupid call by the referee. The replays made it clear that FC Goa defender Jay Gupta fouled Ashique Kuruniyan right outside the box but the referee pointed to the spot instead. Mohun Bagan eventually won the game as Armando Sadikou scored a stunning goal in the second half to put the Green and Maroon Army at the front for the rest of the night.

The referees will be in the spotlight in the final as it surely will be an intense match. If any decisions go wrong, then there will be absolute chaos.

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Durand Cup 2023: Match Preview

Match Details

• Match: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan Durand Cup 2023 Final
• Kickoff time & Date: 03/09/2023 | 04:00 P.M. IST
• Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
• Where to watch: Sony Liv app and website, Sony Ten 2 & Sony Ten 2 HD

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan | Head-to-Head

In Durand Cup history, East Bengal have won 9 times, and Mohun Bagan 7 times while drawing five times in 21 matches. East Bengal scored 17 times while the Mariners scored 14 times in those games.

Head-to-Head (Durand Cup):

• Total Matches Played – 21
• Mohun Bagan SG wins – 7
• East Bengal FC wins – 9
• Draws – 5

Overall Kolkata Derby Head-to-Head record:

EB vs MBSG H2H Record (Last Five Games):

• East Bengal 1-0 Mohun Bagan SG; August 2023 - Durand Cup
• East Bengal 0 - 2 Mohun Bagan SG; February 2023 - ISL
• Mohun Bagan SG 2 - 0 East Bengal; October 2022 - ISL
• East Bengal 0 - 1 Mohun Bagan SG; August 2022 - Durand Cup
• Mohun Bagan SG 3 - 1 East Bengal; January 2022 - ISL

• East Bengal: 1 win
• Mohun Bagan: 4 wins
• Draws: 0

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan | Team News

East Bengal:

Prabhsukhan Gill will be guarding the goal line instead of training with the Indian U-23 camp for AFC U-23 in Bhubaneswar. Carles Cuadrat could instruct his EB side to sit back in front of their box and then release Nandhakumar Sekar, hero of the previous Derby win, and Naorem Mahesh Singh on the wings to whip in inviting crosses for target man Javier Siverio.

Midfielder Souvik Chakrabarti is unavailable to play the game after seeing back-to-back yellow cards in two matches. Cuadrat could field Cleiton Silva from the very beginning, which would mean sacrificing the defensive-minded Borja Herrera or playmaker Saul Crespo, a tough choice. His fullbacks Harmanjot Khabra and Nishu Kumar or Mandar Rao Desai would need extra protection when Aashique Kuruniyan, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, or Dimi Petratos run at them.

East Bengal Pre-match press conference:

Where does Carles Cuadrat place his side against Mohun Bagan?

"They have played four games and won the four games and so on. They are in another mode, they have that kind of dynamic, positive, and if you see they are playing every cup. So it gives good experience and, they have been beating the champion of Nepal, the champion of Bangladesh and the champion of India because they beat Mumbai and Mumbai was the champion of the ISL. So yeah, they have been building his mentality and also building the team physically," the East Bengal boss Carles Cuadrat said.

"But at the same time, we can see that most of the games have been by narrow margins. A lot of times it has been a penalty that opens the door for the victory. A lot of times it has been that they have conceded one goal. So yeah, it's going to be a great football match and we will try to use our weapons to try to get the victory for sure," he added.

Read the full pre-match press conference here: "We will try to use our weapons to try to get the victory for sure," East Bengal head coach Carles Cuadrat is ready to face Mohun Bagan in the Duand Cup 2023 Final

Mohun Bagan:

Mohun Bagan SG has a near full-strength squad available for the final. Juan Ferrando has the luxury of falling back to his other options if his initial plan doesn't work like he brought Armando Sadiku to get him a goal during a tense period of play against Goa. Choosing four foreigners would be a happy headache for him as they have too many options.

Both teams are locked on 16 titles each. They would also want to go one-up on each other to become the most successful team in the history of the competition. This adds to the stakes of the contest. In their last meeting in the final, East Bengal won 2-1 in 2004, while MBSG last won it in 2000. Jason Cummings will be the biggest threat from the Mohun Bagan SG squad which boasts of brilliant attacking players. The striker leads the forward line expertly.

Mohun Bagan Pre-match press conference:

What's the difference between the earlier loss against East Bengal and the upcoming Final?

For me, the past is the past. All the time we explain every month is different and the situation is against us. Now I think I'm happy because the players are fit. They are very, very, very important for us. You know I took it. We are happy because we reached the final. It's a pleasure to play the final, but it's totally different situation than the last match against them. This is a real target for us," the Mohun Bagan coach Juan Ferrando said.

"The thing is when you learn about the mistakes this time to training sessions to improve these days. But without training, I know it's the most important for me who be ready because in the last 10 days they played four matches. These players are playing in 90-90 minutes. So it's difficult to work in this situation. Because it's only recovery and it's not possible to work in training sessions. So we will accept this and repeat it after the final. I thought we'd be ready for the practice the next week. It's a normal situation with all the teams. Obviously, we can change some things or improve some details," he added.

Read the full pre-match press conference here: "This is a real target for us," Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando ahead of the Durand Cup 2023 Final against East Bengal

East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan | Possible Lineups

East Bengal FC (4-2-3-1):

• Prabhsukhan Gill(GK), Nishu Kumar, Lalchungnunga, Jordan Elsey, Mandar Rao Desai, Jose Pardo, Harmanjot Khabra, Saul Crespo, Nandhakumar Sekar, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Javier Siverio.

Mohun Bagan SG (4-2-3-1):

• Vishal Kaith(GK), Asish Rai, Anwar Ali, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ashique Kuruniyan, Dimitri Petratos, Hugo Boumous, Jason Cummings.

The UEFA Champions League final represents the pinnacle of Europeam Club football, a stage where heroes are crowned. For any player, scoring in this momentous match is a big achivement, and for a few, that moment comes at an astonishingly young age!

Dive into the list of 5 youngest goalscorers in Champions League finals, with the spotlight on recent additions of Paris Saint-Germain's Mayulu and Doue, who have etched their names on this exclusive list.

5. Lars Ricken (20 years 322 days) | 1997

In 1997, Borussia Dortmund's local boy, Lars Ricken etched his name into Champions League final history with a goal against Juventus. Coming on as a substitute, he took just 16 seconds to score the goal after entering the pitch!

At just 20 years and 322 days old, his impactful goal helped Dortmund secure a 3-1 victory, and it still remains one of the most iconic moments in UCL finals history.

4. Desire Doue (19 years 362 days) | 2025

The 2025 UEFA Champions League final saw a remarkably young talent make his mark on field. Desire Doue added his name in this list of youngest goalscorers with scoring twice (20' , 63') in the finals against Inter Milan.

He scored the second and third goal of the match, which significantly gave PSG a boost in this high-stakes match. His attacking style and dominant gameplay at just 19 years and 362 days of age, was great to watch.

Doue's name will be forever treasured in the books of PSG's success in UEFA Champions League.

Read Also: Most Champions League titles won by Football Clubs

3. Carlos Alberto (19 years 167 days) | 2004

Carlos Alberto of FC Porto scored a stunning goal in the 2004 Champions League finals at the age of 19 years and 167 days. He scored the first goal of the match, which eventually led to a victory of 3-0 against AS Monaco FC.

He delivered a memorable moment for the team and became the key figure in Porto's surprising triumph, that too, for their second UCL title.

2. Senny Mayulu (19 years 14 days) | 2025

In the electrifying final of 2025 Champions League, PSG got another young talent who didn't just play; he made history. Senny Mayulu, at just 19 years and 14 days old, became the second-youngest goalscorer ever in the Champions League final.

Mayulu scored the final goal in their 5-0 victory against Inter Milan, and his strike in a match of such immense pressure solidified his status as an emerging player for the Parisian giants.

Read Also: Football Facts: Managers with most UCL titles

1. Patrick Kluivert (18 years 327 days) | 1995

Topping the list as the youngest goalscorer in Champions League final is Patrick Kluivert. In 1995 final, playing for Ajax, he scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, securing a 1-0 victory against AC Milan.

At just 18 years and 327 days of age, his crucial finish brought Ajax's fifth UCL title home, and established him as an iconic talent who made history in European football's grandest stage.

In Europe, the Champions League is seen as the most demanding title among players, managers, and clubs from all over Europe. The Giant clubs compete for this specific trophy every year, with the prestige and financial rewards received from the tournament being among the biggest in club football.

Achieving success in this competition is usually seen by most players and managers as the benchmark of club-level achievement in Europe. For many managers, winning the Champions League is the ultimate goal.

Some managers, however, have managed to win the competition multiple times, some with multiple teams as well. Without further due, here are the interesting football facts of the five managers with the most Champions League titles.

Read Also: Barcelona 2008/09 vs Man City 2022/23 - which Pep Guardiola treble team is better?

Football Facts: Managers with the most UCL titles 

Pep Guardiola | 3 Champions League titles

Many regard Pep Guardiola as the greatest manager of his generation due to his success with all the clubs he has managed. The Spanish manager has won the competition thrice in his managerial career, two times with FC Barcelona and once with Manchester City.

Guardiola won his first Champions League title in his first season in charge of Barcelona, with his side defeating Manchester United 2-0 in 2008-09 as part of their first-ever treble. The former Barcelona midfielder was 38 years old at the time, making him the youngest manager to win the competition to date.

He won his second title two years later in the 2010-11 season, defeating the same opponent 3-1 in the final. Lionel Messi was the star of both triumphs, scoring both times.

Then he managed Bayern but wasn't able to bring any Champions League titles to the German Club. Finally, his 12-year wait came to an end when Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Final of the UCL 2022-23 season.

Read Also | European treble winners in men's football history

Zinedine Zidane | 3 Champions League titles

Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid in its most dominant period of the 21st century. The Frenchman won three titles with Los Blancos in three years in charge of the club.

Zidane won his first title just four months after he replaced Rafael Benitez as manager of Real Madrid. He led the side to defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties in the 2015-16 final.

The next season, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final for their 12th crown.

Zidane led Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the 2017-18 final. The Frenchman is the only manager in history to win the competition three consecutive times. He is also the first and only French manager to win the competition to date.

Bob Paisley | 3 European Cups

Bob Paisley was a Liverpool soccer player, manager, and administrator for almost 50 years. 

No football manager demonstrated the art of leading quietly and without ego more than Bob Paisley. He won twenty trophies in nine years for Liverpool Football Club between 1974 and 1983.

He brought 3 European Cups, six League Championships (including three in a row in 1981, 1982, and 1983), three League Cups, 6 Charity Shields, one UEFA Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

Paisley is the only British manager to win the European Cup three times. Bob is now regarded as one of the best soccer managers of all time.

Carlo Ancelotti | 5 Champions League titles

Carlo Ancelotti is one of football's managerial greats of the 21st century. The Italian manager has won five Champions League titles in his time as a manager, having also won the competition twice as a player.

Ancelotti won his first Champions League title in the 2002-03 season with AC Milan as his side defeated Juventus on penalties in the final. He won his second title in the 2006-07 season as AC Milan defeated Liverpool 2-1.

Ancelotti won his third title with Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season after his side defeated Atlético Madrid 4-1. His fourth title came in the 2021-22 season with Real Madrid once again after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool.

He completed his fifth win in the Champions League as a manager in the 2023-24 season when Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund by 2-0 in the final.

The Italian manager is also the only manager to win all of Europe's top five leagues.

For more Interesting Football Facts, follow SportzPoint

Football Facts: Managers with the most UCL titles (Top Ten)

In the world of football, few clubs stand out like Chelsea FC. Their trophy cabinet tells a story of incredible success, proving that they have truly won it all!

With their recent UEFA Conference League 4-1 victory over Real Betis, Chelsea completed a historic sweep of all major UEFA titles.

Here is trophy cabinet of Chelsea FC that defines their successful journey in the football world. Take a look.

European Royalty: Conquering the Continent

Chelsea have battled across the continent's most prestigious stages and won every major UEFA club trophy, a feat few clubs can claim.

Their crowning achivements including 2 UEFA Champions League titles, notable defeating Bayern Munich [1-1 (4-3 pens)] in 2012 and Manchester City (1-0) in 2021.

Beyond the Champions League, Chelsea also lifted the UEFA Europa League twice (2013, 2019), and the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1971, famously against Real Madrid in the replay, and also in 1998.

Additionally, two UEFA Super Cup victories (1998, 2021) further highlight their continental dominance.

The collection was completed with their 2025 UEFA Conference League triumph, where Chelsea FC beat Real Betis 4-1 in the final.

The domestic dominance of Chelsea FC

Beyond their European conquests, they have also established as masters of England by securing highest domestic honors.

The Blues clinched the First Division/Premier League title and impress six times (1955, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2017) along with eight FA Cup victories (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2018). This makes them the competition's most successful team.

Their domestic dominance also extends to League Cup, which they have won five times in the following years: 1965, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2015.

Completing the Set: Global and Historic Honors

Chelsea's trophy cabinet truly lives upto the "won it all" status by having a collection of unique, historical, and global titles.

The FIFA Club World Cup win over Palmeiras (2-1) in 2021, made them only London club to win the Champions League as well as FIFA Club WC.

Further adding to their phenomenal collection are four Charity/Community Shield triumphs (1955, 2000, 2005, 2009), which mark their traditional early-season dominance.

As we move down to the final count, Chelsea also holds two Full Members' Club Victories (1986, 1990).

A look at Chelsea's Trophy Cabinet:

Head coach Manolo Márquez announces 28-member Blue Tigers travelling squad for Thailand friendly on May 28, 2025. All the 28 players, who are currently a part of the ongoing camp in Kolkata, will travel to Thailand for the FIFA friendly for the June 4 fixture.

With a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on the horizon, the Indian Men's National Football Team is gearing up for a significant test. The squad will leave for Thailand on Wednesday evening for their friendly on June 4, at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani at 18:00 IST.

Subsequently, the team will depart for Hong Kong on the next day (June 5) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round fixture.

Kolkata: The Blue Tigers' pre-Thailand training hub

The Blue Tigers' intensive training camp kicked off in Kolkata on May 19. The men in Blue underwent six full days of structured training and gym sessions. These were focused on refining patterns, defensive organisation, attacking transitions, and all other crucial elements for the gameplay.

A highlight of the camp was the inclusion of two practice matches:

• On May 26, the Blue Tigers faced Santosh Trophy Champions Bengal, securing a 2-1 victory. (goal scorers: Brandon Fernandes and Ashique Kuruniyan)
• On May 27, they faced North 24 Parganas, securing a 3-0 victory. (goal scorers: Sunil Chhetri, Chinglensana Singh Konsham and Udanta Singh Kumam)

Blue Tigers’ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand

Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.

Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Head Coach: Manolo Márquez

Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali

Assistant Coach: Benito Montalvo

Goalkeeper Coach: Marc Gamon

Strength and Conditioning Coach: José Carlos Barroso

In a groundbreaking moment for Indian football, Rahul KP, the dynamic winger of Odisha FC, has been extended a prestigious invitation to represent English Premier League powerhouse West Ham United in the highly anticipated summer edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST), an elite 7 v 7 football competition featuring 48 teams from across the globe.

This is the first time in Indian football history that an Indian player will represent a top-division English Premier League club men’s team. This is a monumental achievement not only for Rahul's burgeoning career and Odisha FC but also for the continued growth and recognition of the state of Odisha and Indian football on the international stage.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 9, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The tournament boasts a diverse international roster, with participating teams and players hailing from countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and India. The star-studded event will notably feature teams led by legendary footballers such as Luis Nani, Sergio Agüero, and Hope Solo.

Rahul KP will join a distinguished West Ham United squad that includes notable personalities like actor Hero Fiennes Tiffin, former Argentina international Mauro Zárate, and several professional athletes who have represented the United States in the World Indoor Football Cup.

The three group stage games featuring West Ham United will be broadcast live on YouTube channels. Additionally, these matches will be televised live on ESPN.