Kolkata: In a much-awaited Indian Super League vs I-League encounter, ATK Mohun Bagan is set to take on Gokulam Kerala FC in an attempt to answer the question of superiority in the Group D opening encounter at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan. The encounter is seemingly to invoke a lot of nostalgia in the local people for whom I-League has been an aspect of emotions ever since growing up and a lot of them revolved around ‘Mohun Bagan’.
Gokulam Kerala has played ‘Mohun Bagan’ six times previously. While four of the encounters ended in a draw, both the teams have won a game each. Interestingly, Gokulam Kerala FC got their hands at their first trophy beating Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup 2019. However, the team from the south is yet to play ATK Mohun Bagan as a feat.
Coach Juan Ferrando is set to miss on the services of Sandesh Jhingan, however, Roy Krishna returning to the starting lineup will act as a relief for the coach amidst the rumours of the Fijian striker leaving. As for Gokulam Kerala, there is no news of any injury being inflicted upon the players, and coach Vincenzo Annese would have his whole squad lined up while captain Shariff would also return to his roles.
Predictive Starting XI:
ATK Mohun Bagan: Amrinder Singh (GK); Subhasish Bose, Tiri, Pritam Kotal (C), Prabir Das; Joni Kauko, Deepak Tangri, Hugo Boumous; Liston Colaco, Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh.
Gokulam Kerala FC: Rakshit Dagar (GK); Muhammed Uvais, Aminou Bouba, Alex Saji, Mohammed Jassim; Sharif Mukhammad (C), Emil Benny, Rishad; Thahir Zaman, Jourdain Fletcher, Luka Majcen.
