Eastern Bengal vs Mohun Bagan – Molina gives injury update over Suhail, Subhasish; responds to the absence of Rashid in Kolkata Derby

Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s head coach Jose Molina refuted that arch-rival of East Bengal will be at the disadvantage without midfielder Mohammed Rashid in their upcoming Kolkata Derby, claiming that both parties will be at a level at the Kick-Off.

Bagan and East Bengal will be left after two years in the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup 2025 Games-Hun previous fixture in 2024 due to a lack of security but the red and gold brigade had his most important midfielder, Rashid, returned home after his father died, days before the game.

«They don’t have a Rashid, but how is that a problem? Do they no longer have players or other foreigners? They will have five foreigners, right? We will also have five. How is that an advantage for us?» Molina told reporters the day before the competition.

Molina, who became a member last season

«It’s no problem. We know where we are and we understand the expectations of the people. We are going to give them our best,» he added.

Both Kolkata giants, the two most successful teams in the Durand Cup, came in the last eight after they had awarded their groups and the horns will lock in the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.

Molina also said that the striker of Bagan Muhammad Suhail will return to the MatchDay team after repairing an injury that had kept him out of the last group phase match against Diamond Harbor FC last week.

«Suhail has recovered for the past two days. He is already training with the group and will be available tomorrow for (selection),» said Molina.

Also read: Eastern bengal, Mohun Bagan Lock Horns in the quarterfinals while Kolkata Derby returns to Durand Cup

However, the team will miss its captain, Subhasish Bose and winger Manvir Singh, two important members on the side who won the Isl League and Cup last season.

«Manvir, Kiyan (Nassiri) and Subhasish are still out of the team – no training, no time to recover,» added Molina, and explained the need to have the first team ready for the AFC Champions League 2 on time.

«It is important to have more competitions to prepare the team in the right way for the Champions League. You can’t expect you to have easy competitions there. Of course it will be very difficult to play every match, but I am convinced that we can conduct a good campaign and hopefully qualify for the next phase,» Molina added.