ISL 2025-26: East Bengal, Bruzon face Chennaiyin hoping for a similar twist as last time

Oscar Bruzon’s relationship with Chennai was coincidental. After panting as coach of East Bengal last season (two defeats, one draw), his prayer for form was answered with his first away win – 2-0 against Chennaiyin FC – in this City of Temples.

«That was one of our best games last season, where we played with full conviction and got the points. We were superior to them,» Bruzon remembers.

Sixteen months later, he returns with a similar hope at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the Red and Gold Brigade take on the Marina Machans in the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Saturday.

How can East Bengal approach the match?

The Bruzon boys walk into the match full of confidence after a 7-0 defeat to Mohammedan Sporting, having lost just once (against Jamshedpur FC) in the ISL this season.

But in a shortened season, with each team playing each other only once, the margins are thin and a draw won’t change the outcome.

“Chennaiyin is a team that still hasn’t found its rhythm, but it is a former ISL champion, one that will always be among the contenders,” the Spaniard said before the match.

East Bengal are likely to have reliable duo Anwar Ali and Kevin Sibille back in the squad, with the latter missing the ISL so far with a hamstring injury, while Anwar had hobbled off during India’s AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong.

However, Mohammed Rashid’s availability in the middle of the park remains surrounded by uncertainty. The Palestinian midfielder sprained his ankle during training after the Mohammedan match and is expected to play a limited number of minutes on Saturday.

In attack, Youssef Ezzejjari, the joint highest goalscorer in the league (with seven goals), will be the usual suspect for goals, with Miguel Figueira as the midfield architect.

How can Chennaiyin approach the match?

Chennaiyin is at the other end of the spectrum and is participating in this competition. Their only win this season came against Kerala Blasters, while they have had a draw and a defeat at home so far, with the previous game ending in a 1-2 defeat to newly promoted Inter Kashi.

And coach Clifford Miranda will desperately try to cheer up the two-time ISL champions, who are reeling as a mid-table club.

“East Bengal, in my opinion, is the most balanced team in the league and it will be very, very difficult,” Miranda told reporters before the match.

«But we’ll try. We’ll go in and work to win. Because this is our home. I’m telling you, it won’t be easy for them.»

Albeto Noguera, consecutive ISL champion with Mumbai City, and Mohammed Ali Bemammer, Durand Cup winner with NorthEast United, will be the expected midfield commanders for the hosts.

With India forwards Farukh Choudhary and Irfan Yadwad forming the final third, it will again be interesting to see how Miranda makes use of Inigo Martin, a conventional striker, who has often donned the garb of a number 10 or number 11 and carries the ball into the final third rather than delivering the finish.

However, the team will need to iron out the weak spots in the defense, where the three-man backline, along with the wingbacks, were often caught out during counter-attacks.

Scores to settle

Earlier this season, Chennaiyin were knocked out by East Bengal in the Super Cup after a 0-4 thrashing in what was Miranda’s second competitive match in charge.

Having kept an eye on East Bengal and his own team for quite some time now, the Goan tactician will look to conjure up some redemption to revive the Chennaiyin fans.

The relations between the two teams are good, with each winning three games, while five games end in a draw. In Chennai too, each side has won once.

Will Bruzon add another chapter to cherish in Chennai, or will Miranda finally break the duck at his current club’s home? The answer will take place on a warm evening in April, with a kick-off at 5 p.m.

Published on April 10, 2026