New Delhi: Apart from a suspect backline, the suspense over availability of Jamie Mclaren surely hasn’t helped Mohun Bagan before their Asian Champions League Two campaign launch on Wednesday.
The Australian striker has been Bagan’s marquee signing, specifically made for ACL 2 matches like the one against Tajikistan’s Ravshan Kulob at their home of Yuba Bharati Krirrangan.
But ever since the Qatar World Cupper landed in Kolkata on a mega buck four-year contract, he is yet to appear on the field for the Kolkata giants. A neck issue has prevented him from training at full tilt with head coach Jose Molina not confirming his availability for Wednesday’s game.
Though Bagan remain formidable with or without Mclaren, his presence would have surely benefitted the team that have scored in patches and have missed more than what they have netted so far in the early stages of the season.
Bagan’s last two matches have followed a similar pattern of scoring twice in the first 45 minute and conceding twice in the next 45, leading to a shootout defeat in the Durand Cup final and a draw in their Indian Super League opener.
It raised questions about vulnerability of their defence line but also masked the inability of their star studded offence to score when put under pressure in the later stages of matches.
With Spanish defender Alberto Rodriguez also carrying a niggle and new defensive signing Nuno Reis yet to join the squad, Molina could put four men at the back, having opted for three men and two defensive medios earlier.
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Ravshan no pushovers
As Ravshan are not a familiar entity, Bagan could choose caution in the opening phase of the game to get a feel of their opponents. The Tajik side finished at the bottom of their group in the AFC Cup last season and are currently fifth in the ongoing Tajik league after 15 games.
They landed in Kolkata after a 4-1 win in their last Tajik league game, being runners-up last season to qualify, and are definitely better drilled than Bagan, who are yet to get out of first gear.
As Tajikistan are 21 paces above India in the FIFA rankings, any club side of the country can’t be pushovers though compared to Qatar’s Al Wakrah and Iran’s Tractor, they provide a soft landing into the tournament where Bagan are very keen to make a mark.
Considering tougher battles ahead in a home and away format, Bagan would have to win to get quickly off the blocks in Group A. Which is why they would have benefitted from Mclaren’s presence.
But as he is unlikely to start, if at all he is fit to play some part, Bagan’s scoring plans would revolve around the overseas trio of Dimitri Petratos, Greg Stewart and Jason Cummings.
ACL Two: Mohun Bagan vs Ravshan, match details
Venue: Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
Kick off: 7.30 pm
Live streaming on Fancode app
The match will not be televised in India
Mohun Bagan begin their AFC Champions League Two campaign against Tajikistan’s Ravshan on Wednesday amidst injury concerns over their star signing Jamie Mclaren Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
