Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Four Players who will be Pivotal in Kolkata Derby

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East Bengal and Mohun Bagan resume their ISL campaign with a date against each other in the Kolkata derby on Saturday (February 3).

Mohun Bagan found their smooth chariot jammed in the mud as they lost their last three ISL matches before the pause. East Bengal, on the other hand, have reignited their spark with a Kalinga Super Cup triumph, which ended the 12-year-long trophy drought at the club.

As the two Kolkata giants meet again at the Salt Lake Stadium, the pawns of both teams will be hoping to prove their worth. There are some top players on display in the prestigious Kolkata derby, who will be hoping to showcase their prowess ahead of the massive match.

We have found three names who can be the pivotal part of the team's zigsaw to grind out a positive result in the high-voltage clash-

Cleiton Silva (East Bengal)

Cleiton Silva is the soul of East Bengal at the moment. The veteran Brazilian single-handedly took East Bengal to the title in the Kalinga Super Cup, and has found his elusive form in the tournament. Now it is time for him to replicate that in the ISL fold and Kolkata derby will be the perfect platform for the East Bengal striker to showcase his prowess. He is going to be an essential part of the Red and Gold Brigade And a positive outcome in Kolkata can only enhance his reputation at the club.

Sahal Abdul Samad (Mohun Bagan)

Sahal Abdul Samad has been a top player for the Super Giants in the ISL. The India midfielder has four assists to his name and has always put in a shift for them. Missing Samad was a blow for the Mariners in the Kalinga Super Cup, but as he comes back, Samad can be a force for them. His runs from the midfield and key services up front can be a major boost for them in the Kolkata derby.

Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan)

Dimitri Petratos knows what it means to score a Derby goal. And the Mohun Bagan striker will be hoping to replicate his prowess in the Kolkata derby on Saturday. The Australian has netter 3 goals so far in ISL, which is significantly lower than his 12 goals tally last season. But as the second half of the season arrives, Petratos can kickstart his resurgence with the Kolkata derby.

Hijazi Maher (East Bengal)

For a long time, East Bengal had their issue with the defence. But the arrival of Hijazi Maher has rectified that by a lot for the Red and Gold Brigade. The Jordan centre-back is not just great at defending, but also has a goal-scoring knack, which he proved in the Kalinga Super Cup.

Maher has made five ISL appearances where he completed 90 minutes, and East Bengal had four clean sheets out of them. Hence the Jordanian can be the most important pillar for them in the Kolkata derby and his night can dictate East Bengal's mood after the tie.