Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Kolkata ahead of the final, Mohun Bagan Super Giant Head Coach Jose Molina stressed the importance of looking forward and not worrying about the past. \u201cI don\u2019t care about what happened in the past. I am trying to do my best for Mohun Bagan Super Giant. We did well to win the League Shield, and we are motivated to win the ISL Cup too. I don\u2019t need extra motivation from the fact that we lost the final last year. We are already motivated enough.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It is the fourth ISL finals appearance for BFC in just 8 seasons, while MBSG have become the first team to reach this stage three successive times. This fixture is an encore of the ISL 2022-23 showdown, when both these sides clashed in the season finale, with the Kolkata-based team emerging triumphant via penalties in a very tight contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bengaluru FC Head Coach Gerard Zaragoza, who showed exemplary camaraderie by helping translate a question for his counterpart Molina, was chuffed about playing the big final in Kolkata. \u201cWe are very motivated for the finals and excited for the game. Everything is fine. We are confident an,d Kolkata is almost like our second home because we were here for the Durand Cup. We had a good playoff an,d we are looking forward to the grand finale.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His sentiment was echoed by BFC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who spoke fondly about his long association with the city.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAs you know, my journey as a professional footballer started here, and I was very lucky to be getting opportunities to play matches from the beginning. I am grateful for the journey. If you get an opportunity to play big games, big finals, in front of big crowds as a player, it\u2019s a great experience, and I am lucky to be here for the match in Kolkata.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gurpreet also reserved some special praise for the opponents, saying, \u201cMohun Bagan Super Giant have been the standout team this season, and there is no denying that, which is why they won the League Shield.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mohun Bagan Super Giant captain Subhasish Bose, who Molina jokingly referred to as a striker in light of his goalscoring form in this edition, shed light on the significance of the venue as a local boy. \u201cI am always thrilled to play in front of our home fans. I wish that the fans support us wholeheartedly against Bengaluru FC tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gurpreet also reserved some special praise for the opponents, saying, \u201cMohun Bagan Super Giant have been the standout team this season, and there is no denying that, which is why they won the League Shield.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Highest tax paying cricketers<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n