Following his injury during the derby match, concerns have arisen among East Bengal supporters regarding the status of their foreign midfielder, Saul Crespo. Speculations abound regarding the severity of his injury, with questions arising about whether he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. With East Bengal already feeling the pressure loosing after eleven consecutive matches, the debate intensifies over whether the club should persist with Saul Crespo or seek alternative solutions.
Saul Crespo’s Recovery Uncertain as East Bengal Prepares for Crucial Match Against Mumbai City FC
The exact timeline for Saul Crespo’s recovery remains uncertain at this time. However, initial estimations suggest it may take approximately two to three weeks for him to regain full fitness and resume playing. Saul Crespo’s injuries were severe enough to warrant his transfer to Spain for treatment. The timeline for his return to the field remains uncertain, though there’s no indication of his release or being ruled out for the season.
Nonetheless, East Bengal’s coach, Carles Cuadrat, faces challenges due to the absence of their most consistent player this season. Reports suggest Crespo might return to Kolkata around February 16 or 17 for a follow-up on his injury.
The severity of Saul’s injury will only be known after further evaluation, raising questions about his ability to resume playing. Should he be unable to return to the field, East Bengal will need to explore alternative options. However, with the January transfer window closed, acquiring a replacement poses additional challenges for the team.
Despite widespread speculation, East Bengal officials have refrained from providing concrete updates on his recovery process. Following their recent defeat against Northeast, Carles Quadrat’s team is scheduled to face Mumbai City FC at home on February 13th, Tuesday, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium or the Salt Lake Stadium.
Crespo sustained his injury during a clash with Mohun Bagan’s defender, Anwar Ali, while participating in an attacking move during the derby match. While Ali suffered a hamstring injury during the encounter, Crespo sustained his injury while executing the subsequent play. Nevertheless, sources indicate that Crespo was in good health as of Sunday. Both coaches opted to substitute the two players during the match.
Despite these setbacks, East Bengal remains focused on their upcoming match against Mumbai City FC at home on Tuesday. However, Cleiton Silva will be sidelined for this match due to accumulating yellow cards. Although the absence of their captain poses a challenge, Cuadrat remains determined and hopeful for a turnaround. As the Super Cup champions, East Bengal is eager to stage a comeback, but the mounting pressure adds to the challenge as they prepare to face a formidable opponent in Mumbai.
Had East Bengal emerged victorious in the match against Northeast, they could have potentially secured a place in the top six standings. However, that scenario did not materialize, leaving uncertainty regarding their future standings. The upcoming challenge against the formidable Mumbai team will determine whether East Bengal can improve their position. Expressing his dissatisfaction with the team’s defeat, East Bengal’s coach, Cuadrat, emphasized his disappointment during the post-match press conference.
Cuadrat’s Defensive Concerns and Optimism for New Signings
Cuadrat highlighted the decision to field the derby lineup, comprising players with extensive on-field experience, yet the team conceded early goals, exposing defensive weaknesses. Cuadrat expressed frustration over the lapses in defense, stating that such errors were unacceptable. Despite meticulous planning, unforeseen circumstances on the field prevented the team from executing their strategy flawlessly. The coach’s frustration underscores the team’s determination to rectify their mistakes and perform better in upcoming matches.
Despite the setback, the East Bengal coach remains optimistic about the team’s ability to bounce back. Expressing confidence in their capacity to regain momentum, he remarked, “Even after conceding two goals, I believed that we would be back in the game. We will score.” However, he acknowledged the team’s vulnerability to further goals, lamenting the decisive impact of the third goal on their defeat.
In a bid to strengthen the squad, Cuadrat introduced two new foreign players, Felicio and Victor Vasquez, in the match against Northeast. Felicio made an immediate impact by scoring a goal. When questioned about the performance of the newcomers, Cuadrat explained his cautious approach, stating, “I wanted to introduce Victor and Felicio into the game as soon as possible, but I also had to ensure they avoided injuries. Hence, I brought them on towards the end.” Despite this, he expressed satisfaction with their contributions, highlighting Felicio’s goal and praising Victor’s overall performance. Cuadrat expressed optimism that both players would integrate seamlessly into the team in the near future.
