A depleted Mohun Bagan would look to exploit the home advantage when they take on I-League champions Churchill Brothers in the 114th IFA Shield summit clash at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK) here on Saturday.
The Goans will be bolstered by the return of India’s highest paid striker Odafa Onyeka Okolie, who had to sit out of their semi-inal outing against Air India, due to a double booking.
The Churchill-Bagan clash will also renew their I-League rivalry from last season, when the two teams had finished first and second.
The 20-time Shield champions, Mohun Bagan, have problems aplenty, plagued by a depleted forward and defence line-up.
In the absence of Nigerian recruit Edeh Chidi, who was shown the red card for head-butting Eduardo Coelho in their semifinal against United SC, Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa might bring in Suraj Mondal upfront to pair with Brazilian Marcos Pereira, who can be switched to striker.
The green-and-maroon brigade is already missing their star Brazilian striker Jose Ramirez Barreto, nursing an injury, and India captain Bhaichung Bhutia who is engaged in a legal battle with the club.
