Defending champions Mohun Bagan had an easy passage to the semifinals with a big 4-0 win over DSK Shivajians FC and a close 3-2 over Shillong Lajong FC besides a 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC to top Group B; while East Bengal opened with a 1-1 draw against Churchill Brothers, beat Chennai City FC 2-0 and then held I-League champions Aizawl FC goalless.
While Mohun Bagan have had a good season despite not winning the I-League, East Bengal has had a troubled campaign after having been an early leader of the I-League leaderboard, but a derby is always something special and both sides know that it isn’t a normal match.