Mohun Bagan central midfielder Fran Gonzalez’s left-arm has been put on a sling. The Spaniard injured his shoulder after a collision with Real Kashmir FC midfielder Farhan Ganie during Mohun Bagan’s 2-0 victory in the I-League match in Srinagar on Sunday.
According to a team source, there is pain but Gonzalez should be fit for Thursday’s match against Indian Arrows. “The sling is just a precaution so that his shoulder gets enough rest. He would play on Thursday,” the source said.
However, with the I-League Derby slated for January 19, it remains to be seen if coach Kibu Vicuna takes the risk of playing Gonzalez.
At the post-match media conference, Vicuna, when asked about Gonzalez’s injury, had said: “Yes, he got a knock. But he finished the game and I think it’s not serious.”
At the Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar, the Spaniard was chatting with his compatriots — Joseba Beitia and Fran Morante — and did not look bothered by the sling. “I am fine,” he said.
And the moment the 6E 576 from Srinagar touched down at Lucknow’s Chaudhury Charan Singh International Airport, the entire Bagan squad heaved a sigh of relief. After all they got connected back to the world again.
Ever since they landed in Srinagar on Thursday, the Bagan contingent was cut off from the ‘real world’.
Gonzalez seemed so excited that he removed the sling and was furiously typing on his mobile. “They look so happy now,” one official said.
In Srinagar, when someone said there is an internet clampdown in Lucknow as well, some of the Indian players looked dismayed. But soon, they realized it was a prank.
While in Lucknow the Bagan players went unnoticed, at the Calcutta Airport requests for selfies came thick and fast. Beitia, Morante, Gonzalez, Vicuna — all happily obliged.
Bagan begin their preparation for the Arrows match on Tuesday afternoon at the Salt Lake Stadium practice ground.