The 2024-25 Indian Super League season is finally upon us, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant hosting Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake stadium in the opening game of the season. Given this is a clash between last season’s league shield winners, Bagan, and the 2023-24 ISL champions, Mumbai, one could not have asked for a better game to define a blockbuster opening to the season.
Between the pair of them, Mumbai and Bagan have won the two most coveted prizes in the Indian football for the last two seasons, exchanging the league shield and the ISL Cup. It’s no wonder then, that they are favourites for both titles this time around. However, both teams come in with plenty of changes in the off-season.
For Bagan, they’ve seen some big names depart – Kiyan Nassiri and Armando Sadiku in attack, Joni Kauko and Hugo Boumous in midfield, Brendan Hamill, Hector Yuste and Anwar Ali in the defence. It has necessitated the Kolkata giants splashing the cash again, bringing in Apuia from Mumbai, Greg Stewart back from Scotland to bolster their midfield options, while A-League top-scorer Jamie MacLaren joins their forward line. Alberto Rodriguez and Tom Aldred have been necessary additions to the defence.
Mumbai have dealt with some big departures too – Alberto Noguera’s departure adding to that of Apuia’s in midfield, with Gurkirat Singh and Jorge Pereyra Diaz moving on from their attacking options, as well as Rahul Bheke in defence. Bheke’s departure may be covered internally, while their midfield options were bolstered by the arrivals of Jon Toral, Brandon Fernandes and Jeremy Manzorro. Nikolaos Karelis is tasked with replacing Pereyra Diaz’s goals, which is a tall ask.
Previous encounters between the two teams have been narrow affairs, often decided with late winners. With both teams still in the process of bedding in new signings, we could see a far more attacking encounter as both sides chase a crucial three points.
What they said
Jose Molina, Mohun Bagan head coach
“I am really excited to be back in the ISL after 2016, albeit with a new club in Mohun Bagan, which is one of the best clubs here and is always fighting for the ISL championship. It’s a big responsibility. But I hope to work hard and win the tournament. The level of the players and the league has improved since my time here. I am really happy to be here again and to help Indian football to grow.
Petr Kratky, Mumbai City head coach
“To win the ISL Shield is always a realistic dream. We are in football to win trophies. The games have not begun yet but we have high standards for this season, like any other season. As a coach, I want us to win every game basically. We will do our best to achieve that.”
