Affordable Loss for Bagan but Questions need Answers as Manolo Masterclass Silences Molina's Men
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| Courtesy: ISL Media |
It seems that December has finally brought a thaw to the festivities of the Mohun Bagan faithful as the Defending champions lost 2-1 to the Gaurs on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Bambolim courtesy of a brace by a young Brison Fernandes. This was Bagan’s 2nd defeat of the season.
The Mariners lined up unchanged from their previous encounter against Kerala with Kaith in goal; Ashish, Subhasish as full backs with Alberto and Aldred as centre backs. The midfield consisted of the consistent trio of Apuia, Sahal and Petratos. The attackers included Manvir and Colaco with Maclaren leading from the front.
FC Goa lined up with Tiwari in goal; Boris, Odei, Jhingan and Sangwan in Defence; Sahil, McHugh and Borja in Midfield with Brison, Yasir and Sadiku in attack. The Gaurs had many high profile ex-Mariners with the likes of Sandesh, McHugh and Sadiku who know the club inside out which along with the home advantage gave a massive edge to Goa.
Unlucky and Unanswerable
Checked in at Fatorda💚❤️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/EU5fYvI0fi
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) December 20, 2024
The 1st half began slowly with both teams testing the waters. The Goans were first to set an aggressive approach with Sadiku trying a shot from the edge of the box in the 10th minute which was eventually blocked by Apuia. But it was not long before the deadlock was broken. Brison scored in the 12th minute with a huge deflection from Aldred. Vishal had no chance.
The 2nd Half began in a much better fashion for the Mariners. Molina’s half time pep talk seemed to have worked as the players were showing much more intent. And the intent seemed to have worked as Bagan got a penalty in the 54th minute when our ex-Mariner Sadiku commited a handball inside the box and Dimi made no mistake putting it past Tiwari. It’s 1-1, game on!
The game went quite for sometime as the goal calmed the Gaur attacks and Bagan were trying to regroup after conceding. But where there is Crystal John, there is always a controversy. Scuffles broke out in regular intervals regarding controversial fouls and play ons. There was not much of an action in the remaining part with Boris having a shot on goal and Alberto trying a header.
Momentum Massacred with One Moment of Casualness
Won the penalty and converted it🫡
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) December 20, 2024
Watch #FCGMBSG LIVE only on @JioCinema, @Sports18-3, #StarSports3! 📺 https://t.co/kDvEjwdVn0#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/BSxWqNyvf4
The Goal had turned the momentum of the game in favour of the Maroons. In an attempt to take the lead, Molina immediately subbed on our super-sub Jason Cummings in place of our goalscorer Dimi. Just as we thought that Mohun Bagan were in the front foot, the Gaurs stepped up accordingly and we got to see some great end to end play.
FC Goa played very pragmatic football on Friday with minimum errors in all their departments Marquez’s tactics were on point and whenever Mohun Bagan found an answer, it seemed that they were presented with a new question again.
But to everyone’s surprise in the 68th minute, Borja provided an exquisite ball to none other than Brison who pulled off a great header and scored, thus giving the home side a crucial lead. The goal pushed a panic switch in the Mohun Bagan camp. They went all out in attack. Maclaren was inches away from tapping in an equaliser in the the 72nd minute. Bagan gave their all in the dying minutes but failed to equalise.
Bagan's Concerning Game Patterns
Thank you for the constant support everywhere we go, Mariners 💚♥️#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/aylAUHs0Zs
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) December 21, 2024
For us, the minute errors in the finishing department still remains and as we know, modern football is all about fractions, these small imperfections may prove costly sometimes. Even with attacking stalwarts and legends like Petratos, Cummings and Maclaren, we had a grand total of 0.00 Expected Goals on Target, which should be a matter of concern for Molina.
The Mariners currently still remain on the top of the table with 26 points in 12 matches, but Bengaluru are not far behind with 24 points in 12 matches.The title race has spiced up. We were clutched by the Lord the Saviour Jesus Stewart against Chennaiyin, and then from a wild belter from Alberto against Kerala Blasters.
If not for those moments, we would have been 4-5 points lesser than what we have now; and thus we need to realise that we cannot leave matches to the last moments everytime; and the only time we faced a top team with a defense who have the mentality and experience to hold through the final few minutes, our cluelessness got fully exposed as we couldn't gather a single point.
It is definitely not the end of the world but the recent pattern of match flows needs must be addressed, and a team like Mohun Bagan must play with much more dominance and assurance. The Shield Champions will play their next match against a determined Punjab side and with Bengaluru, Goa and even Mumbai creeping close, the next game becomes a must win.
