Shield Champions Mohun Bagan face reigning ISL Trophy winners Mumbai City FC. Mohun Bagan SG vs Mumbai City FC ISL 2024-25 Match Preview.

bySayan Ghosh -

 Shield Champions Mohun Bagan face reigning ISL Trophy winners Mumbai City FC.

by Anik Nandi

Picture courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media


“WE ARE THE KING OF THIS JUNGLE. THIS IS OUR JUNGLE. BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONS TWO TIMES. JOY MOHUN BAGAN!” – these were the words spoken by our captain Subhasish Bose who was ecstatic over the 1-0 victory against Odisha FC and for successfully defending the ISL Shield this season.

As the joy of lifting the shield overwhelms every Green and Maroon supporter and football enthusiast, this ISL season has more to offer. We enter Match Week 24 this Saturday, facing tough opponents Mumbai City FC as our final away fixture for this season.

Mumbai City FC have posed stiff competition at every match against the Mariners facing off 13 times in ISL, out of which the Mariners secured a victory only 2 times, lost 7 times and drew 4 times. 

Last season, the Mariners were able to snatch away the Shield from Mumbai City FC, who failed to defend it, with a 2-1 final score line. However, they redeemed their status shortly in the ISL playoffs by defeating Mohun Bagan 3-1 in ISL Cup Final and lifting the ISL Cup subsequently. 

The Islander’s showcase of top performance at every head-to-head fixture makes them an fierce rival of the Mariners. Even though Mohun Bagan has already won the Shield this season, every football fan knows that whenever Mohun Bagan steps onto the field, they play to win the match irrespective of the opponent. While Mohun Bagan looks to prove that they are the King of the Jungle, a struggling Mumbai City FC will desperately fight for 3 crucial points to qualify for ISL playoffs.

 

-: 5 Key Things to Look Out for on Saturday’s Clash :

The Big Comeback-Dimitri Petratos :

Every Mariner loves this Aussie and his dedication towards the game. Even though he had a couple of setbacks and drop in performance this season, fans backed him saying “Form is temporary, class is permanent.” Eventually, the big man stepped up in the big game vs Odisha FC and scored the decisive goal in the final minutes of the game, which made Mohun Bagan ISL Shield Winner two times in a row. 

He is a player of great prowess, capable of dominating the attacking midfield and scoring many goals. He can also deliver from set-pieces, a key component in Mohun Bagan’s attack as they have scored 20 out of 43 goals from it, the highest in ISL history. The last season ISL Golden Ball winner is on the verge of a comeback and the whole world wants this to happen…and the haters? They better watch their back because Dimi is a force to be reckoned with.

The Defensive Wall - Alberto Rodriguez and Tom Aldred :

The foreign duo, along with Vishal Kaith at goal, hasn’t conceded a single goal in the last 6 matches. Their strong performance throughout the season speaks for itself with 14 clean sheets till now. 

Their physical dominance and timely tackles keep the opponents from capitalizing in the attacking third. They are adept at developing the ball from the back during attacks and scoring goals during set-pieces. They need to stay firm in defence to deny the Islanders from scoring on Saturday.

Midfield control - Apuia and Deepak Tangri :

Exceptional performance from Apuia throughout the season has attracted praises for filling the void of a foreign CDM in Mohun Bagan. Coupled with Deepak Tangri, they need to control the midfield, and prevent Van Nieff from playing through passes to fast wingers like Vikram Pratap Singh and Bipin Singh, and also from taking their chances at goal themselves. 

Deepak Tangri has been an absolute revelation this season, with composure on the ball and also on the temperament, he has been a massive upgarde. With all Indian midfield, he is completing the quota for the foreign defensive mideo, which is helping the team in putting forward more foreign attackers in attacking position.

The Golden Striker - Jamie Maclaren :

The Aussie forward has scored 10 goals in 21 matches so far. With goal conversion percentage of 37.04% and 0.48 goals per game, he is rising out to shine in India after leaving a legacy in his homeland. He needs to step up to beat experienced defenders like Thaer Krouma and Tiri in the attacking third and put the ball in the back of the net with the help of Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh on the winger positions.

 

Despite both wingers struggling to score goals, their fast pace adds to Mumbai City’s attack and allows them to play key passes for Chhangte and Mendoza to score. Their dribbling skills and fast pace need to be dealt with by side backs Asish Rai and captain Subhasish Bose who are experienced enough to prevent them from creating chances in the attacking half.

 -: Tactical Analysis :-

Mohun Bagan will field a 4-2-3-1 lineup with Subhasish Bose as Captain. In defense, the wingers fall back to help the side-backs defend, which also helps to build the counter attack from behind with their accelerated pace. Similarly, the side-backs aren’t shy to push forward to increase number of players in the attacking half, helping the team to maintain possession and prevent counter attacks. 

As the wings and side-backs play on the wings, it stretches the opponent team across the field. The Central Attacking Midfield player, hence, has the freedom to play around with the ball with the purpose of delivering key passes and developing the attack, apart from taking shots at goal on their own. 

Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media


The Mariners love to score from set pieces, having put 20 out of 43 goals from it. Even the defenders, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez and Subhasish Bose walk up to apply pressure in the box. The striker, Jamie Maclaren, takes frequent runs to break the offside trap and force the defense line behind. His anticipatory skills allow him to take good positioning in the box and score from close.

This often makes defenders react, leaving space at the edge of the box for the other Green and Maroon players to gain advantage over the ball. The playmaker, Apuia, is the master of the game as he plays a pivotal role in the team. He controls the midfield from the Central Defensive Midfield, by distributing the ball. With 47 passes per game and 83% passing accuracy, he makes sure to not lose the ball in the defensive half and concede from counter-attacks. 

Both Apuia and Deepak Tangri act as blockers when defending, quadrupling up with centre-backs with man-marking at the edge of the box, to stop through passes being played which open up the face of the goal. This tactic makes them more static, which is different from other teams, who prefer their Central Midfield players to double up front to score goals and provide assists. However, this has worked well for Mohun Bagan who has kept 14 clean sheets this season till now.

Picture Courtesy - ISL & MCFC Media


Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, has been struggling under their Coach Peter Kratky. He deploys a 4-1-2-3 lineup with Chhangte as Captain. Chhangte has changed his position from a right winger to a False 9, with two wingers that move into the penalty box.  

Chhangte plays from attacking midfield, develops the attack and moves into the box with Vikram and Mendoza on the wings. The attacking trio is complemented by attacking midfielders, Van Nieff and Jayesh Rane, who will aim to maintain possession and control the midfield. They haven’t fared well from the set pieces as the attacking players are unable to exert physical dominance and reach balls due to their short stature, often being overwhelmed by towering defenders on the opposite team. 

Picture Courtesy - ISL & MCFC Media
Picture Courtesy - ISL & MCFC Media

However, their defenders, Thaer Krouma and Tiri are quite experienced to fill that void to some extent. Therefore, during attacks, they will look to score from open play. In defence, Jayesh Rane and Brandon Fernandes will double up in the central defensive midfield to stop Dimitri Petratos from playing his natural game. 

Valpuia and Sahil Panwar on side-backs will have too much on their plate to handle Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh on Saturday. Tiri and Thaer Krouma has to be extra pro-active to stop Maclaren from scoring in the first place, as well as help the side backs from collapsing under pressure.

 

Predicted Lineups:-

Mohun Bagan Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vishal Kaith(GK), Ashish Rai-Tom Aldred- Alberto Rodriguez- Subhasish Bose(C), Apuia-Deepak Tangri, Manvir Singh-Dimitri Petratos-Liston Colaco, Jamie Maclaren.

Coach: Jose Francisco Molina.

Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media


Mumbai City FC Predicted Lineup (4-1-2-3): Purba Lachenpa(GK), Sahil Panwar-Tiri-Thaer Krouma-Valpuia, Yoell Van Nieff, Brandon Fernandez-Jayesh Rane, J. Ortiz Mendoza-L.Chhangte(C)-Vikram Pratap Singh.

Coach: Peter Kratky.

On their home ground on Saturday, Mumbai City FC will have the support of their fans. But the away fans support is always there backing for the Mariners, who will stand tall with the Shield victory joy in their hearts and the Green and Maroon colour in their blood. 

Mumbai City FC will go for the much-needed 3 points for playoff qualification whereas Mohun Bagan will stand their ground and show them why they are the undisputed King of the Indian Super League.

Follow MBFT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Telegram, Whatsapp & Google News to stay updated with all the Mohun Bagan & Indian Football related News & Updates. Jai Hind Jai Bharat! Joy Mohun Bagan!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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