After a routine long Monday, mariners lit up the VYBK, turning it into "Mohun Bharati" and returned home carrying the calm pride of victory.
Five things we learnt from MBSG vs CFC:-
1. A for Anirudh Thapa:
How many of us still remember the pocket dynamite, Anirudh Thapa, bossing the Chennaiyin FC midfield before joining Mohun Bagan? At times, he felt like a giant, propelling the team forward and inspiring his authority on the game with resounding influence.
For the first time in Green and Maroon, a faint glimpse was visible in the match against KBFC. Now against his former club, Thapa ventured a bit further forward. And believe it or not, if he continues to do so consistently, we could well be witnessing the Anirudh Thapa under Sergio Lobera; albeit in a more refined and tactically refined avatar.
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| Anirudh Thapa heat map. Via: Sofascore |
This is a Thapa who times his vertical surges better – occupying the interior channels rather than the remaining pinned to the double pivot line. He frequently arrives in the advanced half spaces, offering a third man passing lane while sustaining the team's possessional game structure.
Often his combination with Robson and Petratos resembles classic Lobera strategy – quick triangular rotations to escape pressure, followed by accelerated forward progression. In his fluid role, he often drifts towards the flanks to overload wide corridors, facilitating underlaps and creating numerical superiority during sustained possession.
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| Thapa's assist to Maclaren. Via: Sofascore |
He has already registered two assists in two games- each distinct in nature and reflective of his expanding creative repertoire. The first was a dead ball special, an inch perfect outswinger, whipped with pace and precision, asking to be attacked. It was the kind of delivery that turns a routine set piece into a genuine scoring opportunity. But the second one was straight out of an elite playmaker's catalog– a pass even Kevin De Bruyne would nod in approval of. Winning possession deep in his own half after stopping CFC's attacking transition, Thapa, after taking a quick turn, scanned the other half, spotted Maclaren initiating a run, and released a defence splitting through ball with surgical precision; carving open the backline in one decisive action.
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| Anirudh Thapa's Long balls against CFC. Via: Sofascore |
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| Thapa's pass-map against CFC. Via: Sofascore |
In a more advanced role, Thapa has stepped out of Apuia's shadow, showcasing his flank switching range, ability to stretch the pitch, and progressive passing, all at a time when Bagan’s midfield is under heavy scrutiny.
2. Creative Robson, Overloaded Midfield:
Something we talked about in terms of the KBFC match– the midfield overload. Robson and Liston frequently inverted into central channels and created space for the side backs to exploit. In the second half, Robson added pressure on the right side of the pitch along with Liston, which benefitted Subhasish Bose as he began to find ample space on the left flank. With greater freedom to advance, Bose delivered a series of crosses in a row and from one such delivery, Petratos found the back of the net.
Robson changing positions from left wing to central attacking midfield, added fluidity and tactical flexibility to the team's structure. With a +60 forward progression metrics and 100% long ball accuracy (5/5), he once again dribbled skillfully and made defenders taste the dust.
3. Mon(er)Star Alberto:
The most clinical foreigner in the Green and Maroon side right now is Alberto Rodríguez. With his towering presence at the back, the Spaniard has begun this league campaign exactly where he had left off last season. Rodríguez was the defensive cornerstone of Mohun Bagan’s dominance. His positioning during defensive transitions ensured that Bagan were rarely exposed, while his anticipation helped cut out multiple forward movements before they could develop into clear chances.
He also contributed in possession phases, circulating the ball calmly from the first line and helping sustain Bagan’s territorial dominance. Even though he has yet to encounter a real challenge, his confidence, quality, and leadership abilities were noticeable. Chennaiyin were able to play only two passes inside the Mohun Bagan penalty area, thanks to the presence of Alberto. He covered, for a few lapses from Mehtab, who need to work a lot more in his distribution and in developing a more cohesive partnership with Alberto.
4. Lobera Ball Keeps Rolling:
Sergio Lobera continues to implement tactical adjustments that have already begun to catch the eye. Firstly, something we discussed about the previous match, is the high press, which only seemed to get sharper against CFC and will get better and better with the advancement of time if the players remain fit enough and cope with it well. If the players maintain their physical intensity and adapt well to the demands of the system, the pressing mechanism will become more synchronized and dominating as the season progresses.
Secondly, by overloading midfield and allowing space for the side backs to go further forward, he allowed Petratos to operate almost as a second striker. With Robson, Thapa, and Liston positioned behind him, he was able to take up intelligent off the ball positions alongside Jamie Maclaren.
Thirdly, Lobera is trying to set Liston to the right and compared to the first match, Liston looked way better. It's mesmerizing to see how Lobera, in such a short league, is trying to implement few things and also backing his decisions to get results on bigger aspects.
Finally, pass, pass and pass. The Mariners crossed the 600 pass mark, completing 621 passes with a staggering 91% accuracy. It was a clear reflection of Lobera’s possession-driven attacking blueprint. More importantly, Mohun Bagan completed 40 passes inside the Chennaiyin FC penalty box underlining the sustained territorial control and structured attacking pressure.
5. Go for GOALS:
1.69 xG, 21 shots, 9 shots on target– Mohun Bagan put on an absolutely terrific attacking display! Yet, the final scoreline read only 2-0. A two goal win at the end of the day, will satisfy most fans on the surface but, in a season where fine margins decide standings, efficiency in high value zones becomes critical.
Several of those attempts came from sustained possession sequences. 40 passes inside the opposition box highlight controlled penetration, yet the conversion rate did not fully match the build up quality. Against higher calibre attacking sides, the state of the game can shift quickly. Dominance without clinical finishing risks leaving the door open to vulnerability.
Not even a world class defensive organization can guarantee a cleansheet. Therefore, Lobera’s style has to shift from building the most volume of plays towards creating the best quality shots and better final third decision making. That would increase the conversion rate, perhaps through more effective cut back selection, faster release around the box and sharper penetration.
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| Pic Courtesy : Soccermonk |
Control is evident. Domination is there. Ruthlessness must follow. Two done and dusted. Eleven matches to go!
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