BAGAN DOMINATE BUT FAIL TO BREAK BENGALURU FC.
The memories of that evening remain etched forever in the hearts of Mohun Bagan supporters. At the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the Mariners secured their first I-League title with a dramatic 1–1 draw against Bengaluru FC, sealed by an unforgettable 86th-minute header from Nigerian defender Bello Rasaq that sent the Mohun Bagan supporters into delirium. That night Green-and-Maroon triumphed in a moment that still echoes through the club’s folklore, turning the Sree Kanteerava into a page of Mohun Bagan history.
The stage was familiar.
The opponent was the same.
But football rarely repeats its stories the same way.
This time, there was no late winner, no eruption of celebration. Mohun Bagan had to settle for a goalless draw against Bengaluru FC; a result that felt far less satisfying given the number of chances Sergio Lobera’s side managed to create. The opportunities were certainly there!
Jamie Maclaren, who had dazzled the VYBK just days ago with a remarkable four-goal performance, found himself with a couple of clear-cut chances but could not convert them on this occasion. Even Dimitri Petratos, playing his 100th match in the Green-and-Maroon jersey, came agonizingly close to finding the break-through. On another evening, those chances would have been routine finishes. On this night, they just slipped away. And for a team chasing the title, missing opportunities of that nature almost feels like a crime.
Those missed chances inevitably became the first talking point when Sergio Lobera faced the media after the match.
“I think it was a difficult game,” Lobera said. “We competed against a very good team and during some periods, we suffered. But the team showed strong personality. We created a lot of chances to win the game, and my feeling is that we lost two points rather than won one.”
Despite the frustration in front of goal, the Spaniard was pleased with the overall performance of his players. “I am happy with the performance of the team,” he said. “The players showed willingness to learn and continue improving. That is important for us as we prepare for the next game.”
There was also a moment of tension involving the referee, particularly regarding a penalty appeal that left the Mohun Bagan bench visibly frustrated. Lobera, however, refused to dwell on the issue. “They have a very difficult job,” he said about the officials. “Like us, they also need to keep improving. I prefer to speak about the game.”
With the ISL season shorter than usual, every point carries greater significance. Lobera acknowledged the narrow margin for error but praised the composure his players showed against a motivated Bengaluru FC side. “It is a short season and the margin for mistakes is small,” he said. “But I must analyse the game professionally. My players competed very well against a team with big motivation.”
One aspect that pleased the coach was how the team remained loyal to its playing philosophy even when the break-through refused to arrive. “When the result is 0–0, sometimes teams rush and lose their structure,” he explained. “But today I felt the players remained loyal to our style of play and continued creating the chances.”
The Spaniard also expressed confidence in the depth of his squad, particularly with Robson still being unavailable due to injury. “Robson is an important player for us,” Lobera admitted. “But I am very happy with the squad I have. When you have injuries, it does not damage us in the same way because we have players who can replace them at a similar level.”
While the scoreline may not have produced fireworks, one of the most striking images of the evening came from the stands. Despite the match being played hundreds of kilometres away from Kolkata, a large contingent of Mohun Bagan supporters were present to support the club. Their chants echoed throughout the fully sold-out Sree Kanteerava Stadium, reminding everyone present that the Green-and-Maroon faithfuls are never truly far from their team.
Coach Lobera acknowledged their presence with gratitude. “It’s amazing to see supporters travel to another state to support the team,” he said. “This kind of atmosphere shows that football is alive. I want to thank all the Mohun Bagan supporters who came here. We wanted to win and dedicate the victory to them, but unfortunately that was not possible today.”
In the end, the Mariners walked away from Bengaluru with a point. Certainly not the result they had hoped for, but one that keeps them firmly in the race.
The chances were there. The control was there. Only the finish was missing.
But trophies are not earned by one evening.
Mohun Bagan know that the story of this campaign still has many chapters left to write, and even some to dictate!
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