Shaky ISL start with a Setback for MBSG!
The Durand Cup and the IFA Shield did give a trailer of this team. Strong, almost bullying the weaker teams. But when a somewhat decent opponent shows up? That's when the struggles kick in. It's like the ball refuses to go into the net. The passes don't stick. It's like that very expensive car you buy to rule the streets, but it malfunctions at the very first pothole it is subjected to. Mohun Bagan just encountered their first pothole.
MATCH BREAKDOWN
Let's go back to the beginning. Bagan had high hopes from the first match. The team was high on confidence, having just won the IFA Shield by beating East Bengal. Head coach Panos seemed to be finally getting the hang of things. And he went with a 4-4-2 formation to begin his ISL journey as the Bagan coach. The ever dependable Vishal Kaith started in goal. Mehtab, Alberto, Bheke and Abhishek Tekcham were the four defenders making up the back line. Apuia started in the midfield with his new partner Samir. Drazic and Chhangte started on the wings, while Lee Erwin and Sahal were upfront.Mariners, here's how we are lining up against North East United FC, in our first MG Indian Super League 2026-27 Match of the Season!
— MBFT (@MBFT89) October 12, 2026
{ Joy Mohun Bagan, MBFT } pic.twitter.com/Al0le9gqhm
Bagan started well. The team looked to attack and honestly it was soothing to the eyes. The closest chance fell to the feet of the new signing Lee Erwin. His shot from the corner on the seventh minute came agonizing close to going in, but the woodwork stood in the way. The miss was rued, the signs looked good. Bagan were looking to up the ante and kept on building the momentum.
The first half was about the two teams just cancelling each other out. If Bagan attacked with Sahal and Lee, it was Alaaeddine who was grinding it out for North East on the other end of the field. His duel with Alberto Rodriguez was a sight to witness, and it certainly didn't disappoint! The first half came to an end with a deadlock.
It's 0-0 at the #MGISL13 HT Break!
— MBFT (@MBFT89) October 12, 2026
{ Joy Mohun Bagan, MBFT } pic.twitter.com/SVofwz9FUk
The second half was end-to-end stuff. Bagan and NorthEast both pushed hard to get the goal. Lee Erwin and Mehtab came close to scoring, while it was Alaaeddine who was a constant thorn in the Bagan defense and he was creating problems. NorthEast grew in confidence with every attack and started to dominate the game with more impactful substitutes. North East took shot after shot from inside the box. The made the defense work hard. That ultimately led to their decisive goal. It was in the first minute of added time that Jithin MS suddenly found the ball at his feet coming off a rebound off the post after Vishal made an incredible save on Moyano's long ranger, and he made no mistake to put it in from kissing distance.The whole stadium came into life.
The game ended with Bagan still looking for the equalizer. Suhail's shot hit the woodwork and that was as close as Mohun Bagan came to equalizing. Would Maclaren have made a difference? Perhaps. His form was not too great when he last played, so ruing the absence of a single player is not the answer. Bagan created many chances but failed to capitalize in the box. The misses will haunt the team. When the striker is unable to score, the others must step up to the game.
Woodworks & Defeat.
— MBFT (@MBFT89) October 12, 2026
{Joy Mohun Bagan, MBFT} pic.twitter.com/nTBIckQ56c
Mohun Bagan management need to consider their options. Can Panos manage the slide, or is it just too slippery for him to stand? Granted it's just the first game of a new season. But this team has been playing together under the new coach for 2 months now. No other team was this much active in the transfer window and has this much squad depth. The fans deserve better. The players have not suddenly gone bad, they have just gotten complacent. And that is a very dangerous thing. ISL is more competitive this year and no team will back down without a fight!
Mohun Bagan is a supporters' club, not a players' or manager's. Winning or losing is part of the game. But when you see laggard performance game after game, where do you draw the line?
