ISL 2024-25 Kicks Off: Mohun Bagan SG vs Mumbai City FC Showdown

The Indian Super League 2024-25 season begins with a high-stakes match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Mumbai City FC. The game takes place at Kolkata's VYBK stadium at 7:30 pm IST on Friday. Both teams come with strong records and new managers aiming for glory.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season opens with an exciting clash between ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant and ISL Cup winners Mumbai City FC. The match will be held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata at 7:30 pm IST on Friday. Mohun Bagan has won both the ISL season openers they've played, defeating Kerala Blasters FC in 2020-21 and 2021-22. However, their head-to-head record against Mumbai City FC is less impressive, with only one win in their last ten encounters. That win, however, was crucial, coming in the title-deciding match last season.

Under new head coach Jose Molina, the Mariners aim to defend their championship title. Molina, who previously coached ATK in 2016, expressed his excitement about returning to the ISL with Mohun Bagan, a club he described as 'one of the best.' 'It is a big responsibility. But I hope to work hard and win the tournament. The level of the players and the league has improved since my time here. I am really happy to be here again and to help Indian football grow,' Molina said during a Media Day interview.

Petr Kratky, the counterpart at Mumbai City FC, holds an impressive 68.42 percent win rate in the 19 ISL matches he has coached. After leading the team to the ISL Cup midway through the last season, Kratky is determined to capture the ISL Shield this time. 'To win the ISL Shield is always a realistic dream. We are in football to win trophies. The games have not begun yet, but we have high standards for this season, like any other season,' Kratky stated during Media Day.

Mumbai City FC's new captain Lallianzuala Chhangte will be a key player to watch. Chhangte had the best expected goals (xG) value in ISL 2023-24 with a tally of 10.93, scoring 10 goals last season. On the other side, Mohun Bagan's hopes will rest on Jason Cummings, who scored 11 goals last season. Cummings boasts the second-best goal-per-minute ratio among players who played over 1000 minutes in the league.

(With inputs from agencies.)