Mohun Bagan Aims for Victory Against NorthEast United in ISL Clash

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) is set to host NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) in the Indian Super League (ISL) match taking place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, in Kolkata. This encounter marks Mohun Bagan’s second home game of the ISL 2024-25 season. The Mariners, who began their campaign with a draw against Mumbai City FC, will be seeking their first victory of the season.

NorthEast United enters the match with confidence after securing a win in their opening game, thanks to a late goal by Alaeddine Ajaraie against Mohammedan SC. The team is coming off a notable success, having defeated Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup 2024 final, and aims to continue their winning streak in Kolkata.

Mohun Bagan has demonstrated a consistent attacking presence, scoring in 15 of their last 16 ISL games in 2024, and they are on the brink of matching their record of 12 consecutive games with a goal. In contrast, NorthEast United has maintained three clean sheets in their last four matches, including two successive ones. Achieving a third consecutive clean sheet would be a first for them in the league.

Mohun Bagan coach, Jose Molina, expressed concerns over his team’s defensive lapses, as evidenced by their 2-2 draw against Mumbai City FC, where they squandered a two-goal lead. “We have to play better and defend better to win matches. Of course, at this moment, I’m upset. I’m working every day with my players to avoid conceding goals. We have to focus on that, keep working, stay positive, and hopefully, in the next matches, we will play better,” Molina stated, according to quotes from the ISL.

Juan Pedro Benali, NorthEast United’s head coach, anticipates a formidable challenge from their opponents. “Mohun Bagan hasn’t had the best results in the last few games. We’re talking about a big club, a big team here. They will be eager to get the better of us, and our job is to make it as difficult as possible for them. The players are ready,” Benali commented as quoted by ISL sources.

The match between Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United is scheduled for September 23 at 7:30 PM (IST). Fans in India can watch the action live on Sports18 or stream it on Jio Cinema.

On the field, both teams possess key players who can influence the outcome. Mohun Bagan supporters will be looking to Dimitri Petratos, who remarkably scored 10 goals and provided seven assists last season while creating 60 opportunities for his team. Meanwhile, NorthEast United will be watching Jithin MS, whose agility and attacking prowess make him a threat on the right wing. In their last game, he recorded the most touches in the opposition’s box alongside Guillermo Fernandez.

Additionally, NorthEast United’s Mohammed Bemmamer will look to replicate his previous performance, where he regained possession 13 times against Mohammedan SC—the highest in a single ISL match this year. For Mohun Bagan, Liston Colaco, known for his goal-scoring abilities against NorthEast United, aims to extend his scoring tally further.