Mohun Bagan SG travelled to Chennai aiming to solidify their hold on the ISL shield after a frustrating draw against Jamshedpur. The previous game served as a wake-up call for the Mariners, as they squandered several opportunities. Against Chennaiyin FC, they cannot afford any slip-ups, as a misstep could intensify the ISL shield race.
Chennaiyin, currently in 10th place, have managed only two wins and three draws in their last 10 games. This time, Owen Coyle’s side are expected to pose a tough challenge for the visitors. Notably, Chennaiyin and Mumbai City FC are the only teams Mohun Bagan have faced multiple times in the ISL without completing a league double.
Mohun Bagan have focussed on managing the workload of their players, given they had only three days to recover after their away fixture against Jamshedpur. The team held two light training sessions before flying to Chennai on Monday.
Former Chennaiyin midfielder Anirudh Thapa remains unavailable due to injury, while Sahal Abdul Samad, who shone at this venue last season, is also unlikely to start as he is not fully fit. Consequently, head coach Jose Molina is likely to stick to the same formation used in the previous game.
Chennaiyin have struggled defensively this season, keeping the joint-fewest clean sheets (2) in the league, along with Hyderabad FC. They have conceded 27 goals, including nine in their last five matches. Mohun Bagan boast a lethal offence, having scored the joint-most goals (31, along with Odisha FC and NorthEast United FC). Jamie Maclaren leads their scoring chart with six goals, while Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose, and Jason Cummings have netted four each.
However, in their last two games, goal conversion has been a concern for the green-and-maroon brigade. Against Jamshedpur, they managed 20 shots but scored just one goal. Against Chennaiyin, Mohun Bagan’s forwards must capitalise on their chances.
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Despite these concerns, Molina dismissed worries about his team’s finishing. “I would be worried if my attackers weren’t creating chances to score,” he said. “But that is not the case. I am confident the goals will come.”
The Mariners might look to exploit Chennaiyin’s defensive weaknesses, while the home team will aim to bridge the seven-point gap with sixth-placed Mumbai City FC (24 points) to keep their playoff hopes alive. Coyle, Chennaiyin head coach, will miss this match, serving a suspension after getting his second yellow card in the previous game against Mohammedan SC. In his absence, assistant coach Noel Wilson will take charge.
Wilson acknowledged that injuries have disrupted their defensive stability this season.
“This season, we’ve had injuries that prevented us from playing the same back-four consistently,” he explained. “Changing the defence mid-match disrupts stability, and once the opposition scores, they push harder for more.”
Chennaiyin recently bolstered their defence by signing former Mohun Bagan defender Pritam Kotal from Kerala Blasters, trading Bikash Yumnam in exchange. Kotal is expected to start against his former team. He shares a special bond with Molina, who coached him during his stint with Atletico de Kolkata in ISL Season 3.
Molina humorously wished for Kotal not to perform his best against Mohun Bagan. “Pritam is a fantastic player,” he said during the pre-match press conference. “He was with ATK during my tenure, and I always wish him the best—except when he plays against us.”
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