Last ISL season, Mohun Bagan Super Giant was on a dominant run under then-head coach Antonio López Habas. However, Chennaiyin FC, who weren’t the favorites, pulled off a stunning upset at the Mariners’ own backyard, ending their 8-match winless streak. In the ongoing season, Mohun Bagan extended their winning streak to five games after defeating Jamshedpur FC in their previous encounter. Once again, they face the tricky challenge of Owen Coyle’s Chennaiyin FC. A win tonight could see the Green and Maroon Brigade reclaim the top spot on the table, surpassing Bengaluru FC.
Head coach José Molina is determined to avoid any slip-ups this time. Despite Chennaiyin’s struggles in recent games after a promising start, Molina remains cautious. “They’ve had a good season, even if the results haven’t always gone their way. They are always a tough team to play against. But we are confident and hopeful of securing a win,” Molina said at the pre-match press conference.
Midfielder Anirudh Thapa, who previously played under Coyle at Chennaiyin FC, is familiar with his coaching style and the threats his former side can pose. “He ( Coyle) motivates players and pushes them to perform at their best. That’s why they’re doing so well. I know they’ll come at us hard, and it will be a tough fight tomorrow,” Thapa remarked.
Molina also shared a positive injury update in the press conference, confirming that key players, Greg Stewart and Ashis Rai, have recovered and are available for the game. “They’ve trained well with us and are fit to play,” he said. However, considering they’ve just returned from injury, Molina might not risk starting them in the XI, opting to keep them fresh for upcoming crucial fixtures. There are indications from training that Thapa, who didn’t start in the last game, is likely to feature in midfield alongside Apuia.
Meanwhile, Apuia, Subhasish Bose, and Alberto Rodríguez are on three yellow cards, meaning another booking would result in a one-match suspension. Molina, however, is unfazed by this. “Suspensions are inevitable at some point, but I want the entire squad ready to step up. If one player is unavailable, another can come in and win games,” he explained.
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Tonight’s clash will also mark a homecoming for former Mohun Bagan players Kiyan Nassiri and Lalrinliana Hnamte, who return to the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), wearing Chennaiyin FC jerseys. Both players will be eager to make a statement in familiar territory.
This season, Chennaiyin FC has shown promise under Coyle. For the first time in seven ISL editions, they’ve maintained a positive goal difference after their first nine games. Previously, the Marina Machans achieved this feat only twice — +5 in the 2017-18 season and in 2014.
Moreover, Chennaiyin FC holds an impressive record against Mohun Bagan at the latter’s home ground. They’ve won both of their away matches against the Mariners, scoring multiple goals in each. Remarkably, Chennaiyin FC is the only side Mohun Bagan has yet to defeat at home in the ISL. Overall, in their eight ISL meetings, Mohun Bagan has won three times, Chennaiyin twice, while three matches ended in draws.
Coyle knows the challenge ahead but remains optimistic about his team’s chances. “It’s a big game for us. Mohun Bagan has a huge budget and a strong squad, but we’ve shown that we can win in big arenas. We’ll give everything for a spirited performance,” Coyle said in the pre-match press conference.
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