Mohun Bagan SG made history by becoming the first team to successfully defend the ISL League Shield, finishing with a record-breaking 56 points. They wrapped up the title with two games to spare and ended the season eight points clear of FC Goa—another ISL record. Sure, the highest points tally might not mean much on its own, given the league has expanded over the years. But their Points Per Game of 2.33, the best in ISL history, tells the real story—this was a title defence as dominant as they come.
However, the start wasn’t as smooth as the Bagan faithful would have hoped. The ever-reliable Antonio Habas was replaced by José Molina, who was returning to management after six years—an appointment that raised plenty of eyebrows. Despite splashing the cash on big names like Jamie Maclaren and Apuia, Bagan struggled with balance in defence and midfield, especially after the shocking departure of star defender Anwar Ali, who controversially joined bitter rivals East Bengal.
Molina’s men got off to a rocky start, losing the Durand Cup final to NorthEast United FC without managing a single win over a top-division side in the tournament and leaking goals aplenty. Defensive frailties carried over into the early league games, fueling serious doubts among fans about their title defence.
But when it mattered most, Molina and his men silenced their critics. Not only did they cement their status as the best team in the city, but they also proved they were the best in the country—by a mile.
In this article, let’s break down the key factors behind Mohun Bagan’s dominance this season and explore the records and interesting stats they racked up along the way.
The Great Wall of Kolkata: The Best Defence in the League
Mohun Bagan’s defence was, without a doubt, the best in the league. Molina’s men conceded just 16 goals in 24 matches while keeping an incredible 15 clean sheets. For context, the second-best defensive record belonged to FC Goa, who conceded 27 goals and managed only 8 clean sheets—a staggering difference.
At the heart of this defensive fortress was the rock-solid centre-back pairing of the towering Scot, Tom Aldred, and the composed Spaniard, Alberto Rodríguez. To put their dominance into perspective, Bagan conceded only seven goals in matches where these two started together. They seemed unbeatable in the air, physically overpowering every attacking threat the league had to offer. But their influence wasn’t just limited to defence—they were a menace in the opposition box as well, contributing a combined 6 goals and 3 assists from set-pieces, making them instrumental in Molina’s title-winning campaign.
Alongside them was local hero and fan favourite Subhasish Bose, a name every Bagan fan—and ISL Fantasy Football player—pinned their hopes on. His six goals made him the highest-scoring defender in the league. This season also marked a breakthrough for homegrown youngster Dippendu, who proved reliable whenever called upon, raising hopes for a secure defensive future.
And when even this formidable backline was breached, Vishal Kaith stood tall between the sticks. His shot-stopping heroics saw him break the record for the most clean sheets in ISL history, further solidifying Bagan’s defensive supremacy.
By conceding the fewest goals and boasting the highest-scoring defensive unit in the league, it’s no surprise that fans and experts alike credit Bagan’s title win to their rock-solid defence.
A Devastating Attacking Unit
Mohun Bagan weren’t just rock-solid at the back—they were just as ruthless going forward. The Green and Maroon Brigade finished the season as the league’s highest-scoring side with 47 goals, which came as no surprise given the sheer quality of their attacking lineup.
Big-money signing Jamie Maclaren, who arrived after becoming the A-League’s all-time top scorer at the peak of his career, proved to be a class apart. The Aussie striker tormented defenders with his pace and movement, netting 11 goals. His compatriot, Jason Cummings, was the Mariners’ go-to man in crunch moments, coming off the bench to score crucial goals and match-winners when it mattered most.
Feeding the strikers was the genius of Greg Stewart, a magician on the ball and the creative heartbeat of the team. His ability to unlock defences and create chances was a game-changer for Bagan’s attacking setup.
But no attacking unit in the ISL can thrive without high-quality Indian wingers, and Molina had the perfect duo in Liston Colaco and Manvir Singh. Their tireless work rate and attacking contributions were invaluable, combining for 14 goal involvements and adding width, pace, and unpredictability to Bagan’s relentless attack.
Molina – The Man Manager
There’s no doubt that José Molina is a smart and pragmatic tactician. Having previously won the ISL with ATK in 2016 with just four wins and a practical approach, he showed a different side to his coaching this season. Bagan not only dominated possession and played out from the back but also displayed remarkable adaptability—shifting to a more rigid, structured defensive setup when needed and punishing opponents with devastating counterattacks and well-executed set pieces. This tactical flexibility was key to their success. Mariners conceded the fewest goals from set pieces and also scored the most from them, a testament to Molina’s meticulous planning.
However, Molina’s biggest achievement wasn’t just his tactics—it was his ability to manage a squad packed with superstars and big egos. With players like Petratos, Stewart, Cummings, and Maclaren all competing for just two forward spots, keeping everyone motivated and in good spirits was no easy task. Yet, Molina handled it masterfully. The fact that Bagan finished as the league’s top scorers without any single striker dominating the Golden Boot race shows how well game time and opportunities were distributed.
Dimitri Petratos, for instance, struggled by his own standards this season, but Molina ensured he still got minutes to stay match-fit—an approach that paid off when Petratos scored the crucial title-winning goal. And it wasn’t just the forwards; Molina also expertly rotated midfielders like Apuia, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suryavanshi, and Deepak Tangri, keeping them fresh, engaged, and ready to step up when needed.
This careful squad management ensured team unity and prevented burnout—an often overlooked but crucial factor in a championship-winning campaign.
12th Man: The Mariners
No big-money signing, tactical genius, or star-studded squad can ever match the impact of Mohun Bagan’s most valuable asset—their passionate fans, the Mariners. With arguably the largest and most dedicated fanbase in Indian football, Bagan and the city of Kolkata stand apart from every other club and city in the country. Their unwavering support gives the team a unique advantage that no other ISL side can replicate.
From composing chants and songs for individual players to creating the world’s largest handmade tifo, the Mariners stood by their team every step of the way. While they have always delivered impressive stadium attendance figures, this season saw them turn up in numbers rarely witnessed in Indian football. Mohun Bagan averaged an astonishing 39,000 fans per game, ranking them 4th in Asia and 62nd in the world for average attendance.
The electrifying atmosphere created by these die-hard supporters became a fortress for the team, as Mohun Bagan won 11 of their 12 home matches and remained unbeaten at the Salt Lake Stadium. This unwavering backing made it the most intimidating away venue in the league—one where opposition teams found it nearly impossible to escape with points.
After clinching back-to-back ISL League Shield titles, Molina and his men will now set their sights on the domestic double. With the ISL playoffs on the horizon and the Super Cup, the only top-tier trophy missing from Mohun Bagan’s cabinet, within reach, they have the chance to make this season truly historic. A treble would not only cement their dominance but also give the Mariners’ faithful yet another reason to celebrate a golden era in the club’s storied history.
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