The stage is set for an epic showdown in the Indian Super League final as Mohun Bagan prepares to clash with Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday. This highly anticipated encounter marks the third meeting between these two formidable teams in the competition, with each side claiming victory once before. However, with the coveted ISL trophy at stake, both squads are primed for a spirited battle to etch their names in ISL history as champions.
Mohun Bagan enters the final with a wave of momentum, having enjoyed a tremendously successful season under the stewardship of Antonio Lopez Habas. Their journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable, culminating in a dramatic comeback in the second half of the ISL season to secure their first-ever ISL Shield championship. Now, they stand on the brink of completing the coveted ‘Treble’ – a feat that includes the ISL Shield, the ISL Trophy, and the Durand Cup.
Habas added upon being asked about the final and his ISL record, “It’s one more commitment for my staff and players. Congratulations to the fans, because without them, it wouldn’t have been possible to get into the final. I want to win tomorrow. We need to have more ambition to win this title another time.”
“We are in a good feeling, but our idea is to win the trophy tomorrow. It’s good to remember the history, but we have to continue and we also must remember that we lost a final to Mumbai in the past. Tomorrow, we have to complete the circle and complete the target of the season. When I first joined the team, I told my players that we knew what we needed to win the league and the trophy, and the players are aware of this.
“I will always push for one thing, which is to complete the circle. We can only complete this by winning the last match. We have the opportunity to do so tomorrow, and evidently, the idea to complete the circle is the most important thing,” he added.
For the Mariners, the prospect of achieving this historic milestone serves as a powerful source of motivation for the players. They are determined to assert their dominance as the premier football club in India and winning the final would solidify their status as the undisputed best. The thought of a loss, especially with the advantage of a fervent home crowd of over 60,000 spectators, looms as a bitter pill to swallow. It’s a scenario that the players are keen to avoid at all costs, as it would tarnish an otherwise stellar campaign.
On the other side of the pitch, Mumbai City FC has experienced a season of ups and downs. Despite leading the ISL table for a significant portion of the campaign, they narrowly missed out on claiming the ISL Shield. The Islanders also fell short in both the Durand Cup and the Super Cup, leaving the ISL trophy as their last chance to salvage silverware in the 2023-24 season.
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For Petr Kratky’s side, the final presents an opportunity for redemption and glory. They recognize the need to elevate their performance to emerge victorious against a formidable opponent like Mohun Bagan. A crucial aspect of their strategy will be to display greater clinicality and defensive solidity than they did in their previous encounter with the Mariners. Mumbai City must also demonstrate a heightened hunger and determination to outshine the hosts and silence the raucous home crowd. The pressure on them is immense, as a defeat would not only mean ending the season empty-handed but also missing out on the chance to compete in Asia next season.
Peter Kratky said, on being asked about the loss against Mohun Bagan for ISL Shield, “We knew what was at stake, it’s always hard. We tried to regroup and put ourselves together. After a couple of training sessions, the spirit was a little down, but now we are good to continue.”
Both teams will have to contend with key absences in their respective line-ups. Mohun Bagan will be without the services of Armando Sadiku, who is serving a suspension following a sending-off in the first leg of the ISL semi-final against Odisha FC. Similarly, Mumbai City FC will be missing Akash Mishra and Iker Guarrotxena, further adding to the intrigue of the final showdown.
Predicted Line-ups
Mohun Bagan (3-1-4-2)
Vishal Kaith (GK), Anwar Ali, Hector Yuste, Subhasish Bose, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Manvir Singh, Joni Kauko, Anirudh Thapa, Liston Colaco, Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings
Mumbai City FC (4-3-3)
Phurba Lachenpa (GK), Rahul Bheke, Thaer Krouma, Tiri, Mehtab Singh, Yoell van Nieff, Apuia Ralte, Jayesh Rane, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Pratp Singh, Jorge Pereyra Diaz.
Telecast of Indian Super League Final
The ISL final – Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC game kicks off at 07:30 PM IST, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on May 4, 2024. A live telecast of the fixture will be available on the Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 Channel). Live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.
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