How Jose Molina unlocked the very best in Asish Rai at Mohun Bagan

Asish Rai has three assists in ISL this season.

Asish Rai turned out to be one of Mohun Bagan’s standout performers in their gritty 1-0 win over East Bengal in the recent Indian Super League (ISL) derby. The 25-year-old had a blistering start to the game, setting up  Jamie Maclaren’s winning goal with brilliant defence-splitting passes that completely outwitted the Red & Gold Brigade’s backline.

Rai’s superb performance was only a continuation of what has been a very prolific campaign from the Indian international. In the previous campaign, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting XI because of chops and changes to the Mariners’ system.

This this around, however, Jose Molina’s presence has allowed Rai to start soaring and become one of the most reliable defenders in the ISL. The gaffer was able to identify his strengths early on and has helped the full-back play to his best ability and become a mainstay in the Mariners backline.

Helping keep his tempers in check

A way in which Rai has grown as a reliable full-back is how he’s been smarter with his decision-making in the backline and understands when to commit to challenges. Given that he’s picked up three yellow cards in 14 ISL games this season so far, Molina has helped the defender be more calm with his in-game management. Even if the 25-year-old gets booked in matches, Molina ensures that he retains his composure and does not let the intensity of the match get the better of him.

Rai has retained his aggressiveness in making key tackles and interceptions but doesn’t tend to lose his temper any more to give an advantage to the opponent. He can hold his own even when opposition players try goading him into mistakes and is keeping himself more grounded with his overall approach. This is allowing Rai to finish matches strongly and maintain his proactive nature throughout games to frustrate opposition wingers.

Rai has been smarter with attacking contribution

Even though Rai might’ve provided the crucial assist for Maclaren’s winner against East Bengal, it’s telling that his pass came from inside his own half. As part of his system, Molina encourages his full-backs to mostly hold their position inside their own half rather than being these tireless overlapping machines that always burst forward. Rai has actually benefitted from this, as the lowered pressure from attacking contribution has helped him focus more on his defensive work.

The 25-year-old is now able to focus on neutralizing the threat of dangerous wingers and not having to worry about tracking back all the time from bursting into the opposition half. That has allowed him to preserve his energy levels and help the Mariners maintain a stubborn defensive line for the majority of the campaign. It’s not like Rai has had no attacking contribution at all and boasts three assists in 14 appearances, but it’s just that he’s now more decisive on when to pull the trigger in making a difference going forward.

Rai has been more prolific defensively

To his credit, the 25-year-old defender has worked extremely hard to work on the issues in his game and become a more robust defender in the 2024/25 season with Molina’s help. The Spanish gaffer has definitely helped Rai work hard and made him recognize which areas of his game needed improvement for him to be a regular right-back for the Mariners.

Rai has become a sturdier defender, averaging over four duels won and four possession recoveries in every ISL match for the Mariners. His impressive work has helped them keep five clean sheets in his 14 appearances, with Rai shutting down threatening wingers time and again with his diligent work.

The 25-year-old is definitely making a case for being India’s primary right-back with his encouraging performances this season, but consistency is key for Rai to remain as Mohun Bagan’s regular right-back and also have a chance at shining at the international level.

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