Jose Molina speaks on FC Goa threat, India squad selection ahead of last ISL league phase game

Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan have already claimed the ISL 2024-25 shield.

Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan wrap up their 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) league phase with a game at home against FC Goa on Saturday, 8 March, 2025. They will be officially awarded the ISL shield championship after the end of the match, but are aiming to get revenge against the Gaurs for their defeat earlier in the campaign.

On facing FC Goa in the final ISL 2024-25 game

Speaking about the quality of FC Goa and the challenge they’ll possess for his side, Jose Molina stated: “We know that they won in the reverse fixture, that is one of the two matches we lost during the league phase. Of course, we want to win this one, but it’s not because we lost that game. They are a really good team, they’ve had a really good season in putting us under pressure.

“We did a great job, but we had to do it as they were always behind, putting us under pressure. Their season has been really good and they have a lot of good players, a really good coach. We have to try to be ourselves, to keep trying all the best and be successful. We are now the team with more points than anyone else in a single season. If we can get three more, that’s even better,” he also added.

On Sunil Chhetri’s comeback to the Indian Football Team

Molina was also asked about his opinion on Sunil Chhetri making a comeback to the Indian national team, to which he simply replied: “If Manolo Marquez asked him to come back and if he wanted to come back, maybe that is something good for the Indian national team. Hopefully this is the best for Indian football.”

On international break and ISL playoffs

Finally, the gaffer opened up on if he has any worries about seven Mohun Bagan players going off to play for the India team in the March international break before the ISL playoffs. He stated: “We know it’s not easy, this schedule. It’s not easy for Manolo Marquez either. Before the playoffs, we’d have seven players in the national team playing under the FC Goa coach, so that’s not the best! It’s not the best for Manolo. But that’s the position he has. He has to try to do the best for the Indian national team.

“If Mohun Bagan are, in his opinion, the best, then it’s normal he picks them. What I hope that all the players go the national team, they help them and come back fully fit and with no injuries. Please! That’s the only thing I expect. If not, then it’ll be a problem for us. I want to trust Manolo in this matter,” he finished off with.

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