ISL 2023-24 Semi-Final: Three Keys to Success for Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC

Mohun Bagan will look to take the home advantage in the second leg of the ISL semi-final.

Mohun Bagan face a challenging road to the Indian Super League (ISL) final as they get ready to host Odisha FC in the second leg of the semi-final on Sunday (April 28). Having lost the first leg by a 2-1 margin, the Mariners are the team under more pressure heading into this key clash.

For the Juggernauts, even a draw can be good enough to get them to the ISL final. But they cannot be underestimating the sheer threat that the Kolkata giants can bring in their home matches at the Salt Lake Stadium. This should be an action-packed game full of twists and turns, with only the fine margins likely to decide which teams move into the final.

Both these teams are packed with quality players, but some aspects of the game need to be managed well for either to outwit the other. Meanwhile, let’s look at the keys to success for the upcoming game between Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC.

Mohun Bagan

Get the best out of Jason Cummings

With Armando Sadiku suspended, Jason Cummings is posed to start this game. The Australian forward is lethal with his finishing but needs to be fed in the right areas to hurt Odisha FC. Mohun Bagan players need to focus on having their eyes on Cummings’ movement and play inch-perfect passes to him in the final third. Cummings can definitely decide the result if able to get a healthy amount of opportunities and torment the Odisha backline with his clever work.

Be clinical moving through the wide areas

Mohun Bagan have some of the best wing-backs/wingers in their team and this is the perfect opportunity to use them to their advantage. The likes of Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco have to be played into the decisive final third areas and be given the freedom to roam around in dangerous pockets of spaces. If Mohun Bagan can be fast and prolific in moving the ball through wide areas, they can destabilize the opposition backline and dominate the game.

Shut down Roy Krishna’s influence

Roy Krishna is again expected to be a major threat for Odisha after being an influential part of their recent win. The Fijian forward is given a free role under Sergio Lobera’s system and Antonio Habas has to shape his side to combat his threat. Mohun Bagan needs to have their players mark Krishna and force him into uncomfortable positions away from their goal. Doing this will cut down a major line to Odisha’s goal-scoring chances and put them out of their comfort zone.

Odisha FC

Be ruthless on the counter-attacks

Odisha FC have the pedigree to silence Mohun Bagan in their yard, as they proved with a huge 5-2 win in the AFC Cup earlier this season. Their recipe for success on that occasion was how ruthless Sergio Lobera’s team was, especially on the counter-attacks and swift breaks. They need to be decisive after winning back possession in getting their forwards rampaging down into the Mohun Bagan penalty area. Odisha have to make their chances count by finishing them off prolifically to take a step into the final.

Control the midfield battle

A major deciding factor of this upcoming ISL semi-final is which team can control things in the midfield areas. Both teams are blessed with quality midfielders who are packed with energy, can press the opponents well, win back the ball, and then kick-start promising attacking moves. The likes of Ahmed Jahouh and Puitea have to ensure that the Mohun Bagan midfielders don’t get too much room to maneuver within the midfield, nor can they send they create much.

The Odisha midfielders have to be smart in possession, moving the ball around smartly into the attacking areas, and be extremely proactive in cutting out chances or winning the ball back before Mohun Bagan’s players can move too deep into their final third.

Restrict the Mohun Bagan Aussie threat

Mohun Bagan’s biggest attacking threats are going to be Jason Cummings and Dimitri Petratos, who are likely to be given the utmost freedom to run riot. The  Juggernauts have to maintain a compact enough defensive shape and try to isolate these two players as much as possible. That includes not allowing Petratos too much room in the final third or the chance to play his teammates into the box.

They also need to ensure that Cummings doesn’t get the ball in prime areas much, and Mourtada Fall needs to take charge to maintain an impenetrable defensive line. If able to keep these two quiet, Odisha will be able to significantly reduce the Mariners’ attacking potency and improve their chances of getting a positive result.

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