Top five derbies in ISL

We have decided to not include the famous Kolkata derby in this list.

The Indian Super League (ISL) has brewed up quite a few interesting rivalries over its decade of existence. With the number of teams slowly increasing over the years, there have been more competitiveness in the league and that has brewed some disliking among some particular sets of fanbases.

While the Kolkata derby, the iconic one shared between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, is probably the most prominent one in the ISL – there are quite a few others that can make up for heated matches. The atmosphere of these matches are palpable, giving the players extra motivation to win these and give their supporters the bragging rights.

With that being said, let’s look at the top five ISL derbies.

5. Mumbai City vs FC Goa

Mumbai City and FC Goa are two of the founding clubs in the ISL and have been competing strongly for titles for quite some years now. The two cities are not really that far off from each other, giving their fans the chance to easily commune for these games. Over the years, the competitiveness has spiraled out of control. Mumbai also infuriated FC Goa by signing some of their star players over the last few years like Hugo Boumous, Ahmed Jahouh, and Mourtada Fall.

Then there was also the case of Sergio Lobera leaving the Gaurs to manage the Islanders, guiding them to win the ISL shield and playoffs in his first season. The matches between these two can often get quite heated and dramatic and often result in lots of goals. In their 22 matches so far, Mumbai City have won 10 times and FC Goa have seven wins. With the two fighting for the ISL shield and playoffs title this time around and looking strong, it’s unlikely that this rivalry will settle down anytime soon.

4. Chennaiyin FC vs Kerala Blasters

This Southern Derby has been ongoing since the beginning of the ISL as well and has a lot of stakes at play. This clash is almost like one to decide which state is the ‘better one’ or which one boasts the better footballing quality. There have been several memorable clashes between the two, including when Kerala Blasters defeated Chennaiyin in the 2014 ISL semi-final to reach the final or the Marina Machans’ thrilling 6-3 win over the Blasters.

The two teams have, interestingly, both notched up six wins each in their ISL encounters and there have been nine draws in these clashes. That only shows how close and competitive these games can be, with both sets of players under pressure to allow their set of supporters to boast their ‘superiority’ over the other one.

3. East Bengal vs Odisha FC

East Bengal only entered the ISL in 2020 and have not had the best runs in the competition so far. But apart from their intense rivalry with Mohun Bagan, the Kolkata heavyweights appear to have also formed tense relations with Odisha FC. This is often labeled as the ‘Roshogolla derby’ – refereeing to the popular sweet – which both the Kolkata and Bhubaneswar natives try to claim as their originated item. Over the last few years, there have been some intense and chaotic encounters between these two teams. This included two crazy games in 2021 – where Odisha defeated East Bengal by margins of 6-5 and 6-4.

Even though the Juggernauts have won most of their encounters, East Bengal bit back by winning the Super Cup earlier this year by defeating them in the final on their home turf. There seems to be some form of disliking brewing between the two sets of fans too, while Sergio Lobera and Carles Cuadrat have had some heated choice of words too – further firing up this newly-formed feud.

2. Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC

Ever since Bengaluru FC entered the ISL in 2017, they have been mostly performing well in the division and even won the ISL title in their second season. The Blues have also managed to create a rivalry with their fellow Southern sides, including that with Chennaiyin FC. There is a lot of animosity that has built between the fans of these two respective sides, leading to their encounters being heated and eventful.

Chennaiyin FC denied Bengaluru an ISL title in their debut season by defeating them in the 2017/18 ISL final in dramatic fashion. However, the Blues have maintained a better head-to-head record – having won seven of the 14 matches between the two – with Chennaiyin winning four times. The games between these two Southern heavyweights often turn out to be highly entertaining and with a chaotic atmosphere, giving the players plenty of leverage to treat them almost like a finale.

1. Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC

The rivalry between Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC has evolved into an out-of-control feud over the last few years. With both sets of supporters being extremely loyal and passionate about their teams, it is almost like their hatred for each other is as profound as their love for their respective sides. The games between the Tuskers and the Blues have almost always seen jam-packed stadiums and an atmosphere brimming with tension and animosity.

This rivalry only flared up last season in the famous ISL eliminator between these two which saw Kerala Blasters abandon the game after being perturbed by Crystal John’s decision to award a controversial Sunil Chhetri goal. The matches between these two have also had a history of toxicity and fan violence because of the fierce loyalty among the supporters. Bengaluru FC have had the upper hand so far, winning nine out of 15 matches – while the Blasters have only won four times. But seeing how intense the ‘hatred’ between the two sets of fans and the feud between the two sides have developed, this fierce rivalry is unlikely to simmer down anytime soon.

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