Jose Molina reveals how he can stop Mohun Bagan from conceding late goals

Jose Molina’s primary concern is defensive errors.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant gave away a 2-0 lead to be held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Mumbai City FC in their 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season opener at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Friday (13th September).

Despite being in cruise control in the first half through Tiri’s own goal and Alberto Rodrigeuz’s strike, the Mariners conceded twice in the last 20 minutes to allow the Islanders to get a point from the game.

What would worry Mohun Bagan fans is that this continues a concerning pattern of conceding goals. The Mariners have conceded two or more goals in their last four competitive matches. They conceded two goals apiece in the Durand Cup semi-final (against Bengaluru FC), final (to NorthEast FC), and three goals in normal time to Punjab FC in the quarter-final.

Jose Molina was asked if he’s worried by his side’s tendency to concede so many goals in the early campaign after being a defensively strong unit under Antonio Habas last season. Jose Molina replied: “I’m the problem because I’m the coach. And I have to work very well on the players. Of course, I’m not happy with that (defensive issues). If something is wrong here, it’s no good. I’m the main guilty person because I’m the coach. I must work better with the players to help them to not concede goals, nothing more.

“I’m not happy conceding goals, of course, and I’m tired of conceding two goals every game. We must work hard, work better and chance some things because we are conceding too many goals. When you concede too many goals every match, it’s very difficult to win because you have to score three goals and it’s not easy to score three goals.”

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The Mariners have had a worrys defensive record under Jose Molina so far. In the six matches in which he’s been in charge, they have conceded nine goals and only been able to keep one clean sheet – that too in the Durand Cup group stage outing against the Indian Air Force side.

Mohun Bagan kept seven clean sheets in the 2023-24 ISL league stages, only conceding 26 goals in 22 matches en route to the league championship Shield. To maintain a better defensive record than that, they’ll definitely need to improve their defensive sturdiness and become a stronger unit as a whole against the challenging ISL sides.

The Mariners will aim to keep their first clean sheet in the 2024-25 ISL campaign in their next match when they host NorthEast United. This will be a repeat of the Durand Cup final from earlier this year and one where the Green and Maroon Brigade will desperately want to win to get their revenge over the Highlanders.

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