ISL: Top five biggest rivalries in the league's history

These enthralling fixtures have held fans to the edge of their seats over the years.

Ever since its inception in 2014, the Indian Super League has witnessed some of the most exciting matches between some of the best teams in India. Some of these contests have repeatedly wowed the viewers and have fashioned into fixtures that fans look forward to every season. These high-voltage rivalries have become a defining feature of the ISL, with huge onus on the teams involved to eke out victories.  

5. ATK Mohun Bagan Vs Kerala Blasters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QBW9KyF9G0

Two final clashes and several season openers later, Kerala Blasters and ATK Mohun Bagan find themselves facing off against each other in the most crucial points of the season. Of the 15 times the sides have met, Kerala Blasters have won four while ATKMB have won six, with five encounters ending in stalemates. Despite an impressive campaign last term, which culminated in the ISL title, Eelco Schattorie’s Yellow Army turned out to be the bane of Antonio Habas’ men, with ATK losing to the Blasters on both occasions. 

The huge fan bases have made this a relishing contest after the two final encounters, the results of which went in favour of the Kolkata club. Despite the difference in success, it is one of the most viewed and followed matches in India.

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4. ATK Mohun Bagan Vs East Bengal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0pSmSOgY2U

This rivalry is on lines similar to Gone with the Wind or Pather Panchali – a timeless classic. The biggest rivalry ever in the history of Indian football. One that spans a century. It is impossible to discuss Indian football without mentioning the two biggest clubs in the country and their rivalry. The first instance of the Kolkata Derby was in the CoochBehar Cup in 1921. Since then, the duo have been pitted against each other on 328 occasions. 

Of these, East Bengal have won 122, while the Mariners have tasted victory in 94. The remaining 112 matches have ended in a draw. The clubs face-off against each other in both the national leagues as well as the storied Calcutta Football League every year. With one whole city divided into Red and Gold, and the Green and Maroon, the derby is a truly enthralling spectacle which packs stadiums to the brim each season. Now, the iconic rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal has taken on a new dimension, with the former’s merger with ATK and both teams now playing in the ISL. Their first clash in the ISL resulted in a 2-0 win for ATK Mohun Bagan earlier this season.

3. Mumbai City FC Vs FC Goa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AW84kSRL2E

The rivalry between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa is something that resonated on the global scale, the roots of which can be traced back to the appointment of Jorge Costa as the Islanders’ head coach in 2018. There were traces of the rivalry before, but it started gaining momentum once the Portuguese – a Jose Mourinho ideologist, was appointed. It was natural that Sergio Lobera, whose philosophy is based on Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, would rise up as one of the main threats to the Islanders. The two sides played several interesting battles over the course of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns.

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The Islanders had been at the receiving end for most of this time and despite comprehensive victories against other notable oppositions like Bengaluru FC, Sergio Lobera’s FC Goa were a side that rarely cracked under Jorge Costa’s tactics. During the two seasons, the Gaurs won five of the six matches with the only Mumbai victory coming in the second leg of the semi-final of 2019, when Rafael Bastos had scored the winner.

The rivalry has now gained a new form, with the Islanders appointing former FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera at the helm. They have also roped in several former Gaurs like Mandar Rao Dessai, ISL Player of the Year last season Hugo Boumous, Ahmed Jahouh and Mourtada Fall. Despite a hard-fought loss earlier this season, the Gaurs and their newly-appointed boss Juan Ferrando will be hoping to take a shot at establishing supremacy over the Islanders in the next match. The coming years show great promise for the two teams and the rivalry looks likely to grow into a much-anticipated clash every season.

2. Bengaluru FC Vs Kerala Blasters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv-pvtcixlg

This Southern Derby is one of the most high-profile clashes in the ISL. With a similar demographic as supporters for both clubs, the Manjappada and the West Block Blues have been at war in the stands as well as on social media. Despite the overwhelming support for the Yellow Army, Kerala Blasters have found themselves wanting on several occasions while playing against the Blues. 

Bengaluru FC have dominated the head-to-head with five wins out of seven, including a 4-2 drubbing in the 2020-21 season encounter. Cuadrat’s side have tasted considerably better success, but no matter what the standings are, the Blues would not want to lose against the Blasters lest they face the wrath of their supporters.

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1. FC Goa Vs Chennaiyin FC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e5oI-WAULE

The ISL 2015 final provided the sort of anti-climactic ending only seen in movies. Goa were seemingly in the driver’s seat for their first ISL title, with a 2-1 lead after 90 minutes, despite going down by a goal early in the second half. But, two quickfire goals in injury-time gave Chennaiyin FC their first title instead and also started what would turn into a fierce rivalry in years to come. 

The amazing rivalry reached its next crest when the two faced off in another crucial match. The semi-final of 2019 lived up to its billing, with the Gaurs tipped to avenge the 2015 loss. But, that was not to be. 

Chennaiyin roared to a comprehensive 4-1 victory in the first leg with a brilliant team performance. But, Goa came back fighting in the second, scoring two goals in the first 21 minutes. Chennaiyin scored twice to equalize, but FC Goa scored twice again in three minutes to bring the score to 4-2. However, with very little time left, Chennaiyin snatched the victory to go to the final. With another game poised at a crucial juncture in the 2020-21 season, the heated rivalry is all set to be on show once again at the Fatorda Stadium.

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