Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Bengaluru FC: Three key battles that can decide ISL 2024-25

The VYBK Stadium in Kolkata will host the ISL Final between the Mariners and the Blues on Saturday.

Following a gruelling 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bengaluru FC are the only teams remaining. The two giants of Indian football will go up against each other at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata this Saturday.

The Mariners were crowned the League Shield winners after finishing on top of the points table with 56 points. A 3-2 win over Jamshedpur FC on aggregate in the semifinal courtesy of a late goal from Apuia now puts the Mariners on the cusp of an ISL double.

The Blues, on the other hand, finished third in the ISL standings with 38 points. A 5-0 win over Mumbai City and a 3-2 win on aggregate over FC Goa took the Blues to their fourth ISL final.

Sunil Chhetri has had a second wind in his career this season and it has to be seen if the 40-year-old can take his side past the finish line once again. Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bengaluru FC met each other in the 2022-23 ISL final, where the Mariners won the ISL Cup on penalties.

Here are three key battles that can decide the course of this match, this time around:

Sunil Chhetri vs Tom Aldred

Bengaluru FC’s captain courageous turned out to be the difference maker for his side once again as he bagged a late goal to eliminate FC Goa. With 14 ISL goals to his name in Blues colors this season, Sunil Chhetri will be a dangerous prospect to play against. However, it has to be seen if Chhetri will be given a place in the starting XI on Saturday.

Whether Chhetri starts or comes on as a substitute, the man in charge to keep the BFC skipper quiet will be Mohun Bagan’s Tom Aldred. The 34-year-old Scottish centre back has been a fixture in Jose Molina’s setup and will surely be trusted with the job once again this weekend.

Sunil Chhetri was on the scoresheet as BFC won 3-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium earlier this season. Mohun Bagan Super Giant got their revenge in the reverse fixture as they won with a clean sheet at the VYBK Stadium.

ALSO READ: Five things Mohun Bagan Super Giant did right in ISL 2024-25

Suresh Singh Wangjam vs Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia)

Suresh Singh Wangjam and Apuia Ralte are two players that have become untouchables in Manolo Marquez’s Indian national team set-up. Hence, it is no surprise that they have helped their respective sides all the way to the 2024-25 ISL final.

Apuia Ralte brought the house down in Kolkata last Monday as his screamer in injury time helped Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Jamshedpur FC 3-2 on aggregate. The midfielder has a pass success rate of 83% and to top this, Apuia has made 131 recoveries, 31 interceptions, and has also created 14 chances.

Like his counterpart, Suresh Singh Wangjam was also on target in the playoff game against Mumbai City, helping his side to a 5-0 win. The Bengaluru FC midfielder has a pass success rate of 86%. Suresh also has 93 recoveries, 16 interceptions, and has created 10 chances in the ISL this season.

Ryan Williams vs Subhasish Bose

Ryan Williams has had a season to remember for Bengaluru FC since returning from injury. The Australian has scored 7 goals and has provided 4 assists to his teammates in the ISL this season including a playoff goal against Mumbai City.

Subhasish Bose, to his own merit has had a huge part to play in Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s record-breaking season. The 29-year-old has helped his side keep 14 clean sheets and has also chipped in with six goals, making him the highest scoring defender in the league this term.

Playing as the left back for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Subhasish Bose will constantly go up against Ryan Williams. Both these players have won multiple games for their respective clubs this season and it will not be a surprise if either of them wins the man of the match for their efforts in the 2024-25 Indian Super League final.

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