Kolkata: On Sunday, in entrance of their followers at Salt Lake stadium, Mohun Bagan Tremendous Giants could be the primary group to retain the league defend of the Indian Tremendous League (ISL). En route, they could even be the primary to cross 50 factors. With 24 matches per group, the competitors is longer than ever earlier than however after 21 rounds, Mohun Bagan have 49 factors, another than what that they had after the 22-match league final time period.
Gamers of Kerala Blasters FC and Mohun Bagan Tremendous Big vie for the ball. (PTI)
Mohun Bagan have notched up probably the most wins (15), scored probably the most targets (42) and conceded the least (14). That the groups with the following finest defensive document, FC Goa and Mumbai Metropolis FC, have shipped 11 targets extra having performed a match much less is proof of the hole between Mohun Bagan and the remainder. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith has 13 clear sheets from 21 matches. It’s greater than double the following finest. And from being the group with probably the most bookings after six rounds, 22, Mohun Bagan are the one aspect to not have had a crimson card this time period.
Saturday’s 3-0 away win at Kerala Blasters was emblematic of Mohun Bagan’s season the place they’ve been scientific in entrance of purpose and compact with out the ball. Mohun Bagan had 33.4% possession which additionally meant that they had considerably fewer touches (693-438) and passes (516-261). But, that they had 4 photographs heading in the right direction, two greater than the house group.
At 53.36%, Mohun Bagan are fifth in total possession stats going into the following spherical starting on Wednesday. Bengaluru FC, Mumbai Metropolis, Kerala Blasters and Odisha FC have had extra of the ball, as per knowledge from ISL, and NorthEast United have extra makes an attempt on purpose (348) however Mohun Bagan have probably the most makes an attempt heading in the right direction (125). Jamie Maclaren’s on-the-run flick for his and the group’s second purpose in Kochi is an instance of their effectivity within the last third. The ball travelled from Kaith to the rival purpose in six touches and concerned three outfield gamers.
Mohun Bagan have additionally been the competitors’s finest group with set-pieces. They’ve scored 20 targets from or following a set-piece scenario, two greater than second-placed Odisha FC. They usually have let in 5 from set-pieces. FC Goa, second within the standings on 39 factors and with a match in hand, and NorthEast United, who’re fourth, have each conceded 10, Bengaluru FC, presently fifth, have leaked 15.
“Everybody helps. I have a good staff,” Molina has mentioned referring to Mohun Bagan’s success with attacking set-piece conditions. “The player who delivers the corner-kick or the free kick is key. Then, of course, we have tall guys wo are powerful and can win aerial duels.” Eleven targets have come from two defenders, skipper Subhasish Bose and Alberto Rodriguez.
A former Spain worldwide and sporting director of the Spanish federation, Molina has been key to getting this star-studded squad to tug in a single route. Mohun Bagan have 11 India internationals. Their foreigners’ contingent has in Maclaren the best scorer within the historical past of the A-League, his teammate within the 2022 Australia World Cup squad Jason Cummings who was additionally an affect sub final time period, Dimitrios Petratos, Mohun Bagan’s go-to particular person for targets and assists over the previous two seasons, Greg Stewart who has gained the Scottish Premiership, the league defend, the ISL cup and the golden ball and central defenders Tom Aldred and Rodriguez who’ve not often appeared like this was their first season collectively.