Sunil Chhetri Targets Title as Bengaluru Face Mohun Bagan in ISL Fina

Bengaluru FC gear up to face League Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a titanic ISL 2024-25 final at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday. With packed stands expected to back the home side, the high-voltage encounter promises drama, passion, and history in the making.

Battle of Titans at the Mecca of Indian Football

This ISL final brings together two of the league’s powerhouses. Mohun Bagan, riding high on a vigorous campaign that saw them clinch the League Shield, aims to complete a historic double. However, standing in their way is a determined Bengaluru FC. Moreover, they are led by the legendary Sunil Chhetri, who is eager to add another title to his glittering career.

The two teams have history — this fixture is a repeat of the 2022-23 ISL final, where Mohun Bagan edged past Bengaluru FC in a tense penalty shootout.

Jose Molina: “We Don’t Need Extra Motivation”

MBSG head coach Jose Molina made it clear that the focus is on the present, not the past. Addressing the media in the pre-match press conference, he said:

“I don’t care about what happened in the past. I am trying to do my best for Mohun Bagan Super Giant. We did well to win the League Shield and we are motivated to win the ISL Cup too.
I don’t need extra motivation from the fact that we lost the final last year. We are already motivated enough.”

Bengaluru FC Unfazed by Home Crowd Advantage

Thousands of MBSG fans will pack the fortress, but Bengaluru FC remains unfazed. Head coach Gerard Zaragoza believes his squad is ready for the big day.

“We are very motivated for the finals and excited for the game. Everything is fine. We are confident and Kolkata is almost like our second home because we were here for the Durand Cup,” said Zaragoza, who also helped translate a question for Molina during the presser — a moment that reflected the mutual respect between camps.

BFC finished third in the league standings but impressed with solid performances in the eliminator and semi-final stages. This is their fourth final in just eight seasons, showcasing their consistency and resilience.

Subhasish Bose & the Home Advantage

MBSG captain Subhasish Bose, in fine form this season, acknowledged the emotion of playing in front of a passionate home crowd:

“I am always thrilled to play in front of our home fans. I wish that the fans support us wholeheartedly against Bengaluru FC tomorrow.”

Coach Molina even joked about Bose’s goal-scoring contributions, calling him a striker in disguise — a nod to his influence at both ends of the pitch.

Clash of Styles, Champions at Stake

This final is more than just a battle for silverware. It’s a meeting of two clubs with proud legacies, passionate fanbases, and contrasting journeys this season. Although MBSG remains unbeaten at home, Bengaluru FC’s momentum and tactical discipline will put them to the test.

As Sunil Chhetri possibly makes his final ISL appearance in Kolkata, where his legacy runs deep, the stakes rise even higher.

What to Expect

• Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata
  
• Fixture: ISL 2024-25 Final — Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Bengaluru FC
  
• Narrative: A rematch of the 2022-23 final, a double on the line for MBSG, redemption for BFC
  
• Players to Watch: Sunil Chhetri, Subhasish Bose, Dimitri Petratos, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
  

As the countdown to kick-off begins, Indian football fans are in for a spectacle — a night of pride, pressure, and potentially, poetic farewells.