ISL 2024-25: A season written in Green and Maroon

56,000 people held their breath till the 93rd minute of the game between Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Sunday.

As the game crossed the 90-minute mark, a slow dullness crept over the crowd. The tension was thick, but so was the sinking feeling that there might not be a winning goal. Fans shifted nervously in their seats, some already reconciling with the idea of a frustrating draw.

And then, out of nowhere, Dimitri Petratos—who hadn't scored a single goal from open play this season—rose to the occasion.

One precise strike and the stadium erupted. A deafening roar of relief and euphoria surged through Salt Lake as Mohun Bagan snatched victory in the dying moments.

Kolkata football is a world of passion, tradition, and fierce rivalries, and at the heart of it all stand two titanic clubs, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

This season, however, again one club towered over the rest, and that was Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Not only did they conquer the league, but they also made history by becoming the first team to defend the Indian Super League Shield successfully.

And guess what? They're not done yet. The Mariners have stormed into the semifinals, eyeing the second prize – the ISL trophy.

But, of course, it wasn't all smooth sailing.

This is Mohun Bagan we're talking about, a club that thrives on drama.

Managed by Spaniard José Molina, who returned to India after leading ATK to the title in 2016, the Mariners started the season like an old diesel engine – slow to start but nearly unstoppable once it got going.

Stumbling out of the blocks

For a club with sky-high expectations, the early matches were, let’s just say, underwhelming.

Bengaluru FC, in particular, decided to make an example out of them with a crushing 3-0 win.

For a moment, it seemed like the Mariners were still nursing a championship hangover from last season.

Bengaluru looked like the team to beat, boasting a rock-solid defense that refused to leak goals.

Meanwhile, FC Goa also threw their name into the mix, making it a three-horse race early on. But, as the saying goes, it’s not about how you start – it’s about how you finish.

When the Mariners set sail

As mid-season arrived, Bengaluru’s aura of invincibility cracked.

A 3-0 drubbing at the hands of FC Goa sent them into a downward spiral, leaving Mohun Bagan and Goa to fight for supremacy.

Jamshedpur FC tried to make a statement, but their brief flirtation with the top of the table ended as quickly as it began.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan found their rhythm.

They transformed from inconsistent challengers to a well-oiled machine, dispatching opponents with clinical precision.

The team won 16 out of their 22 matches, drawing four and losing only two – a record that screamed dominance.

Their 52 points ensured they finished far ahead of FC Goa, who could only muster 42. Goa stumbled at crucial moments, while the Mariners made sure to step on the accelerator when it mattered.

The final dagger to the rest of the league came at the Salt Lake Stadium, where Mohun Bagan brushed aside Odisha FC in a statement victory.

By then, the Shield was all but theirs, even with two games left to play.

Crushing the competition

Mohun Bagan’s march to glory was marked by defining performances. The 3-0 win over Mohammedan was gritty. The 2-0 annihilation of city rivals East Bengal was ruthless.

Meanwhile, the 3-0 demolition of Jamshedpur FC was just another day at the office.

They were not just winning games – they were making a statement that they are the undisputed kings of Indian football.

Their defense, which initially looked shaky, became an impenetrable fortress, while their attack was an orchestra of brilliance, scoring 42 goals – the highest in the season.

Simply put, when Mohun Bagan clicked, they were unplayable.

On the other end of Kolkata, East Bengal fans probably spent most of their season wondering why they even bothered.

The Red and Gold Brigade are having yet another forgettable campaign, with a meager 24 points from 21 games and also long both Kolkata Derby matches.

Seven wins, three draws, and eleven losses – that's not a mid-table finish, that’s an identity crisis.

History makers

As the final whistle blew against Odisha FC, history was written.

Mohun Bagan became the first club in ISL history to defend the League Shield. From a shaky start to a dominant finish, they embodied the spirit of champions.

Their fans, the lifeblood of the club, will remember this season as one where their team didn’t just win. They conquered.

While the League Shield is secured, Mohun Bagan knows the job isn’t finished.

The last prize of the season – the ISL trophy – is still up for grabs.

With the semifinal clash looming, the Mariners will ensure they complete the double they missed by a whisker last time around.

The season isn’t over yet. And if Mohun Bagan has taught us anything, it’s that they’re just getting started.

But for now, Kolkata celebrates its champions, and Indian football bows to the Mariners' might as the shield stays home.

The Mariners. Unstoppable. Unmatched. Unforgettable.