'It will be different match from last ISL final': Molina ahead of Mumbai City clash

Kolkata: As the city gears up for a much-anticipated clash on the first evening of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, Jose Molina, the Mohun Bagan Super Giant coach, warned that their opener against Mumbai City FC will be different from the final of the last season.

Mohun Bagan, despite winning the ISL Shield, pipping Mumbai City on the final day of the league in May this year, lost to the Islanders 1-3 in the ISL final.

"I think it will be an absolutely different match from the last ISL final, and it does not matter what happened in the last season. The past is past. Now, we have to work in the present to make for the best possible future, that is what we will do to win tomorrow (Friday)," said Molina while addressing the media persons inside a crammed press conference room at the Mohun Bagan ground on Thursday.

The Spaniard, meanwhile, termed the game against Mumbai City as the 'most special', underlining the significance of the match to him.

“For me, the most special match is the next match we will play. The next game is Mumbai, that is the most special match," said Molina.

"I am not thinking of future matches against rivals. In this moment, I am only thinking of Mumbai City but overall to help my players play in the best way to win against Mumbai. When the match is finished, we’ll analyse the match and will work to think about the next game. That’s my mentality, that’s what I’ve talked about a long time and that is how I’ll work," he added.

'Good rivalry': Chhangte

Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City are familiar foes in Indian football, and their rivalry sometimes turns nasty. Last December, several players were sent off during a game at the Andheri Sports Complex. There were also post-match bans imposed by the AIFF citing disciplinary issues.

Reflecting on the rivalry between the two clubs, Lallianzuala Chhangte, the Mumbai City captain, said, "It is a good rivalry."

Chhangte also talked about his friendship with Lalengmawia Ralte, who moved to Mohun Bagan during the transfer window earlier this year, said, "We are good friendships. It will be great to play again. But this time we are playing for different teams."

Chhangte and Ralte did fabulous work last season when they silenced the Mariners' fans at the Salt Lake Stadium with their marvellous operation. This season, they will play against each other.

"I am looking forward to the game," said Mohun Bagan's Ralte.

'Looking to start in the best way': Kratky

Petr Kratky's Mumbai City may have lost Apuia to Mohun Bagan, but they still have a solid domestic talent pool in Chhangte, Vikram Pratap Singh and Brandon Fernandes. Spanish midfielder Jon Tural and Greek forward Nikos Karelis have also strengthened the team.

Wary of the challenge, Molina, who guided now-defunct ATK to the ISL title in 2016, said, "We need to defend and attack together and try to see that they do not hold the ball for a long time. Their wingers are dangerous, but they have other players who can be equally dangerous."

Meanwhile, Kratky said they did their homework for this high-octane clash as they look for the best possible start to the season.

“We are looking forward to starting the season against Mohun Bagan, and it is the best way. We know that Mohun Bagan is a strong opposition, I think we are ready to compete, and we will see what happens," said the Czech coach.

“We obviously did our homework about Mohun Bagan. We know their strengths all over the pitch, and obviously, their depth on the bench. So, look, we will do our best tomorrow, as we always do, with the strong mentality that the house champions mentioned before," he added.