The 2024-2025 Indian Super League (ISL) final is shaping up to be a thrilling encounter, as Mohun Bagan SG and Bengaluru FC (BFC) prepare to battle it out for the title at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. For both teams, this match represents the completion of a cycle in their respective journeys, with significant storylines unfolding for each side.
Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan SG has had a remarkable turnaround this season. After a rough start, including a heavy 0-3 defeat to Bengaluru in September, Molina’s team bounced back with a record-breaking run. Now, with the League Shield in their grasp, Mohun Bagan is aiming for a historic ISL ‘double’. Having lost the final to Mumbai City FC last season, this is their chance to make amends and clinch their first-ever double at home. The Salt Lake Stadium, where they’ve been unbeaten in the league, will be a fortress in their bid to secure the title.
On the other hand, Bengaluru FC, under the leadership of Gerard Zaragoza, enters the final with renewed focus and determination. Though they endured a tough patch earlier in the season, Zaragoza reflected on a significant moment from the past—a crushing 0-4 loss to Bagan last April. Now, the BFC side is back with a vengeance, confident and hungry for a strong finish to the season. Zaragoza highlighted how far his team has come since that defeat, with the club now poised to challenge for the trophy.
The match promises to be an exciting showdown. Mohun Bagan SG will likely have the edge with the support of their passionate fans at Salt Lake, but Bengaluru FC won’t be an easy opponent. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Sunil Chhetri continues to perform at the highest level, and Zaragoza faces a pleasant dilemma regarding whether to start his star striker or bring him on as a substitute.
With both teams motivated by personal narratives and historical goals, this final is set to be a fiercely contested affair. The battle between Mohun Bagan’s ambition for a double and Bengaluru’s hunger for redemption will make for a compelling end to the season.
