Tactical Clash Looms in ISL Final as Molina and Zaragoza Aim for Coveted Cup
Kolkata (The Uttam Hindu): The stage is set for an intense tactical battle in the final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25, as Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) faces Bengaluru FC at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata on Saturday. At the heart of the match are two Spanish coaches—Jose Molina of MBSG and Gerard Zaragoza of Bengaluru FC—both with a deep understanding of high-pressure finals. Molina, who guided ATK to the ISL title in 2016, returns to the finals with MBSG in his first season back at the helm. Zaragoza, who was Carles Cuadrat's assistant during Bengaluru FC’s 2018-19 championship run, now steps into the limelight as head coach.
There are many similarities between the two tacticians. Both have taken charge of their respective clubs for their first full season, with Zaragoza joining Bengaluru FC midway through 2023-24 and Molina coming on board in the summer preceding this season. Both coaches have proven track records in the ISL, which has helped them transition smoothly into their new roles. Molina, with 23 wins from 43 ISL games, boasts a win percentage of 53.5%, placing him among the top three highest win rates for coaches with a minimum of 10 games in the league, behind Albert Roca and Des Buckingham. Despite playing on their home turf, where MBSG has been unbeaten this season, Molina refrains from declaring his team as the favourites for the final.
“I think in the finals, there is no favourite. Anything can happen. Of course, we believe in ourselves and our approach. If we play our best football, we’ll get the trophy,” Molina said ahead of the match. On the other hand, Zaragoza’s Bengaluru FC had an impressive start to the season with five consecutive wins and clean sheets, only to face a rough patch in January with four losses in five games. However, a strong finish with three wins and a draw in their last five fixtures helped BFC secure third place and propelled them past Mumbai City FC and FC Goa in the playoffs. Zaragoza credits the team's resilience and the contribution of senior players like Sunil Chhetri, Rahul Bheke, and Alberto Noguera in leading them to the final.
“We have Sunil Chhetri, amazing foreigners, a solid Indian defense, and the best goalkeeper in India. We are BFC, and we’ve reached four finals. That speaks volumes,” Zaragoza said in his statement before the final. Zaragoza, who took over the Bengaluru FC job in December 2023, has emphasized a positive style of play, and the team’s attacking statistics reflect that. Bengaluru has scored 44 goals from inside the box this season, the highest in the league, with a 62.8% conversion rate, their best ever. Meanwhile, Molina's MBSG has been formidable in defense, keeping a league-high 16 clean sheets and not conceding a goal in their last seven home matches.
