All posts tagged: ISL 2024-25

Odisha FC 2024–25 season review: Promise, problems, and a painful miss

Odisha FC 2024–25 season review: Promise, problems, and a painful miss

Published by Webster

The 2024–25 season was meant to be Odisha FC’s big leap forward under the guidance of seasoned coach Sergio Lobera. But despite flashes of brilliance and some standout individual performances, the Kalinga Warriors ended the campaign in disappointment, finishing 7th in the Indian Super League (ISL) standings and crashing out of the AIFF Super Cup. Coming into the season with high hopes, Odisha FC were expected to push for a top-four finish. However, a mix of inconsistent form, injuries, and off-field distractions saw them fall just short of the playoffs. The Kalinga Super Cup exit was particularly embarrassing, being knocked out by Punjab FC despite having defeated them 3-0 in the group stage. Injuries played a crucial role in derailing the season. The loss of striker Roy Krishna to injury was a major blow, forcing the club to bring in Dori mid-season. Though Dori had found success in Kerala’s Super League, he couldn’t replicate that impact in the ISL. There were also rumours of Sergio Lobera’s potential switch to Kerala Blasters mid-season, which further unsettled …

A campaign of highs, lows, and missed opportunities

A campaign of highs, lows, and missed opportunities

Published by Webster

Former Indian Super League champions Bengaluru FC endured a rollercoaster season—beginning with promise, stumbling in the mid-phase, and ultimately falling just short of silverware despite a late surge. The Blues kicked off their campaign with a strong showing in the Durand Cup 2024, advancing to the semi-finals before narrowly bowing out to Mohun Bagan in a penalty shootout. That early momentum carried into the ISL season, where they soared to the top of the table after Matchweek 9, buoyed by an impressive streak of five consecutive clean sheets. However, a heavy defeat to FC Goa disrupted their rhythm, and a dip in form saw them slide to fifth place. Despite a commendable recovery in the latter stages, Bengaluru ended the league campaign in third place, unable to regain their early-season dominance. Let’s deep dive into the season review of the Bengaluru FC using statistical analysis: By the numbers: Bengaluru FC’s 2024-25 season ISL League Win-Loss Record – 24 Matches – 11 Wins, 5 Draws, and 8 Defeats Overall Win-Loss Record – 34 Matches – 17 …

A look at the season in numbers

A look at the season in numbers

Published by Webster

The 2024-25 Indian Super League has come to a close. The champions crowned and all laurels awarded. With the Super Cup, the final premier football tournament in India of this season set to kick-off on Sunday, The Bridge take a look at some statistical trends and facts from the concluded ISL. Offensive Metrics – Team (As of the end of league phase) Most Expected Goals Expected Goals are a computationally derived underlying metric used to determine the value of a shot on its probabilities of resulting in a goal. Expected goals can be calculated for and against. They are denoted by ‘xG’ and xGA’ for Expected Goals Against. Northeast Utd led the league on this one, and was it ever in doubt, With Alaaeddine Ajaraie blazing through the rest of the competition; Northeast’s attack constantly punctured opponent defenses. NEU amassed almost 40 xG worth of chances in their 24 games. Highest Conversion rate Dread from it, run from it, but they are there. The most efficient side in the competition bar none. The Champions themselves …

Bengaluru pin hopes on Sunil Chhetri to halt Mohun Bagan’s march to rare double

Bengaluru pin hopes on Sunil Chhetri to halt Mohun Bagan’s march to rare double

Published by Webster

Over the years, Bengaluru FC have repeatedly turned to their trusted leader in times of crisis. And almost each time, Sunil Chhetri delivered – as seen during the second leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) semifinal, when the club captain broke Goan hearts in the dying minutes of injury time with a diving header. The goal took Bengaluru to the ISL final, where they will take on old rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giants on Saturday. Bagan’s path to the final was no less dramatic – it took a screamer from Apuia into the top right corner against Jamshedpur, with just seconds to go, to seal the Mariners’ spot in the title round. Story continues below this ad When the two teams renew their rivalry in a rematch of the 2022-23 ISL final, Bengaluru will once again turn to Chhetri to stop Bagan from becoming only the second team, after Mumbai City, to complete the league winners’ Shield and Cup double. On paper, Bagan are a superior side, boasting Jamie MacLaren and Jason Cummings. The …

Mohun Bagan to face Bengaluru FC in ISL 2024-25 Final after Apuia’s injury-time stunner

Mohun Bagan to face Bengaluru FC in ISL 2024-25 Final after Apuia’s injury-time stunner

Published by Webster

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) qualified for their third consecutive final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 tonight after a 3-2 aggregate win against Jamshedpur FC in the semi-final tie. After losing the opening leg by 2-1 last week, MBSG scored a 2-0 victory over the Men of Steel in the second game of the fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium tonight and are now set to square off against Bengaluru FC in the summit clash. Displaying positive intent from the beginning, Liston Colaco stretched the Jamshedpur FC defence on the right flank before hurling in a powerful cross inside the 18-yard box in the 16th minute. The ball was cleared out but Jason Cummings pounced upon the same at the edge of the penalty area and unleashed an effort that landed high above the target. Colaco and Cummings joined hands again after the half-hour mark, with the former distributing the ball to the centre from right. The striker played the ball to the left flank and a quick string of passes …

Sunil Chhetri’s last-gasp goal breaks Goan hearts as Bengaluru FC progress to ISL 2024-25 Final

Sunil Chhetri’s last-gasp goal breaks Goan hearts as Bengaluru FC progress to ISL 2024-25 Final

Published by Webster

Bengaluru FC qualified for a record fourth final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 tonight after a 3-2 aggregate win against FC Goa in the semi-final. Though the Blues lost the second leg at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda by 2-1 here, their 2-0 win from the first game of this fixture earlier this week ensured that they entered the summit clash, with Sunil Chhetri starring courtesy of a decisive goal in the added time of the second half. The Gaurs looked to set the tone of this game from the onset, with Boris Singh hammering a shot from distance way too high to the target in the seventh minute. In the very next move, Udanta Singh supplied a precise pass to Iker Guarrotxena inside the 18-yard box, which the attacker kicked high and wide to the left. Though these endeavours did not materialise into goals, they spoke volumes about FC Goa’s intent to cut the deficit early on. In the 13th minute, Dejan Drazic swung into the thick of things, pouncing upon …

Mumbai City FC face Bengaluru FC with semi-final spot on the line

Mumbai City FC face Bengaluru FC with semi-final spot on the line

Published by Webster

Bengaluru FC will host Mumbai City FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the first single-legged knockout game of Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 playoffs on March 29, at 7:30 pm IST. The Blues finished third in the league standings, notching 38 points from 24 games on the back of 11 victories and five draws. Meanwhile, the Islanders sneaked into the top-six courtesy of a 2-0 victory against Bengaluru FC on their final matchday, and will now look to book a berth in the last-four at the same venue where they had qualified for the playoffs. Bengaluru FC enter this game after losing four times in their previous five meetings against the Islanders. This is only the second fixture between these two sides in the playoffs, after the Blues had bagged a penalty shootout win in the 2022-23 semi-finals. The Islanders have been defensively resolute by not giving away a goal in any of their last four ISL matches with Bengaluru FC, netting eight times in the process. Another clean sheet would mark their longest …

Which teams have the most home and away wins?

Which teams have the most home and away wins?

Published by Webster

Home and away performances play a crucial role in determining a team’s success in the Indian Super League (ISL). While some teams turn their home grounds into fortresses, others thrive under pressure in away fixtures. A balanced approach in both scenarios is often the key to securing a top spot in the league standings. In the ISL 2024-25 season, certain teams stood out by dominating both at home and on the road. Their consistency ensured they remained strong contenders for the playoffs and beyond. With the ISL playoffs approaching, The Bridge looks at the top five teams with the most home and away wins this season. Top home performers in ISL 2024-25 1) Mohun Bagan Super Giant (11 Wins, 34 Points) Mohun Bagan Super Giant dominated at home, securing 11 wins and 34 points at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. With an attacking lineup featuring Jason Cummings and Greg Stewart, combined with a rock-solid defense, they remained nearly unbeatable on home turf. 2) FC Goa (8 Wins, 26 Points) FC Goa made the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium …

Indian Football Coach Manolo Marquez

Indian Football Coach Manolo Marquez

Published by Webster

As the Indian senior men’s team touched down in Shillong ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers opener against Bangladesh (March 25), one name stood out—Sunil Chhetri. The 40-year-old striker, returning to the national fold, remains the face of Indian football, his presence dominating posters and banners across the city. For head coach Manolo Márquez, the decision to recall Chhetri was a simple one: “We need players who score goals.” India’s recent struggles in front of goal have been evident under Márquez, with the Blue Tigers managing just two goals in his first four matches—one of them from a set-piece. With the crucial Asian Cup qualifiers ahead, the Spaniard knew he needed reliable finishers, and Chhetri, the ISL’s top Indian scorer this season with 12 goals, fit the bill. “In my four matches so far, we have only scored two goals. At this moment, the most important thing is to get results. Nothing else matters,” Márquez stated. Despite turning 40 last August, Chhetri’s numbers this season speak volumes. His 12-goal haul is more than …

ISL 2024-25 Playoffs schedule: Semi-final fixtures, qualified teams

ISL 2024-25 Playoffs schedule: Semi-final fixtures, qualified teams

Published by Webster

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 regular season has concluded, setting the stage for an exciting playoff battle. With Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa securing direct semi-final spots, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United FC, and Mumbai City FC will fight it out in the knockout round for a place in the final four. The knockouts will be played on March 29 and 30, 2025, followed by the semifinal first legs on April 2 and 3 and the second legs on April 6 and 7. The winners will advance to the grand finale, where the ISL 2024-25 champion will be crowned. The league stage concluded on March 12, but there’s a significant gap before the playoffs as the Indian men’s national team is set to play international matches during this period. ISL 2024-25 Playoff Format The top six teams after the league stage qualify for the playoffs, with the top two teams—Mohun Bagan SG and FC Goa—earning direct semi-final berths. The teams finishing between third and sixth place enter the knockout round, where …