Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant began their Indian Super League 2025–26 campaign with a composed 2–0 victory over Kerala Blasters FC at a packed Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.
Goals from Jamie Maclaren in the first half and Tom Aldred deep into stoppage time ensured a winning start for Sergio Lobera in his first league game in charge of the Mariners.
Mohun Bagan lined up with a strong and familiar core, with Dimitri Petratos operating behind Maclaren in his preferred No. 10 role. Alberto Rodríguez marshalled the backline, while Anirudh Thapa and Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia) anchored the midfield. New signings Mehtab Singh, Robson Da Silva and Amey Ranawade featured in the matchday squad, signalling continuity blended with selective reinforcement.
Kerala Blasters, under David Català, fielded a relatively youthful side. New foreign recruits Oumar Ba and Victor Bertomeu made their ISL debuts, alongside midfielders Y. Ebindas and Rowllin Borges. The visitors approached the contest with discipline, but were largely on the back foot for extended spells.
Mariners Control the Tempo
Mohun Bagan asserted control early, circulating possession confidently through midfield. Thapa and Apuia dictated the rhythm, allowing Robson and Liston Colaco to stretch the play from wide areas. Petratos found pockets of space between the lines and almost opened the scoring when Colaco slipped him through inside the box, but the Australian dragged his effort wide.
Photo: Dipayan Bose /Focus Sports/ ISL
Despite dominating possession, the Mariners initially struggled to break down Kerala’s compact defensive block. The Blasters sat deep, closing central channels and forcing Mohun Bagan to probe from wide positions.
The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute. Petratos threaded a precise pass into Maclaren inside the penalty area. The Australian striker displayed sharp movement, turning Aiban Dohling before finishing calmly with his left foot to register the first goal of the new ISL season. It was a clinical piece of centre-forward play, converting territorial dominance into a tangible advantage.
Mohun Bagan ended the first half with ten attempts on goal, six of them on target, underlining the extent of their control. Kerala, by contrast, struggled to create clear openings in the attacking third.
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Català responded at the break, introducing Naocha Singh and Marlon Trujillo in search of greater attacking impetus. Mohun Bagan also made adjustments, with Amey Ranawade replacing Subhasish Bose.
The pattern, however, remained largely unchanged. The Mariners retained possession comfortably, forcing Kerala to chase the ball and defend deep. While the Blasters showed improved intent in the latter stages, particularly after the introduction of Kevin Yoke, their forward movements lacked penetration.
Yoke’s pace and direct dribbling offered moments of promise down the flank, but Vishal Kaith in goal was rarely tested. Kerala’s attacking transitions were often halted by Rodríguez and the disciplined Mohun Bagan backline.
Aldred Seals It Late
As the contest entered stoppage time, Mohun Bagan ensured there would be no late drama. In the 96th minute, Thapa delivered a well-weighted free-kick into the box. Substitute Tom Aldred rose above the defence to power a header past Sachin Suresh, doubling the lead and putting the result beyond doubt.
The goal reflected Mohun Bagan’s authority in set-piece situations an area that could prove decisive over the course of the season. Jamie Maclaren was named Player of the Match for his decisive first-half strike and constant movement in the attacking third.
For Lobera, the victory represented a controlled and professional start. Mohun Bagan displayed tactical clarity, midfield superiority and defensive stability hallmarks of a side intent on defending its title. Kerala Blasters, meanwhile, showed resilience in patches but lacked cutting edge in the final third. With new signings still integrating and combinations developing, there were signs of potential, but execution fell short on opening night.
As the 2025–26 season gathers momentum, Mohun Bagan’s performance sends an early message. In front of their home supporters, they combined patience with precision and never looked stretched.
For the champions, it was not merely three points it was a reminder of the standards required at the top.
