Kolkata derby finds new life in ISL as East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan becomes potential title decider

The Kolkata East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby has always gone beyond the scope of sport in its infancy: the banter between ghotis and bangals, the supremacy over hilsa and prawns and often the reason for a fan to step out of their house a day after the match.

But in the Indian Super League (ISL), currently the premier division of men’s football in the country, the nine-win scale has always been tilted towards green and maroon. In ten matches, the only point East Bengal could manage was a 2-2 draw in 2024.

But the 2025-2026 season, although shortened, has brought a breath of fresh air to the Red and Gold Brigade’s sails – scoring the most goals, a second medal in the Super Cup and second place in the standings.

East Bengal seems to be finally living up to its legacy after half a decade in the ISL.

The club, which has never finished in the top half of the ISL, now finds itself in a title contender, which has the added incentive of eliminating its fierce rival Mohun Bagan on Sunday.

On the threshold of glory

There are seven teams left in the hunt for the trophy, and anything short of a draw would reduce the battle to just two teams.

A win for East Bengal will leave Punjab as the only other title contenders, who will have to win their last match by a huge margin to improve East Bengal’s goal difference.

The last time East Bengal won the top flight was 22 years ago, under coach Subhash Bhowmick. Since then, more than 27 coaches have come and gone, with the title elusive, while Bagan have won four Premier Division trophies in the same time.

Head coach Oscar Bruzon will look to change just that: shine at his best before leaving the club at the end of the season.

A win for Bagan, on the other hand, will only keep Mumbai City in the title race. Anything short of a defeat for Bagan on the final day of play – against Sporting Club Delhi – will hand over the trophy. If Bagan lose to Delhi, Mumbai City will have to drop points against Punjab for Mariners to become champions.

This season, Bagan has been plagued by continuity issues, along with problematic transfer calls that have left the club in a quicksand of crisis off the field.

Former manager Jose Molina’s outburst – after Super Cup exit – saw him leave the club, while Bagan did not travel to Iran for the AFC Champions League Two – due to foreigners’ visa problems – led to fan protests and a two-season ban from Asian competitions.

ISL-winning manager Sergio Lobera has steadied the ship on the field and hopes Bagan can maintain national dominance despite the continental sanctions.

Injury problems and a change in strategy

Mohun Bagan enjoy the luxury of having FIFA World Cup-tested stars in their squad, with both Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings expected to play crucial roles in the final third. However, Lobera is likely to pick Cummings as an impact sub only, with Maclaren starting the match.

The most important addition for the Mariners in this match will be in midfield. Lobera’s combination play relied heavily on steady build-up, which he executed through Ahmed Jahouh in the pivot for both Mumbai City and Odisha FC.

At Bagan, Lalengmawia Ralte had fitted into that role naturally, and the Indian midfielder’s return to full fitness would give Bagan more freedom to play at full strength.

While injury problems have been minimal for East Bengal this season, new concerns emerged before the ‘Boro’ match with Saul Crespo and Naorem Mahesh Singh, two of the club’s captains, out injured, while another captain, Souvik Chakrabarti, is suspended.

As a result, Mohammed Rashid is expected to step up to the plate for more progressive moves, while Miguel Figueira orchestrates attacks in the final third, while Youssef Ezzejjari – the league’s leading goalscorer – is eyeing a title and the Golden Boot in his first season in India.

Kolkata – and West Bengal – have shown in the past month that change is the only constant, as the political winds shift after fifteen years.

Sunday’s match in the Yuva Bharati Krirangan will determine whether the trend shifts to the derby, with East Bengal turning the tide, or whether Bagan can continue their reign and re-establish themselves as a bastion of resilience in the annals of Indian football. Above all, it will determine which club fans can finally leave their homes in the City of Joy with a smile.

The match will start at 7:30 PM IST.

Published on May 16, 2026