Kolkata Derby 2025: How Mohun Bagan Edged past East Bengal
A Classic Showdown Filled with Passion, Drama, and Tactical Brilliance
The Calcutta Derby known as the “Boro Match” is one of the world’s most storied and emotional football matches. Played between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC, this iconic clash represents more than just a game, it captures history, culture, and deep emotion. For more than a century, the derby has been the cornerstone of Indian football and one of the biggest competitions in Asia.
The first Kolkata derby was played in the Cooch Behar Cup on August 8, 1921, ever since. The Kolkata Derby has also surpassed the game and attracted huge crowds. It brings fierce loyalty from both the team and the fans.
History
The roots of this rivalry are deeply embedded in Bengal’s social and cultural fabric. Established in 1889, Mohun Bagan represents the western region of Bengal. and received support from the indigenous “Ghoti” population. East Bengal was established in 1920 and became a symbol of identity for immigrants from the eastern areas of pre-Partition Bengal. Known as “Bangal” this cultural divide fuelled competition. And make each derby more than just a football game. Instead, it becomes a battle for pride and control.

Throughout the decades The Kolkata Derby has provided countless memorable moments. Both teams had moments of glory from Mohun Bagan’s domination in the 1930s and 1960s to East Bengal’s golden era in the 1970s. Memorable games include the Federation Cup semi-final in 1997, which attracted a crowd of 1,31,781, and East Bengal’s historic 5-0 victory in the 1975 derby, considered one of the most one-sided victories in history.
Match Report: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs. East Bengal FC
Date: January 11, 2025
Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
League: Indian Super League 2024/25
Final Score: 1-0
First Half:
Kolkata Derby starts with fireworks as Jamie McLaren stunned the crowd with a lightning-fast goal just 1 minute 44 seconds into the race. Making it the fastest goal of the ISL season, this early attack gave Mohun Bagan Super Giants a crucial lead.

From that point, East Bengal FC pushed hard to respond, with PV Vishnu orchestrating plays from midfield. His precise crosses and through balls aimed to connect with Dimitrios Diamantakos and Cleiton Silva in the attacking third. Despite creating numerous threats and breaking into dangerous areas, East Bengal struggled with their finishing accuracy.
Second Half
East Bengal FC’s attacking intent dropped noticeably in the second half. Their forward momentum waned and they struggled to create big chances in the final third. There was even a spark in the attack. But East Bengal’s defense remained steadfast and determined not to extend Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s lead.
Mohun Bagan continued to press for a second goal, but East Bengal’s defensive line, and a good performance from goalkeeper P. Gill, refused to buckle. Gill was a standout, making several crucial saves that kept his team in the contest and drew applause from fans.

Goalkeeping | Mohun Bagan SG | East Bengal FC |
---|---|---|
Goalkeeper Pick-up | 2 | 8 |
Goalkeeper Saves | 0 | 3 |
Punches | 2 | 1 |
Goal Kicks | 8 | 15 |
Mohun Bagan took a 1-0 lead with a winning goal from Jamie McLaren to end the game, while East Bengal’s attacking efforts dwindled. But the defensive flexibility and Gill’s ingenuity ensured that the game remained closely fought until the final whistle.
Tactical Overview
Possession Play: Mohun Bagan dominated possession with 54%, strategically utilizing the right and central channels to create attacking opportunities. The midfielders excelled in maintaining short, quick passes to disrupt East Bengal’s defensive shape. Mohunbagans’s counter-attacking approach hinged on Jamie Maclaren’s pace and clinical finishing.

- Mohun Bagan: Asish Rai, Manvir Singh, and Subhasish Bose emerged as the top contributors in passing. Rai’s ability to link defense with attack stood out, completing 7 key passes into the final third.
- East Bengal: Jeakson led East Bengal’s passing metrics, with consistent contributions from PV Vishnu and Sovick. Their structured network ensured defensive solidity but lacked the fluidity to counter Mohun Bagan’s late surge.

Defensive Actions:
Mohun Bagan showcased superior defensive work with 17 tackles, winning 94% of them, and recovering 46 balls. East Bengal struggled defensively, particularly in aerial duels, where Mohun Bagan won 88% of challenges.

Attacking Play:
- Big Chances: Mohun Bagan created 2 big chances, converting one.
- Touches in Penalty Area: Mohun Bagan dominated with 29 touches compared to East Bengal’s 14.
- Shots: Mohun Bagan registered 17 total shots, with 11 inside the box, highlighting their aggressive approach.

Player Performances
Mohun Bagan:
Jamie Maclaren was the star performer, scoring a well-taken opener and troubling East Bengal’s defense with his movement and link-up play. Alberto Rodriguez anchored the defense with a commanding performance, frustrating opposition attackers with sharp marking and crucial clearances. Asish Rai’s creativity shone through with a brilliant assist, while Subhasish Bose and Jason Cummings added composure and control in key areas of the pitch.
East Bengal:
PV Vishnu was a standout, orchestrating attacks from midfield and creating multiple chances, nearly earning a penalty. Hijazi Maher’s defensive resilience was pivotal, making crucial clearances and interceptions. Despite struggles in the final third, Cleiton Silva was active in creating opportunities, while Héctor Yuste and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill worked hard to keep the team competitive with solid defensive efforts and key saves.

Tactical Insights
Mohun Bagan’s structured approach to both attack and defense underlined their tactical superiority. By exploiting the wide areas and maintaining high pressing intensity, they kept East Bengal on the back foot throughout. Their passing accuracy in crucial zones, such as Zone 14 and the half-spaces, demonstrated their attacking intent and efficiency.

East Bengal, while solid defensively, lacked creativity and composure in the attacking third. Their inability to register a single shot on target reflects a deeper issue with chance creation and finishing.
Mohun Bagan Super Giants’ 1-0 victory over East Bengal FC is a testament to their superiority in all aspects of the game. From ball possession, passing and kicking duels. They outperformed their opponents and earned a well-deserved victory. For East Bengal the competition is a learning opportunity to address offensive shortcomings and disciplinary concerns.
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