ISL 2024-25, Mumbai City FC season review: Struggles, setbacks and a search for answers

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 22 (ANI): After an exceptional Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 campaign where Mumbai City FC (MCFC) finished second in the league and went on to lift the ISL Cup, expectations were sky-high heading into the 2024-25 season. The Islanders had established themselves as one of the powerhouses of Indian football in recent seasons, known for their free-flowing attacking football and a squad brimming with domestic and international talent. However, the latest campaign saw a dramatic fall from grace, as per the official website of ISL.
Mumbai City FC managed to finish sixth in the league standings with 36 points, just enough to squeeze into the playoffs on the final Matchday of the season. Their playoff qualification was confirmed with a 2-0 win over Bengaluru FC in their final league match. That result not only sealed their place in the top six but also knocked Odisha FC out of the playoff race, with the Kalinga Warriors finishing seventh with 33 points.
However, the joy was short-lived. In a one-legged knockout clash that followed shortly after, Petr Kratky's men suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Bengaluru FC, the very team they had beaten in their previous game. The humiliating exit summed up their season, inconsistent, disjointed and underwhelming.
One could say that one of the key reasons behind Mumbai City FC's regression this season was the high turnover in personnel. The team saw the departure of several key players, most notably last season's joint top scorer Jorge Pereyra Diaz, captain and long-serving defender Rahul Bheke, midfielders Alberto Noguera and Lalengmawia Ralte, as well as influential foreign stars Greg Stewart and Rostyn Griffiths. The loss of such experienced and quality players disrupted the core of the side.
The new recruits, while promising on paper, struggled to replicate the impact of their predecessors. The chemistry that was so central to MCFC's success last season seemed to be missing, and the team lacked the same flair and ruthlessness in attack.
For a club that had raised the bar with a League Winners Shield in 2022-23 and an ISL Cup in 2023-24, this was a massive underachievement.
Mumbai have won nine, drawn six, and lost nine games in their 24 matches.
One thing the Islanders did get right this season was their defence. The Islanders kept 10 clean sheets - the joint-second highest tally in the league alongside Bengaluru FC. They also had the third-best defensive record, conceding only 28 goals across the league stage - a big reason they stayed in the playoff hunt till the very end.
While the defence held firm, MCFC's attack failed to hit the same heights as last season. The Islanders scored just 29 goals in the league, a significant drop from the 42 goals they notched up in the previous campaign. The lack of a cohesive attacking unit was evident throughout.
New signing Nikolaos Karelis notched 10 goals in his debut campaign, but lacked consistent support in attack. The build-up play often lacked urgency, and Mumbai City FC rarely resembled the formidable attacking force they were just a season ago under Kratky.
One of the biggest talking points was the stark dip in contributions from Indian players. In the 2023-24 season, domestic players scored an impressive 26 goals-this season, the number dropped to just 12. The likes of Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Partap Singh, and Bipin Singh were unable to consistently influence games, which added to the team's woes.
Spanish defender Tiri played a pivotal role in this, marshalling the backline with authority and calm. He was arguably MCFC's most consistent performer throughout the season. Not only did he help the team keep nine clean sheets, but he also contributed going forward with a goal and two assists, showcasing his all-round ability.
Full-back Nathan Rodrigues also emerged as one of the season's big positives. The 20-year-old had a breakthrough campaign, slotting into the backline with maturity beyond his years. He ended the season with three clean sheets, three goals, and one assist: eye-catching numbers for a young defender still finding his feet at the top level.
Mumbai City FC are a team in transition and there were moments this season when their football looked promising. However, to challenge for titles again, the Islanders need to strengthen their attack, both in terms of depth and quality.
Injuries played their part, but Mumbai City FC's real problem was the lack of reliable goalscorers. New signings failed to settle quickly and without match-winners, the team struggled in front of goal.
They also need to extract more from their Indian attackers. Captain Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh, and Vikram Partap Singh - all of whom have shown their ability in the past - need to take more responsibility in front of the goal. The club will need to ensure these players are placed in systems that bring out their best. (ANI)