In the aftermath of a tumultuous final, when the trophy had been won, and the on-field celebrations died down, ATK Mohun Bagan coach Juan Ferrando, and captain, Pritam Kotal, spoke about "fighting" and "belief". The 2022-23 Indian Super League season hadn't been easy, the final hadn't been without setbacks. But the Mariners, waded through tough waters to earn their first ISL title.
Under Ferrando, the team has found an added layer of grit. Their steely, defensive style of play hasn't won them much stock with the loyal, and fervent, ATK Mohun Bagan fan base, but it helped them survive the turbulent ISL playoffs and the edgeof-the-knife drama of the final against Bengaluru FC. After trailing 1-2 in the second half, Bagan fought back to take the match to extra time and beat Bengaluru 4-3 on penalties on Sunday.
"After the 1-2 score, the team was in difficult moments, (we had) injuries, physical problems but at the end of the day, they are fighting. They were fighting till the last minute," said Ferrando.
While the playoffs of this season's ISL was dramatic, at times explosive, the League stage was utterly dominated by one team: Mumbai City FC.
The rest of the teams took their time settling in, find the right men for the right job, but Mumbai were up and flying. Leading the charge was the revitalised Lallianzuala Chhangte, who stormed past opponents on the right wing. The 25-year-old Indian, with 10 goals and six assists to his name, won the ISL Golden Ball award.
Playing attractive, exciting football, Mumbai City FC, managed by Des Buckingham, went on a record-breaking run. They were unbeaten in the first 18, of a total 20, league matches. They finished at the top of the standings with 46 pointsmost by a team in a season- to win the ISL League Winners Shield. That puts them in contention for the 2023-24 AFC Champions League spot.
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