In a captivating 2-2 draw on February 25, 2025, Mumbai City FC managed to keep their playoff hopes alive and edge closer to qualification after a hard-fought encounter with the league leaders, ATK Mohun Bagan SG. The match, played at the Mumbai Football Arena, was a thrilling spectacle that showcased both the attacking firepower of Mumbai and the defensive frailties of the top-tier Mohun Bagan side. This result was crucial for Mumbai City FC, who are striving to maintain their position in the playoff race, while for Mohun Bagan, it was a frustrating outcome despite their dominance for large portions of the game.
The 2-2 scoreline felt like a fair reflection of the game’s ebb and flow, with Mumbai City FC showing resilience after going behind early. For the defending champions Mohun Bagan, who have had an impressive season so far, the draw was a missed opportunity to solidify their supremacy at the top of the table, even though they remain comfortably in the playoff zone. The match saw both teams produce scintillating attacking play, with Igor Angulo once again proving his value for Mumbai, and Roy Krishna and Hugo Boumous delivering key moments for Mohun Bagan. Ultimately, while the draw was important for Mumbai, it raised some questions for Mohun Bagan, who will have to address certain vulnerabilities in their game as they move closer to the playoff stages.
Mumbai City FC’s Road to Playoffs
Mumbai City FC came into this game knowing that every point was crucial in the race to secure a playoff spot. Their position in the league table was precarious, and a win against the league leaders would have been a massive boost to their playoff hopes. However, despite the significance of the game, Mumbai City remained composed and showed why they deserve a place in the top four.
The team, managed by Des Buckingham, has been a mixture of high-quality attacking football and moments of defensive lapses. A victory would have been ideal for Mumbai, but a draw was not a bad result considering the circumstances. The team’s ability to recover from being a goal down to level the match twice spoke volumes about their determination and the quality of players they have in the squad.
Igor Angulo, Mumbai’s star striker, was once again the hero for the team, scoring both of their goals in a clinical display. His first goal was a result of clever positioning and an intelligent through-ball from Rafael Crivellaro, and his second came from a defensive lapse by Mohun Bagan, showing the sharpness and instincts of a top striker. Angulo’s brace helped Mumbai get the point they needed, keeping them in the hunt for a playoff place.
The draw also showcased Mumbai’s character in handling the pressure. Despite falling behind to an early header from Roy Krishna and later giving away a lead to a stunning strike by Boumous, Mumbai held their own. As the match wore on, the team became more fluid in their attacking play, especially with the link-up between Angulo and Crivellaro, while the midfield ensured that possession was retained more efficiently as the game progressed.
Mohun Bagan’s Frustration
For Mohun Bagan, the result was a disappointment. The team, already having secured the top spot in the league standings, would have hoped to continue their unbeaten streak and assert their dominance ahead of the knockout stages. Juan Ferrando’s side dominated much of the game in terms of possession and had the better chances, yet they were unable to hold on to their lead, which left them with a bittersweet feeling.
Mohun Bagan looked threatening early in the game and deservedly took the lead through Roy Krishna’s well-timed header in the 19th minute. The goal was a product of a precise cross from Boumous, which Krishna converted with his characteristic aerial expertise. It was a clinical strike that underscored Krishna’s importance to the team and showed why he is one of the best forwards in the ISL.
However, despite their early advantage, Mohun Bagan failed to keep the pressure on Mumbai and allowed their opponents back into the game. The defense, often lauded for its solidity this season, faltered on multiple occasions. The first equalizer came when Angulo latched onto a through-ball from Crivellaro, and despite some minimal pressure from the defense, the Spanish striker slotted the ball past Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper Amrinder Singh with ease.
In the second half, Mohun Bagan did manage to retake the lead through an exquisite long-range shot by Boumous. The French midfielder, known for his creativity and vision, fired a rocket into the top corner in the 85th minute to make it 2-1. It seemed like Mohun Bagan had done enough to secure all three points. But once again, Mumbai responded immediately with a clinical finish from Angulo in the 87th minute to bring the game level at 2-2.
Despite creating chances and controlling the game for large spells, Mohun Bagan’s inability to close out the match will be a concern for Ferrando. The defense, which had been so resilient throughout the season, seemed to lack the composure and organization that had made them so difficult to break down earlier in the campaign. With the playoffs around the corner, Mohun Bagan will need to address these vulnerabilities before they face stiffer competition in the knockout stages.
The Key Players: Angulo’s Brilliance and Boumous’ Magic
The performance of Igor Angulo was undoubtedly the standout feature of the game. The Spanish striker, who has been in red-hot form throughout the season, demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the most lethal forwards in the ISL. His two goals were both well-taken, and his movement off the ball caused constant headaches for Mohun Bagan’s defenders. Angulo’s first goal was a result of his intelligent positioning, where he read Crivellaro’s through-ball perfectly. His second goal came from a defensive mistake, but Angulo’s clinical finishing made sure that Mumbai City capitalized on the opportunity.
On the other side, Hugo Boumous once again proved why he is one of the best midfielders in the league. His assist for Krishna’s goal was a perfect delivery into the box, and his individual brilliance earned Mohun Bagan their second goal, a stunning strike from distance. Boumous has been a key figure for Mohun Bagan all season, and his contributions were vital once again in this game. The Frenchman’s ability to control the tempo of the match and make things happen in the final third is something that makes him a standout player in the ISL.
Tactical Analysis: Mumbai’s Counter-Attacking Game and Bagan’s Missed Opportunities
Tactically, Mumbai City FC set up to play a more reactive game, preferring to absorb pressure from Mohun Bagan and hit on the counter. Des Buckingham’s side was content to let the league leaders have the majority of possession while focusing on exploiting spaces left in Mohun Bagan’s defense. Mumbai’s counter-attacking style was highly effective, and their ability to capitalize on mistakes in transition played a major role in the result.
For Mohun Bagan, the approach was more possession-based, as expected. They dominated the ball for much of the match and attempted to break down Mumbai’s defensive structure through intricate passing. However, their inability to maintain concentration and defensive organization allowed Mumbai to stay in the game and ultimately level things up twice. This will be an area for Ferrando to work on, as Mohun Bagan will face more resilient opposition in the playoffs.
Playoff Implications
The draw puts Mumbai City FC in a solid position to secure their playoff spot, although they still have work to do in their remaining fixtures. With a valuable point against the league leaders, Mumbai can take confidence from this performance as they enter the business end of the season. They need to build on their attacking form, especially with Angulo in such fine touch, but ensuring defensive stability will be crucial in their final games.
For Mohun Bagan, the result is more of a temporary setback rather than a crisis. While they have already sealed the league title, this match was a missed chance to continue their momentum into the playoffs. Despite the result, Mohun Bagan will remain one of the most formidable teams in the ISL, and they will need to fix their defensive lapses if they are to defend their title.
Conclusion
Mumbai City FC’s 2-2 draw with ATK Mohun Bagan SG was a dramatic and high-quality affair that showcased the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. Mumbai’s resilience and clinical finishing were evident, with Angulo once again proving his worth, while Mohun Bagan will be disappointed with their inability to close out the game. Mumbai City FC are now in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs, while Mohun Bagan will be looking to rectify defensive mistakes as they prepare for the knockout rounds. The match was a reminder of the fine margins in football and how crucial each point is as the season nears its climax.
