The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season is back and better than ever! Mark September 13th, 2024 as the grand return of the tournament, hailed as a spectacle of footballing fireworks. We are set for a rollercoaster of thrilling matches with rivalries that are destined to run hot.
Here’s part 2 of the team previews at the ISL 2024-25 season.
Punjab FC
Imagine a team which reached the Durand Cup quarters with the zeal of a lion’s cub, in the hands of a coach who probably dreams in ancient Greek-the Greek maestro Panagiotis Dilmperis-managed Punjab FC saga. Luka Majcen, last season’s goal machine, will again be hunting for goals, however with the squad’s firepower looking like a damp squib, do not be surprised if they turn out to be the league’s underdogs.
East Bengal
Cue the dramatic music, as East Bengal is back for revenge, with Carles Cuadrat’s watchful eyes guiding the charge for glory, aided by none other than Golden Boot-wielding Dimitrios Diamantakos. But hang on-what’s this? Anwar Ali’s four-month ban is the ultimate cliffhanger this season. Will East Bengal’s defense fall apart like a deck of cards, or can they avoid the drama and make their way into the playoffs? Stay tuned!
Bengaluru FC
The Bengaluru FC makeover is the stuff of football fairy tales. In come Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Rahul Bheke, the new knights in shining armor. With the squad resembling it has just come off the sets of some sci-fi reboot, the big question remains as to whether Diaz-Sunil Chhetri can shape this attacking woes into an epic comeback. Playoffs? Maybe. ISL Shield? That’s the stuff of legends.
Jamshedpur FC
Meet the coach, Khalid Jamil, the football version of Jack, who conjured magic with a handful of beans! With Javi Hernandez in their lineup, Jamshedpur FC’s season is going to be quite an adventure. But beware-the squad depth looks as deep as a puddle of water during the monsoon season. They will be fighting tooth and nail for that playoff spot, but will their charm and tenaciousness be good enough to see them on top?
Hyderabad FC
The season of Hyderabad FC is shaping up to be a high-stakes drama with new faces such as Saviour Gama and Devendra Murgaonkar. This squad still appears to be finding its lines and choreography and making it into the playoffs may be like winning a wild card entry on some game show. However, of course, each blockbuster has an underdog story.
Mohammedan SC
Mohammedan SC are in for a rollercoaster ride under the stewardship of Andrey Chernyshov. With a squad that has undergone a bit of reconstruction, they hope to avoid the dreaded basement position. Will they turn out to be the dark horse or become casualties of the storm this season? We will get to know about it soon.
Season’s Verdict: Brace for Impact
As the second set of the ISL 2024-25 team previews have arrived-new dramas and thrills are going to run riot this season. With just a few new faces in the coaching box and some of India’s most storied clubs coming into the fray, each of these teams brings its own unique mix of strengths, weaknesses and star players.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye