The rivalry between Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan has not been fierce in the sense the Kolkata derby is but the two have commanded a battle of royalty. Since the Blues was established a decade back in 2013, they have often been at loggerheads with Mohun Bagan for I-league honours, cup titles and recently in ISL but not at the same level as before. Not only on the domestic front, Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan have also met on the continental stage giving memorable moments.
Despite the matches between the sides being closely contested, the Green and Maroon had the edge over the battles several times. Especially in the ISL where the Kolkata giants had steered clear of the Blues with five wins to one. In the overall meeting as well, Mohun Bagan secured 11 victories compared to Bengaluru FC’s five while the rest ended in a draw. However, the clash still brings in a lot of stake and both sets of fans demand everything from the fixture.
Here we look at some of the memorable moments this fixture has brought over the years:
Bengaluru FC 1-1 Mohun Bagan: I-league Showdown (31 May 2015)
The most memorable match which flashes at least to Mohun Bagan fans’ minds when talking about this clash is the decider played between the two sides in the final match of the 2014/15 I-League season. It was a home match for Bengaluru FC at Kanteerava played on 31st May 2015 with the Blues requiring a win to maintain their title defence while a draw being enough for the Mariners. Led by Ashley Westwood, the hosts took the lead close to half-time with centre-back John Johnson scoring but his positional counterpart Bello Rasaq equalised late in the match to give Sanjoy Sen’s side a first top-flight title since 2002-03.
Mohun Bagan 5-0 Bengaluru FC: Biggest win (23 April 2016)
The next home match for Mohun Bagan in this fixture after the title-winning ecstasy the season before only went on to add to it. The Mariners already secured a 2-0 victory in their return to Kanteerava and they almost tripled the scoreline in the reverse fixture. Although they lost the title to Bengaluru FC, they ended the campaign in style by thrashing the champions. ‘Hero of the match’ Cornell Glen scored a brace while Lenny Rodrigues, Luciano Sabrosa and Azhradduin Malik within a space of seven minutes gave a huge 5-0 victory for the Green and Maroons. Despite the immense result, Mohun Bagan had to settle for a runners-up spot that season.
Bengaluru FC 2-1 Mohun Bagan: Fiery continental meet (14 March 2017)
These two played another classic when they faced each other for the first time at the continental level. It was the opening group stage match in the 2017 AFC Cup season for them, also played in Kanteerava. Mohun Bagan’s Katsumi Yusa gave the away side into the lead in the 36th minute from the penalty spot but the picture changed in the second half. The Blues responded strongly with Sandesh Jhingan slotting in the equaliser and talisman Sunil Chhetri scoring the winner against his former club with a stunning free-kick to the overwhelming joy of the home support.
Bengaluru FC 2-0 Mohun Bagan (AET): Fed Winners (21 May 2017)
Bengaluru FC once again came up top this time in the Federation Cup final on the occasion of Mohun Bagan making a record 20th appearance at this stage of the competition. The win makes it special as the Blues without captain Sunil Chhetri came into the contest as relatively underdogs. They held off the Mariners for the full 90 minutes in the final played at Barabati Stadium and seized upon the opportunity to score in extra time. CK Vineeth created the difference in the match by scoring twice in the period handing Bengaluru FC their second Federation Cup title and the first trophy won under Albert Roca.
Mohun Bagan 2-4 Bengaluru FC: Stunning Comeback (17 April 2018)
Another stunning comeback by Bengaluru FC came in the 2018 Super Cup quarterfinals when the tournament was played in a straight knockout format. The match turned out to be a goal-fest. Dipanda Dicka scored for Mohun Bagan on the stroke of half-time to force the Blues to rethink their strategy in the second 45 minutes. Miku came up with the answer as he scored a sublime hattrick with Sunil Chhetri adding a fourth in the evening. Dicka found the net again in stoppage time but it was too late too little for the Mariners who bowed out of the competition. Bengaluru FC went on to be crowned the Super Cup champions by beating another Kolkata side East Bengal 4-1 in the final.
Mohun Bagan 2(4)- 2(3)Bengaluru FC: ISL triumph (18 March 2023)
Most recently, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC played out an emphatic battle in the 2023 ISL final which had almost all the drama possible in a football match. Three of the goals in the thrilling 2-2 draw after extra-time in Goa were scored from the spot. Joint top-scorer Dimitri Petratos scored twice for the Mariners, including the late leveller, while Chhetri and Roy Krishna found the net for the Blues. The drama continued in the nail-biting penalty shootout where Mohun Bagan triumphed 4-3 to land the first ISL trophy in their third season. The joy was more for the Green and Maroon also in the sense that their fan-led movement of removing ‘ATK’ from the name of their pioneer club was fulfilled in an announcement by the owner following the final.
Bengaluru FC vs Mohun Bagan Head-to-Head (all competitions)
Played - 23
Bengaluru FC won - 5
Drawn - 7
Mohun Bagan won - 11
Bengaluru FC vs Mohun Bagan Head-to-Head (ISL)
Played - 8
Bengaluru FC won - 1
Drawn - 2
Mohun Bagan won - 5
