Jose Molina Slams Tight ISL 2024-25 Schedule Amid Mohun Bagan and Their AFC Commitments

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Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach, Jose Molina, has expressed his frustration with the tightly packed schedule his team faces in the coming weeks. Molina is unhappy with the timing of Mohun Bagan's fixtures, as they juggle both their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign and the AFC Champions League Two (ACL) group stage.

The Green and Maroon brigade faces three crucial matches in quick succession. On September 28, Mohun Bagan will take on Bengaluru FC in an away ISL fixture. Just days later, on October 2, they are scheduled to play Tractor FC in Tabriz, Iran, for their ACL 2 group stage match.

The team's whirlwind journey then continues as they return to Kolkata to face Mohammedan SC on October 5 in the highly anticipated "mini-derby" of the ISL. During the press conference before their match against Bengaluru FC, Molina expressed his concerns about the compressed schedule and the toll it could take on his players.

Speaking from the club's training ground on Thursday, he said, "I think it's not helping us because we have a long trip to Tabriz. Then we have to come back, another long trip, and we'll arrive here on the 4th [October]. We have the match on the 5th. It's not really good. Maybe [if the match was] at least 6, to have at least one day here in Kolkata to train."

Molina was particularly concerned about the lack of preparation time between the games, especially considering the logistical challenges of traveling back and forth between India and Iran.

He added, "The ISL has to think about that because the Indian teams who are playing in AFC competitions are representing Indian football. I think everybody in ISL has to try to help the teams, [so that] all of us have the best options possible to represent India in the best way around the continent."

The demanding schedule has not only raised concerns for Molina but also left the team with little time for recovery and practice. The coach further emphasized the national pride associated with playing in international competitions like the AFC, stating, "The honor of the country is connected with those who are playing in the AFC Cup. This should be looked into and [ISL] should help."