Mohun Bagan must sharpen attack under Panagiotis Dilmperis after ISL opener loss
Mohun Bagan, managed by Panagiotis Dilmperis, were beaten by NorthEast United FC in their opening Indian Super League match on October 14, 2026, exposing concerns about the side’s ability to score. The defeat intensified attention on areas the club needs to address to improve its attacking output under the Greek coach.
The Mariners arrived at the ISL following an IFA Shield 2026 title, where they defeated East Bengal, and having already claimed the Calcutta Football League earlier in the season. Dilmperis has strengthened Mohun Bagan’s defensive solidity — the team conceded one goal in the IFA Shield and maintained a strong defensive record in the Durand Cup until the final defeat to East Bengal. By contrast, the Highlanders earned redemption in the Durand Cup 2026. Despite early silverware, Mohun Bagan’s forward play remains a clear concern.
Scoring balance was a particular issue in the Durand Cup: Mohun Bagan totaled 17 goals in the competition but 14 of those came against CISF Protecters and South United. Across seven matches versus Indian Super League opponents in the last two cup competitions they managed only five goals. The team was also held to multiple 0-0 stalemates against fellow ISL sides in cup play and required Vishal Kaith’s heroics to prevail in penalty shootouts.
The attack is described as still a work in progress under Dilmperis, even though his Punjab FC side became famous for its attacking threat under him last season. The article notes that forwards and supporting players will need to increase their output and that the coach may have to adjust tactical details to extract more scoring from the side.
One recommended adjustment is greater offensive involvement from full-backs and a higher defensive line when the team has possession. Encouraging full-backs to make overlapping runs into the final third and stretch opposition backlines would create more wide chances through crossing and give wingers scope to drift inside and occupy central scoring positions.
A second area for improvement is midfield goal threat: the IFA Shield winning goal came from Samir Zeljkovic, who moved forward and combined with Sahal Abdul Samad to score, illustrating midfield scoring potential. Sahal Abdul Samad, Samir Zeljkovic, Anirudh Thapa and Miguel Figueira are cited as players capable of reaching dangerous positions; the coach is urged to allow them freedom to enter the penalty area and share creative and finishing responsibilities.
The third focus is sharpening counter-attacking efficiency. Although Mohun Bagan play a possession-dominating style under the Greek coach and may not generate many transition chances each match, the piece argues the team must be more clinical when those opportunities arise. It calls for Dilmperis to work on counter-attacking patterns in training so players can be quicker and smarter in build-up and finishing when in transition.
Mohun Bagan remain determined to reclaim the Indian Super League title, and the article concludes that improving full-back involvement, midfield goal contributions, and counter-attack finishing will be central to enhancing their goal-scoring threat under Panagiotis Dilmperis.