Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC began their 2025-26 Indian Super League campaign on Thursday at the Mumbai Football Arena. The game ended 1-0 to the Islanders courtesy of a second-half own goal from Pritam Kotal, turning in a Joni Kauko cross. The game marked a losing start in the league for Clifford Miranda as Chennaiyin head coach, and continuing a now-15-game unbeaten streak for Mumbai City against Chennaiyin.
The game saw Chennaiyin dominate possession, a surprise shift considering the Islanders’ identity of keeping possession. However, the Marina Machans failed to convert the possession into clear-cut chances, with the majority of play being hopeful crosses from the right wing. The lack of true box presence meant they failed to trouble a resolute Mumbai City defence, with Valpuia being stand-out.
Here are three takeaways from a new-look Chennaiyin’s defeat against a well-organised Mumbai City.
Joni Kauko, a crucial cog in the Mumbai City midfield
Joni Kauko is quality. Mohun Bagan fans will attest to this, Inter Kashi fans will attest to this, and rival fans would also be forced to appreciate his quality. His performance yesterday served as a mere reminder of it, and a teaser for what could be in store from the Finnish veteran for the season.
Kauko acted as a regular passing option for the players around him, while also showing he still has the ability to balance his forays forward to support attacks with his defensive duties. It was also Kauko who triggered the own goal, with his dangerous delivery into the box giving defender Pritam Kotal no option but to head it goalwards, past Mohammad Nawaz, and into the bottom corner of the Chennai net.
Playing alongside ISL debutant Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung (aka Tluanga), the pair complemented each other and ensured the Islanders retained control of the midfield for the sixty minutes he was on the pitch. Despite Puipuia being an able backup, it is no coincidence Chennaiyin had their best spell of the game in the second half after Kauko was withdrawn.
Alberto Noguera being incorrectly utilised by Clifford Miranda?
Chennaiyin had 61% possession, but lacked that cutting-edge ability in the final third. Alberto Noguera is a player who can excel in unlocking a stubborn defence, but needs the ball in the right areas to be able to create. For the majority of the game, Noguera was forced to sit in front of the defence, almost next to Mohamed Ali Bemmamer, just to get on the ball. When he did get a licence to go forward, it was out on the right-hand side rather than in central areas.
It is a telling sign that, out of 47 attempted passes, only two were passes into the 18-yard box. The majority were simply progressing out of the middle of the pitch, or going towards the right-hand side for a wide player to put in a cross.
The presence of Bemmamer should have reduced Noguera’s defensive responsibility, but he was still needed to drop deep and act as a secondary screen. Part of the reason could also be the more offensive-minded Lalrinliana Hnamte rather than Jiteshwor Singh in midfield, causing Noguera’s presence required deeper to support the duo. Had Noguera been able to remain further forward, the game could have gone differently for Chennaiyin.
Jorge Ortiz providing much-needed dynamism to the Mumbai City attack
Mumbai City struggled to find the breakthrough or create truly noteworthy chances. However, when the team did construct attacks, Jorge Ortiz was frequently the one orchestrating them. Given a free role by Petr Kratky, Ortiz drifted across the front line, attempting to create inroads either himself or by putting his teammates through.
Whenever Ortiz got on the ball, the Chennaiyin defence frequently struggling to close him down. The Spanish attacker can also consider himself unlucky not to score, miscuing a close-range effort in the first half. Even outside of the box, he was a danger, including his first half carry and pass to Pereyra Diaz, whose shot was well parried by Nawaz.
When Ortiz eventually limped off with a hamstring injury, Mumbai lost most of their directness in attack, and his replacement, PN Noufal, struggled to produce end product in the final third. After the match, Ortiz was also carried to the dressing room by Brandon Fernandes and Mumbai physio Suhas Kandekar, seemingly unable to walk.
His availability for the Kerala Blasters game on Sunday remains a big question. With Mumbai not having a reserve foreigner, it means the Islanders might go into the fixture with one less foreign player.
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