Bengaluru FC held league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a goalless draw in Gameweek 5 of the Indian Super League 2025–26 season at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.
Despite enjoying the bulk of possession and creating several chances, Mohun Bagan were unable to break down a disciplined Bengaluru defence. The visitors remain top of the table with 13 points, while Bengaluru FC move to sixth place with eight points. Dimitri Petratos was named Player of the Match.
Bengaluru FC head coach Renedy Singh fielded an unchanged starting XI following the side’s previous win, with Sunil Chhetri leading the attack in a 4-3-3 formation. Mohun Bagan head coach Sergio Lobera made two changes, bringing Tom Aldred into defence and Manvir Singh into midfield, while Jamie Maclaren led the line in a 4-3-2-1 setup.
The hosts started brightly and created the first opportunity in the second minute when Ryan Williams forced Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith into a low save after being set up by Roshan Singh.
Mohun Bagan responded quickly. Maclaren tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu from the left side of the box in the eighth minute, while Petratos fired narrowly wide from distance a minute later.
The visitors gradually took control of possession. Petratos saw another attempt blocked in the 14th minute, while Bengaluru winger Ashique Kuruniyan tried his luck from long range but failed to hit the target.
Liston Colaco also tested Gurpreet from distance in the 18th minute, and Maclaren missed the target from the centre of the box midway through the half following a pass from Petratos.
Mohun Bagan continued to push forward, with Colaco’s run into the penalty area in the 35th minute forcing a clearance from Bengaluru defender Chinglensana Singh.
Both teams created chances, but neither side managed to find the breakthrough as the first half ended goalless.
Bengaluru began the second half with renewed attacking intent. Midfielder Sirojiddin Kuziev tested Kaith with a long-range effort in the 48th minute. Mohun Bagan came close just after the hour mark when Alberto Rodríguez’s effort from close range was saved by Gurpreet.
The hosts nearly took the lead in the 63rd minute when Chhetri found space inside the box, but his shot was blocked by Anirudh Thapa before Subhasish Bose intercepted the rebound.
Bengaluru continued to threaten from distance, with Roshan and Kuziev both forcing the Mohun Bagan defence into action. At the other end, Maclaren came close in the 71st minute but was denied by a timely block from Roshan.
Both teams made substitutions in search of a late winner. Monirul Molla attempted a long-range effort in the 81st minute but sent his shot wide. Two minutes later, Gurpreet produced another save to deny Rodríguez’s header from close range.
Mohun Bagan continued to press in the closing stages. Petratos fired narrowly wide from distance, while Rodríguez missed the target from close range in the 90th minute following a corner.
Despite a total of 23 shots during the match, neither side could find the decisive goal as the contest ended in a goalless draw.
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