East Bengal enter the final round of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season on the cusp of history, needing just a win — or a favourable set of results — to claim their maiden ISL title when they host Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday, 22 May 2025. The Red-and-Gold Brigade, who have won virtually every other honour in Indian football, have not lifted a national top-flight league crown in 22 years.

Title Permutations and What East Bengal Need

Heading into the final matchday, East Bengal sit at the summit of the ISL standings with 23 points from 12 matches, ahead of arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant solely on goal difference — +18 for East Bengal against +13 for Bagan. A total of five clubs — East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City FC, Punjab FC, and Jamshedpur FC — remain mathematically in contention.

A victory for East Bengal should be sufficient to secure the title unless Mohun Bagan defeat Sporting Club Delhi by a margin at least six goals greater than East Bengal's winning margin. A draw could also suffice, provided Mohun Bagan fail to win and the Mumbai City FC versus Punjab FC fixture also ends level.

Bruzon's Calm Amid the Storm

Head coach Oscar Bruzon, the Spaniard who has overseen a dramatic turnaround at the club, acknowledged the scale of the occasion while insisting his players remain grounded. 'Tomorrow, there are still five teams that can become champions. It is going to be a very important day, but we have the advantage because we are only focused on our own performance,' Bruzon said. 'We cannot hide from the fact that now it is one game for one title. If we want to take one game at a time, now is the moment to take one title at a time.'

Bruzon was equally measured on the emotional weight of the night. 'Right now, there is no room for emotion. There is only focus,' he said. 'We need to stay calm because tomorrow we have to transfer everything — mentally, technically, tactically, and psychologically — into our performance.'

Under Bruzon, East Bengal have lost only once in 12 matches, building their campaign on defensive solidity, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing. The transformation from a side that spent years floundering in the ISL to genuine title contenders has been one of the season's defining stories.

Squad News and Key Players

East Bengal will be boosted by the return of midfielder Souvik Chakrabarti, who comes back from suspension. However, winger Bipin Singh remains doubtful after suffering dehydration during the Kolkata Derby, while Saul Crespo and Naorem Mahesh Singh are still sidelined through injury.

The focal point of East Bengal's attack will be Youssef Ezzejjari, the Moroccan striker who leads the ISL scoring charts with 10 goals this season. Creative midfielder Miguel Figueira has also been among the league's standout performers. Ezzejjari left little doubt about his mindset ahead of the match. 'Of course, I am 100 percent confident, but I am not thinking about that right now. I am thinking about the trophy and winning the game against Inter Kashi. That is my first goal,' he said. 'This is our final. We will go there and give 100 percent on the field. We will try to get the three points.'

The striker also cautioned against underestimating the visitors. 'For sure, Inter Kashi will also give everything. They are a good team, and it will not be an easy game, but we will also go with everything we have,' Ezzejjari added.

Inter Kashi: Dangerous Spoilers With Nothing to Lose

Newcomers Inter Kashi arrive at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan with no pressure and considerable freedom. The side notably held Mohun Bagan earlier in the campaign and head coach Arnab Mondal made clear they will not be passive. 'We understand the threats Ezzejjari and Figueira pose, but we don't have anything to lose,' Mondal said. 'We will play with freedom. Even if we draw and earn a point, it will be great for us. We also know that the crowd support will be for East Bengal, but we are prepared.'

22 Years in the Making

East Bengal's last national top-flight league title came in the 2003-04 National Football League season under the late Subhash Bhowmick. The club's dramatic 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan in Sunday's Kolkata Derby — where a late equaliser denied them the chance to effectively seal the title — only added to the emotional intensity surrounding Thursday's match. One win now stands between East Bengal and the one trophy that has eluded them throughout their storied history.