The Indian Super League (ISL) will be held from November 20 and will take place behind closed.
All attention now shifts to Goa where the Indian Super League (ISL) will be held from November 20. The tournament will become the latest of Asia's leagues to return to action and will take place behind closed.
The seventh edition of the ISL will entirely be played across three venues in Goa - the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim and the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco - owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
ISL 2020-21: Fixtures, schedule, match timings, venues and all you need to know
Eleven teams from across the country will compete in a rejigged version which will see the sides play each other twice before the top four advances to the playoffs.
With a number of exciting new arrivals making it into Indian football, the 2020-21 campaign will be a treat to watch. Now ahead of the big kick-off here's a closer look at the 11 teams looking to write their own piece of history.
1. ATK Mohun Bagan
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Head coach: Antonio Lopez
Dangerman: Roy Krishna
Key Player: David Williams
One to Watch: Sumit Rathi
Comprised of the ATK FC's title-winning side and the most successful coaches in league history at the helm, ATK Mohun Bagan will be anticipating a successful debut season at the ISL.
The attack led by the prolific Roy Krishna and fellow former A-League star David Williams will make sure to draw all the attention. The high-profile signing of India international Sandesh Jhingan in defence and teenage Sumit Rathi could be one to keep an eye on.
The brigade is gearing up and raring to go for the
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 15, 2020
Check out @atkmohunbaganfc's full squad for #HeroISL 2020-21 pic.twitter.com/DdmLIh8KQu
2. Bengaluru FC
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Head coach: Carles Cuadrat
Dangerman: Cleiton Silva
Key Player: Sunil Chhetri
One to Watch: Semboi Haokip
With two I-League titles in their first three years of existence - Bengaluru FC are here to stay and win. The club upon joining the ISL in 2017-18, topped the standings only to suffer defeat to Chennaiyin FC in the final.
A year later, however, they made amends by overcoming FC Goa in the showpiece event to be crowned ISL champions.
They finished third and a semi-final defeat last season will be enough to get the side to gear up ahead of the new campaign. Norwegian forward Kristian Opseth and Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva are among the exciting signings. The side also includes Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Erik Paartalu.
Defensive core intact
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 16, 2020
Shrewd acquisitions
Options up front
Here's @bengalurufc's squad for the new #HeroISL season pic.twitter.com/6Be05Fuosd
3. Chennaiyin FC
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Head coach: Csaba László
Dangerman: Jakub Sylvestr
Key Player: Rafael Crivellaro
One to Watch: Anirudh Thapa
One of the most consistent sides of the ISL's six-year history, Chennaiyin FC have posted four top-four finishes. They were even ISL champions twice after defeating FC Goa in 2015 final and Bengaluru FC two years later. Chennaiyin again reached the final in 2019-20 only to lose to ATK.
Slovakian Jakub Sylvestr is arriving with plenty of pedigree and Tajikistan international Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev is bringing further quality. One of the major successes of last season, Brazilian Rafael Crivellaro, will again be key to the side.
New Gaffer
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 18, 2020
Defence
Midfield
power upfront
Here's the @ChennaiyinFC squad for the new #HeroISL season pic.twitter.com/cTfCJN8rXA
4. Hyderabad FC
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Head coach: Manolo Marquez
Dangerman: Aridane Santana
Key Player: Joao Victor
One to Watch: Rohit Dhanu
Hyderabad FC had endured a disappointing maiden campaign where they finished at the bottom of the 2019-2020 standings.
Coach Manolo Marquez has insisted that the club is in for a good season with the new signings like Joao Victor, Luis Sastre, Aridane Santana, Odei Onaindia and Fran Sandaza.
Santana, in particular, could be vital already knowing what it takes to score in the ISL, after a successful loan at Odisha last year.
Experienced players
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 14, 2020
New manager
Some big signings all around
Here's @HydFCOfficial's squad for the new #HeroISL season pic.twitter.com/7MqBvuak2J
5. Jamshedpur FC
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Head coach: Owen Coyle
Dangerman: Nerijus Valskis
Key Player: Jackichand Singh
One to Watch: Amarjit Singh Kiyam
Jamshedpur FC made ambitious moves following their eighth-place finish last season. They raided ISL runner-ups Chennaiyin for both their head coach Owen Coyle and the 2019-20 competition's top scorer Nerijus Valskis
In addition, Jamshedpur have also brought in strong signings like Nigeria centre-back Stephen Eze and former Motherwell defender Peter Hartley. As for ex-FC Goa winger Jackichand Singh, the coach has described him as "one of the best in the league".
With only a couple of days left for the @IndSuperLeague to kick off, boys are making every day count! #JamKeKhelo pic.twitter.com/KCAtWL68uy
— Jamshedpur FC (@JamshedpurFC) November 16, 2020
6. Kerala Blasters
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Head coach: Kibu Vicuna
Dangerman: Gary Hooper
Key Player: Bakary Kone
One to Watch: Rahul KP
Among the most-supported clubs in India, Kerala Blasters came close to being crowned champions in the inaugural ISL, but they suffered an injury-time defeat in the final against ATK. Two years later and they came agonisingly near yet again, suffering a penalty shootout loss against the same opposition in the final.
Since then the Kochi-based side have failed to reach the end-of-season playoffs and have endured three campaigns in which they finished in the bottom half of the table.
However, with a number of ambitious signings – including former Celtic player Gary Hooper, ex-Lyon defender Bakary Kone and attacking left-back Nishu Kumar – may be the changing point for the side.
Here's how the @KeralaBlasters squad looks for #HeroISL 2020-21
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 17, 2020
What do you make of @lakibuteka's army? pic.twitter.com/6PsS1hQ3qV
7. Mumbai City FC
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Head coach: Sergio Lobera
Dangerman: Adam Le Fondre
Key Player: Hugo Boumous
One to Watch: Vikram Pratap Singh
Being a busy transfer window and Mumbai City made dramatical upgrades in their squad with some eye-catching signings. After signing last year's best player Hugo Boumous, prolific Batholomew Ogbeche also joined from Kerala Blasters and English striker Adam Le Fondre was also taken on loan from Sydney FC.
When it comes to their attack, Mumbai have revamped their defence and midfield with Mourtada Fall and Ahmed Jahouh joining Boumous in making the switch from FC Goa.
New faces galore as @MumbaiCityFC look to a new chapter
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 17, 2020
Islanders fans, excited for the @SergioLobera1 revolution in #HeroISL 2020-21? pic.twitter.com/2S1J7Pb9FP
8. NorthEast United FC
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Head coach: Gerard Nus
Dangerman: Kwesi Appiah
Key Player: Idrissa Sylla
One to Watch: Ninthoinganba Meetei
The Guwahati-based Northeast United were formed ahead of the inaugural Indian Super League and, despite, finishing bottom of the table, they boasted the third-highest average attendance.
Their best season to date came in 2018-19 they reached the playoffs before exiting to eventual winners Bengaluru.
After finishing second from bottom last season, Northeast have brought in Ghana international Kwesi Appiah and Guinean striker Idrissa Sylla. They also have the highly thought of 19-year-old Ninthoinganba Meetei.
Here's a look at the @NEUtdFC roster for #HeroISL 2020-21
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 15, 2020
Highlanders fans, which of these players are you most excited about? pic.twitter.com/fSL5cMI3nF
9. Odisha FC
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Head coach: Stuart Baxter
Dangerman: Manuel Onwu
Key Player: Marcelinho
One to Watch: Shubham Sarangi
A mid-table finish in the 2019-20 season for Odisha FC was a successful start after the club came into existence after the Delhi Dynamos relocated to Bhubaneswar. With a season under their belt and with new additions to the squad, they will begin the upcoming campaign full of optimism.
The most notable signing is former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor, while they also have Spaniard Manuel Onwu on an excellent loan spell.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga, meanwhile, is among the side's more creative players having finished as their top assister last season.
International Squad Numbers are out!
— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) November 17, 2020
And so is a little surprise if you click on the link below:https://t.co/hIjVxUVeh3#OdishaFC #AmaTeamAmaGame
10. SC East Bengal
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Head coach: Robbie Fowler
Dangerman: Anthony Pilkington
Key Player: Jeje Lalpekhlua
One to Watch: Eugeneson Lyngdoh
The ISL's most high-profile addition is the arrival of SC East Bengal. The chance for the ISL's first Kolkata Derby when they meet ATK Mohun Bagan for their opening fixture on November 27 will be massive.
East Bengal's star name in the dugout Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler at the helm will surely make the headlines. The Englishman brought in Wigan Athletic pair Anthony Pilkington and Danny Fox, while also added Jacques Maghoma from Birmingham City.
India star Jeje Lalpekhlua's return could be the comeback story of the season.
The army is all set for #HeroISL 2020-21 @sc_eastbengal fans, what are your expectations for the debut season? pic.twitter.com/UmnNYSJN8r
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 16, 2020
11. FC Goa
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Head coach: Juan Ferrando
Dangerman: Igor Angulo
Key Player: Brandon Fernandes
One to Watch: Princeton Rebello
The hosts for this year's tournament, FC Goa had topped the table last season and made history as they became the first Indian side to qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage.
FC Goa will be hoping for another successful season, however, there will be some major omissions from last year's line-up they will have to overcome.
Moroccan star Hugo Boumous was named Hero of the League for 2019-20 but has now joined Mumbai City along with compatriot Ahmed Jahouh. The team's top scorer Ferran Corominas has returned to his native Spain.
Much will be expected from the Gaurs due to their new Spanish signings including striker Igor Angulo, defender Ivan Gonzalez and midfield pair Alberto Noguera and Jorge Ortiz.
Armed with faces and a tactical head coach, @FCGoaOfficial is ready for the #HeroISL 2020-21 season
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 14, 2020
Here's a full look at the Gaurs' squad pic.twitter.com/vieJMqHxAP
