When Mumbai City FC kicked off their Kalinga Super Cup campaign, they needed a hero; someone to step up, take charge and lead from the front. That man so far has been none other than their livewire captain, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Two games, three goals, one assist. Those are the numbers Chhangte is putting up and they don’t even fully capture the energy and confidence he’s bringing to the pitch. After a slightly underwhelming ISL season where goals were hard to come by for both the club and Chhangte himself, this Kalinga Super Cup has been a breath of fresh air, a reminder of just how dangerous the forward can be when he’s feeling himself.

Adding cutting edge

In Mumbai City FC’s opener against Chennaiyin FC in the Round of 16, Chhangte put on a clinic. A brace and an assist — he was simply unplayable on the night. Whether it was drifting between the lines, darting into the box or just finding clever pockets of space, Chennaiyin FC’s defenders had no answers. For someone who has spent the bulk of his career terrorizing full-backs out wide, watching Chhangte thrive in a more central, free-roaming number 10 role has been a revelation.

It’s a tweak that maybe didn’t pay off as much as Mumbai City FC would’ve liked during the ISL season. Chhangte managed just six goals in the league compared to ten the season before. But tournaments like the Kalinga Super Cup often have their own rhythm, and right now, Chhangte is dancing to it perfectly. He’s embracing the responsibilities of his new role without losing what made him special in the first place: directness, creativity and a deadly eye for goal.

The quarterfinal against Inter Kashi FC was a tighter, nervier affair, but once again, it was the skipper who made the difference. In games like these, moments are everything. And when the moment arrived, Chhangte didn’t blink. After Mumbai City FC pushed and prodded without success, Chhangte was alive to a rebound inside the box, reacting quickest and smashing a shot that pinged in off the post. It was the kind of instinctive, confident finish that speaks volumes about a player’s form.

That goal, the only one of the match, not only sent MCFC into the semis but also underlined the fact that when the pressure’s on, Chhangte is the guy this team can rely on.

Enjoying himself

What’s been most impressive isn’t just the goals and assists; it’s the overall vibe Chhangte is bringing. You can see it in the way he’s carrying himself — demanding the ball, taking defenders on, linking play, making runs beyond the strikers. He’s not waiting for things to happen; he’s making them happen. And for a Mumbai City FC side that struggled for fluency and goals at times during the ISL 2024-25 season, this version of Chhangte is exactly what they needed.

Head coach Petr Kratky deserves some credit too. He’s given Chhangte the freedom to interpret the number 10 role in his own way; not chaining him to a traditional playmaker’s duties but allowing him to be a hybrid: a creator, a scorer and a runner. It's the best of both worlds. Chhangte’s natural winger instincts haven’t been dulled; they’ve just been redefined. He still dribbles, he still stretches defences but now he’s also popping up centrally to finish moves and link up play in tight areas.

Chhangte has always been known for his explosive pace and flair out wide, but in this tournament, he’s showing that there’s a lot more to his game. Intelligence, timing, composure — these are the traits of a player who can adapt and evolve based on what the team needs.

Mumbai City FC need this version of Chhangte more than ever. Their ISL campaign wasn’t terrible, but it lacked the cutting edge that has defined their best seasons. They needed someone to ignite their attack again, to give them belief heading into a season-end tournament and Chhangte has been doing that.

The timing couldn’t be better. Knockout tournaments are as much about momentum and belief as they are about strategies and preparation. A player in red-hot form can single-handedly drag a team to a trophy. Confidence is contagious and the Islanders seem to be feeding off their captain’s form.

Of course, there are still hurdles to clear. The semifinal against Jamshedpur FC will test Mumbai City FC’s mettle. But with Chhangte leading the line, they have every reason to believe. He’s peaking at the perfect moment, mixing individual brilliance with leadership, not by shouting or pointing fingers, but by setting an example with his performances.

After a challenging league season, Chhangte is reminding everyone — fans, critics, teammates that form is temporary, but that class is permanent. One thing’s for sure: Mumbai City FC’s Super Cup dream is alive and kicking and Chhangte is right at the heart of it.

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Mumbai City FC2024-2025 Lallianzuala Chhangte