In modern-day football, set pieces have become an essential part of the game, and their growing impact is impressive. Dead-ball situations are another strategic weapon that helps teams find a route to the goal that may otherwise be blocked. Set pieces require sheer focus, calmness under pressure, and precise execution of rehearsed strategic variety.

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Over the decade, the Indian Super League (ISL) has witnessed a flurry of goals scored from set-piece moves, leaving the opponent's defence line in shock.

With that said, let’s delve deep and find out the most effective teams in set-piece movements in ISL history.

Mumbai City FC - 118 goals

Mumbai City FC stand tall with the highest number of set-piece goals (118) in ISL history. Over the seasons, Mumbai City FC have demonstrated its consistency in scoring goals, capitalizing on the set-piece situations. And it’s none other than Mourtada Fall who tops the tally with eight set-piece goals, the most by any Islander.

From Greg Stewart to Ahmed Jahouh and Paulo Machado, Mumbai City FC have boasted a few skilled creators who have been consistent in delivering their inch-perfect deliveries. The Islanders’ set-piece variety has been excellent and has often tilted the balance in their favor, helping them win the ISL Shield and Cup twice.

Here is the breakdown of Mumbai City FC’s 118 set-piece goals:

Head coach	Goals scored
Des Buckingham	32
Petr Kratky	20
Sergio Lobera	18
Jorge Costa	17
Alexandre Guimaraes	16
Nicolas Anelka	7
Peter Reid	5
Anthony Fernandes	3

FC Goa - 114 goals

FC Goa’s free-flowing attacking football is often the talk of the town, but their set-piece productivity speaks volumes about their tactical versatility. Under various coaches, they've honed their supremacy in scoring set-piece goals, recording a total of 114, placing themselves second in this list.

Quick short corners, pinpoint deliveries from free kicks, and more, FC Goa have turned dead balls into decisive weapons. From Brandon Fernandes, Edu Bedia, and Hugo Boumous’ accurate deliveries to Ferran Corominas, Igor Angulo, and Mourtada Fall’s clinical finishing, it has been the recipe of set-piece success for the Gaurs. Coro leads FC Goa’s set-piece goals with 14 strikes.

Here is the breakdown of FC Goa’s 114 set-piece goals:

Head coach	Goals scored
Sergio Lobera	35
Manolo Marquez	25
Arthur Zico	21
Juan Ferrando	12
Carlos Pena	9
Clifford Miranda	6
Derrick Pereira	6

Chennaiyin FC - 95 goals

Chennaiyin FC have often been inconsistent with performances over the last few seasons but are one of the most deadly teams when it comes to set-piece goals. From Owen Coyle to John Gregory and Marco Materazzi, dead-ball movements have been the cornerstone of their tactical blueprint, giving the team an edge.

Elano, Mailson Alves, Andre Schembri, Jordan Murray and Rafael Crivellaro – there are many to name who displayed their efficiency in decoding the set-piece practices to crucial goals. But it’s the Brazilian Attacking Midfielder, Elano, who is the highest set-piece scorer for Marina Machans with eight goals.

Here is the breakdown of Chennaiyin FC’s 95 set-piece goals:

Head coach	Goals scored
Owen Coyle	30
John Gregory	24
Marco Materazzi	22
Thomas Brdaric	8
Bozidar Bandovic	5
Csaba Laszlo	5
Syed Pasha	1

Jamshedpur FC - 95 goals

Whether it’s the long throw-ins or near-post flicks, the set-piece routine has not been static but a dynamic goal-scoring option for Jamshedpur FC over the years. The Men of Steel, with influential players like Peter Hartley, Alex Lima, Daniel Chima, and Greg Stewart in its ranks, are widely considered one of the biggest dead-ball specialist teams in league history, with the joint-third highest number of goals (95).

Jamshedpur FC recorded the second-highest number of set-piece goals (20) in the 2024-25 season. Under Khalid Jamil’s watchful eyes, dead balls emerged as a key goalscoring option for the Men of Steel, and it’s the Spanish forward Javier Siverio who stole the show, racking up five set-piece goals.

Here is the breakdown of Jamshedpur FC’s 95 set-piece goals:

Head coach	Goals scored
Owen Coyle	27
Khalid Jamil	26
Cesar Ferrando	16
Antonio Iriondo	9
Aidy Boothroyd	6
Steve Coppell	6
Scott Cooper	5

Bengaluru FC - 91 goals

Unsurprisingly, Bengaluru FC come next in this array with 91 set-piece goals to their name. Over the seasons, the Blues proved their mettle by turning dead-ball situations into a regular goal-scoring formula, with Sunil Chhetri leading the charge with 27 set-piece goals.

Structure, discipline, and a touch of Spanish flair: Bengaluru FC’s set-piece record is a clear reflection of the head coaches’ strategic acumen and meticulous planning. Despite Bengaluru FC establishing themselves as set-piece masters under the tutelage of Spanish head coaches, it’s a German, Marco Pezzaiuoli, under whom the Blues scored the most set-piece goals (18) in a single season during the 2021-22 campaign. Cleiton Silva, with seven goals to his name, was the highest set-piece scorer in that campaign.

Here is the breakdown of Bengaluru FC’s 91 set-piece goals:

Head coach	Goals scored
Carles Cuadrat	27
Marco Pezzaiuoli	18
Gerard Zaragoza	16
Albert Roca	12
Simon Grayson	11
Naushad Moosa	7