Punjab FC became the first-ever team to be promoted into the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2023-24 after they won the I-League the season before. Their first campaign in the ISL was a promising one even though the Shers failed to qualify for the playoffs. 

However, an eighth-place finish on debut in the top flight was seen as a commendable achievement, especially considering the Shers were just three points behind Chennaiyin FC in sixth spot. 

Punjab FC found the going tough in the ISL after going winless in their opening ten matches but bounced back after the mid-season break to win six out of the remaining 12 matches. 

Punjab FC will look to build on that momentum from last season and make a real challenge for the playoff spots in 2024-25 under new head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis. 

The Mohali-based side gave a good account of themselves in the Durand Cup going unbeaten in the group stages that featured Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC who had put out their reserve team. The Shers only lost out on penalties against defending League Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time in the quarter-final.

Team Composition and Transfer Dealings

Punjab FC lost some key players in the summer as Madih Talal, Juan Mera, Wilmar Jordan and Prasanth K all departed. The club did well to retain Luka Majcen who scored eight goals for them last season. 

The Shers though have brought in reinforcements especially in the foreign department signing the likes of Ezequiel Vidal, Ivan Novoselec, Mushaga Bakenga and Filip Mrzljak, while experienced Indian midfielder Vinit Rai has been acquired to add to the domestic ranks. 

In the Durand Cup, Dilmperis has handed out plenty of minutes to Indian youngsters like Nihal Sudeesh, Ashis Pradhan, Khaimingthang Lhungdim. Abhishek Singh and Nikhil Prabhu are also young but have already established themselves in the ISL last season and have continued to be key players for Punjab FC this season. 

Meanwhile, Ravi Kumar looks set to be Punjab FC’s main man between the sticks. 

Transfers In: 

Ezequiel Vidal (Joined from Persita Tangerang) Details

Ivan Novoselec (Joined from Istiklol Dushanbe) Details

Mushaga Bakenga (Joined from Apollon Limassol) Details

Princeton Rebello (Joined from Odisha FC) Details

Filip Mrzljak (Joined from HNK Gorica) Details

Luka Majcen (Re-joined Punjab FC) Details

Ninthoinganba Meetei (Joined from Chennaiyin FC) Details

Nihal Sudeesh (On Loan from Kerala Blasters FC) Details

Vinit Rai (Joined from Mumbai City FC) Details

Muheet Shabir (Joined from Real Kashmir FC) Details

Transfers OUT: 

Dimitrios Chatziisaias (End of Contract) Details

Madih Talal (End of Contract) Details

Luka Majcen (End of Contract) Details

Juan Mera (End of Contract) Details

Wilmar Jordan Gil (End of Contract) Details

Bidyashagar Singh (End of Contract) Details

Sahil Tavora (End of Loan) Details

Isaac Vanmalsawma (End of Contract) Details

Mohammed Salah (End of Contract) Details

Amarjit Singh Kiyam (End of Contract) Details

Krishnananda (End of Contract) Details

Daniel Lalhlimpuia (End of Contract) Details

Prasanth K (End of Contract) Details

Sweden Fernandes (End of Loan) Details 

Key Players 

Luka Majcen: The Slovenian striker was one of Punjab FC’s best players last season as he was their joint top scorer with eight goals. This will be the 35-year-old’s fourth season in India and has plenty of experience of Indian football which will come in handy. He will be one of the leaders in the team who can help other foreign players get used to the ISL and also be a mentor for the younger players. 

Vinit Rai: The 26-year-old Indian midfielder has plenty of ISL experience under his belt and will be crucial to Punjab FC’s campaign as he will play in the heart of their midfield. A combative midfielder that ticks all boxes as a midfielder, Rai has already hit the ground running at Punjab FC after a solid display in the Durand Cup. He also got on the scoresheet in the Durand Cup and is set to enter the new ISL season is great rhythm. 

Coach 

Panagiotis Dilmperis: The Greek head coach comes with over a decade of experience in top-level coaching having spent a vast majority of his coaching career in his homeland. 

Dimperis’ core strength has been the ability to develop and improve young players, a glimpse of which was visible in the Durand Cup campaign where the Shers put in strong performances despite having a fairly young squad. 

With an average age of 24.2, Dimperis has the perfect squad profile to work with in ISL 2024-25. Generally preferring a back four, the Greek has used a 4-2-3-1 formation with Punjab FC so far and it will be interesting to see if he tweaks his approach in the ISL.

Fixtures 

The Shers will face Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi in their opening ISL game, which will be a significant test for new head coach Panagiotis Dilimperis. Fortunately, their schedule is relatively favourable after their opener, with three of their next four games set to be played at home. They will take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their final game this year.

Full Punjab FC Fixtures