Ivan Vukomanovic expects a hard game against FC Goa

The Kerala Blasters tactician mentioned how the fans elevate the performance of his side.

Kerala Blasters who started their Indian Super league (ISL) 2022-23 campaign with a terrific win over East Bengal went through a topsy-turvy group of fixtures after that. After three consecutive losses the Tuskers gained three points after thrashing NorthEast United at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati last week. A day before the match against FC Goa, KBFC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic and midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad addressed the media in the pre-match press conference.

Here's what they had to say.

Thoughts on FC Goa

Ivan Vukomanovic said that no game is easy for his team. He said that they can’t approach a game knowing that the opponent is at the bottom of the table. He opened up that if they play a game casually it will cost them and they will probably lose it. The tactician added that his side will be facing one of the best teams in the league and he is expecting a hard game. 

“When we are playing against a team in the bottom of the table, these games are difficult to play. If you are casual, thinking that it will be easy, then you will fall into trouble. Mostly you lose those games. We knew before the last game that we had to be concentrated on the things that we wanted to do on the pitch in order to collect the three points. I was really happy after the game. Now tomorrow we're facing one of the best teams in the league. I think it will be an interesting game to play. I expect nothing but a hard game from both sides.”

Predictions on the FC Goa game

The Kerala Blasters boss said that both teams should control their emotions. And the team who have the intelligence to dominate the game keeping their emotions aside will probably win it.   

“Our games are always interesting because they can be played both ways. Because we are the team who wants to press high. I think that the team who keeps the emotions under control and has part of the intelligence about how to manage this game will win the game. It will be about how we act and react to every small important detail in the game.”

Presence of the fans

Ivan Vukomanovic said that personally it’s a great pleasure playing on home soil. He also said that seeing the yellow sea and their support leads his side to give something extra on the pitch.

“Personally I like it a lot. The moment we leave the hotel we see the sea of yellow jerseys and know the huge support from the people. I like that feeling. I like playing in front of our crowd because it gives goosebumps and the feeling of love. For us it's kind of a motivational boost to give something extra.”

Areas of improvement

The tactician said that his side wanted to reach the level they were in last season. Because, according to him, not conceding too many goals, having more clean sheets are such a confidence boost. To achieve that, his side has constantly worked on - how to defend, how to attack, and so on.

“We want to get back to the level we were in last season, holding the defence line, having more clean sheets. Because these kinds of things give you confidence, not conceding, trying to keep the game under control. So many aspects in one game are important. How you want to defend, how you want to attack, how you want to press together, how you want to be compact. So, it's actually a never-ending work. You work every week preparing these things and you have to do these things constantly.”

Strong points to rely on

Ivan Vukomanovic said that his side is concentrating more on team spirit and defence. He added that he is happy that his boys always create chances to score even in the matches they have lost. 

“Team work, defending all together, being clinical in internal transitions. In every game we are capable of creating chances. So, as a coach it makes me happy. We want to be more concentrated. Even in the last games we were creating chances but we are not scoring those chances. It may happen if you are playing against some good teams.”

Coordination between defence line and midfield

The mentor said that the coordination between defence and midfield is one thing the technical side is working on everyday. He also said that while playing, a player should always be aware of where to block and how to defend in a particular situation. 

“This is one thing we are working on a daily basis. When you have to defend in the lower block, you have to know how you have to stay in the lower block, how you have to defend, how to close the lines and how to use that space behind the opponents back. So, these are the things we are working on constantly.”

Injury concerns

Vukomanovic said that there are no injury concerns so far. He said that everybody has trained and are available for the FC Goa game. 

“Dimitrios (Diamantakos) had some slight hamstring issues. During the whole week he was training with the team. He is ready for the game. No problem. No other injury concerns. Everybody is available.”

Sahal on scoring a brace the other evening

Sahal Abdul Samad who is the highest Indian goal scorer of Kerala Blasters had scored a brace in the last game against NorthEast United and led his side to win the game. While talking about his two goals he said that it’s really a confidence booster for him.

“Scoring goals is one of the joys of any player. For me, those goals are a huge confidence boost. Because in none of the previous games, I was able to help my team as much as I thought.”