Ivan Vukomanovic reveals why he dropped Puitea and Khabra

The Kerala Blasters tactician also disclosed why he allowed winger Prasanth K to leave.

 With a 3-2 win over Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters have now registered five consecutive wins in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23) season. KBFC are now eyeing to continue their winning run as they are set to take on Chennaiyin FC on December 19, Monday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Two days before the encounter, KBFC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic and defender Marko Leskovic addressed the media in the pre-match press conference.

Here's what he said.

On Yugoslav and Serbian footballer Sinisa Mihajlovic who died on Saturday

Ivan Vukomanovic said that the death of  Yugoslav and Serbian footballer Sinisa Mihajlovic is a huge loss. He added that he was a great leader with a great personality. He fought to recover from the disease but he couldn’t make it.

“It’s a huge loss. He is one of the legends of Yugoslav football since he started playing in the young national team and throughout his old career. The importance of him being in the dressing room as a leader was immense, huge and priceless. He had a great personality. Later on, he became a record-holder of many things in Italian football - like the most goals scored from free-kicks,” he said. 

“He was struggling and fighting in the last couple of years with a disease. He is a fighter trying to win but unfortunately it was not the case. And everybody feels sorry because he was still young and had a great playing and coaching career. It’s a big loss for Yugoslav football and Italian football because he was a great personality,” added the tactician.

Dropping Puitea and Khabra

Ivan Vukomanovic said that he made some changes in the squad after facing three consecutive losses in the ongoing season. He said that this is a kind of thing that will happen in every team or league. He added that making moves is a coaching decision. 

“In a certain period of the season, when you are looking for the results and have suffered three consecutive defeats, you try to shuffle teams. It is kind of a puzzle. You try to make a couple of moves. It was kind of a coaching decision and we started with the victory in Guwahati and later on we are in a consecutive row.”

“These are the things that happen during the season worldwide. In any other team, there are these kinds of changes and that doesn't mean that now we think less of someone. No, we have a good squad and I'm glad as a coach. Whoever is on the pitch or on the bench know that whether they have to the moments they get the minutes to play. They are still good players and I like them a lot.”

Comparing Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC as opponents

The head coach said that he doesn’t have much experience with both teams. He added that both are very good teams. He also admitted that every game is difficult for KBFC.

“My only experience with them was last season. I think both the teams are very good. They have very good players who can make a difference both individually and in a collective manner. Now from coaching points, you prepare your games like every other game. There is a process.”

Letting Prasanth K leave

The Serbian manager said that Prasanth needed new energy and wanted to go out of his comfort zone. He also said that the player is now getting more playing minutes and he is glad to see him playing at a high level now.

“After being in a comfort zone for a certain amount of years, you need new energy. You need a new boost in your back to fly again. We were thinking that, for him, it would be the best to get some playing minutes. He is a great guy and a good player. I like him a lot being with us. Now we see that it was good for him - going there, feeling new energy. I'm glad that he is playing at a high level now. His future will be bright. This will happen in football. The players come and go and it is the same thing with the coaches.”

About injury concerns

Ivan Vukomanovic gave an update on the availability of his players.

“So far, everything is alright. As of now, everybody is available,” he said on Saturday.

Added responsibility to keep the 'five-win-streak record' going?

The mentor said that he will not go behind records. He revealed that from a coaching point of view he only thinks about the preparation for the next game and collecting points. According to him, keeping records is not as important as performing well.

“From a coaching point of view, you can never be busy thinking about records and all. You always think about your games like how to prepare for them and how to get ready for the next opponents. Kerala Blasters were always something special in Indian football. So, we prepare for our games and try to beat our opponents. We only want to collect points.”

Leskovic on scoring his first goal for KBFC

KBFC centre-back Marko Leskovic scored a goal in the last match against Bengaluru FC when they were trailing 1-0. He played a vital role in the match which KBFC ultimately won 3-2. 

“The feeling is always good. It is special for me. I don’t know what to say. We start with 0-1. So it's an important goal for me and also for the team. We came back in the game and won it.”