Maybe an ATKMB player should have gotten second yellow, says Ivan Vukomanovic

The Tuskers were shocked by ATK Mohun Bagan’s promptness on the counter.

Kerala Blasters lost 1-2 to hosts ATK Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday in ISL 2022/23. Despite starting the game off strongly, the Kerala outfit started losing the plot after McHugh’s equaliser. After a flurry of tackles and needless challenges, Rahul KP saw red and the match became ten times tougher for his side. McHugh put an unusual final nail in the coffin with his outstanding volley shortly afterwards. As the match finished in favour of the Mariners, Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic answered the media in the post-match press conference.

On whether a striker not playing today was the reason for the loss

Kerala played with two strikers and Diamantakos came off after Rahul KP’s red card to reinforce more defensive stability. However, they really missed Luna playing in the false-nine role at times. When asked whether they missing the Uruguayan was the reason for the loss, Ivan Vukomanovic replied:

“No, the main reason was the second yellow card. I think that we were good in the game and we managed it in the correct way. We had control of the game and then came the moment of the second yellow. When you’re one man down, in the first couple of minutes you’re disbalanced. That is the time we conceded the second goal. I think that was what made the difference today and I actually think we had a good game today. We had everything we wanted but when you play these kinds of games, it’s all about one small detail. 

If there are two good teams playing each other, you will not see 150 chances. That’s not it, you know? Because two good teams, well organised, and prepared, even with individual mistakes will be fighting for every ball. You know, just like I said, you won’t get 150 chances and score 17 goals. In this kind of a game, and all the games later in the playoffs will be the same. A small detail will be crucial in these fixtures and that exact detail made the difference tonight. It was the reaction and it happens during a game. That was it. Well, of course, we’re sorry about the loss. We wanted to get a positive result but that was not the case. ” 

On whether the loss can hamper the morale of the team

The Blasters lost their last match against Bengaluru FC and now this one against ATK Mohun Bagan. While it might be disheartening to have such a dip in form right before the playoffs, Ivan Vukomanovic is not worried. He talked about keeping their heads held high and working hard as he explained: 

“No not at all; we don’t care. We prepare for the playoffs by thinking that it is the best and most important like we did last season. Nobody expected us to get to the playoffs and this year it’s the same. There are specific ways in which we prepare ourselves, train and do other things. Of course, you want to finish the season in the highest possible place. There are many good teams fighting for it so yeah, that’s football. 

So later on when we finish, say, the regular part of the season we prepare one week for the playoffs. Whether you play home or away it’s all about a tough game with strong opponents that boils down to one small detail. So we get ready for that and it will not work on us. Whether we win or lose we take the 24 hours to sleep on and switch off that button in our head and we continue. Then we analyse the teams and that’s about it.”

On whether ATK Mohun Bagan had more chances than his side

Kerala Blasters got 10 shots away while the Mariners had two more for both shots and shots on target. Juan Ferrando’s side looked to be dangerous on the counter and the Tuskers only have Sister Fate to thank for all the missed chances. Ivan Vukomanovic praised the Kolkata side but also added his verdict for why and how they had more chances as he concluded:

“Yeah, of course, it’s football. I think that everybody underestimates ATK (Mohun Bagan). They’re a great team and for me one of the best teams in the league. So they have good players and enjoy a lot of qualities. They can create chances whenever they want because they have many national team players and a good bunch of forwards. All these things matter when you face these teams. Especially away, as according to me it is never easy to play. Tonight we played a good game for ourselves. 

We managed things,  kept possession, and scored a really nice goal in the beginning. For me as a coach, I’m really pleased because these are the kind of things we practise in the training sessions. Later on, we conceded the second goal because of an individual mistake. I always say that you cannot afford these things at such a level. All of it went down to the smallest detail possible; one individual mistake, the second yellow. 

Even before that, there was a situation in front of our bench where maybe a player of ATK Mohun Bagan should’ve gotten a second yellow card. That didn’t happen so what I’m trying to say is that these things occur in football. Of course, we were on the receiving end but we are not worried. We have to continue and we have one more game at home. ”