Ivan Vukomanovic: Have to manage HFC game & enter playoffs with positive mindset

The Kerala Blasters head coach wants his side to play aggressively at home.

Kerala Blasters take on Hyderabad FC at home in the final league stage fixture of the 2022-23 Indian Super League. The Blasters will play Bengaluru FC in the eliminator and can host the Blues if they beat Hyderabad FC by a goal difference of four or more.

Ivan Vukomanovic and Adrian Luna were present in the pre-match press conference for the game against Hyderabad FC. The Nizams finished second on the table and have made it through to the semi-finals directly. Here is what the Serb had to say.

Luna missing the previous game through suspension

Adrian Luna missed the fixture against ATK Mohun Bagan through suspension but said that he feels fresh and ready for the challenge ahead. "Unfortunately, I get four yellow cards, and missed the game against ATK Mohun Bagan but I think we played a really good game and didn't deserve to lose, but we make some mistakes and we lost the game. For me, it was important to rest these four days because now I'm really fresh and ready for whatever is to come.

The mood in the camp ahead of the playoffs

Kerala Blasters are destined to play their fierce rivals Bengaluru FC in the eliminator. On being asked about the mood in the camp ahead of the playoffs, Vukomanovic said:

"When you start the competition, everybody is motivated, everybody is full of force, full of power, everybody wants to show something. And then as time passes by, the whole season is composed of these momentums, how you start, how you play, and sometimes there is a dynamic that changes during the season.

"From our side, we always want a victory, we always play and want to play good football to fight for the victory. So now in some cases, you make individual mistakes, you could concede goals and you have to get out of it.

"So now with the last game, we want to be with full power, especially because we have kind of obligation playing in front of our fans and getting that positive, let's say parts and mindset for the playoffs."

Chance for playoffs to be played away

If Kerala Blasters don't manage a victory and end the season with 34 points and a goal difference of +5, the first eliminator between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters will take place at the Sree Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru. Ivan Vukomanovic highlighted the switch in mindset for playoff matches,

"This is a different mindset because when you come to playoffs, especially now in the first game, it's about the knockout phase, it's about one game."

"You have to go for it whether you're playing home or away. It doesn't change a lot sometimes because wherever you're playing home or away, you see this yellow sea around."

Inconsistency creeping into the ranks

Entering the fixture on the back of two crushing defeats away from home, Kerala Blasters will vary of dropping the ball just when the team needs to hit their stride. Ivan Vukomanovic spoke of his team's mindset and of the opponents' as well.

"We want to be a strong unit, we want to be a strong part and show that there is a reason why we were unbeaten for a long time at home. We want to continue and I hope to achieve that.

"We faced a strong team. Our opponent from our last season finals, they are again with reasons in the playoffs as well. They have a good three, a good team with the individuals and we'll have to be on our top and our best if you want to get the points.

"But again, it's about that one game. We have to be strong enough to manage that game tomorrow and enter the playoffs with a positive mindset."

Rahul KP's red card

Midfielder Rahul KP will be missing the fixture after being sent off in the game against ATK Mohun Bagan. Ivan Vukomanovic spoke of the learning curve that comes with such a rush of blood,

"There is no player who didn't go through that process. When you are younger you experience these things and you face them and let yourself tell yourself okay, this was wrong. So next time when it happens, try not to repeat those things.

"If you keep repeating those things, then there is a problem. But if you learn from that and say okay, once when I was younger I made that. 

"So this is part of the process where you learn as a player. Nobody, not one player you can ask again as well, not one player in this world has started his career saying I know everything, so I experienced it, I know how to deal with this or that situation.

"No, you have to go through that sort of actually that was the moment where I actually hope she will say later if it happens next time don't tackle, go around with him, and try to fight the dual in a different way."

Team News

Following a severe bout of illness across the camp, the coach confirmed that everybody barring Sandeep are fit and ready to start. "Everybody is okay so far Luna can confirm as well. All of I think 40 people have gone through it. So we all had it. So, I don't know. Last year we were calling that COVID maybe this year is something different.

"So except Sandeep who got surgery and starting actually today with his recovery in the gym. So everybody is well over tomorrow. Well, it also depends on tonight."

Catching up to Bengaluru FC

BFC currently occupy fourth place and have an equal head-to-head record with the Blasters. Where they rank higher is the goal difference. Ivan Vukomanovic said that the style of play at home will be offensive,

"The way we play, the way the boys like to play, it's always offensive, especially playing at home.

"It's something special, it's something that we like. They like being there. So we like to play offensive and they like to score goals here, which they have proven this season so far in the home game. So let's hope tomorrow for the best."

Having Leaders in the team

Vukomanovic explained that due to the short-natured format of the Indian Super League, having leaders in your team becomes highly essential,

"Well, in every team there are leaders and there are the other players who have to lead as well. So actually, all the players on the pitch are the leaders, especially first for their own tasks, what they have to do. And later on, it's about coaching itself, coaching each other, coaching somebody who is in difficulties.

"And then on the short term, you get three, four months with one group of players. Every player, needs at least three, four months, or even six months when they come to the club to adapt to training level, training intensity, environment, society. Again, the most difficult thing in this league, playing for Kerala Blasters, the players who have to manage the emotions, the players who have to manage that feeling, playing in front of the crowd, home and away, these kinds of things, you need time.

"And then when you create these kind of dynamics within your team, with one group who stays for a longer, then at one moment when you arrive in the situation, even winning or losing the game, there's a group of players, even on the pitch, who will say, calm down, calm down. No worries, okay? We know what we are doing. We know how we have to do things and then you can get back in the game."