Expect good game, against a good opponent, asserts Ivan Vukomanovic

The Kerala Blasters coach also provided insights on Adrian Luna’s recovery.

As the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi braces itself for a riveting clash between Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC, the pre-match press conference unveiled the intensity and determination echoing in the words of coach Ivan Vukomanovic and defender Marko Lešković.

The Fortress of Kerala Blasters is set to host a highly anticipated match, with tickets long sold out and fans eagerly awaiting a chance to witness their team strike back after a 2-1 loss in Mumbai.

Coach’s Expectations and Hopes for Redemption

Addressing the media, Coach Ivan Vukomanovic acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “Well, I expect a good game, of course, against a good opponent. We like to compete and we like to play these kind of games. Especially the players, they like these kind of moments. Especially when you are fighting for the places on top of the ranking.

“So of course, as a sportsman you expect a good game to see good things on the pitch. And that the players enjoy, especially because it’s Christmas Eve, so it’s a luxury to play on Christmas Eve all around the world. I was mentioning that not long ago. So, yeah, you know, expecting players to be highly motivated and to show their qualities to fight for the points.”

Challenges Faced by Kerala Blasters

The coach remained optimistic despite missing key players, Vukomanović highlighted the toughness of the upcoming match, acknowledging the opponent’s strength and the challenge posed by a new coach injecting fresh energy,stating, “Well, I expect a good game, of course, against a good opponent. We like to compete and we like to play these kinds of games.

“As a sportsman you expect a good game to see good things on the pitch. And that the players enjoy, especially because it’s Christmas Eve, expecting players to be highly motivated and to show their qualities to fight for the points.”

Coping with Key Player Absences

Reflecting on the absence of Adrian Luna, the coach mentioned, “Over the past two and a half years, Luna, Lešković, and others contributed to our unique playing style at Kerala Blasters. Losing key players is irreplaceable, but in football, you adapt. It may not always be beautiful, but we focus on fighting for 90-95 minutes, getting points, and getting the job done.

“We’ve faced challenges before, missing key players like Sotirio, Jeakson, Lallawmawma, Lesko, Diamantakos, yet we navigated through. The absence of Luna is tough, but our focus is on the game, using hungry youngsters to showcase their qualities and fight for Blasters on the pitch. The upcoming games might be a struggle, but we aim to manage, get points, and hope for the best, as seen in our recent match against Punjab.”

As for Luna’s recovery, Vukomanović provided insight, stating, “It’s hard to predict precisely. He underwent surgery on December 14th after our game in Delhi against Punjab. The initial recovery phase will take 5-6 weeks, followed by his return after the Super Cup. He’ll continue his recovery in Kochi with us, and depending on how that goes, we’ll determine his return. It’s uncertain if he’ll make it back this season.”

Marko Lešković’s Return and Team Preparation

Marko Lešković, who recently returned from injury, shared his excitement about being back in the team, especially for a big derby game.

“It’s always a relief to return, especially after an injury. Sitting out and watching matches isn’t pleasant. But now, feeling better and being back in the team, especially for big derby games like tomorrow’s, brings a sense of joy. Playing at our stadium, surrounded by our fans, adds to the excitement. We’re prepared and looking forward to the game,” he expressed.

Transfer Window Plans and Challenges

Looking ahead to the January transfer window, Vukomanović revealed, “Yeah, we’re actively looking into new players and plans for the January transfer. We’re fully occupied with it and expect movements in the next few days. It’s about finding players who can make a difference, but it’s tough because good players are often under contract and might hesitate to join leagues like ISL.

“Even if we attract them with everything our club offers, many are uncertain about coming here. We don’t just want to sign players for the sake of it; we want someone who fills our needs and can adapt quickly. It’s a challenge, but like we’ve done in the past with Luna, Lešković, Dimi, Miloš, we aim to continue finding impactful players who can adjust swiftly to our team and the league,”he concluded.

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