ISL 2025-26: David Catala admits shortcomings and takes responsibility after Inter Kashi FC defeat

Inter Kashi defeated Kerala Blasters 2-1 in ISL

Kerala Blasters FC went down 2-1 to Inter Kashi FC in the ISL 2025-26 fixture at the JLN Stadium on Saturday evening, despite a strong second-half response from the home side.

Inter Kashi found the breakthrough in the 34th minute, as Alfred slipped a precise through ball into the path of Nauris Petkevicius, who struck powerfully across goal. The effort clipped the underside of the crossbar before going in, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Kashi doubled their advantage in the 78th minute through a well-worked move down the right. Prasanth combined neatly before Petkevicius released Alfred, who timed his run well and finished low into the far corner to make it 2-0.

In the 84th minute, Ebindas delivered an inviting ball from a set-piece situation, and Bertomeu reacted sharply at the far post to convert from a tight angle, reducing the deficit and setting up a tense finale. With seven minutes added on, Kerala Blasters pressed for an equalizer and forced the visitors to defend deep. Despite the late push and improved intensity after the break, the Blasters fell just short as Inter Kashi secured a 2-1 win.

Following the loss, Kerala Blasters FC head coach David Catala addressed the media. Here is a detailed report of the post-match press conference of the match between Kerala Blasters FC and Inter Kashi FC.

Feelings on the match

When asked what was going on in the gaffer’s mind, Catala expressed his grief at failing to make a proper plan for the first half of the game. In the second-half, after identifying these mistakes, he changed the systems, but it was a bit too late by then. The manager took responsibility and stated that, if anyone is to be blamed, it is not the players, but himself, as he did not know what was happening in the first half and was unable to mitigate the damage.

“I feel that, especially in the first half, was the big responsibility about how we approach the game. I didn’t make a good plan on how to start the game. I made total mistakes on how to make systems against them, and I have all the responsibility for what happened in the first half. But in the second half, we changed. I think we were much better. On one hand, we had opportunities, but on the other hand, we didn’t have time to come back. Again, after the water break, we conceded another goal.”

“I don’t know what is happening. But we have to find solutions, and I repeat myself, all the responsibility for losing, especially the first half, is mine. I have to learn about that. I said to the players, they don’t make any mistakes. The only mistake in the first half is mine. So, very sad, tough night for us. Three games, three losses. Everything now is black.”

“But I am a very strong guy. I won’t give up. I am going to keep pushing, keep believing till the end, I am going to help the players, I am going to be close with them because they are trying till the last minute. And this is my feelings, sad, tough. We will start training, because that is the only thing we can do. Today we can cry, in bed, in the hotel. But tomorrow, we start training.”

Has the attacking unit given their 100 per cent?

Catala, in his previous press conferences, had mentioned that the defensive unit of the Blasters is yet to play in their full potential, as silly mistakes in some minutes has costed the game for the Tuskers. When asked about his perspective on whether the offensive and the midfield departments are giving their 100 per cent, the gaffer supported his players and spoke.

“No, it’s not about giving 100 per cent. All of them give their 100 per cent, but I think sometimes, when you are not good at organizing, especially in the first half, the players tried to press, but the distance was too long. Because they did not know how exactly to press. It is not a matter of giving the best. I believe that all the players want to, and give their 100 per cent.”

“But it is a matter of how we organize the team. In the first half, we were not good, and okay, in the second half, okay we tried to win the game. And also in the last minutes, it was a little bit crazy. But we tried till the end. We had it. Even when it was 0-1, we could have drawn the game. But when it became 0-2, it became even more difficult. The players gave their best, I tell you, till the end.”

What is lacking in the team?

David Catala, in all his press conferences, has emphasized that the Blasters lacked preparation, as they had just two weeks to prepare for the tournament. However, Odisha FC, which had just three to four days of preparation, drew against Inter Kashi FC, who defeated the Blasters. So, when asked about what the team was lacking, Catala replied.

“Yes, it is true, and it is not an excuse. I don’t want to put excuses on the preparation, so as you said, Odisha did not prepare for even one week and got a point. So it is not an excuse. We are lacking everything. They are trying, but we need to be more aggressive in both boxes. We are conceding many easy goals, and we are not trying to, or we should have more opportunities in the opponent’s box. So we should be more aggressive in both boxes.”

About Criticisms from the fans

After three losses, the Blasters have been facing more criticism than support from the fans. When asked about the morale of the players for the upcoming matches, Catala answered.

“This is also my duty, to recover the players mentally. Because they are sad right now and exhausted, and it is not easy for them. So, my duty apart from the sporting situations is to recover mentally. To start believing again. To start again from tomorrow, because it is the only way. Mentally, it is not an easy moment. But I say, it is the moment to be together, to us, to the fans.”

“It is not easy to support the team in the difficult moments. But we need them. I can understand their criticisms. Surely, they will say that the coach is very bad and not the best. But for me, it doesn’t matter. For me, it is about the players. They are the protagonists there. We need them, support them, and especially the fans must support them.”

“It doesn’t matter whether they are good or bad. They are defending the Kerala Blasters shirt, and it is more important. So, we have to be united till the end, and that’s it. Please don’t give up because it is going to be tough games. But I am a strong guy, I will do my best to recover these guys and win the next games.”

On his confidence to turn the tables around

“We cannot compare ourselves with Mohun Bagan or Goa or most of the teams, because we are in another reality. Because when we realize our reality is the way in which we can start growing a little bit. If we think, ‘oh, we are last, we should be second or third in the table, because for the last three or four years we were fighting for the title’; Yes, I will be the first one to do it. But first, I would have to live through this situation. We have to win games and ensure that we are not last in the table, and that has to be our reality.”

“I can understand what the fans want. Really happy about them, because they are supporting amazingly. But the thing right now is that we have to be more together than ever. Because it is a very bad situation in the club, because the players came, with a situation where they were at their homes for five months, without training, and even thinking not to play football anymore.”

“Yes, of course. But the reality for us is right now to survive the three months. We have to fight till the last game. Because Delhi are also in the same situation as us with zero points. It is about the reality. Forget about what happened in the past, the finals. Because this is another team, another coach, another kind of budget we have. And we have to realise the situation in which the club is right now”

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