"We're going to show better face": Kerala Blasters head coach David Catala share thoughts ahead of the Mumbai City FC clash
Kerala Blasters will play their first home game of the ISL 2025-26 against Mumbai.
Kerala Blasters FC are all geared up to face Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 on the 14th of February at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi.
The Blasters, after a disappointing loss to the Mariners in the season opener, will be looking to bag their first points of the campaign, while Mumbai City FC, fresh from a 1-0 victory against Chennaiyin FC, will be eager to continue the momentum and climb higher up the table.
Ahead of the heavyweight encounter, Kerala Blasters FC head coach David Catala and midfielder Rowlin Borges addressed the media. From the takeaways from the match against Mohun Bagan to the strategies for the match against Islanders, here’s a detailed report of the pre-match press conference for the match between Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC.
Thoughts on the first home game
Catala was asked to express his thoughts on the first home game of the Indian Super League 2025-26 season. The gaffer then shared his excitement about playing the match in front of the fans at home for the first time. David then reiterated the fact that the players are going to give their best on the field to fetch all three points.
“Okay, really excited to play our first home game, at home, in front of our fans, and that’s it, we are going to face the match with humility that we have and try to compete in the 90 minutes to get the victory like always. The players who are in the eleven will be ready, and the five substitutions must also give us extra. All the 20 players in tomorrow’s squad will be ready and compete 100 per cent every single minute,” said David Catala about the match against Mumbai City FC
“It will be a special game for me. As coach said, it is simple, we go there, we fight, we have the development with us, so till the last whistle goes, we have to give our best.” Rowlin expressed his thoughts ahead of the match
Positive Takeaways from the Mohun Bagan match
“Yes, we are trying, we are trying to improve in all aspects, and we have to be better in defensive aspects and offensive aspects. This has to be our target, to try be better every day, every game and try to compete as much as we can, in all the games. It’s true that the players are working really hard, and I think every game passes, we are going to be much better and we are going to show a better face than the first game.“
“I really beleive we did well in the first game, It wasn’t a difficult scenario for us, considering it was our first game, but we have to improve in different aspects. We must have control with the ball, I would like to be more aggressive in the final third, because in the first match, we couldn’t shoot much in the opponent’s goal, and we are improving in those aspects. There are things still to be better, but we will improve”
What does Rowlin see in the Kerala Blasters’ young players?
“It will be a special season, as the matches are very less. Whenever the young players get the opportunity, they have to perform their best. Maybe one game may not be your best day, but on the next day, when you come to training, you must try to improve, and that is what it is. In each training, you have to improve, and whenever you get the opportunity, you have to give your best,” said Rowlin
In a follow-up question, David Catala added, “I like how they are training. I feel that most of them are ready to start the game. But they have to show me personality. They have to show me they can play with the team, but I am really happy with the performance they have shown me so far. But every game is important, so we have to face all the games in the way which I feel is the best to compete. I will try to help them, because they are the future of the club.”
On finding the best combination for the match
Kerala Blasters were seen a bit shaky in the midfield during the first half of the match against Mohun Bagan; however, in the second half, the team found a relatively better rhythm and did better. Catala, when questioned if he had found the best combination for the match against Mumbai City FC, replied.
“Yes, but I don’t think it’s the matter of just the midfield, it is the matter of all the team. It’s true that in the first half, all the things were so back, and we did not defend well from the flanks. But in the second half, we changed the system, and we put five in the back, and maybe we controlled well during their attack”
“But it’s just the basics of the team to be compact, to be consistent, all the lines to be very short, and this is something we are trying to work on, trying to improve, and I am pretty sure that the team is going to be better in that aspects. And I repeat, it is not the matter of the midfielders, it is the matter of the whole team to be compact together,” Catala added.
On strategy for the next match
When asked about the strategy for the upcoming match, Catala emphasised that the team will be closer to winning more games if they become more compact and consistent in the back. He assured that the team has been working to solidify the defence and this will potentially lead them towards winning matches.
“You must try to not concede goals and score one more goal than the opponent. This is basics of the game. I repeat myself, I think we are going to be closer to winning games, if we are better in defence. So if the team tries to be more compace, more consistent in defence, I am pretty sure that we will be closer to winning games. This is comething we have been working, continuing to work, because I beleive that if we are consistent on the back, we can be much better as a team.
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Niranjan R Prabhu is an Economics student from Kochi with an enduring passion for Indian football, especially as a devoted Kerala Blasters FC fan — a club he considers part of his life. Beyond the game, he writes on culture, Indian economic development, and sustainability, always eager to explore ideas in depth. His days are a balancing act between college, writing, and travel.