ISL 2025-26: David Catala reflects on final third struggles after Kerala Blasters FC defeat to Islanders

Kerala Blasters suffered a 1-0 loss against Mumbai City FC

Kerala Blasters FC succumbed to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Mumbai City FC on the 22nd of February 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, in Matchweek 2 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26. An early second-half goal from Chhangte sealed the three points for the Islanders away from home.

Following this result, Blasters have lost two back-to-back games and are placed in the 12th position, while Mumbai City FC have climbed to the second position after two consecutive wins.

After the disappointing home loss, Kerala Blasters FC head coach addressed the media in the post-match presser.

Here’s a detailed report on the post-match press conference for the match between Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC.

Takeaways from the match

When asked about the key takeaways from the match, Catala shared his disappointment at losing. He reiterated the process of improvement that the players are going through and said that even though the team is not 100 per cent ready, they must keep believing in themselves and keep pushing.

“Yes, it’s true that after losing, you will be disappointed, you can’t be happy. But it’s true in my opinion that we did many good things in the game. There are many places where we have to improve, but this is our reality. The only thing we can say is that we need to work, we need to keep going, because it is going to be a hard season, a very hard season. So the people, if they are going to start feeling that we have to fight for the top position, they are gonna rise themselves”

“It is a matter of working every day, I repeat myself, I am really convinced that the team is going to be better, the performance is going to be better, because we are doing very good things. But in the small details, we make mistakes. In the defensive flanks, we are still not 100 per cent in performance, and we have to keep going and keep believing.” he said.

About Arsh and Sachin Suresh

Catala broke the news that Sachin Suresh, the team’s first-choice keeper, has been injured, paving the way for Arsh to debut for the Blasters, an opportunity he used to the fullest, even saving a penalty kick from Jorge Pereyra Diaz.

Catala said, “Yes, Sachin is injured, that is why Arsh made his debut and had a fantastic day. And this is important to have a squad where all the players are ready, especially in this season, where the players are not fit 100 per cent. I need them to be ready, because in many cases, the players can play, and today Arsh showed that in a positive way, and I am happy for him”

What was lacking in the Blasters’ attack?

Despite continuous initiatives to knock on the Mumbai doors, the Blasters were unable to create a real chance in their end. Everything looked decent for the Tuskers until they came to the last third, where they lacked quality. When asked about what was lacking in the Blasters’ attack, Catala responded;

“We were looking at the second half to create more superiority inside with Kevin, Victor, Ebin and Vibin to get superiority inside and try to play outside with Korou and Naocha, to deliver crosses. We were doing well sometimes, and Mumbai was doing well in the defense, but still, I miss the quality in the last third, but it is a matter of working, because the efforts these guys are putting is amazing. I can see how they work every day. It is going to be hard, the reality is hard, but we need to keep going.”

“In football, you have to face adversities, and now the club is in an adversity, and we need to keep going. I know it is going to be dark; I want to take the positives and improve for the next game. I don’t want to be excused for the squad we have. Everybody is here because we chose to be here, despite the sacrifices. We have to face this season with the squad we have. I am going to die with them, so for me the players I have are the best one and I am going to defend them until the last day, until the last minute. As the coach is my responsibility to improve them. It is going to be hard, but it is my responsibility”, he further added.

On Blasters being pragmatic in pressing throughout the game

Catala explained, “We wanted to high from the beginning, to push them, to not go low block, like in the game against Mohun Bagan, and I think there was a part of the game where we did it well. But obviously, we have our opponents, and the tiredness during the game was more and more for the players, and we could not do high press as we wanted. No, it is a moment to know the balance, we need to press, but we also need to know when we can go to press high. We cannot be broken into different lines; we need to be together. This is my word; we will find it and in the next game we hope it is going to be much better than today”

Kerala Blasters will now face Inter Kashi FC on the 28th of February 2026 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, at 5:00 pm IST.

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