I am proud of how the team played today, says Kerala Blasters coach Mikael Stahre

Mikael Stahre praised Mohun Bagan after the unfortunate loss.

The Indian Super League (ISL) “El Clásico” between Mikael Stahre’s Kerala Blasters FC and Mohun Bagan SG lived up to expectations, delivering an intense and thrilling contest.

The Mariners emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, leaving the Blasters in 10th place and further deepening their struggles this season. Despite the defeat, Kerala Blasters head coach Mikael Stahre expressed pride in his team’s performance, lauding their fighting spirit and adherence to the tactical plan.

A Highly Intensified Encounter

The match was an attacking spectacle right from the kickoff. Mohun Bagan capitalized on an early opportunity to take the lead, but Kerala Blasters responded strongly in the second half. A goal soon after the restart and another shortly thereafter turned the game around, putting the Blasters ahead 2-1. The momentum was with them as they pressed high while maintaining their defensive structure.

However, Mohun Bagan’s persistence paid off as they equalized and, in the dying moments, secured a dramatic victory with a stunning strike from a centre-back. Stahre described the final goal as a moment of bad luck for his side.

Mikael Stahre’s take on the Performance

Speaking after the game, Mikael Stahre was candid in his assessment of the result. “I think Mohun Bagan is a very good team with quality players, but looking at the game overall, I believe we deserved the victory,” Mikael Stahre said. While disappointed with the outcome, he noted several positives in his team’s performance.

Stahre praised the Blaster’s ability to maintain possession and execute their tactical plan against one of the league’s strongest teams, especially in a challenging away atmosphere. “The quality they had, the way we kept the ball, maintained our shape, and executed our plan shows we should have taken at least a point if not all three,” he added.

Kerala Blaster’s performance showcased their potential to compete with the league’s best, but lapses in defence and a stroke of bad luck proved decisive. Stahre acknowledged his team’s defensive vulnerabilities, noting that they conceded too many goals. He also highlighted the role of individual brilliance and fortune in football.

“We had some chances toward the end, but they applied pressure in the dying minutes. The ball was bouncing around, and unluckily, their centre-back hit it perfectly. Out of 10 times, seven of those would go astray or hit the goalkeeper,” Stahre explained, detailing the fine margins that often define outcomes in football.

With Kerala Blasters settling near the bottom of the table, Stahre admitted the way ahead will be hard but expressed pride about the team’s ability. “While we concede a bit too many, I was proud of how the team played today,” Mikael Stahre concluded.

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