We’ve done our homework on Mohun Bagan, says a confident Petr Kratky ahead of ISL 2024-25 opener

The Islanders will aim to repeat their domestic double.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season is set. In the opening game, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will face Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on 13th September. 

Both teams faced each other in very crucial games last season. In the last group match of the previous league, Mohun Bagan defeated Mumbai City to secure the ISL league shield. Conversely, in the ISL final, Mumbai City FC beat the Mariners in the same stadium to lift the ISL trophy. 

In the pre-match press conference, head coach Petr Kratky, along with the Islanders’ new captain answered several queries from the media. 

On doing their homework on Mohun Bagan thoroughly

Regarding the upcoming season, coach Petr Kratky mentioned that all previous achievements and setbacks were in the past, and his team was ready for a new season. He said, “We’re looking forward to starting the season against Mohun Bagan, and it is the best way. We know that Mohun Bagan is a strong opposition, I think we are ready to compete, and we will see what happens.

“We obviously did our homework about Mohun Bagan. We know their strengths all over the pitch, and obviously, their depth on the bench. So, look, we will do our best tomorrow, as we always do, with the strong mentality that the house champions mentioned before.” 

The Islanders’ head coach also mentioned several players from the Mohun Bagan team as he stated, “Jason Cummings and Dimitri Petratos are quality players. They used to play in Australia, as I told you before. We know their quality, but we are also ready to face them with our quality defense.” 

He added, “Again, every player in Mohun Bagan is good, but we also have very good players in our team. Hopefully, we will continue from last season. We will try to eliminate their strengths as much as we can. We also know about their depth. We also have the quality to stop their threats.” 

On being excited for another season with the Islanders

Petr Kratky, the player-turned-coach, succeeded Des Buckingham in the middle of the previous season. This year, the bright manager has signed a new contract extension with the Islanders until the 2025-26 season. He expressed his opinion on his second season with Mumbai City FC as he remarked, “It was very quick when I came in mid-season and everything happened very quickly. We had short turnarounds and a lot of quick games, and obviously, knowing the culture, knowing the people, and knowing the staff and players was very important for me.

“I’m glad I can stay for another season and hopefully stay for more to come. There were some changes in our squad, but I’m glad we can keep working on what we’ve been doing last season and just building more and more to get a little bit better.”

On pre-season performances and injuries

In response to a query about pre-season, Petr Kratky expressed that the club had sent the young squad for the Durand Cup. He elaborated, “Everyone prepared in different ways, and I am so happy with how we did that, and we will see how it plays out during the season. I think we are ready for the round-robin; our preparation was very good.” 

The coach expressed that he was worried in the pre-season about fitness. However, the situation has improved as he was reported saying, “I was a little bit worried at the start of pre-season because we picked up a few knocks around training. Now they are full and healthy. Vikram Pratap Singh, Brandon, all these guys, even Jérémy Manzorro, everyone is ready to play. So, I am excited about it.” 

Petr Kratky was asked if Akash Mishra is part of the squad for the 2024-25 season. He opened up and said that the Indian international is currently undergoing recovery. He also mentioned that Mishra is in good spirits and will be back soon.

On his aim to develop the number nine for the national team

Talking about the number nine position with an Indian player in his presence, Petr Kratky noted, “We also have players like Lallianzuala Chhangte or Vikram Pratap, who can also play as a number 9. So, that is the benefit of having flexibility. But this is an exciting time for the Indian players, and I will try to help them find a new number 9 for the national team.” 

On demanding consistency in the squad

Discussing the arrivals and departures of players into the club, Petr Kratky opined that it is challenging for a coach to manage it.  He went into detail, saying, “We as coaches want consistency in the squad. When you have consistency, you can build on it. But there is also a time to move on, and if players decide to leave for whatever reason, we just have to keep working with them.

“So, I think Jon Toral, Jérémy Manzorro, Nico (Nikolaos Karelis), all these players, Brandon and Lallianzuala Chhangte stay in the team. We have got a very strong team. It’s part of football. You do not want too much movement as coaches because you want consistency. But again, it is an exciting time. You can work with new players, new faces. And I can tell you, from what I saw in pre-season, it’s something special that we have. But again, they need to show it on the pitch.”

Chhangte on being announced captain

Mumbai City FC announced Lallianzuala Chhangte, the star Indian winger, as the skipper of the team for the upcoming ISL 2024-25 season. In 79 appearances, Chhangte has scored 29 goals and assisted in 16 for the Islanders.

In the pre-match press conference, Chhangte expressed his thoughts for the first time as captain. He mentioned, “You saw last season, one of the reasons we won the cup was because we had a strong mentality. Talking about tactics and all that stuff, I think the coach built that into the team. It’s really, really important that we continue the work we’ve done before this season.” 

“And everyone, most of the players, even though some are new, they are getting into the system, and we are really looking forward to continuing the same form, the same tactics, the same mentality this season as well. And I hope and believe that we will have a great season ahead again,” the new skipper added. 

Chhangte on playing against Apuia

Talking about Apuia (Lalengmawia Ralte), who joined the Mariners from Mumbai City FC this year, Lallianzuala Chhangte said that the competition is going to be very exciting. “Last year, he was my teammate, Apuia. And now we have to face each other. It’s going to be really exciting, and I’m really looking forward to it. I wish him all the best,” said Chhangte. 

Chhangte on trying to follow in the footsteps of legends

In response to a question about Sunil Chhetri, Chhangte expressed that he had been following in the footsteps of Indian legends. He said, “I’ve been trying to do what they’ve done on the pitch. And of course, off the pitch as well. The way they take care of their body, the way they discipline themselves, the way they work, I think, especially. So, I’ve been trying to follow that.”

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