Which key strategies did Mumbai City's Petr Kratky reveal ahead of FC Goa clash?

Petr Kratky also praised a few of his players for their performances.

Mumbai City FC have had a rough start to their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. They are winless after the first three games and have only two points from it. The Islanders’ head coach Petr Kratky isn’t very pleased with the start but has complete faith in the team and his game plan. The Czech believes it is a matter of time before the Islanders find their rhythm.

Mumbai City have struggled to create chances (only 3.3 xG created in three games) and their defence, while sturdy for most parts of the game, failed during the set-pieces. They have conceded five goals in three games, four of which were through set-pieces. So it is obvious that the Czech tactician sheds some light on the importance of managing these situations well. 

For a team that has conceded only 1.2 xG in 180 minutes of football, not winning a game yet and letting opponents score five past them is quite unusual. And Petr Kratky understands that all it will take is two things – managing the set-piece situations well and playing more football together as a team. 

Reflecting on the importance of the set pieces, Petr Kratky said, “It’s massive, always. A minimum of 25% of goals are going from the set pieces. This is the area where we look at it also and we practice and make sure we are dangerous but also very good in defending set-pieces. It’s a massive area in football and if it’s tight and tough games, it’s very important to be on top and make sure that type of set-piece can win you the game.”

Mumbai City finally managed to keep a clean sheet in the 11th edition of the Indian Super League as they drew 0-0 against Bengaluru FC. This could happen perhaps because the Islanders conceded 0 xG from set plays against the table-toppers. This pleased Petr Kratky and he wants to build on the performance ahead of the game against FC Goa.

Petr Kratky explained, “I think we have certain strategies where we abide. Obviously we want to stop leaking the goals. That was our main goal because we conceded five goals in the first two games. We were very successful with that, but it’s just a building stage where we know now what it takes to have a clean sheet, but now it’s left to build better football and better performances and bring the win at home.”

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Mumbai City FC are yet to field what many would call their best playing XI. Brandon Fernandes missed the pre-season while Bipin Singh had to be rested. These issues have evaded consistent game time together for Petr Kratky’s best players. But things have changed for good as the likes of Brandon and Vikram Pratap Singh got some game time while on national duty.

The Czech Republic gaffer exclaimed, “Very good that Brandon got some minutes with the national team because he missed the start of the pre-season. It’s very good for him, even for Vikram. The team looks very good and they want to play football now, which is very important.”

Brandon Fernandes had over 130 appearances for FC Goa before making his move to the Islanders earlier this season. And now that he is to play the Gaurs for the first time as a Mumbai City FC player, he is excited and confident of his and his team’s chances given they execute their plans well. 

Brandon said, “We have a clear plan. We play a certain way and that won’t change. We’ll try to play the same way. We have our strengths. Execute them. We have our quality. Just go on the pitch and enjoy the football. We’ll get the results. I’m sure if we have a good game, nothing can stop us.”

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