Kibu Vicuna: We have a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and Plan D

The Spaniard along with Ritwik Das spoke about their preparations ahead of the game against SC East Bengal.

Kerala Blasters will lock horns with SC East Bengal in match 35 of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday. The GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Goa will host the game, which is a must-win affair for both teams, who are yet to register their first victory this season. On Saturday, Kerala Blasters’ head coach Kibu Vicuna and midfielder Ritwik Das spoke to the media ahead of the contest.

Aspects to improve for Kerala Blasters

Having conceded ten goals and scored just five in their five matches so far, Kibu Vicuna stressed on the team’s need to improve in both attack and defence. “We've to improve a lot in the defensive part of the field. We have to try and concede less goals. We conceded a lot of goals in the last two matches,” he said, before adding, “We have to improve in attack as well. It is true that we scored two goals in the last game, but we have to score more goals and create more chances. Infact, we have to improve in all aspects of our game.”

On SC East Bengal & challenge ahead

The Kerala Blasters coach revealed that he has watched all of SC East Bengal’s five matches so far.

“We know that SC East Bengal also haven’t started very well in the ISL. Like us, they are also in a difficult situation right now. I have watched all of their matches and I observed that they have been playing with three central defenders, primarily,” he commented. “They usually play in a 3-5-2 formation and based on the availability of players, they have made occasional changes as well.

“East Bengal have a very good set of experienced Indian players like Irshad. They also have good foreigners in their squad like Jacques Maghoma and Anthony Pilkington. Aaron Amadi- Holloway, who is recovering from an injury is also a good signing. Like us, they will also want the win tomorrow and both teams will be looking for the three points,” Vicuna added.

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On Prasanth K, Sahal Abdul Samad & Albino Gomes

Upon being asked about the individual performances of Prasanth, Sahal Abdul Samad and goalkeeper Albino Gomes, the 48-year-old backed them and said that he has ‘full confidence’ in his team and the players. “Prashant is a very good player. I am very happy with his performances so far. He is trying to adapt to a new position and now we have the opportunity of using him either as a full-back or a winger. He is training really well and is one of the most important players for us,” he said.

“Sahal is also a good player and one of the most talented players in the league. He is a very important player for us and we were waiting for him to recover from his injuries. As you all know, he had a physical problem and that is why he could not help us in the last few games. Hopefully, he will help us very well in the coming matches,” Vicuna further added, before lavishing praise on Gomes who has saved two penalties so far this season. 

“Albino is a fantastic goalkeeper. In football, there will be matches where you perform well and those where you tend to make mistakes. I have full confidence in him. He made a terrific penalty save against Chennaiyin FC and against Bengaluru FC also he showed plenty of responsibility as a goalkeeper. I have good confidence in the abilities of the other three goalkeepers (Prabhsukhan Gill, Bilal Khan and Muheet Shabir) in the team as well.”

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On team’s performances so far

Five matches without a win is understandably a tough situation to be in as a coach, but Kibu Vicuna stressed that he is confident about his players’ abilities.

“I am happy with the performance of the team so far. We have been training well in the past week. I am confident in the team and the players and hopefully we will play a good game against East Bengal tomorrow,” he said.

“In football, every match is a new challenge and sometimes, it so happens that we do not get positive results in a few matches. Then we slowly lose confidence in ourselves and our performances. We are in such a situation right now and the best medicine for us is to put up a good performance in the next match to win the three points.”

The former Mohun Bagan coach explained, “A good result will improve your confidence as a player, both in terms of performances and capabilities. It will also help you train harder and keep that fighting spirit alive within you. As a team, that is the most important aspect right now and hopefully good results will follow.”

On Kerala Blasters’ playing style

After several defensive mistakes, especially against Bengaluru FC and FC Goa, questions were raised on Kerala Blasters’ strategy of building up from the back. Ahead of the SC East Bengal game, Kibu Vicuna denied following a specific pattern and explained that his tactics have changed with different opponents.

“We have been analyzing every match and every training session that we have done so far. One thing that I would like to bring to your attention is that we have not been playing in the same way in each and every match,” he said, before adding, “We have a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and a Plan D. Our style of play has changed based on our opponents. What is more important is the fact that we know what we have to do.”

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On views of club management on season so far

The coach believes that he has the full support of the management, despite their ongoing run of poor form. “I feel that they understand the situation and that they trust the project,” he said. He also added that comparisons with other teams are meaningless, as the focus on his part will remain on his team.

“I have observed what the other teams are doing in the league, but my sole focus will remain on my own team. We are confident in the team, the players and we will put forward our best possible lineup against SC East Bengal tomorrow.

ALSO READ: Kerala Blasters Vs East Bengal Preview: Three points crucial for both

On training & identifying opponents’ weaknesses

Last Sunday, Kerala Blasters produced a wonderful effort in the first half against Bengaluru FC, as they scored off a quick counter-attack from Bengaluru’s set-piece. On being asked about whether the team perfects such tactics on the training ground, Kibu Vicuna looked upset, as he said that they follow several training routines and not just specific ones.

“We train on all aspects. Sometimes, with your questions, I feel that you think we are resting in our hotels, drinking beer and not training. We are trying everything in our control. Sometimes, we have good results, while at other times we do not. Some of our plans succeeded so far, while others didn’t. Because our opponents also had plans against us at the same time,” he said.

On realistic targets for KBFC this season

With 15 matches remaining for the Yellow Army in the league phase, 45 points are up for grabs and winning anything between 30 and 35 points more should be good enough for them to qualify for the playoffs.

However, the Spaniard doesn’t believe in long-term objectives, as he said that he likes to focus on one match after the other. “We focus only on the next game. According to me, it is not intelligent for us to keep a long-term plan and think about the upcoming 45 points altogether. We have to start with the next three points that we can possibly collect from the upcoming game. If we get that and change the mood around the team, we will be able to move further forward.”

On support from the fans

For his last question, the coach spoke on the fans who have stayed with the team through thick and thin. “I would really like to thank the fans for their support. They have been amazing and they have been supporting us every day. So, it's time that we return some happiness back.

“For that we have to win matches and hence we are working very hard. I am sure that we will be able to achieve good results in the coming matches,’ concluded Kibu Vicuna.

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Ritwik Das on choosing Kerala Blasters

As mentioned in the beginning, Ritwik Das accompanied his boss in the pre-match press conference. He also answered a few questions, such as his reasons for signing with the Kochi-based outfit and the difference in levels between the I-League and the ISL.

“Kerala Blasters was the first club to give me an offer this summer,” he revealed. “Hence, I did not think twice about signing for them. As a club, we are very happy whenever we are together. As of right now, we are in a really difficult situation with the bio-bubble and so on, but my teammates and the club have made things much better.”

On differences between I-League & ISL & aspects to improve in playing style

Speaking about how the upgrade from I-League to ISL feels like, the ex-Real Kashmir player says that the latter is ‘more professional and competitive.’

“The ISL is more professional than the I-League. It is also the more competitive league and we are playing against much better players.

“As a player, I’ve learned a lot from my time with KBFC and I think I have to improve in decision-making, especially in the final third. I also feel that the team, as a whole, should improve in the attacking department,” he signed off.

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