Ivan Vukomanovic thankful for week-long break, Derrick Pereira seeks improvement

A win will help the Yellow Army climb to the top of the ISL 2021-22 standings.

Kerala Blasters, under Ivan Vukomanovic will want to start the new year like they ended the last when they meet FC Goa in the 2021-22 Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday.

Kerala are fifth in the points table with 13 points from eight matches but have remained unbeaten for the last seven games. Ivan Vukomanović’s charges have looked very good this season, especially in midfield and attack. A win on Sunday will take them atop the league standings, displacing Mumbai City FC.

Goa haven’t won in their last three matches and under Derrick Pereira lost to ATK Mohun Bagan in their last encounter.

Ahead of the clash, both teams' head coaches - Vukomanovic and Derrick Pereira - spoke in the pre-match press conference on Saturday, January 1.

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Kerala Blasters

Kerala Blasters FC are cruising past teams that play possession-based football, but there is a bit of staggering when the Blasters are facing teams who play direct football. What’s your opinion on that?

Ivan Vukomanovic: No, because I think every game is different and each game has its own approach. Then, you also have to consider the level of fatigue and fitness throughout one momentum in the season. So, at one time, we were very exhausted with three games in seven days. In that time, we also had to think about our approach, fitness level, how we want to attack, how we want to defend, and all these details, putting in one big puzzle.

Kerala Blasters FC went into a break after a brilliant run of three matches. Did the break help in rejuvenating the side? What sort of decisions did you have with the players?

Ivan Vukomanovic: Of course, the break helped us after that exhausting week. We got a whole week to refresh up a little bit to recharge our batteries. With a good end to the year and a fresh New Year’s Eve, it brings positive energy and feelings. It helped us to recover well, with the fact that we play those tight schedules in January.

Kerala Blasters FC will be facing FC Goa - which have a new and experienced head coach in Derrick Pereira. How do you think this will help in the long-term future of the league and football in the country?

Ivan Vukomanovic: If the management of any club decides and feels that a domestic coach has that approach and quality, he needs to be on that boat. I agree that players who have the quality, who have the potential, must be given a chance, so why not the same for the coaches. If they have the quality and the potential, then they must be given a chance. That’s how you develop and increase the level of your football.

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FC Goa coach

Kerala Blasters FC have attacking players who constantly possess threat on the opposition's defense. How do you plan to counter them tomorrow?

Derrick Pereira: Kerala Blasters FC are in good form right now. We have improved our defensive organization since the last few matches. After analysing our last match, we had better defensive organization and we gave away very few chances and created many more chances. So, there was improvement from our previous match. We’ll go with the same attitude to manage Kerala Blasters’ attacking unit while also focusing on an overall improvement of our performance.

With the signing of new centre-back Anwar Ali, how would he further add qualities to the side’s defensive organization?

Derrick Pereira: We get more options with him inside the team. We can work with different formations, play in a 4-2-3-1 style of play. At the moment, we know he’s working hard, he gives that extra strength where we can focus on other areas with him. I’ve spoken to him, and he knows what is required of him.

How do you rate Kerala Blasters FC?

Derrick Pereira: Every team in this league is a competitive one, and every match you face is a different match. Kerala have some good strikers upfront and are very well-organized. We have to counter their style of play by focusing more on our game and also by taking care of the little details, putting up a good performance and getting those three points.

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