Ivan Vukomanovic lauds HFC, Manolo Marquez happy with bench strength

The KBFC head coach also revealed their plans for the ongoing transfer window.

Kerala Blasters, led by Ivan Vukomanovic will look to re-enter the top four positions- but against Hyderabad FC, they will face a resolute test, when the two sides meet in the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday.

The Yellow Army played out two draws in their last two encounters and are now in the fifth spot with 14 points from nine games. A win on Sunday will take them to the top four, but second-placed Hyderabad will want to keep snapping at league leaders Mumbai City FC's heels and therefore they are expected to come hard at Kerala.

The Nizams, also on an eight-game unbeaten run, have looked very impressive this season. Their defence has shown a lot of grit and in Bartholomew Ogbeche they have a striker who just can't stop scoring. Ahead of the clash, both teams' head coaches - Ivan Vukomanovic and Manolo Marquez - spoke to the media.

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Kerala Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic

Thoughts on Hyderabad FC

Ivan Vukomanovic: Well, we have to praise them because they are working consistently for the second year in a row. They are not top of the table by coincidence, they deserve to be there. They have had a strategy and now it’s showing good results. Nothing happens overnight in football. When you work consistently it gives you results. They are doing a great job.

KBFC's attacking concerns

Ivan Vukomanovic: It’s our reality. Like all teams, you have your strengths and weaknesses. We are trying to find the balance this season. It means we are trying not to concede many goals and at the same time get composed and organized in our playing style. We are in the middle of a process and I am glad with the way we are progressing.

The close competition in ISL 2021-22

Ivan Vukomanovic: We have seen a 100-something goals in just 50 or so games. It’s unbelievable. When somebody takes a lead the game doesn’t become easier for them. You have to work hard, remain concentrated, win duels and stay organized till the final whistle. We have seen so many games with momentum shifting very quickly. I think we have been managing our game well even when the momentum has shifted.

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Plans for January transfer window

Ivan Vukomanovic: Yes, our management is in talks with interesting options. From our perspective, sometimes things don’t go how we want them to. If it’s feasible to bring a player who wants to play for us and brings something extra to the team then we would try to get that player.

Hyderabad FC coach Manolo Marquez

Approach against Kerala Blasters

Manolo Marquez: It was the first time in the history of the club that we were on top. It was not about celebrating a draw. Now, Mumbai is at the top and today maybe another team on the top, let’s see. We have to be focused on Kerala Blasters, another team in a similar situation to us. It will be a very difficult game for both teams. The style of both teams is nice to watch.

I like the style of Kerala. I like their players, the coach and they play very good football. They prefer three offensive foreigner players. They have good Indian players too. It will be a very difficult game for both teams. It’s true that they did not start well but after the win against Mumbai, they are playing very good. For Indian football, it is good that a team like Kerala Blasters is fighting for the top.

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We will try to play our style because both teams are playing good football and are unbeaten during the last eight games. It’s a normal thing that Kerala and Hyderabad don’t change the style for the game and let’s see what happens. Both teams will have the possibility to win the game.

Thoughts on HFC's bench strength

Manolo Marquez: One of the most important things in football is the players who are not starters. They have to train hard because the eleven starters have to know that there are players behind fighting to play. The other day was a clear example when Javi Siverio scored the goal, we needed more strength and we got the equalizer that we deserved. The players who entered from the bench were very important.

Thoughts on HFC's squad selection for this season

Manolo Marquez: I know how football works. Last season, we did not qualify for the top four, but the season was very good. Now, the team is continuing in the same line. Its not about we are a big team, we are fighting against teams, for example, we played against a team that took one of our best players. I don’t like to talk about the fact that we are a team with less budget, but we are fighting against strong teams.

The difference will be very marginal between finishing on top or fifth in the league table. We are happy with our team. Now we play against strong teams every four days.

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