Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky expressed disappointment as his team faced Kerala Blasters FC in a tightly contested clash, culminating in a 1-0 victory for the Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday.

The match was defined by contrasting halves, with both teams initially struggling to find their rhythm and effectively cancelling each other out. This led to a goalless first half before Kerala Blasters FC seized control in the second, capitalizing on their chances, scoring the decisive goal, and delivering a solid defensive display to secure all three points and a clean sheet.

Post-match, Coach Kratky expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, particularly in the first half, citing a lack of energy and movement.

"We started very poorly in the first half—no energy, no movement. So, we have to look at that. We need to get better if we want to achieve something. For me, we were very passive, especially in the first 45 minutes. Kerala Blasters FC created great chances, then they went 1-0 up. After that, we tried to push late in the second half,” Kratky said during the post-match press conference.

He emphasized the need for improvement and consistency, highlighting that a passive approach could jeopardize their chances of securing a top-six finish.

"You know, I try to push and encourage, but again, we need to be better. We need energy to win games. Today, the first half was too slow for me, but the second half was much better. This is where we need consistency—in our performance, in our attitude—throughout the league. Whether it's the first game or the last, we have to go for it. It's like a grand final for us. It's all or nothing. We have to move on from this game, look forward, recover, and get ready to play Bengaluru FC,” the head coach said.

The coach also addressed concerns about the performance of senior players and the potential shift toward integrating more youth into the lineup.

He emphasized that all players are given opportunities to showcase their abilities and that performance in training is crucial for selection.

The coach replied, "Everyone in our team gets a chance this season to play. Everyone gets an opportunity to play. They have the opportunity to show they deserve to start. It's also about how they train, and how they behave. It's not just (that) someone has a poor performance, If you have a poor performance, you need some support and need to just keep working with them. And make them better. Make them feel good. And make them perform."

Finally, he acknowledged the significance of the upcoming match against Bengaluru FC, describing it as a pivotal moment for the team. He stressed the need to channel their efforts and secure at least a point to leapfrog Odisha FC and clinch a playoff spot.

"We need to regroup and recover because it's coming quick. We travel soon. But we have to go in with fighting spirits on the pitch. So, whoever is on the pitch needs to put everything in it—to try to win the games and play good football. So, that's what I want from the players, from the staff: a never-give-up attitude. The game starts next week or in a couple of days. So, it's all about how we approach the game,” Kratky said as he concluded.

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