Kerala Blasters eye redemption against Mumbai City FC

Kerala Blasters are heading into their match against Mumbai City FC looking to bounce back from a recent loss to Bengaluru FC.

In the press conference held ahead of the clash, head coach Mikael Stahre and striker Kwame Peprah addressed the team’s morale, defensive concerns, and strategy going into the game.

Stahre, acknowledging the disappointment following the loss, spoke candidly about the importance of learning from their errors.

“Everyone was disappointed after the game, like the fans, all of us,” he shared. “But it hadn't been hard to regroup after that performance. Even though it was a hard loss, we’re energetic and optimistic for this upcoming game. We know it's a hard one, but right now, I think we are on the right track.”

Defensive errors played a significant role in the loss to Bengaluru, and Stahre stressed that they can't afford similar mistakes against Mumbai City. “Unfortunately in football, sometimes that happens. We also make individual errors, but that's also part of the game. It’s crucial to learn from our mistakes and make sure they don’t happen again.”

Stahre took a moment to clarify his view on the team's defensive performance. “Defensively, we were solid. The mistakes that led to goals were individual and happened when we had the ball. So that's a completely different situation from our overall defending,” he explained.

Stahre expressed pride in his team’s resilience following the Bengaluru match, praising the players' attitude and commitment. “This group is really good at bouncing back after difficulties. Yesterday’s training was one of the best of the season. Everyone wants to show up, play, and win, and that’s exactly the mentality we need.”

When asked about the pressure of playing at home, Stahre was clear about its benefits: “Playing in front of our fantastic fans can never be negative. I think the fans can see we’re making progress and playing good football, and we’re motivated to win.”

Peprah's Drive to Perform

Kwame Peprah, who has been a key figure in the Blasters’ attacking lineup, shared his focus on the team goal over personal ambitions. When asked about competing for starting roles with Jesus Jiminez, he said, “It’s not about who starts; it’s about backing each other up to secure the three points for our fans.”

Peprah, often deployed on the right flank, shared his adaptability and commitment to play wherever needed. “I can play anywhere across the front line—right, left, or center. It’s all about adapting to the opponents and helping the team.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Mumbai City, Peprah expressed confidence and determination. “The plan for the game against Mumbai is to win. I think we’re fully prepared for this game. Last season, we scored against them at home, and while the away game wasn’t in our favor, we have positive minds about it this time,” he added.

Stahre acknowledged the strength of the opposition, noting Mumbai City's organized structure and quality players. “They are a solid team and performed really well last season. It’s a tough game for us, but it will be a hard home game for them as well. We need to bring the same energy, determination, and concentration as we did in the previous game.”

With their passionate supporters backing them from home, the Blasters are hoping for a strong display in Mumbai. “We’ll miss the energy of our fans in the stands, but we know they’ll be cheering us on from their screens,” Stahre concluded.