David Catala Highlights Missed Chances and Defensive Gaps vs Mumbai City

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David Catala Highlights Missed Chances and Defensive Gaps vs Mumbai City

Basil Benoy

Modified - Feb 23, 2026, 11:24 AM

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David Catala Highlights Missed Chances and Defensive Gaps vs Mumbai City

Summary

Kerala Blasters FC lost 1-0 to Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, remaining winless and goalless after two matches.
Lallianzuala Chhangte scored the decisive goal early in the second half as Mumbai’s defence resisted Kerala’s pressure.
Coach David Catala cited missed chances and fitness concerns but backed the team to bounce back.

Kerala Blasters' disappointing start to the ISL campaign continues after a second consecutive defeat, losing 1-0 to Mumbai City FC on February 23 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. With the loss, the team are currently 12th in the league table, failing to score in any fixtures. Kerala Blasters were the better side in a lacklustre first half, managing to create chances, but failing to finish those opportunities.

Mumbai City regained the momentum in the second half, with one of the best Indian players, Lallianzuala Chhangte, scoring the sole goal of the game in the 47th minute. Despite Kerala's continuous attacks, Mumbai's defensive unit was able to hold on to the lead.

Kerala Blasters coach David Catala addressed the press in the post-match interview, highlighting the team's commitment and discipline, fighting till the end to secure an equaliser. He also commented on the team's lack of fitness as one of the key factors for the loss.

David Catala concluded by assuring the fans that the team, with continuous hard work and discipline, can turn around the campaign.

David Catala Comments on the Key Factor Why Kerala Blasters Faced Defeat

David Catala commented that the game plan in the second half was to create numerical superiority, which influenced the decision to bring on Ajsal, Victor, Ebindas, and Vibin to provide the upper hand in the center, while Korou and Naocha delivered crosses into the final third.

Catala reflected that the lack of quality in the final third was one of the major reasons for the loss. However, the coach ended on a positive note, highlighting the players commitment and hard work.

"Yes, finally, we were looking at the second half. This is to create more superiorities inside. We put Ajsal, we put Kevin, we put Victor, Ebin and Vibin to give this superiority inside. And after, to try to play outside with Korou and Naocha to cross from outside.
In the moments, we were doing it good. Also, Mumbai was defending really good. But, OK, it's true that I still missed this quality in the last third that maybe in other years we haven't.
But it's a matter of working; I keep believing in these guys because the effort that they are doing is amazing. So, I can see it every day, how they train, how they work. And I'm pretty sure that it's going to be hard because the reality is hard."

David Catala Reflects on the Team's Tactical Plan

When asked about Kerala Blasters’ pragmatic pressing throughout the game, whether it was a deliberate tactical plan or an inability to cope with Mumbai City’s intensity, David Catala explained.

Yes, it was our intention from the beginning to start to go high. That's the beginning, from the beginning to try to push them, to make, to don't be so low-block like the last game against Mohun Bagan. And I think there was part of the game that we did it well, but obviously, we have our opponent. The tightness also during the game was more and more for some players, and we couldn't do the press, the high press that I really want".

David Catala reflected that the plan was to press high.

However, the team were unable to find the balance required to press, affecting the game plan that the Spaniard planned to implement.