Mumbai City – an opposition the Blasters don’t like much, and JLN Stadium in Fatorda – a pitch on which the Blasters don’t have many fond memories of – both come together in the last game of Group D as Kerala Blasters face Mumbai City at the Fatorda stadium to decide the winners of Group D of the 2025-’26 Super Cup. Here’s our Match Preview:
The game of unpredictable odds
The qualification scenarios make this game an intriguing one, as the Blasters just require a draw or a win to go through as group winners, while the chances for the other challengers are… complex. At this point, only Rajasthan and Mumbai are the only challengers to the Blasters, and for both of them to have any chance at qualifying, the Blasters must lose first and foremost and then come the dizzying statistics:
For Mumbai City to qualify:
- Win against Kerala Blasters, Rajasthan lose against Delhi
- Have a big win against Kerala, if Rajasthan gets a narrow win against Delhi
For Rajasthan United to qualify:
- Defeat Delhi by 4+ goals and hope Mumbai defeats Kerala 1-0
With the Rajasthan game ending before the Mumbai one, their result can directly put pressure on Mumbai, while all the Blasters need to do is just keep their nerves and avoid a defeat.
How the tables have turned…
Kerala Blasters were 2nd in line in being the group favorites, just behind Mumbai City at the beginning of the Super Cup group stages. Now, Kerala Blasters are the favorites to win the group. The wins against Rajasthan and Delhi have proved to be crucial for the Blasters, as they currently hold the advantage in head-to-head (against Rajasthan) and goal difference (+4). The goal for the Blasters would be to keep the advantage as is and hold itself against Mumbai to qualify with flying colors as the well-deserved champions of the group.
Fitness Concerns
“Kerala Blasters looked tired in the second half” – an opinion echoed by a few sect of fans post the 3-0 victory over Delhi. Maybe as a result of the highly intense pressing game or just an illusion created by the slowing down of the game, the concerns are real. These are especially real considering the next game being within barely 3 days, that too being the most important fixture of the group. Both sides come into the game after heavy games, and if any side isn’t fully fit, their fatigue could transcend into suicidal errors, a scenario which both clubs would be hoping to avoid.
Rain, Rain, please don’t come back again
This Super Cup has been notorious for the heavy rainfall during games, affecting the game, both on and off the pitch. Both sides, Mumbai especially, would be hoping that the rain won’t come and spoil their plans, considering how crucial a victory is for them.
“Let the better defense win.”
“Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles” – the famous quote by Sir Alex Ferguson holds true for the upcoming fixture, as defensive solidity will play a great part tomorrow night. Mumbai City have conceded one each in their last two fixtures, whereas Kerala Blasters are yet to concede a goal in this edition of the Super Cup and would love to extend the streak throughout the game against Mumbai as well, as the Blasters only need a draw to go through. Attacks of both sides aren’t weak either, with both sides having scored 4 goals combined in their last two games, which makes the defensive aspect of the game more crucial.
David Catala’s sides are known to go deeply defensive when needed, a strategy which he may or may not be in favor of utilizing tomorrow night. Mumbai’s defensive acumen is also solid with the likes of Tiri, Valpuia, Akash, etc., having conceded only two, with one being from a penalty against Delhi. If the Blasters are to follow the “Attack is the best defense” strategy, the Mumbai backline will have to hold the inform Blasters in their lines, as the Islanders cannot afford to lose, even by a single goal.
Key Battles:
Koldo Obieta vs Tiri:
Koldo Obieta – the Blaster’s new Spanish ‘sicario’ is slowly turning his doubters into his fans, scoring thrice in his first two games for the club, further cementing his name as a sure shot starter under the David Catala regime. The Spaniard’s linkup play, ball-holding ability and positioning have earned him a lot of appreciation from pundits, and he would be looking to extend his scoring streak against what may be his biggest challenge yet – outclassing José Luis Espinosa Arroyo, or as he is popularly known, Tiri.
One of the finest Spanish Center-Backs to ever grace Indian Football, Tiri is known for his consistency, a fact so real that he’s almost always been a part of some of the biggest clubs in India throughout his time of just over a decade in the country’s now top-flight of football, the Indian Super League. Tiri will be looking to keep Koldo silent throughout the night as the current number 1 in the Super Cup Golden Boot race will try to be vocal as ever on the pitch, lending all his ability to keep the Blasters on top of the game from start to finish.
Dusan Lagator vs Jon Toral:
Jon Toral is a big name, despite not being very impactful in terms of stats last season, the Spaniard still carries the quality to set up his teammates well, as the major creative outlet for the Islanders. Dusan, coming from a good game against Delhi, will be expected to turn his game up a notch against Mumbai, especially against Toral and Brandon, as the Blasters would want to break down Mumbai’s creative outlets and suffocate their attacking play, a key element to keep things going in the way the Blasters intend to.
Jorge Pereyra Diaz vs Juan Rodriguez Martinez:
Perhaps the most anticipated matchup of tomorrow, Jorge vs Juan, will have a crucial role in the result of tomorrow’s game. Juan has looked solid in his last two outings, making crucial interceptions and playing a crucial role in the team’s build-up from the back gameplay, but he is yet to face a major challenge, especially against someone who is the antithesis of him in several senses, someone like Jorge Pereyra Diaz.
“You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain…” – a quote that could encapsulate Jorge’s time in India; brought to the ISL by the Blasters in the 21/22 season, Jorge was crucial in their run to the finals, but the Blasters failed to keep him and Mumbai City added to him to their ranks, and Mumbai City went on to win both the ISL Shield and ISL Cup during his two seasons at the club, and made the switch to KBFC’s arch-rivals Bengaluru FC, before returning to be an Islander yet again.
Kerala Blasters, the club that brought him to India, also has been his best prey in his time in India, having 8 goal contributions against his former club, with the majority being more or less crucial goals. Juan’s goal would be to contain the ever-menacing and unpredictable Diaz, who would be looking to increase his tally against the Blasters. Juan would be facing quick and intense pressing for the first time tomorrow against the crazy-pacy Mumbai attack, and how he holds his ground against them will be the real test for both him and the Blasters.
Predicted Lineups:
Kerala Blasters FC: (4-4-2)
Nora; Saheef, Bikash, Juan, Sandeep; Noah, Luna, Lagator, Korou; Nihal, Obieta
Mumbai City FC: (4-2-4)
Phurba; Akash, Valpuia, Tiri, Alva; Lalnuntluanga, Toral; Vikram, Diaz, Ortiz, Chhangte
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