Exclusive | Cutting-edge passes, silky footwork - Jayesh Rane turning back the clock at Mumbai City under Petr Kratky's stewardship

"I can't take you through that assist, because I don't know how it happened either," Jayesh Rane chuckled. It wasn't unexpected; creativity often flows from a hamlet beyond logic, beyond the mortal lexicon.

In a sport defined by its unforgiving challenges, adrenaline-fueled clashes, and relentless pursuit of primitive ruggedness, it's ironic to zoom in on a moment that could resemble an elegant brush stroke. Yet, Rane nearly captured that essence during the first leg of the FC Goa challenge in the ISL 2023-24 semi-final.

With Islanders trailing by a two-goal margin in the final minute of regulation time, the 31-year-old, thrust into the mix after the hour mark, received the ball a few yards ahead of the halfway line. The defenders were preoccupied with tracking Lallianzuala Chhangte's decisive off-the-ball run into the penalty area, leaving space for Rane to exploit.

Yet, time and space don't always translate to quality, especially in those nervy final minutes. But on the fateful night of April 24, the Mumbai-born midfielder exuded composure. A neat first touch to create the space, a wily second to derail Nim Dorjee Tamang, and the exquisite third to send the leather orb rolling onto Chhangte's feet past the helpless FC Goa backline.

All those actions, condensed into a fraction of a second by Jayesh Rane, before his partner-in-crime framed the ball into the opposition net - how do you even articulate that?

The Gaurs were left stunned, as the traveling fans, often questioned for their support, drowned out the silence of the home crowd with their roars. The scoreline read 2-1, with five minutes of additional time still to be played.

"When we scored the first goal, I think everyone started believing, and then the goals just kept coming," Jayesh Rane recalled during an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda.

Gurkirat's ambitious effort a minute later was initially parried away by Dheeraj Singh, but the in-form Vikram Pratap Singh was perfectly positioned to stab home the rebound. Scores tied. Heads sunk in the Goan dugout.

As the final minute of injury time ticked away, could the Gaurs at least walk into the second leg without a goal deficit?

A cushioned chest control from Rane, reminiscent of days past, before a display of nimble footwork, culminated in a miscued effort that he humorously insisted was a well-intended pass, hammered home by Chhangte - the duo had provided the answer.

"I tried to shoot, but Carl [McHugh] tackled me from behind. I felt it was a foul, and I tripped, resulting in a no-look pass from (Ahmed) Jahouh. Then Chhangte finished it perfectly. So, all thanks to God!" Rane admitted.

For a midfielder, who has often been moved around from club to club as an afterthought, he deserved a stroke of luck. Whether through an unintended assist or the unplanned addition of a certain Petr Kratky to the Mumbai City setup.

"I honestly didn't think I would be getting the amount of opportunity I have been at Mumbai. For the last few seasons, Des Buckingham had his set of players that he trusted. I knew it would be difficult," Rane confessed.

The Czech tactician didn't shy away from giving plenty of opportunities to Rane, and in turn, the midfielder's confidence has soared. If anything, his performances have been a testament to his claims.

There's a newfound enthusiasm in the former Bengaluru FC midfielder's voice as he talks about his time under Kratky, a stark contrast to his recent stints at previous clubs. With renewed ambition, Jayesh Rane looks forward to navigating his footballing career with grace, even as he approaches the other end of thirty.

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Excerpts from Sportskeeda's interview with Mumbai City FC midfielder Jayesh Rane

Jayesh Rane has looked sharp under Petr Kratky's stewardship.

Question: Firstly, Jayesh, you've been a Mumbai boy through and through, starting with Mumbai FC and now back in Mumbai City. How does it feel to represent your hometown club once again?

Jayesh Rane: It's a special feeling playing for your city and for the fans who love you. It isn't like the fans at the other clubs didn't share a similar emotion, but with Mumbai it's different.

Q: You've been a journeyman, playing across some of the best clubs in the country throughout your career. How do you feel about the football you're playing at this stage? And can you reflect on the direction you're career has been taking in the recent past?

Jayesh: I started as a winger but was mostly playing in a defensive role throughout my career. When I was in ATK, under [Antonio] Habas I was playing as a winger but had a defensive role. Last year at Bengaluru too, I was playing as a Number 6 and not a 10. So that was the main reason behind joining Mumbai because I wanted to play as a Number 10. I got the opportunity here thanks to coach Des Buckingham and Petr Kratky.

Q: Before I talk about this season, Jayesh, going into the last summer transfer window what were your ambitions, and how did the loan move to Mumbai City materialize?

Jayesh: It was difficult. Because last season, I don't think I played a lot of minutes. I was hungry to play so that was my motivation to move out. However, I honestly didn't think I would be getting the amount of opportunity I have been at Mumbai. For the last few seasons, Des Buckingham had his set of players that he trusted. I knew it would be difficult.

It was difficult to move out of Bengaluru after two seasons, but whatever happens happens for a reason.

Q: Since being appointed mid-season, could you talk about Petr Kratky's influence at the club?

Jayesh: His main thing as a coach is he is very honest, if he sees you doing well in training he will give you chances. He is himself very energetic so that brushes off on the players too. Everyone is enjoying the football we are playing so it is easy to adapt to his style of coaching.

Q: Looking back at the night of April 15, when Mumbai lost out the ISL League Shield to Mohun Bagan in the final matchday, was there a sense of complacency in the players, given a draw would've been enough on the night? If not, then what do you think led to that defeat?

Jayesh: No, there was no complacency. We were there to win. But all I can say is it wasn't our night. It's not like we didn't play well, but, in terms of football, they were much better than us. So congratulations to them but we won't let that happen again.

Q: As a group and even individually, how do you recover from a setback like that?

Jayesh: It's difficult. But the first thing that the coach said after the match in the dressing room was, 'You've 48 hours to recover. Do what you want but when we join the training, we start fresh.' It's professional football so what's done is done. You can't go back and change it so we needed to focus on the opportunities that lay ahead.

Q: Finally, Jayesh, it's time to talk about the first leg of the semi-final against FC Goa. It was an absolute thriller. What emotions did you feel in the dugout when Mumbai were trailing by a two-goal margin?

Jayesh: I just wanted to get on the pitch!

Q: Was there a belief among the staff and the players that such a comeback was possible?

Jayesh: At half-time, the coach said we would surely score a goal but imagining a comeback was difficult. Now I can probably say we had that belief, but no team probably knows that for a fact that they can come back like that after going two goals down.

I think we were a little bit fitter than the opposition, so credit to the medical staff. It wasn't like we were completely dominated throughout the match, they just took their chances and we didn't until the very end. When we scored the first goal, I think everyone started believing and then the goals just kept coming.

Q: Take me through those two assists of yours. The first one just cut through the defense and for the second one, you showed some silky smooth footwork that many might have forgotten you were capable of.

Jayesh: In the first one, all I saw was Chhangte running and the positioning of the defenders, and I put the ball through. I can't take you through that, because I don't know how it happened either. (Laughs)

The second one, well it wasn't a pass. But don't write that down! (Laughs) But to be honest, it wasn't a pass, I tried to shoot but Carl [McHugh] tackled me from behind. I felt it was a foul and I tripped and it went like a no-look pass from Jahouh. Then Chhangte finished it perfectly. So all thanks to god!

Q: Was your performance a bit of a reminder for everyone who might've written you off or forgotten what Jayesh Rane was capable of?

Jayesh: Not really! I don't feel people have forgotten me. I always try to do my best. There are always bad patches and good patches, but for me, all I need is consistency. In the past, the graph has been up and down. For people to remember, you've to be always at the top. But I lacked that!

I feel, under Petr Kratky, I once again have that confidence and I'm enjoying my time here.

Q: Two-nil down on the scoreboard. And then Petr Kratky decides to take off three foreigners and play with 10 Indians in the final minutes. What does it say about Petr Kratky as a coach and Mumbai City as a team?

Jayesh: I think we have incredible squad depth. Take Gurkirat for example, he came in, took a shot and Vikram scored from the rebound. There are plenty of instances where our main players were injured but other players came in and performed equally well if not better.

The best example is Valpuia. He came on in the 12th minute and had to play under difficult circumstances. This is why the coach has a belief in all the Indian players as well. So it's great for the coach and the team as well.

It helps the young players too when the coach trusts them. His approach is very simple, you do your best in the training and you'll get your chance on the field.

Q: After the heroics in the first leg, Mumbai carry a slender lead into the next. But how do you assess the second leg against Goa?

Jayesh: They are a very good team and it will be a difficult match-up. One goal lead is never enough. We aren't targeting anything less than a victory. I know we will have that mentality, restart with a fresh scoreboard because they'll also come for the revenge. We have to be switched on for the whole 90 minutes and focus on ourselves.

Q: You've won the ISL title on two occasions, once with Chennaiyin and then with ATK. Could you talk a little about what makes a champion team?

Jayesh: I think the most important thing is, there needs to be absolute unity in the team. There shouldn't be any factions or groups within the team, and all should have the same targets and bullet-proof beliefs.

Q: You are on the other side of thirty now, Jayesh, but you've been showing some new-found ambition lately. Where do you go from here?

Jayesh: I want to go upwards and onwards. I know I'm 31 but I feel young, I look young! I don't know at this point how many years of football I have in me but just want to do my best till I continue, which I feel is for quite a while.