ISL 2019-20: 'We defend as a team and attack as a team,' Jorge Costa credits unity and remains confident of a swift turnaround after 1-1 draw with Kerala Blasters

On a sultry Thursday evening at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai City FC managed to peg the Kerala Blasters back and ensure that they notched their first home point on the board in the 2019-20 season of the ISL.

However, Jorge Costa wasn’t too impressed with what the hosts churned out against the Kerala Blasters. He said that over the past few games, they had deserved better and that today they had started considerably slower, meaning that the visitors were cast into the ascendancy.

Worryingly though, individual errors were laid bare for everyone to witness, with one mistake leading to Kerala’s opener and the others majorly contributing to Mumbai City FC fluffing their lines.

Moreover, the hosts were put to the sword in the opening quarter, a period where the Blasters passed the ball with conviction, starkly different to the home side. On that aspect, Costa said,

There were a few mistakes that allowed Kerala that much of possession and I would not like to name the individual that caused that problem to occur. I feel it would not be right. But, we didn’t really change anything after that but grew into the game.

For the first time in quite a while, the Portuguese had the luxury of fielding a near full-strength squad. Yet, with the January transfer window looming, one couldn’t help but ask Costa if he intended to bolster his ranks, especially with the City Football Group now associated with the club.

The Mumbai manager though, in no uncertain terms, mentioned that that was the last thing on his mind. He quipped,

No, I am happy with what I have and don’t intend to change anything in the transfer window. The results might not have gone our way but we are playing well, fighting together and that makes me happy.

Finally, Costa concluded saying that there remained time for the Islanders to stage a stirring comeback and remain in the hunt for the semi-final spots. He said,

Last season also, we were in a similar situation but we turned it around and went many matches unbeaten. I believe in this squad that we can make something similar happen because we defend as a team and attack as a team. We are together.

Thus, despite the rather uninspiring result against the Kerala Blasters, Costa had issued a rallying call and one that must surely also resonate inside the dressing room. Even though time might be at a premium, the Portuguese seems hell bent on scripting another miraculous fightback, akin to last season.

And, that, certainly makes for interesting viewing as push comes to shove in the ISL.