Consecutive home games to kick off a season is as good as it gets, especially if that team happens to be Kerala Blasters, backed by a boisterous fanbase. So then, it isn't surprising that Blasters head coach Mikael Stahre wants to go all guns blazing in Sunday's home fixture against East Bengal before they hit the road for a run of three away matches in the Indian Super League.
From a tactical perspective, Stahre couldn't find much fault in the Blasters' 1-2 home defeat to Punjab FC in their season opener last week. He wants to see more of the same, but with more aggression. "We have to play like a home team; we have to play with a lot of energy," Stahre said in his pre-match press conference on Saturday.
The Blasters had more than 57% possession against Punjab, but Stahre wants his side to penetrate the final third and not just pass around. "We need more possession higher up so that we can put more pressure. We need to cross the halfway line with more control so that we can bring more numbers higher up. We can also counter-press in a better way, create more chances, send in more crosses and have more players inside the box," Stahre said.
The reference to 'crosses' could mean a start for Jesus Jimenez, the fresh recruit from Spain, who came off the bench at half-time to score a late equaliser against Punjab. Jimenez towered over his marker to meet a cross with his head. The Blasters' most productive move the whole night was that route one approach to goal.
For Jimenez, the setting is perfect for cosying up to the fans because the man he replaced will be turning up in East Bengal colours. Dimitrios Diamantakos had two impressive seasons with the Blasters, during which time he was their leading goal-scorer, before moving to Kolkata in the recent transfer window.
Jimenez has a headstart with his goal against Punjab because Diamantakos' East Bengal lost 0-1 to Bengaluru last week. But the former Blasters striker has made his intentions known. "I was here for two very good years, but now I'm in a new team so I'm here to fight for three points...I have so much respect for them (Blasters fans), but now I'm an opponent, I hope they can understand," Diamantakos said.
With club captain Adrian Luna ruled out for at least another 90 minutes, newcomer Noah Sadaoui will bear the burden of delivering key moments. Should Stahre persist with a more direct 4-2-4 system, Sadaoui could partner Jimenez up front, allowing Aimen and Rahul to occupy the wide areas. But that would invariably invite pressure on the Blasters' double pivot of Alexandre Coeff and Freddy that stuggled in the second half against Punjab. Stahre might consider having Vibin Mohanan, who signed a five-year contract extension this week, in midfield to match the energy of Carles Cuadrat's midfield trio, comprising Prieto and former Blasters fan favourite Jeakson Singh. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 7.30 pm.
