“I know exactly what their weaknesses are, and I know how to exploit them. But in the end, the players have to do that. So, I have a good plan there,” said Eelco Schattorie. The Kerala Blasters (KBFC) gaffer really did have a plan and the mind games he played in the pre-match press conference worked. He did have a reason to be confident, the Dutch was unbeaten against ATK in the last five games and even won the opening fixture of Hero Indian Super League 2019/20 against ATK.
KBFC started five places below ATK, but the Kerala based side dominated the game tactically even though ATK had fair share of chances.
This tactical analysis interprets the tactics of both the managers and how Schatorrie defeated Antonio Habas’s team through his tactics.
Lineups
Antonia Habas resorted back to his preferred 3-5-2 against KBFC after his side defeated Mumbai with a four-man backline. The three-man backline providing cover to the goalkeeper, Arindam Bhattacharya were the usual suspects in Sumit Rathi, Agus García and Pritam Kotal. Prabir Das and Michael Soosairaj provided width and were the attacking-minded wing-backs. Controlling the midfield were ATK’s three foreign signings, Javi Hernández, Víctor Mongil, and Mandi. Balwant Singh started in place of the injured and in-form David Williams. The Indian striker could not influence the game and was ineffective throughout. The top-scorer, Roy Krishna, partnered Balwant upfront.
KBFC struggled with injuries throughout this edition of ISL. Schatorrie did not have the fortune to select players from his completely fit squad. Gianni Zuiverloon missed the game due to injury and was replaced by Abdul Hakku. Partnering him in the central defence was Vlatko Drobarov. Jessel Carneiro and Mohammad Rakip positioned themselves on either side of Drobarov and Hakku respectively.
Schattorie had good news as Mario Arqués was back from injury and played in a double pivot alongside Moustapha Gning. Halicharan Narzary and Seityasen Singh provided width in the wings. However, they often drifted inside and occupied the half-space between the lines. Up front, Messi Bouli partnered Bartholomew Ogbeche. Messi Bouli occasionally dropped deeper to position himself between the lines and open up a passing lane for his defenders and midfielders.
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