Mumbai City FC is set to face Bengaluru FC in a crucial ISL 2024-25 Playoff clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The Islanders enter the match with confidence, having defeated Bengaluru 2-0 at the same venue two weeks ago to secure their playoff spot. Ahead of the game, head coach Petr Kratky and forward Nikolaos Karelis acknowledged the challenge but remained optimistic.
Karelis, one of the league’s leading scorers with ten goals, stressed the importance of consistency and team support. “As a striker, scoring goals is a key responsibility. My teammates and the coaching staff have placed their trust in me, and I want to repay that by giving them confidence,” he said. “Their support all season has been crucial, and my hard work reflects that. I know I need to be more consistent and keep improving to help the team win points.”
Kratky echoed this view, emphasizing that success comes from teamwork. “We’re not lacking anything; it’s always a team effort. Karelis scoring ten goals isn’t just about him—it’s about the team working together,” he said. “He can score because someone provides the assist, someone gets him the ball in the right areas. That’s what matters.”
Though Mumbai City FC shared points in their home fixture against Bengaluru earlier this season, they ended the league stage with a thrilling win over the same opponent. However, Kratky expects a much tougher test this time. “The last game against Bengaluru will be different from this one. They missed several key players then, but now they’ll be stronger,” he said. “They finished high in the standings for a reason. They’re a quality team, and we’ll have to dig deep to get the win. One competition ends, and another begins now.”
With a semi-final spot at stake, Mumbai City FC will look to maintain their momentum. Karelis spoke about the team’s morale, saying, “The energy is high, and the mood is great. Everyone is pushing each other in training and staying motivated. Reaching the playoffs was our goal after a setback at the end of the season. Now, we are ready for the big fight and will give everything against a strong opponent.”
Discussing Bengaluru FC’s strengths, Karelis highlighted their solid defense. “They have a tough defensive line that’s hard to break down. In attack, they capitalize on mistakes, so we need to be patient and play our game. We know what we can do—we just have to deliver on matchday.”
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