The Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 has already showcased some thrilling encounters, and the football fans can buckle up again as titans get ready to clash Match 10 on Tuesday, when defending champions Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala Blasters lock horns at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The rivalries will resume as the visitors will be seeking vengeance on Tuesday. Both sides started off their ISL 2015 campaigns in similar fashion, with one win and one draw. Both teams are coming into this exciting encounter on the back of a draw.
Kerala Blasters manager Peter Taylor and assitane manager Trevor Morgan are wary of the home side's strengths and they are hopeful that they can collect three points from this match and propel the Blasters to the top of the table.
"Things are even for both the teams. We are aware that Atletico de Kolkata is a strong team and beating them in front of such a huge crowd will be difficult. We also have a lot of respect for both the defending champions," Taylor told the reporters at the pre-match press conference.
Morgan, who has been the coach of East Bengal Club earlier knows the conditions of Kolkata like the back of his hands, and he will play a crucial role in sketching out the tactics for Tuesday's all-important encounter. He is also wary of the threat of Iain Hume, who played for the Kerala Blasters in the first season of the ISL.
Morgan is also confident the Kerala Blasters have it in them to make it to the final of ISL 2015 and lift the trophy. He knows the importance of Tuesday's game and is also aware that the stature of the match has been lifted by the presence of Brazilian legend Pele. The former East Bengal coach believes the players will want to perform at their best in front of the three-time World Cup winning goal-machine.
"We have a game plan and we will try and execute it accordingly. We are not particularly looking to mark Hume. In that way, the other forwards can have a lot space to themselves and that can be threatening for us," Morgan added.
"We have been there in the final. We will try and use that as an incentive and work harder to reach their again. Both the teams are good in their way and it will be hard for either sides to breach each other's defence."
On the other hand, Atletico de Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas has a number of concerns to deal with ahead of Tuesday's encounter against Kerala Blasters. While some players are out with injuries, some are with the India team. In spite of that, Habas is confident they can do well against the Kerala Blasters.
Atletico de Kolkata have their third tough fixture in a row and so far they have remained unbeaten. If the home side can edge past the Kerala Blasters on Tuesday, then it will boost their morale big time ahead of future fixtures.
"It is a very important game for us. We knew the first three fixtures against Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa and Kerala Blasters will be difficult. If we can manage to win Tuesday's game then nothing like it," Habas told the mediapersons at the pre-match press conference at a city hotel on Monday.
