Manolo Marquez: Mumbai City will struggle without new signings after 0-0 draw in Kochi
Manolo Marquez on October 26, 2026, after Mumbai City’s 0-0 draw with Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Indian Super League said his side’s lack of attacking reinforcements and multiple injuries left the team short of options. Marquez warned that failing to sign a striker would make it difficult for Mumbai City to achieve their season objective.
Mumbai City produced a disciplined defensive display but failed to score in the goalless game, with injuries to Vikram Partap Singh, Wilmar Jordan Gil and Leandro Otormin exacerbating the problem. Marquez noted the absences deprived the team of a direct winger, their primary striker and a creative No. 10 respectively, leaving the squad without a recognised No. 9 and a natural No. 10 for the early part of the campaign. He praised the players’ commitment while stressing that the club’s attacking shortfall has become increasingly apparent.
Reflecting on the match, Marquez said: “Great effort, great commitment. You don’t need to be an expert to see what is missing in this team.” He pointed to goalkeeper Amrinder Singh winning Man of the Match as evidence of chances created and added: “When the Man of the Match is Amrinder, we had the clearest chances in the game, and we could have got three points.” The coach singled out Kerala’s goalkeeper for denying Mumbai the goals that might have secured victory.
Marquez underlined that defensive organisation alone would not produce results, stating: “You can defend, but if the other team outscores you, finish.” On recruitment he was explicit: “I have a feeling that if we sign a striker, we will finish in the top six, and that would be my mission. If we don’t sign anyone, then it will be difficult.” The coach said a new striker would provide a recognised focal point in attack and noted the current lack of creative options was a limiting factor.
Addressing the broader context of Indian football, Marquez said he was disappointed with the start and that people needed to understand the changing situation in the league: “Obviously, I am disappointed with the start. I feel people are not aware of the situation in Indian football.” He added: “Chennaiyin is no longer the same Chennaiyin; Goa is not Goa, and Mumbai is not the same Mumbai that won two Shields and two trophies. This is a different team from the one that won four trophies.” Marquez also referenced differing club models and stability across the ISL, listing Jamshedpur FC, NorthEast United, Punjab FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal, Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters in his assessment of the changing landscape.
With senior attackers sidelined, Mumbai City handed opportunities to youngsters: Supratim Das and Yuvraj Kadam made their ISL debuts and Hridaya Jain made his third appearance. Marquez highlighted the youngsters’ attitude, saying: “Yuvraj played five minutes today and showed more hunger than Farukh and other players.” He added: “Yuvraj and Hridaya have shown enough promise. Even though they aren’t ready for the ISL yet, they will be very good for the future.”
Marquez praised the match atmosphere at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, saying: “I enjoyed playing in this stadium today. Today, I would have loved to be a player instead of a coach. This is my fifth team here, and the atmosphere today was top.” He congratulated Kerala Blasters supporters for their turnout and said he was looking ahead to the reverse fixture at the Mumbai Football Arena next Sunday, expressing his hope that Mumbai City fans would help the Islanders secure their first victory of the season.