Matthaus: Blasters needs fans support in good and bad times

Protesting the team’s below-par showing in the Indian Super League (ISL), Kerala Blasters fans stayed away from the home game against Jamshedpur FC at the Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Tuesday, but German great Lothar Matthaus is not in agreement with their action.

“Being a fan is like keeping a relation. It does not work out happy always in a relationship,” Matthaus said, adding, “Being a fan is about being there in good times and bad times.”

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The World Cup-winning German compared the situation to one back home with Borussia Dortmund and its fans.

“The Dortmund fans were in the same situation two seasons ago, the team was not getting results the fans expected but continued supporting the players in the Bundesliga. Now the side is doing well. Fans need us players the same way as we need them to push us,” he said.

Matthaus shows his skill to children during the clinic organised at the Cooperage ground.   -  Vivek Bendre

Asked about his first impressions of the ISL, the former German captain observed: “I saw quality, not only from foreigners here, but also from young Indians on the pitch.”

The German later interacted with underprivileged kids at the Cooperage Football Ground in Mumbai and is expected to watch Thursday’s ISL game between Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena.