ISL 2024-25: Odisha FC’s Sergio Lobera admits challenges of playing against East Bengal FC

Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera admitted it was challenging for them to play against East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata in the ongoing Indian Super League 2024-25 on Thursday. 

The Kalinga Warriors registered a 2-1 win against the Red and Gold Brigade and the Spaniard was delighted with the win. After a goalless first half, Chungnunga scored the opening goal for the home team in the 53rd minute.

However, the visitors bounced back quickly after just two minutes as they got the equalizer through Jerry Mawihmingthanga in the 55th minute and Hugo Boumous secured the three points for his team as he found the back of the net in the 81st minute.

Lobera was delighted with the way they scored two goals against East Bengal FC’s strong defense but feels they should have capitalized more against a 10-man opposition as Jeakson Singh received a red card in the 43rd minute.

“I think it is not easy to play against East Bengal FC. They are a strong team, with three clean sheets in three games. It is not easy to play against East Bengal FC. We know that they are a very strong team in defence, with three clean sheets. It is not easy to score two goals because they are a very compact team, there is no distance between lines. This is maybe the reason why in the start of the game it was not easy for us. But I think we managed to win the possession of the ball. I think we generated our chances. The only thing I think we need to improve today in today’s game is playing against ten players,” said Lobera in the post-match press conference.

Speaking on the absence of Roy Krishna, the Fijian striker, who is out for the season due to an ACL injury, Lobera said, “Obviously, we need to replace Roy Krishna. Roy Krishna is an amazing player. We miss him a lot. Not only as a player but also as a person and a professional. We are working on that and we are going to have news very soon about the replacement of Roy Krishna.”

Odisha FC will next take on Mohammedan SC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on 27th December.