ISL 2024-25: Sergio Lobera lauds team effort in comeback win over Hyderabad FC

Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera hailed the team’s effort in comeback 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar in the ongoing Indian Super League on Friday. 

Hyderabad FC opened the scoring as Stefan Sapic scored at half-an-hour mark. However, the Kalinga Warriors equalized right after the half time break as Mourtada Fall scored in the 47th minute.

The home team took the lead after two minutes as Hugo Boumous scored for them. Rahim Ali then sealed the game in the 70th minute with the third goal for the hosts.

Lobera was delighted with team’s display in the second half as they scored three goals and bounced back in style.

“I am very happy with the reaction of the team after the first half. I think at the start of the second half, the team showed character, showed a collective spirit, and finally, we came back in a not-easy situation because I think at the beginning of the game we played well. But after conceding one goal, it was difficult, it was painful for the team, but the reaction was amazing,” Lobera said at the post-match press conference.

“In the second half we played very well and finally we got three very important points,” he added.

Odisha FC have scored 41 goals in the ongoing season, which is the highest for any team. However, the Spaniard wants his players to be more clinical in front of the goal.

“We need to be more clinical because finally we are scoring goals, scoring three goals is not easy, but we had more chances to score goals and maybe manage the game in a different way,” said the Spaniard.

Lobera lauded the collective effort of the team, which helped them bag all three points.

“We are working as a team, we are working as a family on the pitch. In difficult moments, we are managing together these kinds of situations and if you want to win trophies, finally you need to have this spirit. It’s not enough having very good individual players, we need to build the team,” he commented.

Odisha FC will next take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Sunday.