Odisha FC's Tough Season Opener: Coach Lobera Seeks Team Revival

Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera expressed disappointment after a 3-2 defeat to Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League opening match. Injuries to key players and loss of focus were cited as major issues. Lobera emphasized the need for improvements ahead of their next game against Punjab FC.

In a sobering start to their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign, Odisha FC fell 3-2 to Chennaiyin FC in their opening fixture at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Head Coach Sergio Lobera voiced his dissatisfaction with the team's performance, citing the need for substantial improvements.

The game initially looked promising for Odisha FC, with Diego Mauricio converting a penalty early on. However, injuries to Saviour Gama and Carlos Delgado within the first half-hour shifted momentum in favor of Chennaiyin FC.

Chennaiyin FC capitalized on their opportunity, as Farukh Choudhary equalized in the 48th minute and scored again quickly thereafter. Debutant Daniel Chima Chukwu further extended their lead. Roy Krishna's stoppage-time goal for Odisha FC wasn't enough to secure a win, as the team recorded their first home loss after scoring first in 15 matches.

Post-match, Lobera stated, 'I don't think we need to make excuses about the injuries. We lost focus and concentration, allowing the opponents to overpower us.' With crucial fixtures ahead, the coach emphasized a need for tactical introspection and improvement, especially in their upcoming match against Punjab FC in Delhi.

Adding to Odisha FC's woes, star defender Carlos Delgado's serious injury could see him sidelined for an extended period. 'Delgado's injury seems serious. We need to check, but he's in a lot of pain,' Lobera revealed, highlighting the upcoming challenges for the squad.

(With inputs from agencies.)