ISL 2023-24: I am not happy, we need to improve a lot of things – Odisha FC’s Sergio Lobera

Odisha FC’s head coach Sergio Lobera was disappointed after their 3-2 loss against FC Goa in the ongoing Indian Super League at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Saturday. Lobera admitted they need to improve a lot of things going forward in the season.

Moutarda Fall gave a 1-0 lead to the Juggernauts early into the game in the sixth minute. However, the Gaurs were able to bounce back after Noah Sadaoui equalized through a penalty in the 55th minute.

The Moroccan player then gave a lead to the home team in the 68th minute but Fall scored his second of the night in the 81st minute to level the score. But Jay Gupta scored in the stoppage time to give three crucial points to FC Goa.

“We are disappointed. Again, we are losing points in the last minutes like against Mumbai City FC (where) in remaining two minutes we lost two points. Today, we lost three points. It was a crazy game. I think it was a game which was very, very open,” stated Lobera in the post-match press conference.

Analyzing the causes of the defeat, the Spaniard said, “We started the game very well, but then we lost the ball easily. And I think when you are playing like this, both teams, everything is possible to happen during the game because there are chances (for the opponent). They (my team) were not keeping the ball, they were not dominating the game with the possession of the ball. We are strong doing this, (but) when we are losing the ball, recovering the ball, losing the ball, recovering the ball.. the game is open and everything is possible to happen. It was a crazy game. It was not the way we wanted to play. I expected a game with more beautiful football for both teams. I think both teams played a very open games, but the final result was for FC Goa, but it was possible for us to draw or win the game. But I am not happy, we need to improve a lot of things.”

The Spaniard feels the hectic schedule made it difficult for his players but doesn’t want to use this as an excuse for their loss.

“It’s not excuses, but we are playing five games in 19 days in two competitions, travelling in the middle. Some players are tired, obviously, but these are not excuses. We can compete better. We had mistakes losing the ball in these situations. We need to try to avoid these because we are competing a very good team, one of the favourites in the competition. And when you give them chances, obviously they take advantage of all these.”

While giving his gratitude to the fans who traveled to Goa for the fixture, Lobera said, “Apologies (to the fans), because they are coming to help us, to support us. And obviously, it’s disappointing. It’s disappointing for them. It’s disappointing for us. And (the) only (thing) I can tell, (is) thank you to come here to try to help us. And we are going to work a lot and come back stronger after the (international) break.”

Odisha FC will next take on Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on 27th October.