Odisha need to improve on their mistakes, notes Josep Gombau

The Juggernauts lost 0-1 to Hyderabad FC in a game that saw the Nizams edge past their opponent by a goal in the third consecutive game.

Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau asserted on improving on the mistakes that the team has become prone to committing in the aftermath of their 1-0 loss to Hyderabad FC at the G. M. C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Saturday.

The Spaniard regretted the fact that the Juggernauts began the game on a slow note as Mohammed Yasir’s eighth-minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides eventually. Here are the excerpts from the tactician’s post-match press conference.

Reflections on the game

“Hyderabad is a very good side. I think in the first 10 minutes, we start very slowly. We concede the goal which is something that we need to work on. To start the game more focused. After that, it was a very poor game. We had our chances. They had missed chances. We are pushing a little bit more because we had to score and get a result. Last part of the second half Hyderabad was more thinking to keep the result,” Gombau opened up on his initial assessment of the proceedings.

He added, “But it's not a big difference between teams. Small details make the result on one side or the other. These actions can defend well, concede a goal and it was difficult for us to come back.”

Learning from the loss

This was Odisha’s second loss of the campaign after having gone 2-0 down to Mumbai City FC last month. Gombau expressed confidence in his team’s ability to learn from their mistakes and resurrect their fortunes as they move ahead in the season.

“For sure every game that we play needs to improve the mistake that we do and we need to work with players and review the game I am sure we will find positives from this game. Things will improve that we work on,” the 46-year-old quipped.

Is Odisha not finishing off their chances well?

Odisha FC took eight shots at goal but only two of them were on target against Hyderabad FC. The team didn’t capitalize on the goal-scoring chances that they created, particularly the ones that came through the flanks. Josep Gombau admitted that finishing is an aspect that his side could work to improve upon.

“I think we play five games, we scored six goals. It is something that can be better. We play three games away, and two at home. We won three games from five which I think we lost away in Mumbai and away in Hyderabad. Two very good sides. I think we need to be happy with the performance of the team. We need to work, not just in finishing, in all the areas. When the team wins, everyone wins. When the team lose, everyone loses,” the head coach explained.

On Diego Mauricio and Pedro Martin’s injuries

Josep Gombau took off forward Diego Mauricio for Pedro Martin for the entirety of the second half as Odisha chased the equalizer. The substitution led many to question the tactical decision considering the strike duo could have worked in tandem to help the Juggernauts notch their elusive first goal of the night. However, the Spaniard elaborated on the injury concerns that hampered both Mauricio and Martin’s preparations in the previous week. He added that it was a conscious decision to play them in separate halves of the game so as to not aggravate the issues surrounding their fitness.

“No, both players, Pedro and Diego start the week with strong physical problems. From the last game against Bengaluru, they finished with some issues. And with them, we work with them, and they arrive in good shape for this game. As a coach, I don't want to take any risk and just to ensure that we don't have any injury and hence 45 minutes for each player, which both deserved to play,” Gombau revealed.

“Both worked very well even at the beginning of the week they were out of the training week. They just start training three days ago. Like, by sharing time, you avoid the risk of injury. I think they did well and it was the idea and maybe in another moment I have both with 100 per cent physically fit. Probably, losing 1-0, I will use both in the field. But today, in this situation, we use 45 minutes for each player,” he signed off.