How Roy Krishna will fit into Sergio Lobera's Odisha FC

Roy Krishna is a brilliant addition to the team looking to build on its recent success.

Odisha FC are making ambitious moves in the transfer market ahead of the 2023-24 Indian Super League season. The acquisition of Roy Krishna is a major step in the right direction for the winners of the 2023 Hero Super Cup. The former Bengaluru FC frontman will add a lot of quality to Sergio Lobera’s squad.

The expectations are high for Odisha FC after their successful season in the Indian Super League last term where the club got to the playoffs for the first time ever. Bringing former ISL Shield and Trophy winner Sergio Lobera as head coach for the upcoming season was a sensational move too!

Odisha FC are currently recruiting players that fit in the Spaniard’s system and have partnered with him previously. In the context of Roy Krishna, here is a look at how he fits into the tactician’s plans:

Squad Depth

Odisha FC won the Hero Super Cup in the previous campaign which was a magnificent achievement for the club. However, this has raised the expectations considerably from the fans. Sergio Lobera’s objective in the upcoming season would be to challenge all trophies on offer, starting from the 2023 Durand Cup (though they will be fielding their reserves side).

To win one of the Durand Cup, ISL Shield, ISL Trophy and Hero Super Cup will require an all-around effort from all of the available players. Roy Krishna’s availability will give Sergio Lobera options and the ability to make rotations without sacrificing quality on the pitch. He will be able to rest someone like Diego Mauricio and replace him with Krishna in times when fixture congestion is high.

Winning Mentality

Winning trophies will become a base expectation at Odisha FC from the new season onwards. With the acquisition of players like Mourtada Fall, Ahmed Jahouh and now Roy Krishna, Sergio Lobera is building a team with players who have already achieved success in Indian football. These figures know what it takes to win silverware. The tactician is building a squad which has figures that have the desire to win trophies and remain consistent throughout the season.

Roy Krishna won the 2022 Durand Cup with Bengaluru FC. Before winning that tournament, he had also won the Indian Super League with ATK in 2019-20. He is the fourth-highest goal-scorer with 42 strikes in the history of the ISL, only behind Bartholomew Ogbeche, Sunil Chhetri and Ferran Corominas. His arrival will not only have a major positive effect on the pitch, but also in the dressing room and on the mentality of the rest of the squad.

Versatile Striker

Roy Krishna is a lethal goal-scorer. He will compliment Diego Mauricio who had to shoulder the majority of the responsibility of scoring goals last season. The latter can play as a wide forward which will give Krishna the opportunity to play as the No. 9 in Sergio Lobera’s gameplan. With both players on the pitch, OFC will have a deadly striking partnership that can tear any defence apart.

Roy Krishna also has the quality to drop back and aid in the build-up play which works well with Diego Mauricio’s tendency to make runs behind the defence. Sergio Lobera will relish working with these experienced attackers in the upcoming term. He could field them together in a 4-1-3-2 setup or play Mauricio wider in a 4-3-3 formation with Krishna playing as a target man.