Happy with win but we need to improve a lot: Sergio Lobera

Sergio Lobera also congratulated Diego Mauricio for his goal.

Odisha FC have commenced their journey on a strong note by securing a convincing victory over Chennaiyin FC with a scoreline of 2-0 in their inaugural match of the Indian Super League 2023-23 at the Kalinga Stadium.

The rainfall disrupted the match, which remained scoreless until Jerry Mawihmingthanga of Odisha FC managed to score a goal at the stroke of half-time, precisely in the 45th minute.

Chennaiyin FC endeavored to make a comeback, but it was Diego Mauricio who swiftly found the back of the net just five minutes after stepping onto the field in the 63rd minute, increasing the lead for his team.

During the post-match press conference, while responding to queries from the media, coach Sergio Lobera also expressed his satisfaction with his team's victorious start to the season.

How encouraging is the win for the team?

Although Lobera conveyed his happiness regarding the victory, he also expressed reservations regarding the team's preparations for the upcoming fixture. He said, “Obviously, to get a clean-sheet is important for us. But it's only the start of the season. I am happy about this, but we need to improve a lot of things also. It's not only about the result. We need to analyze as professionals also.”

How good was Diego Mauricio’s substitution?

The substitution of Roy Krishna with Diego Mauricio, a strategic move by the coach, not only resulted in the second goal but also revitalized the team's momentum. When asked about this, Sergio Lobera replied, “Diego showcases his professionalism, being the top-scorer of the previous season. It is commendable to witness his determined mindset as he manages to score a goal within the first five minutes. My heartfelt congratulations to him for this achievement.”

Preparations about upcoming ISL fixtures

When asked about the preparation for the upcoming matches, the tactician responded, “If we are thinking where we are going to be in five months, it is a big mistake. You need to work every day. We need to know that we are at our moments, but we need to be stronger. This is a good example. We lost last game 4-0, but we came back stronger as a team, as a group, as a family. We need to go step by step, game by game.

“Playing against Chennai, a formidable team, poses a significant challenge in every game. Their exceptional skills and performance are commendable, and they are likely to achieve numerous victories. While we may rejoice in our present success, it is imperative to promptly regain focus and resume our diligent preparation. Time is of the essence as we face another highly skilled team in a mere four days,” he concluded.