Referees experience significant pressure, essential to show respect to them, asserts Sergio Lobera

Lobera was not happy with his team’s performance.

After a thorough 90-minute game, Odisha FC and East Bengal FC concluded the match with a goalless draw at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

While East Bengal attempted thirteen shots and Odisha FC attempted eight, none of these resulted in a goal to give either team the lead. As a result, they each earned one point, leaving the points table undisturbed.

Odisha FC’s head coach, Sergio Lobera, presided over the post-match press conference and conveyed his annoyance with the team’s outcome, expressing a preference for a victory over a draw.

Opposition achieved their target

From the onset of the press conference, Sergio clearly indicated the missed opportunity to secure a victory, despite dominating for the majority of the game. He said, “We came here with the intention of securing a victory, which unfortunately eluded us. It appears that the opposition is content with the draw and is celebrating this outcome, as it aligns with their objectives. Conversely, I am dissatisfied with our performance, as I believe we ought to display greater precision in our offensive maneuvers. Despite dominating possession and controlling the pace of the game, our opportunities were limited due to the defensive stance of our opponents.” 

“It was challenging to penetrate their half of the field and create openings. As for the few opportunities we did have, it is regrettable that we failed to convert them into goals. I am disheartened by the fact that our primary aim was to secure a victory, which we were unable to achieve”, he added further. 

Respect for the referees

When asked about stating something about the referees, he replied, “I refrain from discussing the referees. I believe they experience significant pressure and it is essential for us to show them respect. We should give them the space to perform their duties without interference.” 

“Frequently, there is excessive pressure exerted from the sidelines and the players, and this does not benefit football. It hampers the referees’ performance, and we must address this issue by demonstrating more respect for this highly challenging profession”, he also stated while referring to the referee’s work in the game. 

Every opponent is different

Odisha FC would have liked to win the game like they did in their last fixture against Hyderabad FC. Coach Sergio Lobera clarified about differences in the game and playing style of different teams, as he said, “Every match presents unique challenges, as does every opponent. In the previous match, Hyderabad displayed an assertive style, actively vying for possession of the ball. They exhibited courageous and expansive football.” 

“Conversely, today we faced a team employing a notably defensive approach, reminiscent of their strategy in the match against Mumbai. Playing against an opponent who positions nearly all their players in their half presents considerable difficulty in finding spaces to exploit. This experience serves as a valuable lesson for our team”, he added at the end. 

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