We are in the process of improving, claims Odisha FC coach Sergio Lobera after win in Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy

Sergio Lobera assessed the Kalinga Warriors’ narrow victory.

The second edition of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy is up and running on the western shores of the country in Goa. It is the 23rd edition of the championship and the second after its revival last season. This year eight clubs from the Indian Super League (ISL), the I-league, the Australian A-League, and the Argentine top flight will compete against each other for the title.

FC Goa, Brisbane Roar, and Chennaiyin FC have won their opening encounters. Odisha FC also began their campaign with a statement 2-1 win over Argentina’s top division side Defensa y Justicia at the Fatorda Stadium. After the match, Odisha FC’s head coach Sergio Lobera addressed the media and shared his thoughts.

Thoughts on Defensa y Justicia

The Spaniard began by sharing his thoughts on the opposition and said that they have a lot of potential as they played well despite having a long journey.

“I think they have a lot of merit because they play against us after a long trip, the players are very tired and they compete very well against us. I think it’s good to have games like this because this situation showed us that we need to improve in a lot of things.”

Lobera also added that his team is in the process of improving and this game has helped him show the players their shortcomings. 

“We are in the process of improving. We are in the pre-season starting the first game against a good opponent. It’s helpful for me as a coach to play games like this because we can speak with the players and we can show the reality when you are not competing 100% you are having problems. I think the best today was the result, but we need to improve a lot of things.” 

Sergio Lobera also mentioned that his team needs to stick to his identity and philosophy of dominating the game.

“We are in the process, but we need to dominate the game, keeping possession of the ball, and there are a lot of transitions, recovering the ball, losing the ball. We had a lot of rush to arrive at the opponent’s goal and to score quickly. Our identity, our philosophy is to dominate the game, keeping the possession of the ball. But I am happy. I am happy because this game allowed me as a coach to speak with the players, trying to improve a lot of things,” Sergio Lobera asserted.

Raynier Fernandes’ performance

Speaking about Raynier Fernandes’ performance, Sergio Lobera said, “I think in the first half we suffered because there are big distances between lines, we don’t have a player between the lines, the side of the ball, and the striker was with a lot of distance between the players. This is the reason I put Roy as a winger, and Diego in front. This allowed us to have (Hugo) Boumous more in attacking positions.

He further went on to praise Fernandes and said that he’s more of an attacking player and his inclusion helped the team in the second half.

“And even have a player like Raynier arriving on the second line. He’s a more attacking player than defensive player. And this situation, I think, improved the team in the second half, arriving with more players in attacking positions. In the first half, I think we had a lot of distance between lines, difficult to combine and allowed them to have good transitions. In the second half I think we improve in this kind of situation and we’re going to score two goals,” he quipped.

Thoughts on the overseas clubs

The Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy allows Indian clubs to go up against quality foreign clubs. Sergio Lobera was quizzed about his thoughts on the foreign clubs that have come to India to participate in the championship. He replied and said, “I want to congratulate the organization of this tournament because I think it’s amazing for India to have the opportunity to play with players and with teams, clubs like the Argentine and Australian team who are coming to play against us. 

He also said that these games allow Indian clubs to test their mettle during the preseason.

“This allows us to show the level, how the level we had this opportunity last season playing the AFC Cup. And in this period, during the pre-season, it’s amazing to be able to play tournaments like this. I want to congratulate the organization on this game because it helped us a lot to play games like this against these opponents,” he concluded.

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