Indian Super League 2021-22 Team Profile: Odisha FC

The Juggernauts are starting afresh under a new head coach after the summer overhaul.

After a disappointing outing last season, Odisha FC have made huge changes, both on and off the pitch, in the hope of reversing their fortunes in ISL 2021-22. The club have appointed a new Spanish manager, Kiko Ramirez. Furthermore, Odisha have also replaced their entire foreign roster. In order to further strengthen the club, the Juggernauts have also signed an international club partnership with Premier League club Watford.

Since being rechristened as Odisha FC in 2019, the club have played two seasons in the Indian Super League. However, they are yet to make the ISL playoffs in its short history. After a decent sixth-placed finish in the 2019-20 season, Odisha hit rock-bottom last campaign. They finished last in an 11-team league with just two wins from 20 league matches. But, the club look to have come out stronger with impactful changes in personnel. Former Rangers and Watford director Raj Athwal was roped in as club president. While World Cup winner David Villa has joined as the Head of Football Operations.

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Last Season’s Performance: 11th

Last season was a campaign to forget for the club from Bhubaneswar. As mentioned, the Juggernauts finished at the bottom of the league table, winning only two games and conceding 44 goals in the process. The club sacked head coach Stuart Baxter for inappropriate comments after a narrow defeat to Jamshedpur FC. But, the team's poor run of results didn't stop. They eventually took the wooden spoon.

Pre-season

Newly-appointed president Raj Athwal in a recent conversation with Khel Now in our "Beyond the Scores" podcast asserted that having a long pre-season was one of the priorities for the club. True to his words, Odisha FC started training back in September and have already played six friendlies, with more scheduled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHVmIZGSAQ

The Juggernauts started their run of pre-season games with a 3-1 win against Salgaocar FC. A narrow defeat to Dempo SC followed. The club from Bhubaneswar then played out a 0-0 draw against Churchill Brothers, before a comprehensive 4-1 victory against FC Goa Reserves. Two of their foreign signings scored in a 2-1 win against Chennaiyin FC.  Odisha’s latest friendly saw them lose 2-1 to Kerala Blasters.

Odisha FC will play two more friendlies against Mumbai City and Hyderabad FC before their season kicks-off against Bengaluru FC on November 24.

Coaching Staff

Odisha FC appointed Kiko Ramirez as their new head coach after the end of last season. This is the Spaniard’s first coaching stint in Asia. Ramirez has been coaching since 2002. However, he served as a head coach for the first time in 2010 at Pobla de Mafumet CF, a lower division Spanish club. His managerial experience is limited to Europe, predominantly in Spain’s lower divisions. Before joining Odisha, the 51-year-old was the manager of Greek club Xanthi FC. His teams play a 4-2-3-1 formation, control proceedings and exert themselves on the opposition. The tactician however, has never managed to win a trophy before.

The Spaniard will be assisted by Kino García, formerly associated with the likes of Valencia and by Anshul Katiyar, who has worked with clubs like Hyderabad FC and FC Pune City. The other coaches in the setup are:

Goalkeeping Coach: Joaquin Valerio

Strength & Conditioning Coach: José Mascarós Balaguer

Team Doctor: Praveen Choudhary

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Transfer Dealings

Odisha FC replaced its entire foreign roster from last season. The Juggernauts saw 11 new arrivals at the club, including six new foreign faces.

Ins

In accordance with ISL rules, the number of foreigners in every team’s squad has been reduced from seven to six. Odisha’s six new foreign signings are Hector Rodas (defender), Victor Mongil (defender), Javi Hernandez (midfielder), Liridon Krasniqi (midfielder), Aridai Cabrera (winger) and Jonathas De Jesus (forward).

Apart from the six foreigners, the Juggernauts also added five domestic players to their roster. These include Isaac Vanmalsawma (midfielder), Lalruatthara (defender), Sebastian Thangmuansang (defender), Sahil Panwar (defender) and Nikhil Raj (attacker - loan).

Outs

As already mentioned earlier, Odisha FC released all seven of their foreign players from last season, including their prolific goalscorer Diego Mauricio. Apart from that, Rishabh Dobriyal is the only Indian to have left the club. He moved to Hindustan FC on a free transfer.

Squad

Goalkeepers - Kamaljit Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi KumarDefenders - Gaurav Bora, Lalruatthara, Sahil Panwar, Hendry Antonay, Lalhrezuala Sailung, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Deven Sawhney, Victor Mongil, Hector Rodas.Midfielders - Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, Vinit Rai, Paul Ramfangzauva, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Liridon Krasniqi, Javi Hernandez, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Nandhakumar Sekar, CVL Remtluanga, Nikhil Raj.Forwards - Akshunna Tyagi, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Aridai Cabrera, Jonathas Cristian De Jesus

Tactical Formations

Primary: 4-2-3-1

Kiko Ramirez is likely to play with this formation at Odisha FC in ISL 2021-22. The club have made some exciting foreign signings and this formation will allow the coach to play the best among them.

Arshdeep Singh starts in goal, while Rodas and Mongil will be the two primary centre-backs. Sahil Panwar and Hendry Antonay will most likely start as full-backs. Vinit Rai, who is one of Odisha's three captains this season, will be the lone holding midfielder. Young Thoiba Singh will be the other midfielder, while Javi Hernandez will have to shoulder the creative responsibility for the team. The wingers will consist of the reliable Jerry and Nandhakumar Sekar. New recruit Jonathas will be the sole striker.

Alternate: 4-3-3

The same group of players can also lineup in a 4-3-3 formation, with a couple of changes. Javi Hernandes can move on the wings in place of Nandhakumar. Kiko can also bring in new signing Aridai Cabrera to replace Javi. With Odisha expected to go in with two foreign centre-backs, Rodas and Mongil keep their place in the playing XI. Isaac Vanmalsawma, who joined from Jamshedpur, then comes into the midfield three. Jonathas will remain the lone striker in the side.

Strengths

• The addition of Javi Hernandez brings some much-needed calmness and creativity to the Odisha midfield. Hernandez already has experience of playing in the ISL before, as does Victor Mongil. Both represented ATK Mohun Bagan last season.
• Not much is expected from this Odisha side. The "underdogs" tag will give them freedom to play without any pressure and that can help this young side.
• Odisha FC conceded 44 goals last season, most by any team. The signings of Mongil and Hector Rodas will make them solid at the back and also fix the leaky defence.

Weakness

• This is Kiko Ramirez’s first stint in India. His lack of experience in the league might prove costly for the Juggernauts. Like Stuart Baxter, Kiko has come to the ISL with the expectation of bringing out the best from the young talents at Odisha FC. We all know how Baxter's time here turned out.
• Just like their head coach, all the foreign players, expect Javi Hernandez and Victor Mongil, have no experience of playing in the league. Players like Jonathas de Jesus and Victor Rodas come with big experience in top leagues. However, adjusting to the climate conditions in the subcontinent and to the league won't be easy. How Odisha FC's season turns out, hinges on the performance of their foreign recruits. That's a big risk and if the overseas players don't perform to expectations, Odisha's season can go south yet again.
• Hendry Antonay and Sahil Panwar are Odisha first-choice full-backs. The club also lack depth in multiple positions, including on the wings. If a first-team player is ruled out with injury, Odisha will need their young players to step up big time.

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Key Players to Watch

Javi Hernandez

The former ATK Mohun Bagan man will be one of the most important players for Odisha FC in the upcoming season. The Juggernauts will look to him for creativity in midfield. The Spaniard also has experience of playing in the league before, which will be a huge boost for Odisha. The former ISL champion has three goals and six assists in the ISL to his name.

Jonathas de Jesus

Another one of Odisha FC’s big signings, the forward from Brazil will be one to look out for. The 32 year old brings with him goals and immense experience of having played in leagues such as La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga. Replicating Mauricio’s last season’s goalscoring feat will not be an easy task, but with 101 senior goals to his name, Jonathas is definitely the man for the job.

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Jerry Mawihmingthanga

Jerry has been one of the most consistent Indian players in the league in recent times. The right winger had a good season last time out and would like to carry on that good form this time around as well. His pace and skill on the ball can cause trouble for any opposition's defence. The 24-year old has scored five goals in the league in his career and has registered 14 assists.

Fixtures

What to Expect

After a dismal performance last season, where they finished at the bottom of the table, Odisha FC have gone through a massive overhaul in the hope of changing their fate in ISL 2021-22. With a new coach and plenty of new signings, the Juggernauts look like a completely new outfit.

A maiden qualification into the playoffs would mean a very successful season for Odisha FC. However, a lot will depend on how well the new arrivals adapt to the new surroundings.

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