Josep Gombau: It’s a must-win game against NorthEast United

The Odisha FC head coach also feels the game against the Highalanders has the potential to be difficult.

Odisha FC’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs are now overtly dependent upon the outcomes of the matches of primarily Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC. Ahead of his side's next game, Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau interacted in the pre-match press conference. Carlos Delgado, who accompanied Josep Gombau to the press conference, was asked where does he think his side would finish in the standings at the end of the group stages. "I think we have possibility for top four. Tomorrow is important game (against NorthEast United). We need to win and play as a team, together, and try to get the most out of the important game that we have.” [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] Delgado also elaborated on his initial experience with the club as he reflected upon it by saying, “I am very happy. Yes, it is my first season but I feel very welcome by all the people that were in the stadium, the whole coaching team and the teammates. Overall, it’s been very good for me and I appreciate being here.”

Importance of Last Two League Matches

Josep Gombau began the proceedings by saying, “Look, for us it is a very important two games. We will approach it as a game-by-game, two games to go and the mathematics say that we can do it then we need to fight for this. I think that we know that we do not depend upon our results but football is football." "I say to my players that we need to stay concentrated, we need to try to train very well and we need to play well tomorrow. I mean it’s a must-win game. It is not a game that we can draw, it’s a game that we can win and after that if we win tomorrow, we have another game next week with the same approach, that’s it," he added. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] “Today it was a good discussion in our changing room. We need to deal with this pressure, we need to deal with this winning mentality, you know? The sport is like this and now at this moment it’s all or nothing. It is this moment in the season and we need to deal with this and tomorrow is a game that we must win," Josep Gombau stated. “It is important for us that our people come to support, that we feel like we are playing at home; that the fans be in our side and they feel like they play with 12 men. They have support us in every single game that we have played here at home. Every single player, honestly, will try to win tomorrow,” he added.

On Robert Jarni’s Sacking

The 43-year-old conveyed his thoughts on NorthEast United FC relieving Jarni off his duties recently. “Yes they change their coach and when you play a team that has changed their coach, some things will change for sure. Because the new coach will try to bring his own style, methodology, even in short time, his ideas," Josep Gombau mentioned. “Also, a lot of players want to show the new coach that they are good, they are ready, they want to be there and maybe some of them are fighting for new contracts. It’s true that when a new coach comes, it brings some extra motivation for the players. My players are aware of this. We had a same situation against Hyderabad. Finally, we won the game there but it was a very difficult game.”

On NorthEast United's Injury Concerns

“Look, tomorrow we will play 11 against 11. When you play 11 against 11, everything can happen. Some games you have some missing players and the players who come in do well. I understand that the players who would come in would do very well,” Josep Gombau opined. The Spaniard raved about the crowd that flocks the Kalinga Stadium on a regular basis for his side. “For me, it is important, the home crowd. The people who come to support us, we need to do this together. A lot of clubs want to be in the last two games of the league fighting for something nice. In the first year that we are here, we are representing Odisha FC, we are representing this part of the country and together we can win many things,” Josep Gombau concluded.

Team News

Odisha FC would have a fully fit squad at their disposal to feature in the match against NorthEast United FC.

Head To Head

Odisha FC have faced NorthEast United only once before, when they went down against the Highlanders in a 2-1 defeat. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Probable Lineup

Dorronsoro (GK), Sarangi, Bora, Delgado, Das, Tebar, Rai, Jerry, Xisco, Nandha Kumar, Onwu.

Broadcast

The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network from 7:30 PM IST on Friday evening. It would also be streamed live on Hotstar and Jio TV at the same time.