Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], September 14 (ANI): Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera voiced his disappointment with his team’s performance after a narrow 3-2 defeat to Chennaiyin FC in their inaugural match of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

The game had an optimistic start for Odisha FC as Diego Mauricio successfully converted a penalty, giving them an early advantage. However, the tide turned when both Saviour Gama and Carlos Delgado suffered injuries within the first 30 minutes, disrupting their defensive stability and allowing Chennaiyin FC to build momentum gradually.

Chennaiyin FC, known as the Marina Machans, came out strong in the second half. Farukh Choudhary equalized in the 48th minute and struck again just four minutes later, putting Chennaiyin ahead. Debutant Daniel Chima Chukwu further extended the lead for the visitors. Roy Krishna managed to score for Odisha FC during stoppage time, but it proved insufficient as the Kalinga Warriors faced their first home defeat after scoring first in 15 consecutive matches.

Addressing the media in the post-match press conference, Lobera was candid about the situation. “I don’t think we need to make excuses about the injuries. The injuries were challenging, losing two players in the first half is tough. I had only one substitution window left for the rest of the game,” he said according to an ISL release.

“We deviated from our style of play, losing possession too easily and resorting to long balls. This played into Chennaiyin’s comfort zone. Last season, we demonstrated mental resilience and an ability to bounce back from tough situations. However, today we lost focus and concentration at crucial moments, allowing our opponents to dominate,” Lobera elaborated.

This was not the start Odisha FC had envisioned for their season. Lobera emphasized the need for significant improvements before their upcoming match against Punjab FC in Delhi.

“We need to learn and improve, starting with myself as the coach. There are many aspects we need to analyze, but players must focus on the next game. If we want to be competitive and secure top positions in the ISL, we need to make substantial improvements,” Lobera stated.

Carlos Delgado’s injury is particularly concerning for Odisha FC. The Spanish centre-back was instrumental in maintaining their impressive unbeaten home record last season. His absence could significantly impact their defensive lineup.

“Delgado’s injury seems serious. He needs medical attention, and currently, he is in a lot of pain. It’s likely that we will lose both Delgado and Gama for some time,” Lobera commented.

With these setbacks, Odisha FC faces a challenging path ahead but remains focused on making necessary adjustments and coming back stronger for their next fixtures.