Bhubaneswar: Fresh off a thrilling home victory against East Bengal FC, Odisha FC is set to hit the road, as they travel to Mumbai for an exciting showdown against Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season this Sunday.
The Kalinga Warriors are looking to build on their recent form. They have bagged seven points from their last three games, which has been a promising sign of resurgence after two defeats in two games. The return of defensive stalwart Carlos Delgado has brought more confidence to the Odisha camp.
Despite a mixed start to the season, Mumbai City FC head into the fixture on the back of a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over FC Goa. Goals from Nikos Karelis and Yoell van Nieff helped secure their first victory of this season. The Islanders, currently outside the top six in the table, will be banking on their home advantage.
Currently sitting at seventh with seven points from five matches — securing two wins, one draw, and two losses — Odisha FC are just one point away from sixth position. Meanwhile, Mumbai City occupy ninth place, having secured one win, two draws, and one loss from their first four games.
Due to cyclone conditions in Odisha, the pre-match press conference was conducted online, where Odisha FC Head Coach Sergio Lobera and Carlos Delgado addressed the media.
Reflecting on the match, Coach Lobera commented, “We’re pleased with our recent performances but recognize there’s room to grow. Every match is a new challenge, and Mumbai will test us. We’re confident but focused.” Addressing the importance of fan support, he added, “The Juggernauts’ presence, whether home or away, is invaluable. We hope to bring them joy on Sunday.”
Carlos Delgado highlighted the importance of staying true to their style of play, saying, "If we remain loyal to our approach, we can deliver a strong performance. While Mumbai is a formidable team, our priority is to focus on ourselves." He also praised the overall talent of the young players in the squad, noting, "We have a number of talented young players, and it's rewarding to work with them as they elevate the team's performance.
