Bhubaneswar: Neighbours East Bengal FC will visit the Kalinga Stadium for the first game after the October International break of the Indian Super League 2024-25 season, as Odisha FC look to start a winning run.
Odisha FC have had a disappointing start to the season with just one win in four games so far and will look to take advantage of East Bengal's purple patch that has kept the visitors winless this season.
Last season, East Bengal gave the home team an early scare by taking a lead in the first minute, before Diego Mauricio slotted home the equalizer from the spot in the 40th minute and Princeton scored off Jahouh's corner to complete the comeback for the Kalinga warriors.
In the pre-match press conference held at the Kalinga Stadium, Head Coach Sergio Lobera emphasized the importance of Odisha FC's clash. “We are approaching the game as we always do, aiming for three crucial points. Our focus remains the same to put our best performance on the field. Our opponents are strong and despite their current position in the table, it doesn't reflect their true quality. It will be a challenging game, but we are confident, especially playing at home. We need to continue working in the best possible way, and hopefully, we can secure these vital points.”
On player availability, Lobera provided updates on key players: "Carlos Delgado is recovering from an injury, and we’ll assess him after today’s final training session. Saviour Gama is fully fit and available to play."
Defender Amey Ranawade, when asked about his tactical focus, highlighted the balance between defense and attack. “We’ve been working hard tactically and tomorrow we’ll need to strike a balance between defensive responsibilities and attacking threats. We know what to do and you'll see it during the game."
