ISL 2023-24: Feel like we lost two points, says Sergio Lobera after draw against Mumbai City FC

Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera was disappointed after their 2-2 draw against Mumbai City FC at the Kalinga Stadium, in Bhubaneswar, on Thursday. Lobera feels they lost the chance to bag all three points against the Islanders.

Mawihmingthanga opened the scoring for the home team right after the first-half interval. However, Griffiths soon found the equalizer for the visitors in the 47th minute.

Roy Krishna once again gave Juggernauts the lead in the 76th minute as he converted from the spot kick. However, Jorge Pereyra Diaz equalized at the fag end of the match after receiving an assist from Vikram Partap Singh, who came on as a substitute.

“I feel like we lost two points. When the team puts in (such) a big effort, they deserve something more,” Lobera said in the post-match press conference.

“We competed very well against a very strong team like Mumbai City FC. We created our chances and worked better in the first half, keeping more possession of the ball. But in the second half, it was an equal game. In the end, I’m happy with the intention of my players. But, in terms of the result, I’m not happy. I feel we dropped two points. (Now) we need to analyse all the positive things we did in this game,” he stated.

The Spaniard reckons they could have managed the last few minutes in a better way and thus they missed out on a chance to take three points from the game.

“Especially, we could have managed the final few minutes better. Obviously, we were playing against Mumbai City FC. They had the ball most of the time, but we needed to defend better when we had possession,” Lobera said.

Giving his gratitude to the home fans, Lobera said, “The supporters are amazing. They’re helping a lot in difficult moments, (especially) when you’re playing against such a good team. We need to demonstrate to everyone that we’re fighting and working very hard for them because, in the end, you know, the club, the squad, we’re working for these people. I’m a little bit disappointed because they could have returned happier with three points against Mumbai City FC.”

Odisha FC will next take on FC Goa at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on 7th October.