‘We lacked quality on the bench to…’ - Odisha FC’s head coach Josep Gombau

On 2 January 2023, Odisha FC took on Mumbai City FC in the ongoing Indian Super League at the Kalinga stadium, in Bhubaneswar. Mumbai were looking for a win to go to the top of the table. While Odhisa were looking to improve their position. But, Mumbai managed to thrash them by 4-2.

With this win, Mumbai went back to the top of the table with 30 points in 12 matches. On the other hand, Odisha FC are now in the sixth position with 19 points in 12 matches. After the match, Odisha FC’s head coach Josep Gombau said that the lack of quality players on the bench was one of the reasons for their defeat.  

"I think we played a decent game against a very strong opposition.” - Odisha FC’s head coach Josep Gombau 

In the post-match press conference, Jose Gombau said: "I think we played a decent game against a very strong opposition. The loss that we suffered today is because they (Mumbai City FC) did very well. I don't see a big mistake. Of course, you need to analyze the game.” 

“I think that we competed very well, we had our momentum, trying to be in the game, but at the very end the opposition team had a lot of quality and in the last 25 minutes, they were better and they scored more also. Just congratulate them and keep going," Gombau added.

"We missed some players. But I don't want to use this as an excuse. In the end, we play 11 against 11, and for me, the important players are those who played the game today. It is true that we missed key players. We don't have extra players on the bench who can bring the extra power at the last minute. Now it is important to recover people for the next game, recover the players and go strong in the next game, which is an important one. I think a few of them (injured players) are coming in. I expect Saul Crespo to be in and Pedro(Martin) played today but was not 100% physically fit. He can be in for the next match." the Odisha FC’s head coach concluded.