ISL 2024-25: What's going wrong with Odisha FC's defence?
With 17 league games played, Odisha FC have already conceded 28 goals—five more than they did in the entire 2023-24 campaign.

Sergio Lobera could credibly argue that his Odisha FC team have performed better than their league position suggests, especially when assessed through attacking metrics. The numbers support this claim, and the arrival of Hugo Boumous has significantly boosted their attacking prowess. However, one glaring issue overshadows their offensive strengths—their defensive frailties.
With 17 league games played, Odisha FC have already conceded 28 goals—five more than they did in the entire 2023-24 campaign and 13 more compared to this stage, i.e., after 17 games. Despite their impressive scoring rate of two goals per game, the highest in the league, their vulnerability at the back has been alarming.
However, the Kalinga Warriors scored the third-highest goals (34) in 17 matches, trailing only NorthEast United FC. This tally is just one goal fewer than their total from 22 matches in the previous league phase.
However, this defensive instability has been the defining factor in their inconsistent season. Odisha FC currently sit seventh in the table with 24 points, four points adrift of a playoff spot—well below their preseason ambitions. If Lobera’s side is to finish the season on a strong note and mount a serious challenge for the ISL Cup, they must address their defensive shortcomings as a priority.
A major shift in Odisha FC’s defensive setup this season has been the reduced presence of foreign centre-backs. Last season, they started with a foreign centre-back pairing in 11 matches, providing a strong and reliable defensive foundation. However, the arrival of Hugo Boumous—who has significantly enhanced their attacking play—forced a tactical adjustment, resulting in the sacrifice of a foreign defender.
Odisha FC have started with a foreign centre-back pairing in only four games this season. As a result, Thoiba Singh has been deployed as a centre-back, mostly partnering with Mourtada Fall. While the Fall-Delgado partnership was a defensive cornerstone last season, its absence has unsettled Odisha FC’s backline, making them more vulnerable to opposition attacks. They have faced 15.88 shots per game this season compared to 13.08 last season.
Another major concern has been the increase in individual mistakes that directly resulted in goals. Odisha FC has already committed five such errors this season, more than double the two they recorded in the entire 2023-24 campaign.
This decline in defensive stability has also impacted their goalkeeper. Last season, Amrinder Singh boasted a save percentage of 76.11%, but that number has dropped to 65.85% this season.
Additionally, Odisha FC have struggled to keep clean sheets, managing only three so far compared to eight in the previous campaign at this stage.
Their defensive weaknesses have also affected their once-impenetrable home record. The Kalinga Stadium was a fortress last season, with Odisha FC remaining unbeaten at home throughout the entire campaign. However, that stronghold has already been breached twice this season, with FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC handing them home defeats—one of which came in their opening fixture.
The Kalinga Warriors have also faced more shots per game this season, averaging 15 compared to 12 last season. This indicates that their defensive unit is allowing more opportunities for opponents, thus increasing pressure on the backline and goalkeeper.
With just a few games left in the season, Odisha FC need an immediate solution to their defensive struggles if they want to secure a playoff spot. Whether it's tactical adjustments, a switch to a foreign centre-back pairing, or improved defensive discipline, the team must find a way to stop leaking goals at this alarming rate. Sergio Lobera’s men have shown their attacking prowess, but unless they tighten up at the back, their playoff hopes—and ultimately their ISL Cup ambitions—could slip away.