Odisha FC head coach Kino Garcia is keen to draw motivation from the prospect of defeating Bengaluru FC a second time this season, when these two teams lock horns in Match 97 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season at the Athletic Stadium, in Panaji, Goa on Monday evening.

The Kalinga Warriors were held to a 2-2 draw by Chennaiyin FC in their last match and are now placed at the seventh spot in the league table, with 22 points from 17 matches, which includes six wins and four draws.

Garcia addressed the media during the pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s clash.

Here are the excerpts from the press conference:

Odisha FC defeated Bengaluru FC in the first leg of the season. What are your thoughts on that going into the match?

I think we cannot look at a win in the first half of the season, where teams were in the building process. I think it's going to be a really difficult match for us and really different. If you see the other day, Bengaluru FC lost to NorthEast United FC, but they were in a run of nine matches without losing earlier on.

We know the difficulty of playing against Bengaluru FC, they were playing well. I think that we have an advantage, maybe about the physical condition that we could rest more but it is going to be a difficult match for both of us.

What are your thoughts on both the teams, as they are desperately trying to win and make a claim for the semi-finals, especially after Bengaluru FC ending up on the losing side against NorthEast United FC?

I think they will be in the same situation as us. We were thinking of beating Chennaiyin FC, but we couldn't. I suppose they were expecting to defeat Northeast in between, but they lost. So both teams, we want to come back. We want to make a good match. We want to secure the points. And also for us, it is a big motivation to beat Bengaluru FC again in the same season.

Jonathas Cristian has now scored five goals in the last five matches. What are your views on that?

I think that now he's feeling comfortable in the league as well as in the team, and he's having the opportunity of scoring goals and helping the team out. So, for us he is doing a great job, he is important for the team, also in defending. He’s finally settled down in the league and he is showing his quality.

Redeem Tlang also addressed the questions put forward by the media.

Here are the excerpts from the press conference:

How has your experience been playing at Odisha FC so far?

It's been a good experience for me here since I first came. Firstly, the training sessions, It's very good. I mean, the atmosphere and to get along with all the players to know them. They helped me a lot, like Aridai Cabrera and every foreign player, especially the coach and everyone helped me a lot. So I'm feeling like I've been here for a long time. But, it's only been one month.

Where do you find the difference between playing in Odisha FC compared to FC Goa?

Yes, there is a difference, but different coaches, different systems, different philosophies. And then different thoughts. So there's all these differences, but it’s up to the players to learn, to adapt to how the coach wants to play.