Odisha FC’s second game in their temporary home, the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune will be against Bengaluru FC on Wednesday. Despite being unbeaten in four, Josep Gombau and Co. find themselves four points off the top four, and they will be looking to close that gap starting with the visit of the defending champions.

Analysing the fixture at his pre-match press conference, the Odisha boss said, “It’s is a difficult game to play. Bengaluru is one of the strongest sides and the current champions in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL). I think it will be an interesting game. Both teams play similar football, to try to have the ball.”

“I think it will be a very interesting game for the people who will come to the stadium. We are preparing well. The way that we are approaching this game is that, we think, we can win. This is the aim. We will go to take the three points,” added Gombau.

The Spaniard also commented on the growing competitiveness in the league, stating, “One thing that we can see clearly is that the last six games have been drawn. I think that this shows there is not a big difference (in quality) between the teams. Sometimes small details decide games. Bengaluru has a very good squad but we have the capacity to get a result.”

Midfielder and former Bengaluru star, Xisco Hernandez was also in attendance along with Gombau, at the media briefing. The 30-year-old agreed with his coach’s claims and felt his team could get the better of the Blues should they manage to eradicate costly errors. “I am happy to arrive at this moment. This match is very special for me because last season, I played for Bengaluru.”

“The most important thing is the three points. Bengaluru is a good team. It will be a very difficult match. But if the team continues in the same way, with the ball and we don’t make mistakes, I think it is possible to win against Bengaluru,” he said.

Read the Match Preview here.