Odisha FC welcome Mumbai City FC to the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. The club have made a terrific start to life in Bhubaneshwar, winning two games on the bounce at the venue and thereby have closed the gap to the top four. A win against Mumbai will see Odisha leapfrog the Islanders and break into the top four in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 table.

Ahead of the clash, Odisha head coach Josep Gombau was speaking at his pre-match press conference, where he emphasized the need to make the Mumbai match count. He said, “It’s a very important game for us. It’s a game that means much more than three points. It’s a six-pointer. It’s for the top four. It is a good moment to win this game and get this position. There will be six games more to play. We are confident. We are working hard. The boys are hungry, and I think we can do a good job against Mumbai.”

The Spaniard then shared his opinion on Mumbai’s squad, stating, “There is never an easy game. All the games in the Hero ISL are equal. Only small details decide the game. We are trying to control these details and bring it to our side. I think Mumbai is a very good team. They are a strong opposition. They have their own game, which is to play in transitions. They are very good in this and when we have the ball, we have to take good decisions and not make mistakes.”

Gombau also insisted that the comfort of finally playing in their designated home stadium in Odisha has helped his side in recent matches. “I think for a long time we didn’t play a home game. Many games we played away. To come here and feel the support of the people, it helps a lot. Finally, we are playing at home and it’s an extra motivation for the players. We are so happy. We feel very comfortable here at home. I hope that with the Mumbai game being a crucial game for us, people come and help us achieve our objective. We are confident and happy to be here and hope that a lot of people will come. It’s an important game for us. I hope that the people that come, enjoy themselves and that we can win the game,” he said.

While looking back on their previous game against Chennaiyin, the Odisha FC head coach commented, “Last game for us was good, we won. Every game is different. We need to fight in every single game. (Mumbai) come from three consecutive wins. (But their) last game they lost against ATK (FC). We come on the back of two consecutive wins at home. I hope that against Mumbai we can keep this form and win our third game in a row. This is our aim, we are ready. The boys are extra motivated, and I think we can do a good job.”

Odisha’s top-scorer with six goals to his name so far, Aridane Santana also attended the media briefing along with Gombau. He shared, “I’m feeling well. We are having a good season as a squad. I’m confident that we will be working hard to be in the top four positions at the end of the season. We need the fans and want them to come because their support gives us good strength. We need them to keep having good form at home.”

Read the Match Preview here.