Odisha FC head coach Josep Gombau cited the lack of concentration as the reason for their 3-1 loss to Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Matchweek 15 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23, in Bengaluru, on Saturday.

The visitors started the game on a high note, with a greater amount of possession. Odisha FC started to lose the game after two quick goals within three minutes. In the 25th minute, Rohit Kumar opened the account for the Blues through a corner kick and Roy Krishna doubled the lead at the 28th minute. Gombau thought that his team lost the game in those few minutes.

"In the first 25 minutes, we were in control of the game but after that we conceded the goal and with all these strange situations, we also lost our concentration and then we conceded the second goal. To concede two goals within a few minutes shows that we lost our mind. This is a football game, you know, when you make these kinds of mistakes, especially the two goals we conceded in the second half, you will be punished especially in away games," Gombau said in the post-match press conference.

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Odisha FC changed the formation in the second half and looked more aggressive than the home side. This resulted in a penalty at the 50th minute. Diego Mauricio scored from the spot and extended his goal scoring form. Despite the heavy pressure from the men in white, the Blues scored against the run of play in added time as Pablo Perez sealed the deal for Bengaluru FC.

''In the second half we tried to play with three at the back with the ball, and four (at the back) without the ball. We pressed higher and we tried to get the result. We were trying to change this (result) into at least a draw until the last minute. But in the transition, we conceded the third and the game went away," he added.

With this loss, Odisha FC failed to move up the table and remained in fifth position, having secured only one win in their last six games. Gombau's men have six more games to play to secure a spot in the playoffs and the head coach reiterated that all upcoming games are like a final for them.

"I think in some games that we didn't get the result we deserved but then its football and we need to focus on the games that we have from now till the end rather than the games that have already happened. We cannot change the results of the last games, what we need to do is to try to work very hard to do good games in the next one, (we have to) keep working, six more games are there and these are six more finals for us and we need to work hard to be in the top six, we have to learn from these mistakes," he concluded.