Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera is looking to build on the momentum as they prepare to face East Bengal FC in Matchweek 11 of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday.

Odisha FC currently holds the fifth position in the league table with 17 points from nine games. They have won five matches, drawn twice, and lost two games so far this season.

Lobera is pleased with their performance in the league so far and is optimistic about obtaining positive results in yet another challenging game against East Bengal FC.

“I am very happy because the team is working well. We are in a positive moment in the ISL,” Lobera stated in the pre-match press conference.

“We come back here to play again in this stadium. We have good memories here in the previous games. Maybe the last game against Mohun Bagan Super Giant was difficult because we lost points, but we are ready (for the upcoming match) and we know it’s a different game,” he added.

East Bengal FC are currently in the seventh position in the league table with 10 points from nine games. They have won two matches, drawn four times, and lost three games so far this season.

Lobera emphasizes the potential of the East Bengal squad and believes that the Red and Gold Brigade can qualify for the playoffs.

“I am sure that East Bengal FC will be able to qualify for the playoffs because they are a good team,” he said.

“They have very good players and a very good coach. Tomorrow will be a difficult match,” he added.

Odisha FC's two foreign forwards, Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio, have been performing well this season. The Brazilian forward will be back in the squad after serving his suspension against Hyderabad FC. The duo has scored seven goals between them so far this season.

Lobera feels relieved to have players like them in his squad this season; however, he believes that his side's good performances wouldn't have been achievable without the positive contributions from his Indian players.

“Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio have been performing well since the last few seasons,” he said.

“They are my players this year and they are performing well. It is very helpful for me to have players like them,” he added.

“I am very happy with the full squad because we cannot win trophies just with good foreign players but we also need good Indian players to maintain our good performances,” Lobera continued.

Odisha FC player Thoiba Singh joined head coach Sergio Lobera at the pre-match press conference. He has started in two games for Odisha FC this season.

Singh shared his views ahead of facing the Red and Gold Brigade.

“We are motivated after winning the last game and we are especially motivated for this game against East Bengal FC,” he said.

“We hope to do well against them,” he added.

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