Odisha FC head coach Kiko Ramirez has expressed to his team that their clash against Chennaiyin FC is a new opportunity for them to rectify past mistakes in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Saturday.

Coming after a struggling loss of 0-4 against Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC will look to press harder against Chennaiyin FC to add to their three wins this season.

Odisha FC head coach Kiko Ramirez addressed the media during a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game.

Here are the excerpts from the press conference:

After a heavy defeat against Jamshedpur, what will be a message to the players to turn things around?

Ramirez: The good thing is that we have a new opportunity this weekend. So the message for the players is that we have a new opportunity to compete and to win. And it's the only way to change these things. We have to search within ourselves, what we do well and what we do bad. Yes, the coach has to be responsible for the situation and also all the staff and players and try to change things.

What are your thoughts on the Chennaiyin FC match up as both teams play a different style?

Ramirez: Maybe we do not play the same style of game. They have good numbers in defensive actions, but we are not the same model and it's going to be a tough game. We have to see the numbers. We have good numbers in offensive ratio scoring goals, but we conceded more goals than we wanted. Chennaiyin didn't concede many goals but they also didn't score many.

How are you dealing with injuries, with matches happening thick and fast?

Ramirez: We are managing really well, because as you see, the number nine arrived late and we were rotating and having the solutions for playing in any match during position at the starting of the competition. Of course, there are some players that are difficult to find a place that can sub in. But we are happy about the way that we are dealing with this situation.

Odisha FC’s midfielder Thoiba Singh Moirangthem was also present at the press conference and addressed the questions put forward.

What are the things you have learnt after joining Odisha FC?

Moirangthem: I learned a lot of things as a player inside the field and outside the field and as a professional football player or as a good person,

What is your personal target or aim for this season?

Moirangthem:Last season I got injured. And this time, I have to do more. I have a lot of targets: to score a goal or give a good assist for the team.

How did you recover after the injury from last season and got back on the pitch? What was your journey like?

Moirangthem: It was quite difficult because it was my first season in the ISL and I got injured in the first game and my teammate helped me to recover along with all the physios, all the medical staff and coaches. I came back before the season, and I'm happy about that.

Tell us about the interactions you have had with the foriegn players so far and how has the experience been?

Moirangthem: They are very good as a person. As a player, they always motivate the young one, and I'm happy with them.