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Gerard Zaragoza’s men have their task cut out when they begin their Kalinga Super Cup campaign with a fixture against hosts, and an in-form Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday evening. Current ISL table-toppers FC Goa and I-League side Inter Kashi who complete the group, will be in action as well in an early kick-off.
In a presser that saw all four Spanish coaches address the media together, Zaragoza had the table’s support when he said that the group was the toughest in the tournament.
“Of course it is a tough group, but I’d rather play such teams and win football matches of higher quality. All four teams have an equal chance of making it to the semis, one mistake and it could get very difficult. Odisha are one of the best attacking teams in the country and I am a big supporter of Sergio Lobera’s footballing style.”
The Bengaluru FC squad will be without the likes of their skipper Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu along with Suresh Wangjam, who are all part of the Indian National team squad participating in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. While Odisha will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
“I am sure the fans in Odisha FC would have loved to watch Sunil play here. Unfortunately, we all have to play with a few players missing. When you lose the kind of players that we have and right at the start of the tournament, it does put you on the back foot, but we will do our best” added Zaragoza.
Odisha FC who currently sit third in the ISL, are enjoying a strong season under Lobera who has the experience of winning the League on two separate occasions with two different clubs. The Spaniard denied that they would be the favourites to win the Super Cup but was glad at the home advantage his team will enjoy.
“If you want to win tournaments you need to beat the best teams, and that is what we will look to do. I don’t think we are the favourites. The ISL and the Super Cup are different tournaments. Bengaluru FC is a side that has improved a lot after Gerard’s arrival and we will look to come out on top in front of our home fans,” said Lobera.
The last time the Blues played against Lobera’s Odisha FC, Simon Grayson was the Head Coach. The Juggernauts came from behind after a two goal deficit to win at home in the Indian Super League tie.
The Blues have traveled with a good mix of experience and youth, and with several starters away on national team duty, it will be interesting to see how Zaragoza sets out in what will be a challenging opener.
