"The plan worked well and the changes suited the players"- Kiko Ramirez elated after winning the first match against Bengaluru FC 

Odisha FC kicked off their ISL 2021-22 season with a bang on Wednesday, defeating Bengaluru FC 3-1 at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa. The Juggernauts secured three crucial points in their opening fixture against southern giants Bengaluru FC.

Kiko Ramirez, Odisha FC's new head coach, led his team to victory in his very first encounter in the Hero Indian Super League. Ramirez spoke about the win in the official post-match news conference, pleased with his team's performance.

Bengaluru FC had the lion's share of possession throughout the game. However, the Juggernauts were able to tactically outmaneuver the Blues with their own gameplan. Speaking about his team's approach, Kiko said:

"Of course, we wanted to have more of the ball in the first half, but we have a plan and we knew the strengths and weaknesses of Bengaluru FC and it was something we had thought about, making fast counter attacks, because the physical condition is important, and we wanted to keep the ball. The plan worked well and the changes suited the players, and it proved that."

Odisha FC had a lackluster season last year, winning just two games and finishing at the bottom of the ISL table. But the Kalinga Warriors enjoyed a commanding victory in their first game of the ISL 2021 schedule.

Odisha FC had also never beaten Bengaluru FC in their prior meetings. When asked how the team feels about the rest of the season, Kiko replied that it was only the start and a lot of work is needed still.

Javi Hernandez stole the show for Odisha by scoring two important goals. The coach lavished praise on the Spaniard, but he also emphasized the the role of the entire team in the result. Kiko added:

"We like all the players, we are happy with the performance in training. Today, Vinit and Jerry did a wonderful job. We know Javi is a goalscorer, he proved that during pre-season and he proved that today. We are happy with the performance of all players, also of Hector and Victor, and also of all Indian players and foreigners, of everybody in the team. It’s a team victory, not a one-man victory."

---

"Before talking about other teams, we should talk about ourselves" - Bengaluru FC's Marco Pezzaiuoli on losing the match

Blues head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli seemed let down by his side's performance. In the post-match conference, Bengaluru FC's new manager lamented his side's defensive errors and the team's overall performance.

When asked about the reasons for his team's defensive errors, Pezzaiuoli responded:

"I think before talking about other teams, we should talk about ourselves. In the first five minutes we made a big mistake and then also for the second goal, Udanta lost the ball and we gave the free-kick to the opponent. Even we had the chance to score the second and the third goals as well and we make the game 80% easy for us to play more defence."

Click here for the ISL 2021 live scores.

The Blues nearly equalized again, as Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetrri missed a penalty. While the subsequent rebound was converted, it was deemed illegal by the referee for encroachment. Pezzaiuoli seemed dissatisfied with the referee's decision, and said that in his opinion the penalty should have been retaken.

Alan Costa scroing the equaliser for Bengaluru in the early minutes of the game

Benagluru FC's new recruit Roshen Naorem was in top form, delivering some brilliant set-pieces in tonight's contest. The German coach praised the young left back's pre-season form and is looking forward to him picking up more experience to develop further.

The Blues will be looking to bounce back with a win when they face Kerala Blasters on the 28th of November.