FC Goa vs Odisha FC – Three key battles to watch out for

by Chittu Shetty December 12, 2020

FC Goa are all set to take on Odisha FC over the weekend as the action continues on in the Indian Super League on Saturday. The Gaurs come into this clash on the back of their first win in the competition when they defeated Kerala Blasters FC with a 3-1 margin.

Spaniard striker Igor Angulo scored goals in either half of the match and Jorge Ortiz Mendoza contributed with the third goal to set up the comfortable win for the Gaurs. This win marked Head coach Juan Ferrando’s first win on Indian soil since taking over the reins before the start of the season. Meanwhile, Odisha have struggled to find a footing in this season so far with just 1 point in 4 games.

Here we take a look at three key battles that will have a crucial impact on the result of the match this weekend.

Igor Angulo vs Kamaljit Singh

Igor Angulo, the Spanish attacker had tough shoes to fill in when he joined the Gaurs, considering the legacy of Ferran ‘Coro’ Corominas at club. So far, he has stood up to the challenge with his prolific scoring garnering five goals over four matches in the ISL. This is the second-highest tally for a Gaur striker in the history of the ISL, with Coro leading the way with 7 goals in his first four matches.

Kamaljit Singh in the Odisha FC goal will have a tough task at his hand to keep out the attacks from the Spaniard. Angulo possesses the ability to attack in and around the box and is lethal in air as well. The Odisha FC keeper will have to play out of his skin on Saturday to fend off the attacks on his goal.

Edu Bedia vs Marcelinho

Edu Bedia is the crux of the FC Goa midfield with all the attacking play going through the Spaniard. He is a fine passer of the ball controlling the flow and tempo of the game from his central midfield position. He has racked up a total of 315 passes in four matches, averaging 79 passes per match, which comes out to one pass every 69 seconds of the match.

On the other end, Odisha FC have the Brazilian creative midfielder Marcelinho in their ranks. Marcelinho possesses a mean left foot and has the ability to take on any defense in the ISL. He is a danger from set-pieces as well with his ability to score free kicks.

Ivan Gonzalez vs Diego Mauricio

Diego Mauricio is the only player in the Odisha FC attack who has managed to score a goal in this season’s ISL. He scored twice in the match against Jamshedpur FC to mount the comeback for the team. He plays a crucial role in the Odisha FC attack with his physical presence.

To take him on, FC Goa have the sturdy Spanish defender Ivan Gonzalez in their backline. With his no-nonsense tackling and strong presence in the box, the battle between Diego Mauricio and Gonzalez will be one to watch out for in the match.