ISL 2026-27: Punjab FC eyes winning start under new boss against Odisha FC

Punjab lost midfielder Samir Zelkovic to Bagan, while Pramveer Singh (NorthEast United), Bede Osuji (NK Aluminij), Dani Ramirez (East Bengal), Effiong Nsungusi (East Bengal) and Pablo Santos (free agent) also made their exits.

Updated : Oct 13, 2026 18:39 IST , CHENNAI - 4 MINS READ

Punjab FC finished sixth in the last ISL season, while coming close to winning the title on the final day. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

After coming close to winning the title on the final day of the Indian Super League (ISL), Punjab FC will have to start fresh having undergone a raft of changes in the summmer.

The Shers will begin the new campaign under another Greek tactician Pavlos Dermitzakis and hope for a winning start as they face Odisha FC in its first match of the 2026-27 season here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday.

Dermitzakis took charge of Punjab after Panagiotis Dilmperis left in the summer to join Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

In the playing roster, Punjab lost midfielder Samir Zelkovic to Bagan, while Pramveer Singh (NorthEast United), Bede Osuji (NK Aluminij), Dani Ramirez (East Bengal), Effiong Nsungusi (East Bengal) and Pablo Santos (free agent) also made their exits.

READ | Super-sub Jithin scores winner to help NorthEast United beat Mohun Bagan SG

Punjab announced a 27-member squad for the season which includes ten academy graduates supporting an established core from the last season and five new foreign signings. Raphaël Messi Bouli and Alfred Planas Moya who have already experience in the league will lead the attack along with Diego Raposo. Mickaël Malsa will add experience in midfield while Patrick Bahanack will marshal the defence, completing the foreign contingent.

Indian internationals Nikhil Prabhu, Bijoy Varghese, Ricky Shabong and Muhammad Uvais along with Khaimingthang Lhungdim, Muhammad Suhail, Manglenthang Kipgen and Gurkirat Singh and the academy players will form the domestic core of the side.

The Shers arrive at the season opener carrying momentum from a reasonably successful pre-season where they reached the semifinals after taking out East Bengal FC on the way in the group stages, before going down to eventual champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant on penalties in the final four.

Punjab is unbeaten in its last three meetings against Odisha, including a thrilling 3-2 victory in ISL last season at the Kalinga Stadium in May, and a decisive 3-0 win during the AIFF Super Cup group stages at the same venue.

Speaking ahead of his ISL managerial debut, Dermitzakis expressed immense faith in his roster. “We prepared ourselves very well during the long pre-season we had. We managed to add players in positions where we felt we needed reinforcements, and the games we played in the IFA Shield gave us the chance to face big and strong clubs,” Dermitzakis said.

“Our target is clear. Since we have created a very capable squad, we will try to win every game. I believe our team can compete for the title,” he added.

Addressing his tactical philosophy for the long season ahead, Dermitzakis emphasised a possession-based, combination-oriented style of play. “Our philosophy is to try to play good and attractive football. First of all, we should be happy, and the fans should be happy to watch and follow us. Indian football is generally a little more direct and relies on transitions, but we try to do something different and play a more combination-based game. If required, we can also play directly. We need the ability to adapt, with one target in mind: winning.”

Echoing the coach’s confidence, defender Khaiminthang Lhungdim highlighted the squad’s readiness and hunger for the new campaign. “Everyone is ready to fight, and everyone is hungry to play this season again. There is a specific tactic and plan that we have from the coach. We keep following his plan, and it is working well,” Lhungdim stated.

Odisha arrive in the capital to bounce back from a difficult campaign that saw it finish 11th last season. However, the visitors present a fresh threat, having heavily overhauled its squad to address those vulnerabilities.

It has added experienced foreign recruits like Stephen Eze, Giorji Aburjania, Mahmoud Eid, and Everton, while strengthening their domestic core with established names like Ritwik Das, Nandhakumar Sekar, and Imran Khan. The primary challenge for the Kalinga Warriors will be establishing team chemistry despite limited pre-season preparation time.