Punjab FC head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis has declared his side capable of competing for the Indian Super League (ISL) title as the Shers prepare to launch their 2026-27 campaign against Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, 13 October. The Greek tactician arrives in the ISL for the first time, backed by an extended pre-season, targeted squad reinforcements and a philosophy built around combination football.

Dermitzakis Sets the Bar High

Dermitzakis took charge of Punjab ahead of the new season with a clear mandate: convert last year's sixth-place finish into a genuine title challenge. He has wasted no time in articulating that ambition publicly.

'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,' Dermitzakis said ahead of the season opener.

That confidence is grounded, at least in part, in the quality of the pre-season. Punjab reached the semifinals of the IFA Shield, defeating East Bengal FC in the group stage before losing to eventual champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant on penalties. For Dermitzakis, the run provided invaluable competitive exposure for his new-look squad. 'The games we played in the IFA Shield gave us the chance to face big and strong clubs,' he noted.

A Squad Built for Ambition

Punjab have assembled a 27-member squad that blends fresh foreign talent with domestic experience and youth. Five new overseas recruits have been brought in: attackers Raphaël Messi Bouli and Alfred Planas Moya — both with prior ISL exposure — join Diego Raposo in the forward line, while midfielder Mickaël Malsa adds experience in the engine room and Patrick Bahanack bolsters the defensive unit.

Notably, 10 academy graduates feature in the squad, signalling Punjab's continued investment in their youth pathway. Established domestic players including Nikhil Prabhu, Bijoy Varghese, Ricky Shabong and Muhammad Uvais are expected to provide the stability required over a long campaign.

A Different Style of Play

Dermitzakis is intent on giving Punjab a distinct identity — one that diverges from the transition-heavy, direct football that has traditionally characterised the ISL. His philosophy prioritises possession and combination play, while retaining the flexibility to adapt.

'Our philosophy is to try to play good and attractive football. 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,' he explained.

Defender Khaiminthang Lhungdim confirmed that the players have bought into the approach. '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 said.

The Odisha FC Challenge

Wednesday's opponents arrive at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with a revamped squad of their own after finishing 11th last season. Odisha FC have brought in Stephen Eze, Giorgi Aburjania, Mahmoud Eid and Everton among foreign recruits, alongside domestic additions Ritwik Das, Nandhakumar Sekar and Imran Khan. Their challenge will be building cohesion quickly after a limited pre-season.

Recent history favours Punjab: the Shers are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Odisha, including a 3-2 ISL win at the Kalinga Stadium in May and a 3-0 victory in the AIFF Super Cup group stage.

What to Watch

Wednesday's fixture is more than an opening-day formality — it is an early referendum on whether Dermitzakis' title talk has substance. A Punjab win would provide immediate validation of their pre-season work and set the tone for a campaign in which they hope to sustain a push toward the top half of the table. How Odisha's new-look side responds under pressure will equally offer the first real read on their 2026-27 credentials.