‘Team’s win is more about resilience’
MUMBAI: It ought to have been two in two for Sergio Lobera. The Spanish coach was sacked by FC Goa before the end of last season after leading them to the top of the Indian Super League (ISL) charts. Goa kept their top spot, but Lobera couldn’t get his hands on the League Winners Shield.
He did that on Sunday, guiding a rebranded Mumbai City FC, backed by the might of the City Football Group that owns Manchester City, with the core players imported from his FC Goa outfit. Mumbai ended No. 1, sealing the AFC Champions League spot. They now target a maiden ISL trophy in the playoffs.
In this chat, Lobera explains his success in a pandemic-hit season and why he won’t put a limit on how far this team can go. Excerpts:
We are very happy. The first target is a bigger achievement for us. We knew the challenges from the beginning and are happy to achieve this important milestone for our fans and the Mumbai City family. I’m very proud of my players. It required them to have a strong mentality,
be ambitious and positive.
Was it extra satisfying to hold the League Winners Shield, given that you were not able to with FC Goa last season?
Yes, it was a special feeling. This was my second Shield in a way, and to finally be able to stand on podium was satisfying.
Is it fair to say Lobera is no longer a coach who always wants his team to score one more than his opponents?
I want to play attacking football, something that our fans can enjoy. As a coach, there’s always room for improvement, and balance is the most important thing in football. We have done a very good job getting that between attack and defence. But to also achieve nine clean sheets—those are important numbers. When you are taking risks, when you’re playing open, it’s not easy.