‘Team’s win 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:
The psychological situation was very important. This season was not just about tactical, technical or physical aspects. It was about being strong mentally, living together as a family. It’s not easy to live more than five months in a bubble. When you’re playing for something important, it’s maybe easier. So this showed we are a strong team on and off the pitch. If you want to win trophies, you need both.