‘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:
You’d spoken about topping the league from the start of the season…
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. That was very important to achieve this, because during the season there were good moments but also difficult situations that we needed to solve. I told the boys, “I am very proud of you, not just because you are very good players but also amazing people”.
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 the podium with it this time, it was very satisfying. Everyone at Mumbai City and the City Football Group (CFG) created the best environment for me as coach to try and make this a winning team.
Given the uncertainty due to the pandemic, when did you start putting the squad together?
A few months before the season we started working on the team, the squad, different options. We didn’t know exactly when the season would start, how the format would be, etc. But we did a lot of work with the CFG and Mumbai City officials. We could finally build a very good squad, which I was very happy with. I’ve said this from the beginning, not just now when we have won something. This is a gift for our efforts. But it is not over. Hopefully by next week we will have one trophy more.
Even with the financial
resources to have the best team, getting the best out of it is something else, isn’t it?
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.
Is it fair to say Lobera is no longer a coach who always wants his team to score one more than his opponents? Your defence probably looked as good as the attack…
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.
Bipin Singh has had a very good season and is also among the national team probables for the first time. What are the areas of his game you worked on?
When I arrive here, it’s not only about winning trophies or playing beautiful football. It’s about improving the level of Indian players. I’m very happy with some of our players going to the national team. This means they are doing a very good job. I have a lot of belief in the level of Indian players.
Speaking of Indian players, what did you see in Pranjal Bhumij—he got only 29 minutes last term—to start him in the must-win match against ATK Mohun Bagan?
Working with them every day, I know not only how they are as players, but their mentality and if they’re ready to play in difficult and crucial games. You need to pick the best moment for the players, because if you want to run before you walk, maybe it’s dangerous for some players. So as a coach it’s important to know when is the best moment to give them an opportunity to show their abilities and qualities.