ISL 2025-26: "I think that tomorrow is like a final for us", Sergio Lobera urges Mohun Bagan SG players to treat East Bengal clash as a final in a title decider

The Mariners have the better head-to-head history in the ISL

Mohun Bagan SG are aiming to take a step closer to securing the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) title when they face off against rivals East Bengal at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday (17 May, 2026). With both the Kolkata rivals being on the same points (22) with two more games remaining, whoever wins this match will basically have one hand on the 2025-26 ISL trophy.

Sergio Lobera is upbeat about his side’s chances of winning the game, despite drawing their last two matches.

As he stated: “Of course, I think that tomorrow is like a final for us. It’s amazing that in football we’re here to play games like these, and this environment is amazing for us. You want to become a coach or player to be involved in these kinds of games, and tomorrow is a final.”

“We need to win this one, and I’m very positive and confident because I feel we have a very good squad with enough experience to play in games like these. It’s a big motivation for us to play a derby, but also when there is the possibility of winning a trophy in this derby – despite both of us having a game after this – I feel excited because this is like a derby for us,” he added.

Mohun Bagan SG’s strikers’ drop in form

When asked about his striker’s having troubles converting chances in recent games.

The Spaniard replied: “The past is the past for us; this is a different type of game for us. The biggest problem would be if you cannot generate chances. When you are generating chances but not scoring with the quality of players we have, it’s good enough to score. We don’t need to speak too much because they want to score, and they have the quality to score goals after the team creates chances.”

“We need to score goals before reaching this point in a better position. But of course, scoring is an aspect we can improve, as we must be more clinical. In the last few games, we weren’t clinical in the last third as we could win the game, and we’re giving the opponents the chance to come back in matches by missing chances,” he added.

Big praise for East Bengal FC squad

Lobera also had some big praise for the East Bengal side when discussing the challenging nature of the derby.

Sergio Lobera claimed: “I always thought that if we win the ISL trophy, the rival we needed to beat is East Bengal. They have the best squad in their history of the ISL, and in my opinion, compared to Jamshedpur, Mumbai City and Punjab FC, these teams do not have a better squad than East Bengal. East Bengal are now in the position they should be in. When you are playing in these kinds of competitions with just 13 games, it sometimes gives you a better chance to win the title.”

“When you are playing 26 games, you have the chance to prove you’re better than the opponents. Last season, Mohun Bagan only won the league because of a late goal against Jamshedpur in the ISL playoff. Everyone wants to win the league in the third fixture, but that isn’t possible. We will play a final against a very good opponent, and for sure, we’ll try our best, which this club deserves and what the fans deserve, which is to make history in being the first ISL club to win three trophies in a row,” Sergio Lobera further stated.

On drop in Mohun Bagan SG’s momentum levels

The Spaniard wants his players to take energy from their fans support against East Bengal and win the ISL title for the devoted supporters.

Sergio Lobera stating: “It’s true that this season, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have played three derbies and we didn’t win any one of them. But that is the past. This is a very good opportunity for us to prove to everyone that we can win trophies. On paper, everything is amazing, but now is the time to speak on the pitch. In the port, everything is amazing because everyone is moving in the way you want to move the players.”

“Now, we need to perform on the pitch. Our fans need to come to the stadium; this is a big game in Indian football, and I hope we can see a very good game between two very good teams. We are happy to have the opportunity to win the game tomorrow and potentially become champions. To win tomorrow would be a lot for our supporters; we cannot ask them anything, we need to perform to give back to them. In the last game, if I were a fan, then I would’ve gone back home after the first half. Tomorrow, we need to die and fight hard to try and get the trophy for the supporters, who deserve it,” he also added.

When asked if he feels that Mohun Bagan’s momentum levels were derailed because of their three-week gap between the NorthEast United FC clash in April to the 1-1 draw against FC Goa recently.

Lobera replied: “I don’t like using excuses. It seems that we aren’t competing well against Inter Kashi or FC Goa because of that, but that isn’t the case. I could say to use that as an excuse, but we cannot make any excuses, as we needed to compete better in the last two games.”

“Now, everything is on our hands and if other teams could’v eben in the same position we are in now, it would’ve been amazing for them. We need to be positive and focus on the next game, of course we need to learn from the previous ones, but the most important thing for us is to win the next game,” he also claimed.

Chances of Kolkata Derby being a goalfest and his experience

When asked about Oscar Bruzon’s claims that neither East Bengal nor Mohun Bagan will accept a draw in the derby and whether it can be a goal fest.

Lobera explained: “I hope it will be an amazing game for the supporters and people watching the game. It’s amazing for Indian football to have these kinds of games. We are Spanish coaches, but finally, Oscar Bruzon has his idea on football, and I have mine about football.”

“In the last few games, we know each other well because we played when he was in Bangladesh, we faced each other, and my team (Odisha) qualified for the next round of the AFC Cup. Hopefully, we can win another game, and that is most important tomorrow. We are Spanish coaches, but we have amazing players, not everyone is Spanish. Football is there for the players and not the coaches; we are here to help them reach the best levels,” he also stated.

Finally, when questioned about his experience of leading Mohun Bagan as their coach in a game like the Kolkata derby.

Sergio Lobera said: “The situation is that I’m very happy and excited to be able to participate in a Kolkata derby as a Mohun Bagan coach. It’s amazing to see these games on TV, but when you participate in it it’s amazing. In the 25 years of my career, there have been many important games I’ve been involved in, and this is up there. We need to enjoy these games and not suffer about these games, I’m happy to be part of that,” he finished with.”

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