Three key things Sergio Lobera needs to change at Mohun Bagan

Sergio Lobera is one of the most successful coaches in ISL history.

Sergio Lobera has been appointed as the new head coach of Mohun Bagan ahead of the next Indian Super League (ISL) campaign. He has replaced Jose Molina and faces the huge challenge of taking the Mariners back to the top and ensuring they successfully defend their ISL title for the third consecutive season.

However, Lobera takes over a Mohun Bagan side that is coming off a disappointing Super Cup campaign and has some problems that need to be fixed. Despite winning the IFA Shield title, the Mariners have not been able to perform to their best ability in this campaign, and their disappointing performances resulted in Molina’s sacking.

There were a few crucial issues about the Mohun Bagan side that Molina couldn’t fix, which is why Lobera has been brought in at the club. Here we take a look at the three pressing matters about Mohun Bagan that Lobera must look into in his first season as the Mariners’ head coach.

3. Getting more proactive full-backs

A frustrating issue within the Mohun Bagan set-up under Jose Molina is that he tended to keep his full-backs extremely protracted for the majority of the matches. That meant the likes of Asish Rai and Subhasish Bose were hardly allowed to support the wingers, mostly staying within their own half and focusing on the defensive aspects.

Well, it’s time for Lobera to change that and start getting more out of his full-backs. He should look to give more freedom to the likes of Rai and Subhasish, allowing them to express themselves more often and play to their strengths.

Lobera will focus on maintaining a strong defensive shape and ensuring his team doesn’t have to be caught out from the back regularly, while also looking to make Mohun Bagan more complete as an attacking force going forward.

To do so, he needs to encourage his full-backs to be fearless in making overlapping supporting runs into the final third to support the wingers, as well as swing in inviting crosses to create big chances for the forwards. Moreover, overlapping winger-backs can also allow the wingers to move centrally, boosting the Mariners’ goal-scoring threat with more numbers in and around the box.

2. Finding the ideal midfield shape

Anyone who has been following Sergio Lobera since his arrival in Indian football is well aware of his passion for possession-based football and having effective midfielders to control the match.

Fortunately for him, the gaffer will get to use several talented midfielders at Mohun Bagan – including some experienced India national team regulars. Lalengmawia Ralte is going to be a lock-on under Lobera, as he boasts all the characteristics of a ‘complete midfielder’ in Indian football.

Sahal Abdul Samad can also impress under Lobera’s style because of his pressing prowess and technical skills, and the same can be said about Anirudh Thapa as well.

However, with Mohun Bagan having no foreign midfielders in their squad right now, it’ll be interesting to see how Lobera shapes up his midfield line without them. Of course, he might opt to sign foreign midfielders to strengthen the depth and overall quality of his midfield to ensure his side can implement his tactics perfectly.

Lobera wants his team to dominate possession and play smooth passing football, so finding the right midfield shape and changing the way his midfielders operate will be a big task for him.

1. Better delivery to Jamie Maclaren

A persistent problem with Mohun Bagan so far in the 2025-26 season is that Jamie Maclaren has not received the kind of service required to enhance his goal-scoring consistency.

The Australian forward has just three goals in six matches in this campaign so far, and a lot of that is also attributed to the dearth of service he’s received from those around him.

This is something that Sergio Lobera must look to improve. He realizes the quality of an experienced striker like Maclaren, but the Spaniard cannot get the best out of him unless he can amp up the creativity levels on his side.

Lobera will need his wingers and midfielders to be more active and play a crucial role in their final third passes, allowing them to reach Maclaren’s key goal-scoring areas inside the box.

The Spanish gaffer needs to increase the speed and consistency of the quality passes sent into the final third, as better delivery will automatically lead to more goals from Maclaren.

Considering the quality of the 32-year-old striker, Lobera has to revolve his side to play to Maclaren’s strengths, as the Australian forward’s goals can lead him to a lot of success.

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