Sergio Lobera: Bengaluru FC will be a very difficult match

The Spanish tactician also revealed that he is very happy with the performance of the Indian players in his side.

FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera and forward Manvir Singh interacted with the press ahead of the Gaurs' encounter against Bengaluru FC that is to be played on Monday. The Gaurs have started the season on a positive note after having defeated Chennaiyin FC by a 3-0 margin in their opening match of the season.

When asked about the challenges of playing against Bengaluru FC, Sergio Lobera quipped, “I need to do more training. I am very optimistic, so it is possible to use the whole squad. We are looking forward to a very difficult match. In the last season, BFC were at a very good level and I think Goa increased the level."

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“We finished the season with the same points and the difference between Bengaluru FC and Goa has improved when you see the last season. For me, it is a big challenge to face Bengaluru FC because probably, they are the best team in the league,” the Spaniard added.

Thoughts On ISL Final Last Season

FC Goa were defeated 1-0 by Bengaluru FC in the final of the previous edition of the tournament, but the entire environment and atmosphere surrounding that encounter was incredible. Asked about his feelings about how the match would be received this time around, Sergio Lobera remarked, “The final is a game of the past."

“The performance of the team back then was very well. I hope in this match the performance of my team is similar to that final. If it’s possible to improve, then we need to do so. But, I was very happy with how the players performed in the last game against Bengaluru,” the 42-year-old added.

Manvir Singh

When it comes to Manvir Singh, he is still beginning in the league with very little experience behind him. Quizzed about how he sees his role and position in the XI, Manvir stated, “Every time I started the game, everyone said that Coro (Ferran Corominas) is the best player in the ISL and it’s a tough challenge for me. But, I will give my 100% on the field.”

Regarding how he sees both of them playing together in the frontline the striker added, “I feel very confident and Coro is the best player. He told me very good things about the position and I will give my best in the next game also.”

“See, the FC Goa training is all with the ball. We will improve on it; especially the Indian players and we will look to improve with the ball, as it is a very important skill-set.”

Lobera's Difficulty With Strikers

Sergio Lobera is one of the few head coaches in the league who has an embarrassment of riches in attack. Elaborating on the same he explained, “I have a bit of a problem with many strikers in the team. It is very difficult to make the decision about which player should be on the bench, but I have to make that call. Every game is different, as the oppositions are pretty different to each other.”

“Chennaiyin are different from Bengaluru FC and hence, I have to take a call according to that. If there is a chance to play two strikers; I think Manvir is a striker; Coro is a striker in solid situations. If you ask me who can play in midfield, Brandon  (Fernandes) plays attacking midfield or the wing roles. But, Manvir’s performance in the last match was very good. I have to make a decision regarding who would play,” Lobera said on the striker situation prevailing at the club.

Manvir Singh On National Team

Manvir spoke about his recent experiences with the national team as well. He remarked, “I got an opportunity to start in the game against Qatar and I have gained confidence from there. Whenever I come from the bench, I give my 100% even then. That’s the only thing in my hands; otherwise the rest of the decision has to be made by the coach.”

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Lobera also weighed in on the subject of Indian players, saying, “I am very happy, because always I have told the same thing that for me, the team is the most important thing above individuals. To play with eight Indian players in the first XI in the last game, it shows the quality of them and that they are the future.

“In the future, the best option for the country is to improve the level of Indian players and through the last match we can show that their performance is really good,” he affirmed.

Bengaluru FC had played out a goalless draw in their first game of the tournament against NorthEast United FC, but regardless of that result, this promises to be one exciting encounter at FC Goa’s home ground on Monday.

Watch FC Goa take on Bengaluru FC at Fatorda this Diwali! 😍 Get up to 50% off on tickets, buy now: http://bit.ly/goavsben