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Sergio Lobera: Everything can change in this league in a short time

Published at :January 10, 2021 at 9:41 PM
Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM
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(Courtesy : ISL Media)

Tarkesh Jha


The Spaniard along with Mandar Rao Dessai addressed the media ahead of the big game against ATK Mohun Bagan on Monday.

Mumbai City FC will take on ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) in a clash of Indian Super League table-toppers on Monday. Both teams have been breathing down each other’s necks in the standings so far. Currently, the club from Kolkata are two points behind the Islanders and that further enhances the importance of this game. For Mumbai, this is an opportunity to extend their lead over ATKMB and strengthen their grip on the top position. Head coach Sergio Lobera and Mandar Rao Dessai addressed several facets of the upcoming encounter in the pre-match media interaction.  

Ahmed Jahouh’s suspension

Moroccan midfielder Ahmed Jahouh will be missing the second crucial match of this season due to a suspension. The player had earlier sat out of the clash against FC Goa, afer being sent off in the previous outing. He collected two yellow cards against Bengaluru FC and that rules him out of the squad for the next match. Responding to the situation, the head coach quipped, “You know, Jahouh is a very important player for us, but I have a very good squad and there are no excuses for this.”

https://youtu.be/c8uxW4yQkf8
WATCH: Sergio Lobera's pre-match press conference

Hernan Santana’s importance

International players like Adam le Fondre, Hugo Boumous and Jahouh often receive all the limelight at Mumbai City. However, Hernan Santana has added significant balance to the lineup too. The Spaniard forms a solid partnership with Mourtada Fall and guards the backline from the middle of the park occasionally too. Moreover, he has scored two goals in seven appearances until now.

Commenting on the 30-year-old’s importance to the setup, Sergio Lobera explained, “The most important thing always for me is the teamwork. It’s not only about individuals; it’s about the collective work. I think this is the most important thing. We have very good individuals. We have very good players. But, you need to work as a team and this is the most important thing. It’s not about Jahouh, Fall, Hernan, I think, my job as a coach is to try to work as a collective job and in this situation I don’t like to speak about individuals.”

Challenges Vs ATKMB and injury update

Both Mumbai and ATK Mohun Bagan are surely eyeing a first-place finish to qualify for the AFC Champions League next year. The two sides hardly drop points and hence the match-ups between them will be key to their continental aspirations. However, Sergio Lobera stayed true to his diplomatic nature and played down the hype around the game. He also provided some encouraging team news with respect to the fitness of his players.

“When you finish one game the next is the most important. The situation is the same for tomorrow’s game. We are playing against a very good team. ATKMB, they are doing a very good job. We also, so far and hopefully everybody could see a very good game. About the injuries, all squad is fit and I am very happy about this situation,” the tactician said.

He added, “I think it’s going to be a very important game, but it’s not a crucial game. I think it’s three points more, only is competition game No. 10, just half of the competition. In this league, everything is possible to change in a short time. Sometimes, we have three games in seven days. The most important thing is to keep our focus, to improve ourselves and it’s a good test for us, tomorrow’s game. But, it’s three points more against a very good team.”

Targets achieved halfway through the season?

Mumbai City will play their 10th game of the 2020-21 campaign on Monday. This marks the halfway point of the league stages of the ISL. Sergio Lobera has previously stressed on the challenges put forth by the short pre-season and life in the bio-bubble. However, his team have notched seven victories and looked head and shoulders above the rest of the sides in the competition. Hence, the Spaniard was probed about whether he has achieved the mid-season goals that he had set ahead of the campaign.  

The 43-year-old replied, “As you know, it was a big challenge…very short pre-season, to try to implement a new style of play with 24 new players. Only four players have played under me before. But, I am very happy. I want to speak about the professionalism, attitude of my players. I think it’s most important to improve day-by-day, game-by-game. We are in a good way, not only about the results, not only about the position in the table, about improving our style of play. I am very happy with my players, with the big effort everybody needs to do in these circumstances.”

Mandar Rao Dessai on re-adapting to the bio-bubble after leaving it in December

Mandar Rao Dessai had left the squad after his father’s demise on December 3. The player returned back to the setup but had to undergo another 14-day quarantine. It was a real test of his character, given that Dessai was already dealing with a tough personal loss. The full-back opened up about his feelings during the press conference.

The 28-year-old said, “Yes, I had to leave because of my personal problems. But, then once I was back I had to continue working hard. It was just because of my father, who always helped me from the very start when I was young. So, I just could not forget playing and do what I want to do always. That’s a big motivation for me from my father. All the support staff, the coach and all the players have been helping me a lot during these very difficult times. I tried to do my best, train when I was inside for 14 days. Then when I was back in the team, I tried to adapt to the team’s level as fast as I can.”

The India international also spoke about his father’s role in his football career and how that motivated him to re-join the squad. “As I told you before, the coach and the staff from the City Football Group and Mumbai City had told me to take my own time. At the same time, I had to remember what my father always told me. I had to come back and perform at the top level. It’s all because of the people who have been with me throughout my life, helping me in certain things. I tried my best to keep my focus on the games and to do well, so that I can do whatever it is for my father,” Mandar Rao Dessai signed off.

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