This is what Sergio Lobera said about facing Liston Colaco

The Spaniard spoke about his team's preparations ahead of the game against Hyderabad FC on Sunday.

Mumbai City FC will face Hyderabad FC at Tilak Maidan on Sunday. The Islanders will look to get back to winning ways after a toilsome draw against Jamshedpur FC. Head coach Sergio Lobera along with midfielder Raynier Fernandes addressed the media ahead of the match. Lobera opened up on his admiration for Hyderabad FC and their coach Manolo Marquez. On the other hand, Fernandes narrated his elation of playing under the tutelage of the Spanish tactician.

Sergio Lobera on Hyderabad FC

Contrary to expectations, Hyderabad FC are one of only two unbeaten teams in the league so far. They have had to deal with numerous injury concerns. However, the domestic players have stepped up to the challenge and delivered the goods for the Nizams. 

Reflecting on that, Lobera said, “I think they have a very good team. They play very well so far. It’s a good example, the performance of Indian players, when they have the opportunity to play. A lot of merit for this team, for this coach. I really enjoy watching their games. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a very good game and everybody can enjoy good football. Hopefully, we can work in the best way possible to win the game.”

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On expectations from the game 

Both these teams appear to be striving to play a similar brand of football. The head coach agreed with this notion, as he quipped, “I think tomorrow is going to be a very good game. Both teams try to play with the ball, try to attack and I think this kind of game is good for the supporters. I expect to play against a very good team with possession of the ball, with good players, very good striker and very good philosophy from this coach. I think it's possible tomorrow to enjoy during 90 minutes and I hope we can enjoy during 90 minutes and at the game with three points.”

Has Hyderabad’s promising start to the campaign surprised Lobera? 

Hyderabad FC had finished at the bottom of the points table in ISL 2019-20. They had secured merely two victories in 18 matches. Moreover, Albert Roca left them ahead of the season to join Ronald Koeman’s coaching staff at FC Barcelona. Add to that, the flurry of injuries and it is safe to say that they did not head into the campaign in ideal circumstances. Hence, have the side’s results so far surprised Sergio Lobera?

“For me, it’s not a surprise. I know very well the profile of the players. I know the coach very well because he was working at Las Palmas, the same club I had been working in the past. I know the style of play of the coach. I know the profile of the players,” the 43-year-old responded. 

He added, “The special circumstances with injuries give them opportunities to Indian players to play. They can show their level. For example, Liston (Colaco) is a good player, (he) is my former player and I know this player very well. He had two opportunities to play and he played very well. It’s not a surprise to me, as I think Hyderabad is a very good team, very good coach. Maybe, the merit is with the injuries, the performance of the team was very good. Tomorrow, for us, is going to be a very difficult game against a very good team.”

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Plans to contain Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco has flourished under Manolo Marquez’s stewardship this season. He was part of Lobera’s squad at FC Goa, but didn’t receive adequate playing time with the Gaurs. The Mumbai City boss was asked whether he has devised some plans to restrict Colaco’s influence in the game. 

Staying true to this nature of avoiding speaking, specifically about individuals, Lobera explained, “I think it’s very important. I think one player, two players it’s not important to win the game. The most important thing is teamwork. We have to be loyal to our style of play, our philosophy. Maybe, tomorrow we will have more spaces compared to the last game against Jamshedpur. 

“Every game is different, every team is different and we need to adapt to different circumstances. But, the most important thing is to put our focus to improve our level. We need to know about the opposition team. But, all the time I speak to my players how it’s possible to improve our level.”

ALSO READ: Hyderabad Vs Mumbai City Preview: Nizams aim for another upset

Lessons learnt from draw against Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC halted Mumbai’s victorious run with a gritty performance last time around. The Men of Steel were down to 10 men for a better part of the game. However, Mumbai failed to find inroads and had to settle for a solitary point. Lobera comprehensively pondered upon the improvements the team needs to make in the upcoming match. 

“We need to learn to manage the situation well when you have the possibility to play against 10 players. During a long time, it’s not only about 15 minutes…we played more than 60 minutes against 10 players. But, depends on the team you are playing against. It is a different situation. For example, Jamshedpur is comfortable playing defensively during this time. If you are playing against another team, for example Hyderabad, it’s a different situation. Because they are a strong team with the ball. Maybe, Jamshedpur is a strong team without the ball and with the ball, not,” Lobera expressed. 

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He further stated, “So, we suffer a lot with 10 players, for example our team. Playing with 10 men, maybe we can suffer. But, the situation in the last game against players with a similar style of play like Jamshedpur, we need to learn about the management of the situation with the ball against 10 players. Obviously, the most important thing from the last game is finishing. Because we create a lot of chances and we need to score. When you create a lot of chances, in normal situations we need to score more goals.”

The head coach said that the club will assess certain injured players on Saturday to check their availability for the next encounter. However, he clarified, “We don’t think about the players that are missing. We put focus on players that are available.”

Raynier Fernandes on playing under Sergio Lobera

Speaking about training under Lobera, Raynier Fernandes revealed, “Since I started my professional career, I have always wanted a coach like Sergio. It feels great to play under him. We never knew who our coach was. So, when I got to know he was coaching us, it was like a dream. Because I always wanted to play under a coach like him. The pre-season went so well. The training also went so well. His playing style is like, keep the ball and play and it’s one thing that I love since I started my football career.” 

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