Sergio Lobera lauds Mumbai City's ambition ahead of Bengaluru clash

The Islanders head coach also spoke on how Hugo Boumous' absence will affect the team's chances in the coming games.

Mumbai City FC will face Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the GMC Stadium on Monday evening. ATK Mohun Bagan have managed to trim down the Islanders’ lead over them to a solitary point. Understandably, Sergio Lobera and his men are now in a must-win situation, with the Mariners catching up to them. The metropolis club are also deprived of Hugo Boumous’ services as the attacking midfielder stares at a fairly long suspension for abusing the referee in the last game.

Keeping all that in context, head coach Lobera addressed the media along with Cy Goddard ahead of their face-off against the Blues.

Concerned about recent form?

Mumbai collected 25 points from their first 10 games. However, they have managed to bag only nine points in six games since then. They enjoyed a comfortable six-point lead over ATKMB a few weeks ago, but have letgo off that advantage too.

Addressing the whole scenario, Lobera explained, “No. I think we are in a very good position. The reason is the good job we have done before. Obviously, always it’s possible to improve. Obviously, it’s possible to try to learn about our mistakes. We are doing every day and I am very proud, very happy with the attitude of my players. We are achieving records, but for example in the last game, nobody in the dressing room is happy when we are achieving a new record; means, my team is ambitious. I think with this attitude we are in a very good position and I am very positive about the upcoming games.”

Facing a depleted Bengaluru FC

Sergio Lobera has led his teams to only two victories in seven games against Bengaluru FC. However, the coach might fancy his chances this time around, considering that the Blues are far off from making it to the playoffs this time around. They have won only one of their last five games and the Spaniard was asked of the challenges that he expects to come across in the coming game.

“Always, every game is very difficult. Always playing against Bengaluru is difficult. They have a very good team, very good players, experienced players. I think they have a new motivation now after they announced a new coach. I think every game is difficult. Maybe, there are favourite teams in the long-term, but every game it’s possible to win every team. I think you need to be careful with the smaller things, it’s possible to change the result, it’s possible to change the three points. We are in the most important point of the season,” the 44-year-old opened up.

He added, “We have worked a lot to arrive in this position with point advantage over the second team on the table. It depends on us. We need to continue working the same way. We need to be positive, but knowing the next game is going to be a very difficult game for us and we need to work 100% if we want to get three points.”

Focus on ATKMB Vs Jamshedpur FC?

ATK Mohun Bagan will come up against Jamshedpur FC on Sunday evening and naturally, one expects Mumbai to keep a close watch over the result of that match. However, Lobera dismissed any such assumptions and expressed staunch belief that the fortunes of his team will be dictated by their own performances.

The coach conveyed, “Honestly, the situation depends on us and our focus is not in another games. You know, obviously that result it’s possible to affect us. But, we don’t need to waste time on things that not depend on us. We need to improve in ourselves. We need to put our focus in tomorrow’s game. The rest of the teams, the rest of the results, now, because we made a very good job, it’s not necessary to look at the results of other teams. Because the situation is in our hands and if we do the job well, we can finish top on the table.”

Setting up team without Hugo Boumous

As stated earlier, Hugo Boumous is on the verge of being suspended for around four games for his misbehavior towards the end of last game against FC Goa. With two goals and seven assists, Boumous has been the creative lynchpin of Mumbai City.

Speaking about the impact of his absence, Lobera revealed, “We played three games without Boumous and the performance of the team was well. We played games without (Ahmed) Jahouh, without Bart (Ogbeche). The most important thing for me is the collective job. It’s not about individuals. Obviously, if I have the full squad, I have more options to do something different if necessary; especially playing a lot of games in short time. But, there are no excuses. If Boumous is not playing, there are another player and I have a very good squad to win three points.”

Mental preparations ahead of next game

The tactician was also quizzed whether the team are laying focus on mental preparations along with the tactical in the wake of their recent results. As always, Lobera displayed complete confidence in his players and instead stated they are keenly looking forward to the business end of the campaign.

“No, no, I don’t think so because we are in the best position. I think all teams want to be in our position. The mental situation, I think is we are lucky. We are top of the table, we are ahead one point and it all depends on us as. We need to put our focus in tactically, technically, physically to try to improve our mistakes. Obviously, in football, in high level, in all sports, the mental situation is very important. But, we are excited. We are more closer than others to achieve something amazing. We are in a very good position and we need to think about to try to win games and to try to continue working in the same way as so far,” the head coach stated.

Cy Goddard on personal form & collective preparations

Pondering upon the team’s preparations for the upcoming match, Cy Goddard quipped, “I think everybody has been very concentrated because of course it’s the crunch time of the season. I think we all are just looking forward to it and we are excited to be in the position that we are in, fighting for the title.”

The 23-year-old has assisted once, but is yet to find the back of the net this season. He is set to feature regularly with Boumous missing out on the next few games. Commenting on the same, Goddard remarked, “Of course, I would like to get my first goal of the season. Of course, that’s playing on my mind. I just have to keep concentrating on things like getting in the box, trying to get more shots and hopefully it will come.”