I think Le Fondre & Ogbeche can play together, says Sergio Lobera

The Mumbai City FC boss also added that the Nigerian attacker understands him well.

Mumbai City FC defeated FC Goa at Fatorda in a statement victory in the Indian Super League on Wednesday night. In a closely contested encounter, Adam le Fondre’s successful spot-kick in the 94th minute made all the difference, as he secured three points for the Islanders. Following the game, Mumbai City FC boss Sergio Lobera interacted in the post-match press conference.

“The most important thing is to create chances. I am very happy and proud of my players because I think the substitutions worked well and the players who were coming in from the bench, the attitude was amazing. We can dominate the game, we can play well, create chances and finally we can score. It’s not easy. We dominated the game against NorthEast with 10 players and I am very happy with these three points,” Sergio Lobera began.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDFoE_WQYX0

Many expected Mumbai City to up the ante after Reedem Tlang was sent off in the first half for a rash tackle on Hernan Santana. Addressing the Islanders’ performance after Tlang’s dismissal, the Spaniard explained, “The last match, we dominated the game playing with 10 players. But, we increased the opportunities, we increased our level of play. We need to play maybe quickly. There are lots of stops during the game when the ball is out. It’s not easy, it’s not easy. Physically, the team worked very well because it’s a hard situation to work with a short pre-season. The players have made a big effort physically and I am very happy with the attitude of the players.”

Bartholomew Ogbeche didn’t make it to the starting XI, but was slotted in behind Le Fondre after being introduced in the second half. Opening up on the rationale behind this decision, Sergio Lobera stated, “We needed more players arriving in the box and I think from the second line, Ogbeche arrived very well. We changed the full-backs to try to arrive on the outside. We created a lot of chances with this kind of football. I am very happy with the substitutions and Ogbeche played very well in this position. He understands very well what I want as a coach in today's game.”

Le Fondre and Ogbeche had struggled to tune well together in the previous game and that perhaps led to the latter being dropped to the bench in this match. Lobera was probed about whether he is still struggling to accommodate both strikers in the playing XI. “No, it’s possible. I think they can play together, but I think in this game, I know very well who will play (against) FC Goa. I decided this option, but it’s possible (for them) to play together,” he responded.

Mumbai City seemed very lackluster in the first half, as the players conceded possession regularly and couldn’t stitch more than a few passes together. This resulted in the Gaurs gaining the upper hand and preventing the Islanders from making inroads into the final third. Sergio Lobera acknowledged that and made it clear that the team have to improve their performances going ahead.

“Sometimes, it’s not easy. Because you have possession of the ball and sometimes you need to play faster. It’s true we lose a lot of ball in not complicated, not situations (that are) 50-50. But, we need to improve, we need to improve. We have a short time, not only pre-season but between games. We played four days ago, we played again, but we need to improve. The most important thing is the attitude of my players. My players believe in our style, in our idea and I think this is the most important thing,” the 43-year-old said.

Wednesday's match had a lot of stakes attached to it, given the manner in which Sergio Lobera parted ways with FC Goa in the 2019-20 season. The tactician returned to a familiar ground with several loyalists and emerged triumphant against his former employers.

“I am very happy to be here. I have good memories. Three seasons here is a long time for me and my family. I am very proud because we achieve a lot of things for this club (FC Goa). I am very happy to be here and to have good memories,” he signed off.

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