Lobera says there is no room for complacency as they face Bengaluru and ATK Mohun Bagan in consecutive matches…
Mumbai city is in a rich vein of form, but manager Sergio Lobera believes they will be up for a tough challenge when they face Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League on Tuesday.
Although the Islanders recorded a 2-0 victory over Hyderabad and Kerala in their last two games, Lobera believes it won’t be easy to score as Bengaluru are hard to break.
“I think it will be a different game from the last two. Bengaluru is very compact and very good at defense. It will be difficult for us and we have to deal with the situation, ”said the Spaniard.
“Obviously, as a coach we have to analyze. The most important is not only the result, but also to analyze how to win. In the last game we started very well, scored two goals, but after that we gave Kerala the opportunity to score We had a very good chance to close the game. A 3-0 is a very difficult result (score to overcome) for any team. We have to improve to convert our chances and when you’re leading 2-0 it’s not good to concede chances for the other team to score. But I’m very happy with my squad. We are improving, we are winning and we must continue to work in the same way, ”he added.
ATK Mohun Bagan moved one point ahead of Mumbai City after beating NorthEast United. But with a game in hand and an opportunity to beat the Kolkata giants on January 11, Lobera is unwilling to put any pressure on his side to reclaim the top spot. Currently, he doesn’t want to look at the table and instead focuses on the next game.
“We have to love to play football and focus on every game. We are now focusing on the game against Bengaluru. Step by step, game by game, we have to improve. At the end of the season, the table is important but now the most important is the next game. We don’t feel any pressure, we play good football and we have had very good results so far.
“I think any motivation depends more on us than on other teams. It doesn’t depend on ATK. [Mohun Bagan] or the results of other teams. We have to work and improve our level in each game. The start of the season has been very good for us but this season you can see that that can change in just a few games. ATK is doing a very good job but there are good teams in the competition and everything can change at any time. ”
Mumbai are on an enviable seven-game unbeaten streak, but the ex-Las Palmas manager has blown any room for complacency.
“I’m not worried (of convenience). I have a very good team with experienced players. They know how to improve in difficult conditions. For example, we play again two days later against another big game but my players know the situation and they want to improve day by day. I am very happy with this situation. “
The former Goa coach is also not known about his lackluster record against Bengaluru (W1, D1, L4).
“The past is the past and it does not affect the future. They are different teams and different players. We are preparing in the same way. We need to know the little details of the opposing team that can help us. It’s always very difficult to play against Bengaluru but the most important thing for us is to give the best of ourselves. “
Meanwhile, midfielder Rowllin Borges believes the team have adapted quite well to Lobera’s philosophy and are ready to operate depending on the demands of the situation.
“It was not very difficult (to adapt) with players like [Ahmed] Jahouh and[HugBoumousThesearequalityplayersalsoforthestyleofthegamethatthecoacheswouldliketoplay[HugBoumousTheyarequalityplayersalsoforthestyleofplaythecoachwantstoplay[HugBoumousCesontdesjoueursdequalitéaussipourlestyledejeuquel’entraîneursouhaitejouer[Hug BoumousTheyarequalityplayersalsoforthestyleofplaythecoachwantstoplay
“Every game is important to us and we are aiming for three points. There is pressure for me to play every game and I will try to help the team in any way I can. The training and the role have been the same. It’s just the demand of the game. If the game asks me to attack or defend, I do. It depends on the game, ”said the Goan.
