"We need to improve in the third game and this is the way. We need to keep improving continuously and we are working on that."
- Sergio Lobera
When asked whether the upcoming match against MDSC will be easy for the Mariners, Coach Lobera said,” If we are thinking like this, we are not going to win the League. We need to have maximum respect for the opponent. Every game could be difficult because some things could happen and we need to be ready for that. If we have the confidence that it’s going to be an easy game, we are not going to win. It’s important to give our 100% with a good approach, by respecting the opponent and we need to show on the pitch we are better than them. Because on paper, in football everything is possible, but on the pitch, we need to show to everybody we are a better team than them.”
Commenting on the team performance in the last two matches, Sergio said,” I am very happy with what the players are doing. It’s a new process and as a coach, I want to implement my style of play. The players are doing an amazing job. Football is about players and when you have good players, everything is easier. Here[at Mohun Bagan], I have very good players in the squad and very good professionals. I am very happy with the performance of the team in the previous two games. Obviously, we have issues. We are demanding people with a winning mentality. We want to improve because we can. We need to kill the games before and we had chances to do that. We improved in the second game compared to the first one. We need to improve in the third game and this is the way. We need to keep improving continuously and we are working on that.”
Lobera was asked about rotation in the Squad. “When you have only 13 games to become Champions, you cannot think about rotations. As a coach, my job is to put the best first XI to compete against the opponents. The means for rotation is different for me and for someone else. I have a very good squad and amazing players. Everyone needs to ready when the coach decides for them to play. In the next game for sure, you are going to see the best XI, that I think will beat the opponent.”, said Lobera.
On MDSC’s all-Indian squad he commented, “it’s a good opportunity for the Indian players to show everyone their skills. This is a special and different scenario compared to other competitions and previous versions of ISL. Some squads like MDSC get to show the level of Indian players. Their players are excited about this opportunity and are in good fitness conditions, which was seen in the previous games that they played against good opponents like Jamshedpur FC. JFC suffered to win against MDSC. Even against FC Goa, MDSC had a couple of chances. The way to show maximum respect to the opponents is to approach the game with the highest level of focus, concentration and get the 3 points. It is also our target to continuously improve in this game. Even with all our confidence, it will still be difficult for us in some moments of the upcoming game.”
Acknowledging their two losses, Lobera said, “MDSC had some chances in both games against both FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC. We are the favourites for sure, but we need to respect the opponent. If we are not at our 100%, we are going to have problems. And I believe this. We played both games with teams with foreign players and you saw the result. It is not easy. Every game is difficult. You can have favourites in a long-term season. But in one game, anything can happen!”
Lobera expressed his thoughts about his players’ conversion rate. He said, “More than concern, it is one of the things we can improve in. More important to me as a coach, is generating chances. It is true that goal difference could be crucial at the end of the season but hopefully, we don’t need [to rely on] this. We are going to compete at the highest level to get the 3 points in every game and, to score more goals is the consequence of what we are doing before each game. I think the team is working very well. I am happy with the performance of the players. [It is true that] we can improve. 2-0 against KBFC and CFC are good numbers. If you watched the games, [it may rightfully feel that] we can score more goals.”
Mahitosh Roy has caught the eyes of many with his skills in recent games. When asked whether the Spanish Coach is worried about him troubling Bagan’s defence, he said, “I think we need to work against one team. One player is not enough to make the difference. We have amazing players as well and, their quality will shine when the team is working well together. Our focus is on the opponent full team more than one or two players. If you want to win games, you need to focus [together] on one [thing].”
In Macca’s first season, he was injured and arrived late, but this season, he has started pre-season from the very beginning. When asked whether scoring 2 goals in 2 matches this season is attributed to that, Jamie replied, “Absolutely! I came and I got injured in the first week [last season]. It was an accident and I had to find my fitness again. I played in the second round and then, I started to score more goals and gain confidence. But this year, scoring was super tough. Having the break in between, as a striker, it is very difficult to find the rhythm but, as the coach said, we played two games and won both. I scored in both games so my confidence is high. That is the most important thing as an attacking player. Just keep the mindset right and do everything day-to-day. From Monday to Friday, do everything right. Make sure your body is okay. All I have to do is continue that for 11 more games.”
Jamie is still the all-time top-scorer in A-league. His thoughts on whether he has reached that similar level since he came to India- “That is an interesting question. What I will say is that I found it very hard, especially in India, because I am adjusting to new surroundings. I am playing against some very good Centre-Backs [in India]. I am not discrediting the Centre-Backs in Australia, but [in India, I have been] coming up against good Spanish and American defenders that want to stop me. They have the courage to try to eliminate me from very limited chances. Over in Australia, I was very comfortable playing in a team with longevity of 5 long years in Melbourne City but now, I am finding my feet at Mohun Bagan. 12 goals last year and building on a good start this year. I want to continue that and I have got great players [in my team] playing in great style. I know the chances are going to come every game and I just got to find the patience when the chance comes. My first two goals this season were from my first shot and I took those chances. I think of myself for being clinical and patient at the same time.”
On his chances of winning the Golden Boot this year and out-performing players like Youssef of EBFC who has scored 4 goals in 2 matches, Jamie commented, “Yeah, I have had Golden Boots before [in my career], and I know that certain games can change if you take more chances than ever. Credit to Ezzejjari who started the season really well. There is still a long way to go, and you need to remember why I came to Mohun Bagan. I came here to be successful as a team first and, I know the goals will come. Look at me last year. I didn’t win the Golden Boot but I scored in the ISL Cup Final and we won the Championship. So, I like to think that while other players all around are scoring goals, I am not a selfish player. As much as I want to score goals, I know what the team values and team camaraderie comes first. Whatever comes after that, comes second. Of course, it’s my ambition and it would be a great feeling to win the Golden Boot because I have done that in the past over in Australia. I came here to win trophies as a team and that’s something that has my full focus.”
Speaking about combination gameplay with Dimitrios who is much fitter this season, Maclaren said,”Me and Dimi have been talking. It’s a bit of a throwback to 2015 when we played together in Brisbane Roar. We scored many goals there and combined very well. It’s funny how 10 years later we are playing in the same team again, finding our confidence, finding our rhythm. You can see, especially the whole last week, Dimi knew I was there on every spot. He knew I had to turn around the defender and score. It’s important to have those relationships. There are only 11 games left and we want to build on that. We also have other fantastic attacking players like Jason, Robson, Manvir and Liston, who all combine with me very well. It’s not just me and Dimi, I just want to make that clear. But we obviously have a connection that goes beyond a generation.”
Jamie shared his thoughts on Lobera’s strategy in comparison to Molina's. He said, “Two different contrasting styles. Last year, we were very direct. We gave up some easy chances. Now, we are playing more complete and we have got the players for that. Sergio has come in and shown us the players he has brought in and the players that are still here, who can play this style. He believes in us and gives us a hell of a lot of confidence. It is very tough for the boss to come in because he wasn’t there with us in pre-season. He only had four to five weeks to work with us. For us, it’s a compliment to him and also, a compliment to us players that we buy into what he wants to do. And so far, you have seen in the two games, the stats were through the roof. And before you know it, we’ll start to have some really convincing games where we start to score 3,4 or 5 goals because it’s been a long time coming since that has happened and it’s around the corner!”
When asked how much he missed his family when playing in India, Maclaren said, “It’s been 8 weeks since I have seen my daughter...We [players] were talking before in the car; we are all in the same boat. We all have kids [and family] and we are here for one goal: to be successful and win trophies. We’re not here to make up the numbers. We are here to dominate. We are here to put a stamp on Kolkata and make sure Mohun Bagan is the top team. Right now, we are the top team! Everyone is chasing us for the trophies we won last year. We are also here to enjoy football. A big reason is to play in front of the big crowds. We look forward to playing in front of a big crowd on Saturday Evening. When you have good moments like that...you win games and score goals, you happen to FaceTime your daughter and your family and speak to them, that makes it all worth it! I am sure they are all proud of us wherever they are, in Spain, Australia, Greece, etc. It is tough being away from them but we have such a great group, a great fanbase that all stick together and its important that we got that!”
On questioning Maclaren whether he felt any pressure in the National League, especially in the truncated version this year, he replied, “Pressure in the best part of football in my opinion. What I mean by that is, every time a team comes up against Mohun Bagan, it’s a completely different mindset. They give us a compliment, they drop behind the ball, they try and frustrate us. They make it difficult. I wouldn’t be lying if I said every team wants to beat Mohun Bagan. We are the best team in India. We’ve proven that. We have to stay humble. We don’t need to go above and beyond. We know every single game we play against, whether its Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin or Mohammedan, for them to play against us is a huge game. But we look at it like every step is another step towards the trophy. We stay confident, we stay humble. We know every time a team comes up against us, it’s the World Cup final. We have to keep the mentality from Monday to Friday, and be ready for Saturday. I know they say that pressure is a privilege, but in our case, we have the pressure everyday: to perform, to get into the team, to make sure our standards are very high as professionals and there is no surprise that our cabinet still has the trophies and we'll make that continue because our aim is to win this Championship again.”
Maclaren spoke further in detail about playing under Spanish coaching and whether he faced any issues while adopting this style of gameplay. “No, because the style we are playing right now is attacking football. To get into the opposition half as quick as we can and follow deep. As an attacking player, we are starting 3 to 4 foreign strikers up top and that going to create more chaos for the opposition. I don’t see a negative in any way [in this style of play]. It's great to be working with top-quality managers. I have had that in the past, and I have got that now. As I am 32 now, I am starting to enjoy my football a lot more now because I know the gap to retirement is getting closer. I am just enjoying every single week of football. My body feels great. Last year I had an injury but right now, I am in the best shape possible. I am at my weight as I was in 2014-15 season so I am feeling great and feeling fresh. On the weekend, you can see me making runs in behind and still, I am able to back up 90 minutes. So, feeling great going into this weekend, very confident. Just want to continue that form and use that confidence to score as well.”, said Macca.
Regarding the AFC Ban, Jamie said, “I think there were a lot of things that we weren’t able to say during that time in the AFC Period. We still don’t even know. But there were a lot of things put out in the past which were very false. I have had a chance to actually speak about that but every year, we are professionals and every single season, we go out to win the Championship. We can’t control what AFC does. All we can control is 'Can Mohun Bagan become Champions again?'. The answer is YES. My answer to you is we are going to aim to win the Championship and whatever happens after that, happens. For our fans, just know that every time we wear the jersey and the badge, we wear it with honour! And we believe that by showing you when you may turn up in numbers, by giving our best performances with goals and 3 points. And this weekend and the weekend to follow will be no different. We can’t control what happens externally, but what we can control is when we cross that white line and follow the rules that we have with our game style and gameplan, we just need to execute that. The rest is not up to us.”
In the end, Lobera had some words of appreciation for Chennaiyin FC Coach, Clifford Miranda. He said, “He is a very good friend of mine. He was working with me in FC Goa. He was working in Development Team and I gave him the opportunity to become my assistant coach in FC Goa. I think there are 10 good Indian coaches. Similar to the Indian players showing their skills and expertise, the Indian coaches have the same opportunity this season. After 7 years of working here, I had to opportunity to meet very good Indian coaches and, I am sure you can see their potential when you give them the opportunities. [For example,] Khalid and Pinto are very good Indian Coaches.”
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