Ahead of facing NorthEast United FC on Sunday, Spanish Coach Sergio Lobera and Sahal Abdul Samad appeared for the Pre-Match Press Conference today.
Reporter: The title race is so tight now. Do you see this as a pressure or a motivation for your team?
Sergio Lobera: It is always a motivation, you know! I think, we are in a good position and will be in a better position, and in the next 5 matches, we will be in the position to win the title. But our main target for now is, to win the match against NorthEast and get the three important points for us.
Reporter: How difficult is this to start NEUFC in their home ground? Are you planning to set Sahal in the first team?
Sergio Lobera: About NEUFC, we know their intention and reason. We can analyse but as a professional or a supporter, if we see the recent results, NEUFC is not getting the results they wanted. But if we think this will be a easy game, we will be doing a big mistake. NEUFC have good players in transition and very fast players we need to press and read the game very well with the balance and ball with vigilance and whoever is with the ball. I dont think this is will be an easy game. We will be playing a dangerous team with the profile of the players they have and if you are seeing [besides] the results, they are not a easy team and it will be difficult for us to beat."
About Sahal, Coach said," Oh Sahal, he will answer you later in the conference. I have been working here in India for the past seven years and I've always wanted to coach Sahal and I love him! I love how skillful of a player he is! He is not getting his time he wants in the team, and I spoke with him also as a professional player and he is understanding it. He is an amazing player and an amazing professional human being. Whenever he gets the oppurtunity, he has shown his game in the last match. As a coach, it is a broader role. This team has amazing players and I have to chose each and everyone. Hopefully, I will be able to give him the oppurtunity he deserves in the next matches.
Injury Updates from Coach Sergio Lobera: Everyone except Apuia is available for this game. We want him to recover in the best ways possible and Alberto, he had two training session with us and we are going to assess the situation further.
Reporter: Are injury concerns affecting your tactical approach?
Sergio Lobera: Obviously, as a Coach, you want your full team fit. You will have more options. Obviously, there are players who are important for us, you know. But as a Coach here, I'm telling these are excuses. I am not worrying about this as this is a very good squad and I have the ones who we can replace the other but these excuses, just because two or three players are missing [out], we are not getting the best results...I'm not following those!
Reporter: After the last game, your team has performed, we have seen Mohun Bagan performance in the first four games and the last four games are polar opposites. Are you concerned and are you working on that?
Sergio Lobera: " When I was winning 5-1, I always told you, we have to improve a lot. This is my responsibility as a coach to improve, you know. We are in the second position behind Mumbai [City FC]. Let's see what happens in the next game and winning against NEUFC will get us to top of the table but it is all in our hands. We have scored the highest number of goals, we have the Top Goal-scorer [Jamie Maclaren], we are the only team who haven't conceded more than 3 goals, but you see, we can improve always! When in the last three games, like in the Punjab game, when you are conceding goals and you are scoring goals, it is important to change the dynamics of the team. In the 25 years of my coaching career [what I've learnt] is, to change and always improve is the most important thing. Thinking about the future is always, we can hope and improve day by day and I can assure, you we are improving day-by-day. We have the best resources to achieve our target. "
Reporter: NEUFC are always dangerous in their homeground inspite of the present situation of their team. The atmosphere is quite different from Kolkata. Are these things bothering you? If yes, please tell us your precautions.
Sergio Lobera: " I think if you want to be a Champion, you have to compete in every scenario. We cannot speak about the place if you want to win the title. You have to compete in every scenario and differnt opponents and I have already told you, it will be a difficult game. With the profile of players they have [which is quite high] and if we are not in 100 %, it will not be an easy game and we are ready for that. "
Reporter: Are you concerned about you team’s backline? The way you were exposed by Punjab, how are you addressing that? On the other hand, your former teams, FC Goa, Odisha FC, Mumbai City FC, have been cruising in the League. Do you think Mohun Bagan have really adapted your style totally?
Sergio Lobera: " In terms of Punjab, we couldn't put the focus on backline alone. We were defending and attacking as a team. In the last game, there were a lot of transitions and the ball was gone quickly. The total game was quite compact and we need to improve about this as we are giving chances over to the opponents and finally, we need to be more careful and keep possession of the game and the timing of the goal [that we are] conceding. "
About comparing other teams, Coach replied, " We cannot compare FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, Odisha FC. Every team, every club, every player is different but my important thing is to get results and I will continue to play like this to meet our targets and I believe, I have the players who can deliver with this playstyle. "
NEUFCvMBSG Press Conference time 🎙️
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Sahal Abdul Samad came in front of the mic next and addressed a few queries from the media.
Reporter: Sahal, everyone is saying you scored a brilliant goal. In this press conference room, are you expecting yourself in the first XI?
Sahal Abdul Samad: " Thats my dream! We always play and train to be in the First Team and rest is on our Coach. He will chose who is the best for the team and the opponent as well. All of this is motivation for me. "
Reporter: Do you think your performance in the last game sent a strong message to your Coach?
Sahal Abdul Samad: This is all part of the game. I always train and be better everyday. I think I will do better for the team and last match with the goal, you've all seen the thing and heard the coach about changing the dynamic. "
Reporter: As a pro like you, how are dealing with these kind of things? You could have played in front of your local crowd. You are not getting the gametime as Mohun Bagan is the National club of India despite scoring such goals and having so much experience in the ISL. How do you deal with this thing?
Sahal Abdul Samad: Its just having to be professionals and what we should do is, keep our heads down, train as much as possible and understand what the Coach is saying. It is a team sport so whatever the Coach is saying, we have to obey and as professionals, we have to deal with these in a positive way. "
With these final words, the Pre-Match Press Conference concluded. With only 5 matches left for them in ISL 2025/26, every match is crucial for the Mariners, who are fighting to defend the title this season.
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