the goan I network
PANAJI
FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera believes his team is good enough to achieve the primary target of making it to the play-offs stage in the fifth edition of India Super League. The Spanish tactician is particularly pleased with last season’s ‘golden boot’ winner Ferran Corominas’ blazing start to the season.
Addressing the media for the first time this season on Wednesday, the 41-year-old former Barcelona assistant coach put into perspective the transition at FC Goa . “Comparing the two squads is very difficult...It’s true that few players have left, we have replaced certain players but I am very happy with the squad and the signings we have made. For the squad that we have, it is very good for what we are trying to achieve. (Although), lot of important players have left, the players that have come in, will help us in the style of football we play. I am very happy with the new signings that have come in - the Indian players as well as the foreigners. As a coach, I am very happy with the squad at my disposal,” explained Lobera.
Last season, Lanzarote was the second-highest goalscorer in the team behind Corominas. However, with Lanza moving to ATK, where would the goals come from apart from the goal-machine Coro? Replied Lobera: “For me what is important is that the team scores goals and not ‘who’ scores goals. This season we already have Coro scoring three and centre-back (Mourtada Fall) also scoring. (So) what is important is ‘us’ scoring the goals... I am very happy to have retained Coro this year. He had a lot of offers but he continued with us. He has already shown he is at the same level like last year scoring three goals in two games. But for him to do what he is doing now, he needs the team behind him. In that sense, I feel we have good players who can maintain the offensive level like previous year.”
Lobera backed Nawaz despite the teenager being involved in a few nervy situations in the first two matches. “(Overall) I have good goalkeepers. The one who started last two games, is 18 years old. He has a great future in front of him. However, he needs some experience. I am not going to judge an individual player based on some mistakes,” added Lobera.
Meanwhile, Lobera refused to dwell on the ISL schedule despite having a seemingly uncomfortable long break to contend with.
FC Goa will host Mumbai City on October 24 for the first home game of the new season while FC Pune City are scheduled to play at Fatorda four days later, before FC Goa make the long journey to Jamshedpur FC on November 1.
