Panaji: Since joining Odisha FC Last season, sergio lobera Led the team to the Super Cup finals and semi-finals Indian Super League ,isl) topped the group for the first time. AFC CupAsian football’s second-tier club competition. After a one-year stint, the Spanish coach is now eager to win a trophy just like he did then FC Goa And Mumbai City FCIn an exclusive conversation with times of IndiaLobera details the reasons for his confidence ahead of another challenging ISL season.
When you reflect on your decision to leave China and City Football Group (CFG), do you think joining Odisha was the right decision?
I am very happy with my decision. I was happy with CFG, it was a wonderful opportunity. We won everything in just one year (in Mumbai), and during the second year, I worked in China, which was not easy. I have a good relationship with everyone working at CFG. My decision to return to India was taken because I know the place very well.
In his first year at Odisha, the team topped the AFC Cup group, reached the Super Cup final and entered the ISL semi-finals for the first time. How do you look back at last season?
I think we exceeded expectations. Topping the table against strong teams in the AFC Cup, reaching the semi-finals (of the ISL), being unbeaten at home (in the league), reaching the Super Cup final, these were quite a few achievements, making history with our club. We lost the Super Cup at the last moment, lost the option to play the (ISL) final at the last moment, Mohun BaganIt was an amazing season, and I couldn’t have asked for more from my players. We are professionals, ambitious, and we all want to achieve something important.
With the inclusion of Hugo Boumous, Odisha looks stronger than ever…
We should compare ourselves with other teams. We have improved in some areas, but look at teams like Bagan, East Bengal, Mumbai, Bengaluru, you can compare. For me as a coach, we are starting the second season with a good base. I think for the first time the club has the same coach. It means the players know what I want as a coach. It is not easy when you start from zero. As far as Hugo is concerned, with all due respect to the other players and teams, for me he is the best attacking midfielder in the ISL. But we can only use four foreign players. If you need strength in attack, we have to risk the defence. If you need to strengthen the defence, we have to sacrifice the attack. That is my job. I have to manage the foreign players. We have added strength to our team. I am proud of the foreign players I have. If you compare Odisha with other teams, I think we are not the favourites. There are other teams with a lot of strength. They have made big signings and paid record transfer fees.
You have experienced the foreign players, but can you say the same about the domestic players?
We know we are Odisha, we cannot spend as much as other clubs are doing. My job is to work with the Indian players here and improve their level. When you sign Amey (Ranawade), it is because Mumbai did not want that player. But he came here and went to the national team. When we signed Puitea, it is because Bagan was not using him. He is also part of the national team. This is my job. We have to know our club, our budget and work accordingly. In terms of foreign players, we have some great players who have a lot of experience. Having these players is helpful for me. We may not have the same potential (as with the Indian players) but my job is to make them better.
You have won the ISL Shield with Goa and Mumbai. Do you think it is possible with Odisha as well?
There is hope. The dream should always remain. We should play for trophies. If I have come here, it is because I want to win. It is more challenging than Mumbai or Goa, when we were playing with five foreigners. It is a big challenge, which I accepted when I decided to come here. I want to win. It is my and my players’ ambition. They are professionals, they want to win. We know it is difficult. We will compete against strong teams. As far as trophies are concerned, why not? Last season we were very close to winning the trophy. We need to work continuously with enthusiasm and passion. The pressure is on the other teams.
Many teams have invested heavily in their squads this season, with Bagan, East Bengal, Mumbai and Bengaluru leading the way. How difficult will it be for Odisha in the ISL?
Every year it is getting tougher. ISL is a very tough competition. I agree that Bagan, East Bengal, Mumbai and Bengaluru are spending a lot of money, and I think, they are under pressure. They are the favourites. Last season, we were there (fighting for the title) and we want to continue in the same way. Last season was crazy with the calendar, playing in Australia, playing AFC Cup games, finishing an ISL match in Chennai and then flying to Australia, where we played without enough time to train. Now the calendar is different. We can focus more on domestic competitions, and maybe that might help. Teams are spending a lot of money and these teams are under pressure (to perform). We are excited. We will fight for everything.
You talked earlier about Amey and Puitea, two players who made it to the national team. What about Rahim Ali?
Rahim Ali has a lot of potential and he can help us a lot. He is a great player, can play in different positions like winger, striker. You have to produce a very good Indian striker, but that is not possible without getting opportunities. Not many clubs play an Indian player as a striker. We are using foreign players. If you are not playing as a striker during the (domestic) competition, it is not easy for the national team. Rahim can help us a lot, but I have Roy (Krishna) and Diego (Mauricio). Honestly, they are the first choice strikers for me. But during certain situations, I can use Rahim in that position. That was one of the reasons I decided to sign him. He is versatile and can help us.
