"I prefer to win 5-4 than 1-0," Sergio Lobera reveals his secrets after a 2-5 win against Mohun Bagan in AFC Cup 2023/24

Odisha FC defeated Mohun Bagan Super Giant by 2-5 in the AFC Cup 2023/24 Group-D fixture to eliminate the mariners from the tournament. Roy Krishna, Diego Mauricio, CY Goddard, Aniket Jadhav and Isak Ralte were the scorers for the Juggernauts in Kolkata. With this win, they are now at second position in the points table and their last match against Bashudhara Kings will decide who will go through from the group stage to the knockouts.

"Crucial three points:" Sergio Lobera

While reflecting on the game, Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera mentioned that this was crucial three points for them since this gives them an opportunity to finish as the group toppers and represent India in the AFC Cup knockouts. Lobera sounded proud and delighted in the post-match press conference but definitely knows that a big awaits for them against Bashundhara Kings later in December.

"Crucial three points. I'm very happy with the team. They did an amazing job today. We played against a very good team, probably the best team in India currently. To Score five goals, away, against Mohan Bagan is a big achievement. It is in our hands in the very next game to finish top on the table. I'm very happy with the three points," Sergio Lobera told the media after the match.

Roy Krishna, who was the most valuable player of the Mohun Bagan vs Odisha FC match with one goal and two assists, echoed the thoughts of the coach. However, the former Mohun Bagan striker did not forget to greet the Bengali media with some greetings in Bengali beforehand.

"Of course we didn't start very well but we showed character to come back against a team like Mohan Bagan, one of the favourites in the group," Roy Krishna told the post-match press conference.

Also Read: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Odisha FC: The Juggernauts beat Mariners by 5-2 to knock them out of the AFC Cup 2023-24

"My players have a lot of things to win trophies:" Sergio Lobera

Talking about the challenges ahead, Sergio Lobera mentioned that his team has all the ingredients to beat any team on a given day and can bring down any team with a tough fight and character. Moreover, Lobera feels although it will be a very tough game against Bashundhara Kings, when he sees players like Roy Krishna and others in the dressing room, it makes his job easier.

"We are excited about these big challenges. As a coach when you are going back to the dressing room and have the opportunity to work with players like them, I feel confident. They play very good football but also they show character, they show mental strength. My players have a lot of things to win trophies they deserve to go ahead in this competition," Lobera expressed.

Also Read: "Honestly, we lost the position when we lost against Bashundhara," Juan Ferrando reflects on AFC Cup journey

"I prefer to win 5-4 than 1-0:" Sergio Lobera reveals his secrets of big scores

Since the 2017/18 season, every team Sergio Lobera coach have finished at the goal-scoring chart in the Indian Super League. FC Goa three times and Mumbai City FC once in the last five seasons have topped the chart in goal scoring in the Indian Super League.

With 11 goals in six games in this season, Lobera's men are leading the chart again. Talking about his secrets, Lobera mentioned that he prefers taking care of the fans who loves to see goals at stadiums. Rather than playing a boring kind of football, he loves to take risks and go for more goals which is good for football in everyday.

"This is my fifth year in ISL, working in India. I believe this kind of football is the best way to win. I have the profile of a player to play this kind of football. We need to score goals. I think it's very important to take care of the supporters. We need to take risks. We need to try to score goals. I hope the fans are enjoying this kind of football. In my case I prefer to win 5-4 than 1-0. I feel its good for the football its good for the supporters," Lobera replied when Sportz Point asked him about his secrets in the post-match press conference.