ISL 2018 | I don’t think we’re the favourites against Pune, insists Sergio Lobera

Sergio Lobera’s FC Goa are yet to taste defeat in the 2018-19 season of the Indian Super League as they find themselves at number two on the rankings table behind table-toppers - Bengaluru FC. Goa having claimed seven points from a possible nine in their opening three matches. However, the Spaniard suggested that despite Pune’s struggles this season, the home team would not be considered as the favourites in tonight’s showdown. He also dismissed claims that his side could already be considered favourites to win the title.

"I sincerely don’t think that we are the favourites. I also believe that if we are not at our 100% we will not be able to win the game tomorrow. I don’t think the table reflects the potential that Pune has as a team. I think they’re a great team and I’m pretty sure they’ll be fighting for the title. I think this game is a tough one.

 “I think the numbers that we have sort of reflects the attacking ability that we have as a team. What we’ve done so far is an indication of that. But again, a coach always has to improve on things and the defence is something that we’re going to try and improve this year. I think the idea is to keep going and keep doing that,” Lobera said in a pre-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Pune parted ways with European tactician Miguel Angel Portugal earlier this week and would be managed by interim-coach, Pradyum Reddy this match. Having bagged just one point so far, the visitors would want to make the most of the challenge lying ahead of them in Goa.

“It’s always a challenge when you play against FC Goa, especially over the last one and a half seasons. We came here in a similar situation last year when Goa had to win or pick up a point to top of the table. And they were in a free-flowing scoring form. So, it’s a similar challenge as last year, when we came here and got the result we needed. We got a clean sheet. Won 2-0. So, we have a similar squad as last year and got a lot of players who have been retained from that season. We feel if we get things fixed in terms of getting back to basics and fix the issues that we have, we can try to grind out a result as we did last year,” Reddy said.