FATORDA: FC Goa coach, Sergio Lobera, hailed team’s stellar performance on the night despite missing multiple key players.
“Today’s changes were compulsory. I am very proud of my players. The performance today shows the quality of the squad. Before the match, it was a challenge to prove that this lot is a very competitive team that rises above individuals and I am very happy with the result,” Lobera explained.
Speaking on why Hugo Boumous and Edu Bedia were left out of the squad for the match, the coach said, “These players were injured and not at 100 per cent. So, it was not possible for them to play today. We have four matches in two weeks and it was necessary to reduce the risk. I hope I can use them in the next match at home against Bengaluru.”
Striker Manvir Singh was given an opportunity to start against Chennaiyin and the youngster put in quite a shift.
Assessing the player’s performance, Lobera remarked, “Manvir played very well. Whenever he gets the opportunity, he shows me he can play well, not just today. He has just one problem – the competition for his position in the team is very high. We have Corominas in the same position. Today we tried both of them together and it worked well. The most important thing is the team. If the team works well, individuals work better too.”
