Laxmikant Kattimani on the club's pre-season tour
The Spain tour was very good. We went to La Manga, which has one of the best football facilities in Spain. We had three weeks of pre-season work there, where we got to know each other and also picked up on the style that the coach wants us to adopt. We have a very balanced squad this year, with a great mix of experience and youth. We have quality foreigners who can change the course of the game. We have every reason to be optimistic.
FC GOA Preview: FC Goa placing emphasis on possession-style football
High expectations
Sergio Lobera is very clear about the expectations he has from his new team, FC Goa. “Like any other team, we want to go as far as possible. The first objective is to make it to the top-four, and then we will take it forward,” says the Spaniard.
Question: Zico was a much-loved figure in Goa. Is there added pressure on you to live up to his standards?
Answer: I don’t feel any pressure, even though the expectations are high. I feel honoured to be replacing Zico. He is a very good coach, and a big name in the world of football. But I have my own way of working. I have my own style of making teams play, which I am trying to replicate here.
What are your expectations from the upcoming season? Have you set any targets?
Like any other team, we want to go as far as possible. The first objective is to make it to the top-four, and then we will take it forward.
In the first two seasons, FC Goa performed really well, but faltered last year. How do you go about identifying faults?
In the earlier years, there were techniques in which they did well and other techniques in which they needed to improve. However, when a coach arrives, he doesn’t need to measure or change everything. I see this club as a very well-organised club with a professional structure. There are a lot of expectations, which is why we began training early. We want to carry on the momentum into the season.
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