ISL Final: Mumbai City FC had the resources, Sergio Lobera made it count
MCFC became ISL champions for the first time in their history ensuring that the City Football Group era is up and running in no time. Mar 14, 2021 · 12:23 pm Mumbai City FC players throw coach Sergio Lobera in the air after winning the ISL final. | Arjun Singh / Sportzpics for ISL
When City Football Group, the owners of Premier League outfit Manchester City, bought majority stake in Mumbai City FC in 2019, an upturn in the club’s fortunes was always on the cards.
The track record and the financial muscle of the new owners was renowned and so were their lofty ambitions. Even though CFG made little noise in the initial months, to an extent that the anticipation surrounding their impact was almost lost, the belief was there.
ISL final preview: Can Antonio Habas’ ATK Mohun Bagan stop all-conquering Mumbai City FC?
The Islanders have already beaten the Mariners to the League Winners’ Shield, but can they do the double and win the main prize as well? Updated Mar 13, 2021 · 11:04 am Mumbai City FC coach Sergio Lobera (L) and ATK Mohun Bagan coach Antonio Habas | SportzPics for ISL
For Mumbai City FC, the 2020-’21 Indian Super League season so far has been very nearly perfect. They started the summer with a squad overhaul, getting in almost all their transfer targets on board and Coach Sergio Lobera joined the club from FC Goa. Despite a non-existent pre-season, their expensively assembled squad clicked into gear almost straight away and hasn’t looked back since.
Surreal shootout settles captivating tie between ISL s best entertainers
31dAnirudh Menon
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Surreal shootout settles captivating tie between ISL s best entertainers
All s well that ends well Phurba Lachenpa and Amrinder Singh hug it out after Mumbai s shootout win.
Faheem Hussain / Sportzpics for ISL
Amrinder Singh, armband around his bicep, leads Mumbai City in prayer. Next to him Sergio Lobera is fervently drawing crosses. The deities being called up on might be different, but the messages are the same. HELP . After 210 minutes of high-voltage, end-to-end football spread over three days, the scores are level. You could argue FC Goa have been the better side, but anyone of a Mumbai persuasion would merely respond with a nod to the scoreboard. 0-0 A.E.T (Agg. 2-2).
ISL semi-final: Brilliant but wasteful FC Goa, adaptive Mumbai City, madness scoring over method
The Islanders progressed to their first final after a 6-5 penalty shootout win over the Gaurs. Mumbai City FC players celebrate as FC Goa goalkeeper looks on. | Vipin Pawar / Sportzpics for ISL
The Indian Super League semi-final between Mumbai City FC and FC Goa was firmly in the balance. With over a hundred minutes of football played, there was precious little to choose between the two teams that had tactically, physically, and technically cancelled each other out.
FC Goa’s brilliance
But from the 27th minute of the second leg when FC Goa’s Alberto Noguera had the game’s first shot on target, the Gaurs started emerging as the stronger force. Going in at half-time, coach Juan Ferrando turned to his super sub Ishan Pandita a good half an hour before he usually does. He sensed there was an opportunity to win the game early.