Coach Lobera happy with FC Goa's scoring prowess

With his team leading the scoring charts on their way to the semi-finals, FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera asserted that he was happy with his players' attacking prowess in the ongoing edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).

FC Goa had scored 22 goals in their first nine matches this season, then hit an unexplained bad patch but regained form in the last three matches to score 12 and concede only one.

"I'm happy to be scoring at this rate because what it does is that it gratifies the type of football we are trying to showcase. When I first got here, I communicated that I wanted to play an offensive and attacking style of football and I think with us scoring goals, it shows that things are working and we are a team capable of scoring goals," Lobera said.

Goa's performance this season has depended to a large extent on the incredible form of striker Ferran Corominas and left winger Manuel Lanzarote, who have scored 30 goals between them.

"I don't think any two players in this league can dictate the fortunes of an entire team. There are always players whose name is likely to show up on the scoresheet and its good that they are capable of that but it's always as a result of the collective effort," Lobera said.

Lobera, who used to be a part of the coaching staff at the youth academy of Spanish giants FC Barcelona, had said before the season started that he believes in the philosophy of attacking football espoused by the multiple European champions.

His side thrive on urgency in the final third. But it's not just about attacking, it's also about controlling the midfield.

Lobera asserted that he would rather risk leaking in goals than scraping out a result.

"We want the fans to witness a vibrant brand of football. We want them to be emotionally charged and games that are beautiful. We don't want to be happy when the referee blows the final whistle because we scraped points but rather know that the fans enjoyed a good brand of football," Lobera said.

"I think a good game of football is good for everyone, not just the fans but also the league as well and we hope that fans go back home happy having enjoyed 90 minutes of good football," he added.

--IANS

gau/ajb/bg