Mumbai City FC secured a 2-0 win over ATK Mohun Bagan in the final league-stage game of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Sunday. In doing so, the Islanders finished on top of the standings and won the League Winners Shield. Islanders head coach Sergio Lobera was understandably pleased as punch at the post-match press conference.   

“I am very happy because the club and the City Football Group [majority stakeholder in the club] have made a big effort to give us all that we need to work [with]. It is a moment to enjoy but also to analyse the things that we have achieved this season. It is a moment to remember and enjoy,” the Spanish head coach said after setting up a semis date with FC Goa.  

Lobera believes that his players deserved to win the shield after their excellent performances this season that saw them beat second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan twice. “I think my players deserve to win this shield. Hopefully we can win another one [Hero ISL trophy]. I always believed in my players. I know I can believe in them because they are warriors. They are ambitious and amazing people. We are a strong team on the pitch and a family off it,” he said.  

The Islanders have also qualified for the 2022 AFC Champions League (league stage) and the head coach was appreciative of the efforts taken by City Football Group in helping them achieve one of their targets for this season. “We have a big challenge. I know when I came here that it was a big and ambitious project. We have worked hard to achieve our target. I think it is amazing for the players, the club and the City Football Group.

“To work as a coach for the City Football Group is the best thing that can happen because there are a lot of people who have helped us achieve our targets. It means a lot because playing in the AFC Champions League next season is amazing,” Lobera said.

At one stage Mumbai City FC’s chances to top the league stage looked a little bleak but they showed great character to win their final two matches and finish the task at hand. “I think we were very strong mentally. We had a difficult situation when we lost against Jamshedpur FC. But we are a strong and ambitious team and deserve to finish at the top of the league,” Lobera said.

Watch Sergio Lobera's Post-Match Press conference here: