Kolkata: Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Sergio Lobera has emphasized that his team cannot afford to take Inter Kashi lightly, despite the struggling debutants being without their head coach Antonio Lopez Habas for their Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
Habas steps down amid uncertainty
Antonio Lopez Habas, the veteran Spanish tactician, announced his resignation from Inter Kashi on social media, citing unfulfilled commitments and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Indian football. In his post, Habas stated, "Trust is built through keeping commitments, and unfortunately, when those commitments are not fulfilled, trust is lost." He highlighted the achievements under his tenure, including winning the I-League, securing promotion to the ISL, and maintaining the club's top-tier status. In his absence, former India goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal will take charge of the Inter Kashi dugout.
Lobera focuses on the task at hand
The rivalry between Lobera and Habas dates back to their time at Mumbai City FC and the now-defunct Atletico de Kolkata, and it remains a memorable chapter in ISL history. However, Lobera is not dwelling on the past. "Everyone knows that he is a winning coach with a winning mentality. But it will be a big mistake if we are not giving over 100% against them," Lobera said. "I know very well how the situation is for Inter Kashi players but on the pitch they are going to compete at the highest level because they are going to compete for themselves, for their family, for their future."
Mohun Bagan enter the match following a hard-fought draw against FC Goa. With the title race heating up, anything less than a win could tilt the advantage toward arch-rivals East Bengal. Lobera acknowledged the high stakes, especially with a crucial derby against East Bengal scheduled for Sunday. "Our focus is solely on Inter Kashi. We must secure three points to keep our title hopes alive," he added.
The defending champions will rely on their depth and experience to overcome a motivated Inter Kashi side, who are determined to finish the season on a positive note despite the coaching upheaval.
