Lobera’s sacking brought team closer than ever: Eduardo Bedia

Sergio Lobera’s departure caught him unawares however the shock to the system introduced the crew collectively, mentioned FC Goa’s Spanish midfielder Eduardo ‘Edu’ Bedia. “I was surprised that the coach was sacked,” mentioned Bedia who not too long ago prolonged his contract with the Indian Super League (ISL) crew until the top of 2021-2022. “But it came at a crucial time and there was no time to think about it. We had to move forward and that brought the team closer than ever.”

When Lobera left on January 31, FC Goa had performed 15 rounds profitable 9 and shedding three. They have been table-toppers however in a seesaw battle with ATK for the only real Asian Champions League berth that might go to the crew in pole place on the finish of the league section. In three seasons underneath Lobera, FC Goa’s possession-based attacking soccer had discovered many takers they usually have been profitable too having made the semi-finals in 2017-18, the ultimate subsequent time period when in addition they received the Super Cup.

So, when Lobera left and the tag crew of Derrick Pereira and Clifford Miranda was put in cost, there was work to be performed. FC Goa sealed the highest spot within the league standings – in some type, beating Hyderabad FC 4-1; Mumbai City FC 5-2 and Jamshedpur FC 5-Zero of their final three league video games – and can be India’s first representatives at Asian soccer’s excessive desk.

Semi-final stumble

And then the marketing campaign spectacularly unravelled. Away to Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa misplaced 1-Four within the first leg of the semi-final, all objectives coming in a pulsating second half. “We were missing a few key players,” mentioned Bedia on Google Meet on Thursday. FC Goa have been with out midfielders Brandon Fernandes and Hugo Boumous. And they have been with out Bedia who had gone residence to be spouse Eliosa who was anticipating their youngster.

“In the second leg, we rushed too much. We tried to close the semi-final in the first half and so in the second half, we suffered,” mentioned Bedia. Up 2-Zero at half-time, FC Goa have been a purpose away from pushing Chennaiyin FC into extra-time however the guests scored twice by the 59th minute. FC Goa received the return leg 4-2 however misplaced 5-6 on combination. FC Goa had additionally misplaced to Chennaiyin FC within the 2017-18 semi-finals. “We were the better team then,” mentioned Bedia.

Time to rebuild

With a clutch of gamers and coach gone, FC Goa should rebuild. Bedia and Boumous are the one imports they’ve retained up to now. Mourtada Fall has left and Carlos Pena has retired, that means the internal defence could have a brand new pairing in 2020-21. Ferran Corominas, who has scored 48 objectives in 57 video games since becoming a member of in 2017-18, hasn’t but signed a brand new deal. Mandar Rao Desai, who was with the crew because the first season of ISL in 2014, Jackichand Singh, Manvir Singh and Chinglensana Singh too have left.

“Keeping the core of the team for three years was very difficult but we managed. This season, it is our turn (to rebuild). My role will be the same as the last three seasons: to help the new Indian and foreign players especially the foreign players. This is my fourth year in Goa and I know the life here, on and off the pitch,” mentioned Bedia, 31.

Bedia, who can play No.10 however prefers a deeper function as No. 6 or No. 8, mentioned he’s completely satisfied in Goa however that wasn’t the one motive for staying again. “FC Goa deserve to get a trophy. We have won the Super Cup and qualified for the Champions League but winning ISL will be like the icing on the cake,” he mentioned.

Of course, it helps that new coach Juan Ferrando doesn’t need to overhaul their means of enjoying. “He (Ferrando) has been watching a lot of ISL games and AFC Champions League. We are discussing different aspects of Indian football. I have also told him about India, things like you often need to travel two days before a match and that you can’t train in the morning because of the heat. But I have also said, ‘no matter how much I tell you, you have to come and experience India’,” mentioned Bedia.

It may very well be some time earlier than that occurs however Bedia, who turned a father final month – “it is the most beautiful feeling in the world but I am getting no sleep,” he mentioned – can’t wait. “Last season, I had a lot of injuries. This time I hope to be 100%,” mentioned Bedia missed six video games as a consequence of a groin downside.

The previous few months have been actually powerful due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he mentioned. “Being safe was the goal but there is a psychological aspect to staying indoors for three months.” Some biking and energy coaching with resistance bands are all Bedia, who spent 4 seasons at Racing Santander and one every at 1860 Munich, Barcelona B and Zaragoza, may do.

Longer pre-seasons

That is why he recommended an extended pre-season. “There are two aspects to resuming football: fitness level and injuries. We need to start from scratch and so we will need longer-than-usual pre-season. With practice games and matches you will get back to fitness but for that you need to be injury free. So we need more time,” he mentioned. No date has but been set for the beginning of ISL, which ran from October-March final time period.

Football has begun at residence and Bedia mentioned it felt bizarre watching La Liga at empty stadiums. “It was like watching practice games of 11v11where there is no pressure or excitement. I think the players too are not feeling that pressure. I hope by the time ISL starts we will be playing to full stadium like we do in Goa,” he mentioned.