Orlando Pirates team picture during the 2023 Carling Black Label Knockout match against Cape Town Spurs at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 20 October 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix.
Jose Riveiro warns Orlando Pirates players
Soweto giants Orlando Pirates have forgotten about Mamelodi Sundowns last week. Crystal Lake are waiting in the Nedbank Cup.
Orlando Pirates team picture during the 2023 Carling Black Label Knockout match against Cape Town Spurs at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto on the 20 October 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix.
Orlando Pirates started the second round of the season fairly well with a draw against the supreme Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Sea Robbers return to the grass and TV screens today.
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As reported last Saturday, the game was affected by too much tactical play, physicality and stop-starts.
Marcelo Allende’s 76th-minute opener was cancelled by a Tapelo Xoki penalty conversion on 80 minutes.
“Positively surprised about the rhythm in the first half. I think we were superior clearly, we managed to put the game in situations that we wanted, [but] a little details in the final third didn’t allow us to get the lead in the first half,” Riveiro said via SABC Sport.
“Besides the runnings of Peter [Shalulile] behind Thabiso [Monyane] a couple of times and some set-pieces where they are really good, but fortunately for us, we didn’t have news [sic] about our goalkeeper in the first 45 minutes.
“In the second half, it was a pity that we had to face a very long time with 10 players, and the game obviously changed – we had to defend a little bit lower [because] there’s no way you can continue pressing Sundowns high with only nine outfield players.
“Overall, I think the result was fair because of the situation in the second half. It’s a pity we couldn’t compete 11 vs 11 until the end, but it is what it is. We came for three points and we leave with one, so I cannot say we are happy,” the Pirates mentor concluded.
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Meanwhile, Saturday has arrived. The Sea Robbers have landed in Mbombela to face a closed book against a third-division team.
“If you are relaxed, you’ll crash out. History is full of these types of games,” Pirates coach Riveiro said via IOL.
“When you think everything is done before the game starts is the most difficult in sport.
“Surprises and nice history always happen for these types of games. We want to take it seriously; we are going to play one team which will show it wants to win as well,” the Spaniard added.
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