How to stop Sundowns – Pirates coach Riveiro

Orlando Pirates started the second round of this season alright, thanks to a hard-fought draw against the supreme Mamelodi Sundowns.

Coach Jose Riveiro has explained how.

DSTV PREMIERSHIP: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS 1-1 ORLANDO PIRATES

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.

THE BEST WAY TO MATCH SUNDOWNS

The Pirates tactician added to explain the best approach to battle Sundowns, which is more than technical quality and speed.

“You cannot pretend to compete with this team if you are not at the same level with them. I think Sundowns conceded three goals in 14 league games,” Riveiro said, as quoted by the Citizen.

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According to Riveiro, Sundowns’ defenders are rather physical and, therefore, require the same challenges.

“We always talk about them when they are attacking, but defending, they are a very committed side and physical players. They are not only technical talent. There is conditional talent as well,” the Pirates mentor added.

“So, the duels with Sundowns are always something else. If we don’t go at the same pace, or the same intention, there is no chance because football is a game of contact, and you cannot expect that every contact is going to be a foul,” he continued.

“If you want to compete with these guys, you have to play at the same level as them at least,” Riveiro concluded.

Meanwhile, Pirates take on third-division side Crystal Lake in the Nedbank Cup last 32 at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday at 15:00.