Without trying to sound arrogant, Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has revealed how he expects DStv Premiership teams should defend when they face the Soweto giants.
Pirates opened the new campaign away at Stellenbosch FC, where they suffered a narrow 1-0 loss on Saturday, 5 August at Danie Craven Stadium. Antonio van Wyk scored the only goal of the match.
The Sea Robbers threw everything they had in attack as they tried to grab an equaliser. However, Pirates couldn’t find the back of the net as the Cape Town outfit we well well-organised at the back and defended in numbers.
JOSE RIVEIRO ON TEAMS FACING ORLANDO PIRATES
“I hope everybody is coming to defend in lowblock against Orlando Pirates because most of the time, we want to beat them. It happens,” said Riveiro.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant. It was difficult against Stellenbosch. They were very committed, it’s difficult to defend with the level of commitment Stellenbosch was playing.
“In my opinion, it was excellent, but this is not an excuse. This is football, not basketball. We don’t play in nice places all the time, sometimes the field is like this [not good].
“We knew that the one who is getting the lead helps a lot to the team that is defending. You have to protect the advantage, the space behind, then look for transition.”
ORLANDO PIRATES BUSY SCHEDULE IN AUGUST
Riveiro further believes his squad is ready for action despite having a busy schedule in August. The Bucs will play eight games participating in the league, MTN8 and the CAF Champions League.
“Psychologically, I think we are we are ready, or I want to think that we are ready,” he added.
“We have 36 players in the squad to try to mitigate the fact that we have to play eight games in August with long trips and long waits in the airports. All of these things that we’re going to find playing in the continent.”
The Ghost’s next assignment is at home against Royal AM, as they’re aiming to get their first win. Kickoff on Tuesday 8 August at Orlando Stadium is at 7:30 pm.
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