Jose Riveiro has addressed Orlando Pirates’ struggles in their defensive set-up during dead-ball situations after recent matches exposed vulnerabilities in this critical area.
Pirates’ defensive frailties from set-pieces have become a talking point ahead of the two Soweto Derby clashes with Kaizer Chiefs.
The fact that their last three goals conceded in all competitions arose from such situations is an issue Riveiro has acknowledged and said they are working on before facing their bitter rivals.
Riveiro’s troops are bracing for a fierce showdown as they go head-to-head with Chiefs in back-to-back derbies. The first is a Betway Premiership fixture at FNB Stadium this Saturday, followed by the Nedbank Cup final in Durban on Saturday, May 10th.
The Buccaneers head into this crucial first game on a three-game winless streak, having conceded four goals in the process.
They lost 3-2 to Pyramids FC in Cairo a week ago in the CAF Champions League semi-final return-leg, where they conceded twice from set-pieces before suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday. The decisive goal came from a corner-kick.
As a result of their defeat against Sekhukhune, second-placed Pirates saw their hopes of catching Mamelodi Sundowns in the title race diminish further. Sundowns’ comfortable 3-0 victory over Richards Bay FC on Wednesday propelled them to a commanding 12-point lead at the summit of the league table.
JOSE RIVEIRO CONFIDENT PIRATES WILL FIX SET-PIECE WOES
Riveiro admitted that Pirates have been struggling in terms of defending set-pieces, but downplayed any sense of panic.
“Obviously, set-pieces are an element that we need to [work on] and we are doing that,” he said. “We are trying to get better and minimise our deficiencies in those situations, like every other team.
“I think during the whole season we were quite solid and dominating those situations, but it is true that for whatever reasons in the last games we are suffering a little bit more, and sometimes the opponent is more accurate. But I think it is something we are hands-on every week, and it is not or shouldn’t be something to panic about; we will get it right.”
Adding to their challenges before the Soweto Derby, Pirates will have to face both Chiefs and Golden Arrows without Nkosinathi Sibisi. He received a two-match suspension after a red card earned through two yellow cards in their game against Sekhukhune
While Thabiso Sesane and Olisa Ndah remain sidelined with injuries, the Spaniard stated he is not worried about his defensive depth.
“We have Tapelo Xoki, Innocent Maela, we have more than enough to play…we can play tonight [Wednesday], straight no problem,” he declared.
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