Abdeslam Ouaddou happy with details as Orlando Pirates draw against Cyprus champions

Ouaddou was speaking after watching his team held to a draw against the Cypriot champions Pafos FC. 

This was Pirates’ second international friendly in their European pre-season tour in Spain, after losing 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers. 

Ouaddou shares more details of what they were trying to achieve in this game.

"Yes, of course, we have decided to change the plan because this team you can see that it's one of the strongest teams in Europe in terms of building, lots of rotation and sometimes we can get in trouble,” Ouaddou said. 

“So, we decided to play very high to prevent this team from building. It worked, I'm very happy about the plan but we didn't only do pressing, we only played especially in the half, we had the control, the possession and we can see that our team step by step is getting better. 

“They start to understand exactly the expectation of the coach. So, I'm very happy about the boys."

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Analysing their first two matches on tour, Ouaddou says both games are helping them with the content they need as they continue to prepare for the new season. 

He talks about the importance of reacting differently to results, compared to how the fans are handling it.

"You know sometimes as coaches, we have to analyse even when you lose the game, we have to analyse it deeply and we cannot just react as a fan. Of course the fans can be disappointed but the first game was very interesting in the contents,” he added. 

“Of course we conceded via setpieces but a lot of interesting things and now, today, it was only the continuity of the work that the boys are doing and step by step I know that this team will become stronger and stronger. I'm very confident about that."