Miguel Cardoso explains Sundowns’ tactical edge in Pirates win

The defending Betway Premiership champions were put under intense pressure in the early exchanges at FNB Stadium but struck decisively to race into a 2-0 lead within minutes.

Sundowns eventually held on for a crucial 2-1 victory, and speaking afterwards, Cardoso said the contest unfolded largely as anticipated.

"I think the match we played was more or less the match we predicted. Orlando Pirates started strongly in their typical style of play when they face Sundowns  — a little bit different from what we've been seeing in the last matches we analysed  —  but we expected a team that is high in quality, with a lot of solutions in front," said Cardoso

The Portuguese mentor credited his players for executing the game plan.

Cardoso added that their win over Pirates was further proof that Sundowns, contrary to certain opinions, are not rigid in their style.

"I heard in the previous week that people say Sundowns always play the same way. Look, sometimes it goes well and sometimes it doesn't. I come from a small village in Portugal, and my family is very humble. That is how we need to be in this game, because football is like a big trip — sometimes you're in the mountains climbing and sometimes you're going down. 

"We worked quite a lot in terms of our approach, and I think it's clear that we brought different challenges depending on how the teams play. Pirates are a high-quality team. I said to my assistant coaches this team is stronger than MC Alger." 

What the coach did agree with was that no player is guaranteed to play at Sundowns.