Following an expected group stage run with one win, three draws, and a loss, Sundowns faced a must-win game at home to Rulani Mokwena’s Alger.
The Premier Socer League champions stepped up, handled the high pressure and accomplished the task, thanks to a brace from Colombian striker Brayan Leon.
MIGUEL CARDOSO SHIFTS CREDIT TO HIS SUNDOWNS PLAYERS
Asked how the Portuguese mentor was able to inspire his players to manage the enormous pressure, Cardoso said his Sundowns troops took full responsibility.
‘“I’m a facilitator. Sometimes I just try not to complicate nothing,” Cardoso told journalists.
“Obviously, for those who pay attention, there were certain aspects of a practical approach that we brought inside the pitch. They complicated very much the opponent’s positioning in the pitch, but I leave that for you to analyse.
“I don’t really like to speak about tactics in the press conferences because some of the details then, can be exposed. Obviously, but I think that mostly the boys were motivated in the first place. The fact that everybody wanted to carry each other on the shoulders inside the pitch and outside, I think today was also very important.
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PLENTY OF WORK AHEAD
The Sundowns mentor said that while the team had just won a match, one victory or defeat didn’t make them the best or the worst in the world.
He acknowledged that another challenge awaited on Wednesday, but for now, the team would enjoy the pleasure of the current victory.
“Enjoy the fact that we are amongst the best ones in the continent again, to the knockout stages, tough problems. Tough questions ahead, but beautiful ones,” the Sundowns tactician added.
“Yeah, quite excited about, obviously, the performance of the boys, I confess. Today was really beautiful to see how they were committed.
“I think I was maybe today more time seated on the bench than usually, because there are moments you understand the flow is happening on the pitch, and the boys understand what they have to do,” Cardoso added.
WHAT DO EXPECT FROM MAMELODI SUNDOWNS AGAINST ORLANDO PIRATES ON WEDNESDAY?
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