The work just isn’t carried out.
That’s the simplistic message from Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso after his crew’s claimed an all-important 1-0 victory away to Esperance in Tunis in Sunday night’s CAF Champions League first-leg semi-final.
Sundowns earned the very important away aim, thanks to a second half header from Colombian striker Brayan Léon, his fourth aim of the competitors.
The Brazilians will, nonetheless, be with out central defender Grant Kekana for the second leg at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria on Saturday after he was proven a straight crimson card in the 84th minute.
“We played against a very strong team. I think we did well to understand the different moments of the game, the moments in which we played,” Cardoso stated.
“I think in the first half we played much more with the ball. It brings us closer to the way we want to play. We needed to make some corrections in the second half. I think it was important to do that. We weren’t too far, but we didn’t play the way we wanted to play. We came on very well.
“We scored an necessary aim. Of course, we had to anticipate a response from a crew like Espérance. For us, it was necessary to proceed to search for a chance to get to the field.
“But I think, as I said yesterday, the approach in the first half must be even stronger, even more concentrated, even more determined in terms of application and the tactical approach, so that we can take advantage of the result here and, of course, not go to the second match thinking that the work is done, because it’s not done, of course.”
Cordoso conceded he wanted to change ways after Kekana’s dismissal.
“After we lose Grant, obviously, the game becomes much more tricky even. And the intention was to close and take it to the last stages and keep the result,” he stated.
“So, we don’t give nothing for granted. The attitude in Pretoria has to be even stronger, even more commitment, even more tactical strictness and even more control of the match.
“And the play to win, as a result of when you do not play to win, you possibly can undergo. And that is the one means this crew has and is aware of how to play. So, we’d like to take the sport for that platform.”
