Head coach Jose Riveiro has outlined the tactical master-plan behind Orlando Pirates' 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby.
The Buccaneer made it two wins on the bounce with 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Amakhosi thanks to a first-half strike by Evidence Makgopa. The goal was a second in three matches for the 23-year-old.
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Speaking at the post-match press conference after Saturday's victory, Riveiro shed light on his tactical approach that contributed to Makgopa's goal.
"Yes we tried to overload that area (Chiefs' left-back)," Riveiro said.
"To have a player ready to collect behind Dolly - we expected him to start on the right, he started on the left, but we continued on with the same plan and then making different decisions depending on the balance of Yusuf Maart or Castillo, whoever is there close to Mthethwa.
"I think we managed to do proper attractions in that in that zone but the intention later was to – or our plan was more about finding [Thembinkosi] Lorch on the other side, in the central corridor, or Makgopa or [Deon] Hotto and in that way make them run.
"[We wanted] to spend more time on the ball, but we found a way to be vertical in the same area we were trying to do the attractions which is fine. A lot of credit to Evidence, he did a good job with Dove, I think was very uncomfortable the whole game, especially the first 45 minutes.
"Were created doubts in those situations. On whether we expected to get a goal from that (left side), that is too much to say from a coaching perspective. We were trying to create chances from there, putting the ball in the net is all about talent."
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Hotto ?? Timm ?? Shandu ?? Makgopa = G?AL
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) November 12, 2023
Here's Evidence Makgopa's first-ever #SowetoDerby goal with isiZulu commentary ??
This celebration though? ????#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/U6rsY1E6nh
The victory takes Pirate up to seventh on the log table while Chiefs slip down to ninth. The Buccaneers return to action on November 25 when they travel to KwaZulu-Natal to take on Richards Bay.
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