Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed a concerning “tendency” he has observed in several CAF Champions League matches his team has played.
Masandawana are currently in Rwanda for their group-stage encounter against Al Hilal, after the two sides played to an entertaining 2–2 draw last Friday.
They are set to meet once again this Friday at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali, in what promises to be a crucial fixture for both teams.
Sundowns will be aiming to collect maximum points away from home as they look to strengthen their grip on the top spot in the group.
The Brazilians currently sit at the summit of the Group C standings with five points from three matches played so far, placing them in a strong position but with little room for complacency.
Ahead of the clash, Cardoso expressed concern over a recurring issue in his side’s Champions League performances.
According to the Portuguese coach, Sundowns have developed a habit of scoring first in matches but then conceding goals too easily, allowing opponents back into the game.
“We’ve been feeling that when we play CAF matches and we get positive results, this team has a tendency to drop a little bit on the pitch,” said Cardoso.
“And because of that we suffer consequences, it has happened unfortunately a few matches that I can remember.
“But that’s for sure something that we need to speak about and discuss because that’s never an intention of the coach to put the team to defend the [scoreline].
“But we also need to relate with what the game gives to us. And we also have the mindset of having the ball as much as possible, create the opportunities one after the other.
“Being offensive has more impact on defending the result than dropping lines and submitting to the capacity of the opponents, that may be risky on the pitch.”
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