sportskeeda
Miguel Cardoso, the newly hired coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has revealed what supporters can expect from the team this season.
The Portuguese coach, who was officially announced on Tuesday, is set to lead his team in their opening match against Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic this Sunday at Loftus Stadium during the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
Previously the head coach of Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Cardoso shared his ambition to win every match in all competitions. “The main ambition is what you should look forward to from Sundowns this season,” stated Cardoso.
“Why do I highlight ambition? We strive to achieve victory in every match, irrespective of where it is played. We recognize the level of competition we are facing, and we have outlined strategies for each encounter.
“We are aware of the caliber of teams in the Champions League this season, so it’s vital that we respect every opponent while also pushing ourselves to enhance our performance.”
Moreover, the former Shakhtar Donetsk coach elaborated on the style of play that Sundowns fans should expect this season.
“Our aim isn’t to kick the ball around without purpose like we might during warm-ups. Our objective is to quickly move the ball up the field to take advantage of spaces that allow us to play aggressively,” the 52-year-old coach explained.
“Our tactics may adjust based on the opponents’ playing style; sometimes we might take a longer time, but we anticipate being effective at identifying openings. If those openings are unavailable, we must exhibit patience and maintain ball control.
“We also need to be sufficiently organized to handle matches, even when we don’t possess the ball; that is our vision for the team. We shouldn’t feel pressured when we lack possession or even when we have it. Success in these matches often hinges on the details, so we must prepare thoroughly.”
As of now, Cardoso’s new squad has managed to gather just two points in their Champions League group, drawing their first two matches against AS Maniema Union and AS FAR.
In the Betway Premiership, Sundowns currently lead the standings with 21 points after eight matches; however, this was deemed insufficient, prompting the departure of coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
