Orlando Pirates on Friday night failed to get maximum points in their penultimate CAF Champions League group stage fixture at home against Platinum FC, and there were some questionable tactics.
Here are THREE of the most glaring tactical errors against the Zimbabwean outfit in that come-from-behind 2-2 draw:
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Playing three centre backs
The decision by coach Micho Sredojevic to use only three at the back was puzzling to say the least. It meant what has relatively been a solid partnership between captain Happy Jele and Alfred Ndengane would be somewhat compromised – the one playing a bit wider on the right side and the other in the middle, with the surprise choice of Marcelo as the left footed option. It's no surprise that Ndengane was to blame for the two goals conceded.
Starting Marcelo
The Brazilian hadn't featured for the Buccaneers since January 5 until last night. Why make such a risky selection in a game that had no margin for error? Paseka Mako could have played as a left wingback, while Innocent Maela dropped back into that back three, like against Bloemfontein Celtic midweek. It was a bizarre and costly tactical call.
No defensive midfielder
Abel Mabaso, a holding midfielder that would have offered the centre backs protection, was omitted from the line-up. But instead Sredojevic opted to restore Xola Mlambo, who appears to have lost form, back into the team alongside Musa Nyatama. Another blunder.
In a nutshell, the Buccaneers have themselves to blame and will now travel to Conakry in Guinea to face Horoya next Saturday in a must-win encounter in order to progress to the quarterfinals.
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