Red Card!
Orlando Pirates head coach Milutin Sredojevic, popularly known as "Micho", praised his team after they lost to Esperance in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday. Micho identified a loss of concentration as what cost his side the game. Pirates' fixture congestion had fans talking after the match, especially considering that Bucs played the Soweto Derby on Saturday.
Soccer Laduma reader The Haunter feels that travel demands are what cost Pirates the game, and that it was always going to be difficult to play Kaizer Chiefs and Esperance in quick succession:
"My coach, we have to admit, our planning in terms of playing this match was poor. We should have postponed the derby by a week or so. Playing an intimidating African champion within two days after playing the Soweto Derby with 29 hours of travelling was really where we blew it for ourselves. We need to plan better next time. I am confident in you, your technical team, players, and the whole Orlando Pirates Football Club's supporters. Once and Always."
- Blogger: The Haunter
Luvojuju shares the same sentiment, and argues that Micho should have approached the PSL to propose a change in the schedule:
"Why did you force matters with such a congested timetable? Why could you [Micho] not approach the PSL for a postponement of the derby? The Soweto Derby is too overrated. If Barcelona and Real Madrid can play midweek, what is stopping the Soweto Derby from doing the same? Yes, a resolution was taken that these two reams should play on a Saturday to avoid what happened at Ellis Park, but if stadium management and security cluster were effective in our football stadia then we would not be having this talk."
- Blogger: Luvojuju
It's important to remember that clubs are given fixtures at the beginning of every season and it is up to them to honour them. The same happens to clubs in Europe.
Perhaps the conversation should shift to how Micho could have rotated his squad? Only three changes were made to the starting lineup against Esperance. Could the Serbian tactician have rotated his squad better instead? Soccer Laduma reader Juju Banned Lwandle Hater certainly thinks so:
"We have many talented players, but you don't use them. We have [Luvuyo] Memela, [Mthokozisi] Dube, [Abbubaker] Mobara, [Justice] Chabalala, [Thabo] Qalinge, [Thabo] Matlaba], but you chose to use tired players that played against Chiefs."
- Blogger: Juju Banned Lwandle Hater
What changes would you have wanted to see to the starting line-up against Esperance? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
