Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso insists his side must start their African Champions League group campaign with a win when they host St Eloi Lupopo of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Here is what the Sundowns coach had to say on the eve of Saturday’s clash at Loftus Versfeld:
On the opening group match of the Champions League:
“Obviously, every match will have a story, but we have to write the right one on this one. First home match, a good start is important, so we will work hard, and we've been working very hard since we finished the last match towards arriving tomorrow (Saturday) in the best condition and most of all, with the strength, and how to play against this team, which has its own particularities, its way of playing, its own characteristics. We need to understand how to exploit their less strong aspects and how to avoid where they can aggress us with their positive aspects.”
On injuries ahead of the game
“With all respect, you must understand that if I tell everything here to do with availability, I'm basically telling our opponents how they can prepare for the match, and how to understand what we can do. So don't take it as a lack of respect, but just as a normal position from a coach that wants to arrive at tomorrow’s match and surprise the opponent as much as possible. We felt a lot of excitement throughout the week, and a lot of commitment towards the plans we have to ensure we obtain a result that gets the three points that we want. We also understand that sometimes, because of the team’s status, from a country without much of a reputation in the Champions League, there can sometimes be a wrong idea about not giving them the respect that we should. So that was also a very, very important message that we created throughout the week. We remember very well what happened last year, in the first game of the group stage, where Sundowns were not able to beat Maniema Union at home. From there, it haunted the team throughout all the group stage. So, we want to make a good start; very, very strong and very powerful and pursuing the result we want to get.”
On potential provocation from St Eloi Lupopo after their tussles with Orlando Pirates in the previous round
“I try, in a big effort, to make players understand that any emotion that you have that is not proper to play a football match should be left in the locker room. And whatever happens on the pitch must always be managed emotionally in the right way from the players. You remember last year, when we played home against Esperance, there was a clash between the players and how I was so aggressive to take them out of that mix. I always want the players to keep their focus on their behaviour. I try and keep my emotions in check because I need to know where we are, what was the plan, what's happening on the pitch. Should we correct something? How can we help? At halftime, what are we going to tell the players? What images can we show, and should we change the plan? What players can come on and give something more? And if our minds don’t stay focused on this, for sure we'll not make the good decisions. I escape from emotions as much as I can, negative ones, so that I can focus myself on my job. And I think that's what the players have to do too.”
On the new Portuguese signings Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho
“There is a process of adaptation although I’ve always said that joining Mamelodi Sundowns is an easier process than in other clubs. The club is very friendly. The players are very friendly to each other. The group is a very positive one. The relations are flourishing, they are from the heart. So when a player arrives, in general, he's very well received. If also, he comes with the right attitude. Obviously, then there's an adaptation to the football that sometimes is a little bit different. I think that is clear for all of us that Nuno has made a very good adaptation to South Africa. I think that the best players thrive, they excel, they really get excited about experience. So I think that the entire team is excited about just starting this competition that is the biggest on the continent.”
On Champions League chances
“What we need to understand is this competition is a very tough one that needs to be played match after match. It’s a very tough competition. We are in a group where any team can attain points, and the focus on the next match is very important. Obviously, when we are away, these teams are used to the condition of their stadiums, the pitches, the environment and the climate. I think that what is important is that we know what our opponents can do. We know how we have to face them, not to make mistakes throughout the match. But we also know that the difference from last year's competition to this year's must be made by ourselves in terms of the energy, the intensity, the commitment and the aggression that we should have from the very first minute.”