CAFCL: Cardoso speaks about Lucas Suarez’s future at Sundowns

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns Media.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has explained his decision to bench defender Lucas Suarez for their CAF Champions League clash against Al Ahly at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.

Suarez, who has been a regular for the Brazilians, was overlooked for the first leg semi-final fixture against the North Africans giants which ended in a 0-0 draw. Cardoso’s decision to drop the player came after his mistake gifted Kaizer Chiefs the opening goal during the 2-1 Nedbank Cup defeat in the semi-finals.

“As I said at the press conference after the match. The way we relate to the players is with the highest respect for them,” Cardoso told SABC Sport as quoted by FARPost.

“We need to understand every moment that happens and everything that happens. Eventually, if you were to play a match away, I don’t know if we would make a different decision. Today [Saturday], we decided to protect Lucas from whatever. It’s not that we don’t trust him. We do trust Lucas a lot.”

Cardoso added: “What you need to understand is whatever happens in each moment, how we want to relate to what happens. And, he’s with us. It means that we trust him.”

The Brazilians will head to Egypt for the return on Friday at Cairo International Stadium.