CAFCL: Cardoso explains Sundowns' tactical tweaks in Al Ahly success

Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns Media.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted he took a huge gamble with his starting XI – a move that could have backfired – as his side eventually saw off Al Ahly to reach the CAF Champions League final.

The Brazilians advanced to the final of the lucrative competition on the away goal rule after snatching a 1-1 draw against the African champions at Cairo International Stadium.

After a 0–0 draw in the first leg at Loftus, Sundowns fell behind in the first half to a stunning strike from Taher Mohamed. However, they scored the all-important equaliser in the final minute of regulation time, when Al Ahly defender Yasser Ibrahim put the ball into his own net under pressure.

The South African giants managed to qualify despite Cardoso omitting strikers Peter Shalulile, Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales from the starting line-up.

“This is obviously a very interesting question and it could be the other way if things don’t work out. As I told you, when we speak in press conferences in South Africa sometimes coaches are judged by the result and not the strategy or by how we approach the game. Sometimes a detail can change a lot of what happens inside the pitch,” Cardoso said, as quoted by SABC Sports.

“Today, on our side, it could have gone another way. But what we wanted to create was obviously mobility in the front; we wanted to have a lot of mobility to deal with spaces. We knew there would be a moment where Al Ahly would have to expose themselves a little bit more. Al Ahly couldn't play a game to draw the game, they need some moments to try to go for goals because they knew that with a goal from us, they would be out.”

He continued: “We knew that would happen. So bringing speed and aggression onto the pitch, attacking from the back, and not giving references for those centre-backs [...] All the centre-backs at Al Ahly are very strong, but by playing into the spaces, we knew we would have a better chance of getting a result.

"Naturally, as time passed and we needed to go for the result, we had to add more aggression to the attacking line. That’s when Peter and Iqraam could bring something. But as soon as I put them on the pitch, I knew they weren’t being fielded in the ideal way.”

While pursuing CAF Champions League success, Sundowns are also battling to retain their Betway Premiership title.