How Muhsin Ertugral plotted Orlando Pirates’ downfall

The Citizens disrupted the Soweto giants’ title run in the Betway Premiership three days after defeating Kaizer Chiefs by the same scoreline at the same venue.

Ertugral says City had studied Pirates’ strengths and weaknesses.

"Pirates is one of the best, not in South Africa only [but] in Africa, a great team to watch. We must say that the coach has really done a great job over the last couple of years,” Ertugral said.

“They are developing to a level that has been pretty much high level of football. Yes, but with this high level of football, I think they have also the possibilities, similar like Chiefs, there are always counter chances.

“So, if you play this type of football you need to have security systems, security organisation, patterns. We knew that Cheifs didn't have it as well. The moment when they enter the second or the third they lose the ball [due] to quick pressure, quick organisation pattern.

“The wing, they try to lure you out, similar like Chiefs but much more precise, much more quicker."

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City did finally break the deadlock through attacker Darwin Gonzales, and Ertugral  is adamant his charges could have taken the lead earlier.

"I think the first 15 minutes or the first 10 minutes if I'm not mistaken we had three goal chances, right in the beginning. There were the two from far and the two coming from behind the ball. So, it could have been more precise, right decision again like Chiefs, it could have already been 1-0 up for us,” he added.

“So, then obviously the pressure will come and we expected that and we were much much more in the low block. So, 30 mitre pushed to our side, they understand how to push our defensive line, they pinned us and then they have on the wings, the two against one combination and the third one tucks in.

“So, there's always these triangles on the sides and sometimes you fall into that trap, [if] you still [do] not have that patience. So, then through the traps they play that so quickly that they come to our pockets but that's beautiful, so long that you close the red zone.

“The red zone is the zone in front of the box. So, I think pretty much we managed that and then obviously the goals are scored in the golden area and we didn't leave them a lot into the golden area.

“Yes, there was a lot of noise, a lot of possibilities, entries that looked very good but in the end, last shot, last pass, golden zone, the red zone was closed."

Meanwhile, Royal AM do still have a FIFA ban imposed and cannot sign players until they settle R15-million owed to striker Samir Nurkovic.