Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed his satisfaction with a rare full week of training ahead of the crucial Betway Premiership showdown against Orlando Pirates this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. The Brazilians, accustomed to a relentless schedule of matches every few days, finally have a clear week to focus solely on their domestic ambitions after securing their place in the CAF Champions League group stages....Click to Read More >>➤
Cardoso highlighted the significant advantage of having his entire squad available for a complete training cycle, a luxury that has been scarce this season. He believes this uninterrupted preparation time is vital for raising the team’s performance levels ahead of the titanic clash.
A Full Squad Elevates Training
Cardoso explained the direct impact of a full roster on training quality. “I don’t remember working on a full week cycle in a long time,” the Portuguese coach admitted. “We had the availability of all the players, and all of our players were present so that we could train with the entire group.”
He emphasized that this completeness is crucial for competitive intensity. “When you have the entire group training, it means that the level of the training is higher because all the players with the highest qualities are there and that raises the level of the training sessions higher.” This period of focused preparation is a welcome change for the Sundowns squad as they build up to the Orlando Pirates match.
Managing a Demanding Schedule
The coach acknowledged the constant challenge of balancing multiple competitions, which often leaves little room for proper recovery and high-level training sessions. The demanding calendar frequently forces the team to manage player loads, sometimes incorporating younger players from the Diski team for lighter sessions.
Cardoso contrasted these sessions with the current full-squad workouts. “It’s not the same, for example, when we play a friendly match. Imagine that you have players that didn’t play today, and we call up players from the Diski team to have a joint training session,” he said. “It’s not the same because the level of the boys is not the same so the level of the session drops.”
He stressed that optimal development occurs when the entire group is present. “Having the possibility to train the whole group allows you to work on all the dynamics and also brings high quality in all the sessions. It’s from there where the team development happens.” This focused period is seen as key to their strategy for the upcoming Orlando Pirates encounter.
Looking Ahead
Following the highly anticipated Orlando Pirates match, Sundowns will immediately turn their attention to a fixture against TS Galaxy. The team will then head into another FIFA international break next month. This brief respite from the frantic match schedule provides a critical window for Cardoso to implement his tactical ideas and ensure his squad is at its peak for one of the season’s most significant tests against Orlando Pirates. The football community is eagerly awaiting this clash, with many believing the extended preparation time could be a decisive factor.
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