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Riveiro: It's not as easy as we think

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HAMMERSDALE, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 17: Jose Riveiro, head coach of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership match between Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates at Mpumalanga Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Hammersdale, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
HAMMERSDALE, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 17: Jose Riveiro, head coach of Orlando Pirates during the DStv Premiership match between Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates at Mpumalanga Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Hammersdale, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro admitted it is not easy playing against teams with a low block as they got back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership.

Pirates struggled to break down City after a goalless first stanza but Evidence Makgopa eventually found the all important goal with 22 minutes remaining via a set-piece.

The Spaniard tactician felt his side were full value for the win, but says they could have increased the lead.

READ | Makgopa rescues victory for Pirates

"Difficult one like I told you before the match, they managed to reduce the tempo in the first half, it was a slow game even in the beginning of the second-half, delays, it was difficult to find continuity in our game," Riveiro told SuperSport TV.

"But I think we did good enough in the first-half, clear chances to get the lead early but when you don't do it it's always difficult to deal with those tricky moments of the game that you don't want to make a mistake and be far to get the three points.

"But luckily we managed to score a goal in a set-piece, we should have gone to the last minute with (a two-goal) advantage but it's not easy, probably defending well, man-markings, it's always difficult. But overall I think we did a good and we managed to deserve the final result," he said.

The Spanish tactician went on and stressed how difficult it is to play against teams playing with a low block.

"It's difficult when one of the teams it seems like you need to get the initiative all the time, it's not as easy as sometimes we think it is and you're playing with 50-60 metres behind your back and every mistake can be a threat, so you need to be really precise," Riveiro continued.

"Finding the space in the box is difficult when they are defending low blocks, you know the story, we know the story, it's difficult but most of the time we managed to get it and today we did it again," he added.

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