The build-up to the Derby can often be just as crucial as the post-mortem, with plenty of pointers to take from what would have been the team’s biggest clash to date in the season.
It’s also a good yardstick for both sides to measure their progress, especially when there’s a new coach involved – as is the case with Solinas at Amakhosi.
The Italian tactician has since accepted what went wrong following his video and statistical analysis of the tie and pointed out what needs to improve going into this weekend’s Telkom Knockout quarterfinal clash with SuperSport United.
“Every game we need to learn from and improve. What I learnt from Pirates is that we need to improve on our mentality and character,” said Solinas.
“Because, we started the Derby very well. If you could check the stats, in the first 20 minutes, Pirates’ possession was 43 [percent] and for Kaizer Chiefs it was 57 [percent].
“Chiefs were leading 1-0 [within that period] so we had everything under control, we had the possession, and everything was okay, [but] thereafter we switched off.
“After the penalty [missed by Justin Shonga], the reaction of Pirates players was very positive and very aggressive, and our reaction was negative. We went down softly, lost concentration and we switched off.
“We need to improve in this [aspect]. This was the lessons from the Derby.”
Looking back beyond the Derby though, the former Free State Stars mentor also agreed that consistency has become an apparent issue, with the chopping and changing of his line-ups perhaps negatively impacting their momentum.
“We need more consistency – yes, I agree. In September we played well and won three games in a row, thereafter we haven’t gotten results,” he added.
“But also, why [the rotation]? Because in the squad we’ve had problems with the players’ injuries, so we played against Black Leopards [Telkom Knockout Round of 16] without six players.
“[Leonardo] Castro was injured for one month-and-a-half; Lebo [Manyama] got injured [in a car accident] … You know, these are key players for us, this is the problem.
“Yes, we need consistency, but we also need to play with the same players more frequently.
“But it’s not [possible] sometimes. Yes, sometimes it’s my decision but sometimes injuries force me to change.
“I don’t want to change for change, guys. The injuries force me – because we don’t have Lebo, Khama [Billiat], [Dumisani] Zuma, etc. It’s not my choice, it’s because the players are out, not available or injured.”