Marumo Gallants coach Lafitte: “When Pirates want to push, it is not easy”

Marumo Gallants coach Alexandre Lafitte attributed their 3-0 loss to Orlando Pirates in South Africa‘s top-flight league match on Saturday to the gulf in individual quality.

In a post-match interview with SuperSport Television, the Frenchman noted that both teams approached Betway Premiership with a similar attacking intent while seeking to score at all costs.

Lafitte on what decided Pirates’ game against Gallants

However, the 29-year-old observed that the quality of Pirates’ players was a big decisive factor as the home backing of Amstel Stadium.

“Honestly, Pirates are better,” the PSL’s youngest coach admitted.

“The first goal that we conceded, we analysed [that situation in training] and knew that they would attack our spaces in the box. The difference is just a little individual [quality]. It was not a bad game but the difference between Pirates and Gallants is this.”

“We had a similar attitude to score. I think it was going to be possible if we had scored first from the chance we created and the result could have been different. Otherwise, it is difficult to play because when Pirates want to push, it is not easy.”

What Gallants should have done better to survive Pirates’ attacks

The man, who led Stade d’Abidjan to the Ivorian league title in the 2023/24 campaign, explained the aspects of play that his Bloemfontein-based side could have handled better.

“When you play this team, it is important to be together, be compact in the low block and also manage emotions because here this stadium is full,” Lafitte added.

The defeat left Gallants lying dangerously third from the basement, with just four points separating them from table-anchoring Magesi FC.

In the other camp, despite cruising six points clear at the summit of the Betway Premiership, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is not sitting on his laurels. The Moroccan wants his charges to adopt the same cautious approach, aware that holders Mamelodi Sundowns, who occupy second place, have a game in hand.

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