When Julio Cesar Leal Junior joined Pirates, he won Orlando Pirates supporters’ hearts through his tactical wisdom. In his own words “Pirates will defend like the warriors and attack like an entertainers. Wow what an inspirational assertion by a coach. Indeed the team started like a house in fire with 1 pre-season trophy and 1 official trophy but now the table has turned for Pirates as slowly but surely the Bhakaniya’s ship under the guidance of Captain Julio Leal is sinking.
The tactics and techniques of Leal are not appropriately for a team of Pirates caliber. His average and predictable tactical methodology of playing from inside instead of playing from the wings is turning Pirates into a mediocre team by compromising sufficient service delivery upfront. Pirates always dominated ball possession but they can’t translate such dominance into goals. This Leal system has already failed Pirates but he is still sticking to it. Been the defending PSL champion doesn’t mean that Leal should defend too deep by playing one striker upfront. Leal should know that the best form of defence is to attack. One of the disappointed Pirates supporter Luzuko Tshingana once sait that “It is certainly not Mvela League and neither is the PSL title’’ Now the question is where the hell is Leal leading our Pirates to. Is it to early to press a panic button or Pirates will weather the storm and bounce back under Julio Leal… Time will tell!
Under Leal the reigning PSL champions have been far from impressive, in 10 matches, Pirates have lost three matches in the League, which is one lost short to the same number of the game they lost when they won it last season, and are not looking like a team that will defend their title. It’s not raining but pouring at Orlando Pirates. The ship is sinking. The coach has a galaxy of quality players but his team selection leaves a lot to be desire. Chances of defending championship are very slim if the performance doesn’t improve. Julio Leal should stop implementing tactical system similar to Spanish La Liga Barcelona of players playing from inside and always cut the field from the wings to create more goalscorinng opportunities. Barcelona hardly plays from the wings and players are mastering playing from within system very well because they are ball players with array of skills coupled with best composure in front of goals.
In conclusion for the past 8 years, Julio Leal hasn’t coach a team for more than 1 season. He is a seasonal coach with a cup winning pedigree but lacks league winning reputation. I wonder, what was the criteria’s Dr Irvin Khoza used to appoint Julio Leal as his record for the past 8 years is not impressive. He is from Brazilians, the home of quality players with array of breath taking and eye-pleasing skills but the country hasn’t produce quality coach. The Brazilians coaches are only good coaching at their domestic league whilst struggled outside home. The Brazilians’ coaches have mastered the science of football but can translate that science into field of play. It is too early to press a panic button but Is Julio Leal a right coach to lead Pirates to the envisaged destination of defending a League title and wins African Championship? Time will tell
By: Mashudu Owen Mundalamo
http://www.facebook.com/mashudu.mundalamo
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