Bolton Wanderers coach Steve Schumacher has revealed the tactics behind his team's impressive 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates in their pre-season friendly. The League One side dominated the Buccaneers, exposing key weaknesses that could be a cause for concern for Pirates fans.
Set-Piece Woes Continue for Pirates
Both of Bolton's goals stemmed from set-pieces, highlighting a persistent Achilles heel for Orlando Pirates. This weakness was particularly evident last season, notably in the CAF Champions League. Schumacher credited Bolton's new set-piece coach, Owain Fon Williams, for the team's dominance in this area.
"Fon plays a huge part in it," Schumacher stated, according to Bolton News. "He had a really good record at Fleetwood on the set-piece responsibility."
Defensive Structure the Key to Bolton's Victory
Schumacher also emphasized the importance of defensive structure in securing the win. "We spoke about being better out of possession, we conceded far too many goals last season and we can't do that again if we want to achieve our objectives," he told Wanderers TV. He highlighted the team's focus on defensive organization and ensuring every player understands their defensive duties.
The Bolton coach was pleased with the clean sheet, stating, "We can be pleased that we scored two goals (against Orlando Pirates) and kept a clean sheet but most of all it will give the players confidence."
Pirates' Pre-Season Preparations Under Scrutiny
This defeat raises questions about Orlando Pirates' pre-season preparations and their ability to address their defensive vulnerabilities before the start of the new season. Will coach Riveiro be able to shore up the defense and prevent these weaknesses from being exploited in competitive matches?
The Buccaneers will need to analyze this performance closely and work diligently to rectify their shortcomings if they hope to achieve success in the upcoming campaign.