Mamelodi Sundownshead coach Miguel Cardoso has defended Lucas Ribeiro following the attacker’s slump in form.
The 26-year-old Brazilian attacker has arguably been the best PSL player this season, scoring 13 goals in 21 matches. Ever since the defeat to Orlando Pirates, Ribeiro has found goals difficult to come by.
Cardoso feels that Ribeiro has been targeted by teams lately, making it difficult for him to score.
“I totally understand the question and I think it’s important to comment… after Lucas made the goals in those matches against Pirates and Chiefs, after that it was clear all the teams were worried so much about him, closing him with two or three players,” Cardoso said as per iDiski Times.
“It’s made his job much more difficult and because of that we don’t see him so free on the pitch. What is important is that the team understands that when there’s two, three players on him, there’s other spaces on the pitch that should be used, we should relate to that.
Cardoso on why Ribeiro is no longer scoring
“Also, himself, he should understand when he receives so much pressure, he should release the ball and let the others play, so that he can position himself in order to find spaces and play…,”
“Lucas will be like the ketchup, when you start asking [and hitting the bottle] for it to go out and then suddenly boof! It comes a lot more than it’s supposed to.
“I think that will come naturally for Lucas because he’s working normally, so I just think he can be stable enough to make that moment arrive and appear.”
With Sundowns looking to win the CAF Champions League and Betway Premiership, Cardoso would hope Ribeiro can finally find his scoring boots.
Is Ribeiro off-form?
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