Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso sought to put a positive spin on the heartbreaking loss, insisting that there were key takeaways for his team after they succumbed to a 4-3 defeat against the German giants Borussia Dortmund.
After the match, Cardoso expressed his discontent with the result but acknowledged the valuable lessons gleaned from competing against one of the top teams in European football.
“Losing 3-4 to Borussia Dortmund doesn’t make us happy as coaches,” Cardoso remarked. “But we saw good things on the pitch today.”
Cardoso noted that while many would focus on the final result, the emphasis should instead be placed on the players’ competitive spirit displayed throughout the game.
“Some will focus on the result, but we were competitive at the highest level of football in the world,” he stated.
“The boys made a wonderful performance; it was a hell of a match. I’m not happy but very proud.
“It’s important people understand what was at stake in this match. Considering the level of the team that we played against, we worked fantastically.
“I think it was clear that today we pushed the level of the game to the maximum, to the highest level, and we could play an open game with such a strong opponent.
“It’s important that people understand the quality of the German opponents so that they can highlight the quality of the game that was played today.
“I’m very proud of the level of football that the players played. I’m very proud of the resilience they showed throughout the game so that we could finish the game playing for the result (a win).
“We saw during injury time, the Dortmund players just wanted to finish the game, while we continued to fight for the victory.
“We need to understand that when we play teams like this, they will penalise you with two goals from two chances.
“That’s why the amount of money paid for these players takes them to another level.
Looking ahead, Sundowns will face Brazil’s Fluminense in Miami on Wednesday. This encounter will be pivotal as they try to recover and solidify their standing in the group. A win against Fluminense could potentially secure qualification for the last 16 round.
At the same time, Borussia Dortmund will square off against South Korea’s Ulsan in Cincinnati, hoping to build on this victory and maintain their momentum as they aim for a solid finish in the group standings.
Every point matters as these teams vie for advancement, making each upcoming match pivotal in determining who will progress to the last 16 round.
