ES Tunis coach Miguel Cardoso has defended his team selections following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Stade Tunisien in the third round of Tunisia’s Ligue 1. The Portuguese tactician, who led the “blood and gold” to a convincing win in their previous match against AS Soliman, expressed disappointment at the inability to replicate that result despite employing a similar approach.
In a post-match press conference, Cardoso admitted his dissatisfaction with the outcome but stood by his decisions. “Obviously, I am not happy.
The match unfolded in two very different halves,” said Cardoso.
“In the first half, we lacked intensity, passion, will, and commitment.
However, during the first twenty minutes of the second half, we managed to get back into the game, playing in line with what we train for.”
ES Tunis struggled to break down a resolute Stade Tunisien side, who managed to frustrate their hosts with a disciplined performance.
Despite a strong start to the second half, Cardoso’s team failed to maintain the momentum that could have seen them secure all three points.
The coach noted his disappointment with his players’ dip in energy late in the match.
“It’s a shame that during the last quarter of an hour, we couldn’t keep the same attitude, which cost us the win,” he said.
Addressing questions about his team selection, Cardoso explained the challenges he faced in fielding a fully fit squad.
“I made the same choices as in the match we won against AS Soliman, but the same choices don’t always yield the same results,” he said, referring to the earlier victory.
He went on to clarify that several key players were dealing with fitness concerns, which limited their availability and performance.
“Elias Mokwana could only play for 20 minutes due to a lung issue that sidelined him for over a week of training,” Cardoso revealed.
“Aymen Ben Mohamed was out for ten days with a back problem, and both Bouguerra and Rodrigues were unavailable for selection.”
While Cardoso remains steadfast in his belief that his tactical choices were sound, the draw serves as a reminder that Ligue 1 is a highly competitive environment where no result is guaranteed.
ES Tunis, one of Tunisia’s most storied clubs, will be looking to bounce back from this setback as they aim to compete for the top spots in the league.
The next fixture for Cardoso’s men will be crucial, as they seek to iron out the inconsistencies that have plagued their early-season performances.
With some of his key players still struggling with injuries, Cardoso will hope for a swift return to full fitness to strengthen his squad for the upcoming challenges.
ES Tunis fans, however, will be eager to see improvements on the pitch as the team works towards their long-term goal of reclaiming domestic and continental glory.
