I’m sure you’ve heard it on many occasions on SS4 & have read articles about how “slow” Sundowns defense is.

Let’s fact check this narrative.

Sundowns slow defense perception:

A thread:

If you follow Sundowns defensive organization or playing system, it doesn’t demand a one dimensional player, it demands football intelligence. It doesn’t demand an overlapping wing-back, but it demands a player with a winger’s pace & a defender’s discipline & football cleverness

I’m going to track back Sundowns’ goals conceded records since Pitso’s first full season in 2013/14 season. I will compare his records with Chiefs & Pirates defenses over the same period, till the present season.

2013/14
Sundowns finished as champions
Conceded:25
Chiefs: 17
Pirates: 22

2014/15
Finished as runners up
Conceded:24
Chiefs: 14 *champions
Pirates: 29

2015/16
Finished as champions
Conceded:20
Chiefs: 30
Pirates: 30

2016/17
Finished as runners up
Conceded:20
Chiefs: 28
Pirates: 40
Wits who were champions: 22

2017/18
Finished as champions
Conceded:24
Chiefs: 22
Pirates: 26

2018/19
Current log leaders
Conceded:15
Chiefs: 22
Pirates: 20

As you can see, the narrative by your favorite journos & analysts on SS4 out there tells you that Sundowns are weak at the back. They can’t deal with “fast paced” attacks. But, stats presented beg to differ.

This season alone, only AmaZulu have breached Sundowns defense easily. Twice they’ve scored 2 or more goals in the league, & they don’t have the fasted players upfront.

Stop listening to garbage...

At lockdown, Sundowns have conceded just 15 goals with 9 games to go.

Chiefs 17
Pirates 26

2019/20
Finished as champions

Sundowns conceded 22 goals, joint best defensive record.

Chiefs: 27
Pirates 29