Orlando Pirates caretaker coach Augusto Palacios explains the reason behind his tactical changes during his side’s 2-1 defeat against Maritzburg United on Tuesday.

The 64-year-old has now explained the reason behind using all three of his substitutes before the hour mark, declaring that his side needed a fresh pair of legs after going down 2-0 against the Team of Choice.

‘Obvious, you either lose by three or you equalise or you win the game, you can’t wait because time is going,’ Palacios after the game.

‘This is simple in football, you can’t wait too long, so I needed to make the three substitutions [because we were 2-0 down].’

Palacios believes his side lack in concentration led to his side conceding a goal in the second half of the match but has urged his players to take responsibility at defending set-pieces.

‘In the practice, we knew the strengths of Maritzburg, we knew [they are strong] on set-pieces, we indicate players by name, who picks up who, but it’s the responsibility of the players to do it,’ He added.

‘I can’t do more to practise and to indicate the organisation at set-pieces. If their player has a free header it’s a player’s responsibility to pick him up.

‘We controlled [the game] well in the first half but in the second half there was no focus, no concentration … it happens, it happens.’

Orlando Pirates will next take on Bloemfontein Celtic in the Absa Premiership on December 20.

The match at Orlando Stadium kicks off at 19:00.