Jose Riveiro adjusts to new reality at Orlando Pirates

The Buccaneers returned home with a 1-0 advantage, courtesy of a goal from striker Zakhele Lepasa, ahead of the second match in Soweto tomorrow night.  Riveiro relived the moments of his first experience in continental football. 

"It's different. The way we organise things is key, all we do before and after the games is to take care of the small details, [i.e.] guarantee that the players can rest, travel safely, and travel as quickly as possible. All of those things are going to play a relevant role in our performance. It is something new for me, but I was already more than well-instructed before the competition started", he told the media.  

Due to the challenges of returning home, Pirates had to postpone their DStv Premiership game against Moroka Swallows. A sign of what’s to come should Riveiro lead them to the group stages at the very least. 

"Even though I got a lot of info from my players, from the coaching staff, or many people around myself to prepare for the competition that requires you a different type of mindset. You have to be ready to react to adapt yourself to many different circumstances. 

"The first leg was not an exception, and now we play at home. [Yes] we have a goal advantage, but it doesn't mean that we are already in the next round. We need to be serious tomorrow, face the game with a big ambition to show that we can do much more", said Riveiro who's in his second season with the club. 

The Spaniard earned a lot of plaudits for winning two trophies and securing qualification for the Champions League for the first time in four years.

With the fixture list obviously congested considering thier participation in five competitions over the course of the season, up from three the previous season, he was queried about the players' mental state. 

"We don't see a reason why we can not win every game. If you have that kind of mentality, you need to make sure you are competitive and you can set your mind to complete every two to three games with the responsibility to win. Not only to play and try to do your best. We know going to a game and trying to do our best is not enough.”