Newly appointed Al Ahly coach Jose Riveiro has detailed how he plans to guide the team at the FIFA Club World Cup, with their first game being against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
The Egyptian Premier League giants will lock horns with Miami on June 15 before facing off against Palmeiras of Brazil, and FC Porto from Portugal.
This will be the first official match for the Spanish tactician since joining the club from South African outfit Orlando Pirates last month.
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The 49-year-old coach has noted that the Red Devils boast immense talent and are ready to compete and represent the African continent well in the United States of America.
Moreover, Riveiro is aware of the pressure coming with coaching a club of Ahly's calibre, although he has instead for him it's normal to lose some competitions.
"I love the pressure of the fans, and it's normal to lose some titles, but the most important thing is to return to competition. Al Ahly is special because it always has a large fan base, and they are one of the reasons for the team's success. We're trying to focus on the Club World Cup," Riveiro said on Al Ahly TV, as quoted by Tahiamasr.
"Our focus will be on the opening matches of the Club World Cup, and we will be thinking about the match against Inter Miami. We must win the opening match, as it will give the team a huge morale boost.
"The first group in the Club World Cup is tough and strong, and Al Ahly can compete against the teams in the group stage, in addition to the possibility of the team reaching the furthest point in the tournament. We have studied the entire team in the recent period and are trying to develop playing methods for each match," explained the Vigo-born mentor.
"I respect Lionel Messi, he is a special player, and Palmeiras of Brazil is a strong team and we will take steps in the tournament. Football for me is like a scene and there must be aesthetics for the fans to be with us. We want to play well in addition to achieving victory. I want to play and perform together, and this is my understanding of football and I want to play with a continuous attack.
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"I am a calm person in general, but not all the time. There are times when I get nervous and I am intense and serious and I do not like to be violent. A good person must deal with pressure. We will play in the Club World Cup match by match and we will play with all enthusiasm," he continued.
"I cannot imagine being in the World Cup so quickly. We will go to the tournament because we represent Egypt and I will strive to reach the farthest point possible and I believe that we will pass the group stage."
