Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has revealed what he told his players before their CAF Champions League win over Stade d’Abidjan and at half time of the encounter over the weekend.
Pirates defeated d’Abidjan 3-0 to move to the top of Group C log with eight points, overtaking Al Ahly over their defeat to CR Belouizdad.
Riveiro says it was important for his charges to connect with the 12th man at their fortress from the first whistle, and revealed he told his players about the importance of finishing the day at the summit of the group.
“I think we prepared for the match very well after having an experience against them a few weeks ago,” said Riveiro.
“I think the game was well-prepared and well-executed during the week and today we emphasised a lot about the fact that we are playing at home that we have an opportunity in front of us, like I said to proudly say tonight at this time that we are already in eight points.
“So we want to show from the beginning, we want to connect with the fans early in the game, we want to get their energy in the first minutes. And in order to make it possible here in Orlando we have to attack, we have to go to the goals, we have to force the people to stand up and play the game with us and that’s what we wanted.”
The Spanish mentor added that the half-time talk was a little bit easier, as he emphasised continuation of what the team did in the opening half and adjusting a few things.
“And in the half-time it was an easy one in terms of continuity of the things we were doing in the first half,” added the 49-year-old.
“And not dropping the level, not stopping our intention to continue going to their goal and as usual adjusting a couple of things in terms of spaces completely, we could have been better in the first period.
“But the second half maybe looks a bit better because the opponent is also getting tired and losing a little bit the hope to collect something in the last minutes. But I think the first half was even better than our second half in my opinion.”
