Jose Riveiro: Orlando Pirates Won't Do Anything Different Vs Pyramids

Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says his team will stick to the same approach against Egypts Pyramids FC that has brought them success in this seasons CAF Champions League CAFCL so far.

The Buccaneers host Pyramids at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 19 April. Kick-off for the first-leg semifinal game is 18:00.

Pirates have been impressive, remaining the only unbeaten side in the competition thus far. They booked their spot in their first CAFCL semifinal since 2013 after beating Algerias MC Alger 1-0 over two legs in the quarterfinals.

Pyramids have similarly had a spirited run, overcoming Moroccan giants FAR Rabat 4-3 on aggregate despite slipping 2-0 in their second-leg quarterfinal clash.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Riveiro said Champions League games are difficult to approach because of the level of the opponents.

"There is no time to breathe when you are on the bench, and you have to try - and sometimes you cannot even do it - to help the players tactically. Lots of things are happening in every minute of the game, he explained.

"So, that tells you about the rhythm and that is the difference between the leagues in the end. The amount of time that you have to think and execute one action is different in the domestic league and in the Champions League.

The tactician added that teams in the continental tourney have different capacities tactically and technically. However, the Bucs have so far managed to be at that level and compete very well in that space, he said.

"So, tomorrow, we are not going to do anything that we didn't try before, or we don't know we can do already, Riveiro explained.

"The most important thing in sport, in competitions, is to have the confidence and not only the quality, not only the preparation.