Al Ahly coach José Riveiro has expressed frustration over missed opportunities following his team’s goalless draw against Inter Miami in their FIFA Club World Cup opener on Saturday.
Jose Riveiro delivered a tactical masterclass, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by Lionel Messi and his high-profile teammates.
Their best chance of the half came in the 41st minute when they were awarded a penalty for Telasco Segovia's foul on Zizo. Unfortunately for Al Ahly, Trezeguet's subsequent effort from the spot was expertly saved by Ustari, keeping the score at 0-0.
“It’s a football game, a game of mistakes,” Jose Riveiro told FIFA.com
We had a decent amount of chances in the first half to put the game in a different space and we put them in a hurry. In the second half we were defending a little lower than what we wanted and then we had some problems in transition with controlling our first pass. It’s like we were playing in Cairo and that was a surprise for me in my first official match with Al Ahly.
“To be here in the States and have it like you were playing at home is something that can probably only happen in this,” added the Al Ahly head coach.
Despite the setback, Riveiro’s tactical setup remained intact, with his players executing the game plan with precision and composure.
The second half witnessed a noticeable shift in momentum, with Inter Miami becoming far more threatening.
The Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy played a major role keeping his side in the game. He stopped Messi’s powerful strike from distance to keep the score goalless.
Just moments after the hour mark, Messi came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock himself. His curling free-kick seemed destined for the back of the net, only to kiss the side-netting, momentarily sparking a mix of confusion and premature celebration among the spectators in the stands.
The former Orlando Pirates coach, who joined Al Ahly shortly before the tournament, has already made a strong impression with his structured approach and ability to compete against elite opposition on the global stage.
Al Ahly are next in action against Palmeiras on Thursday, 19 June at 18:00 at the MetLife Stadium.
