Jose Riveiro’s first match in charge of Swedish club AIK Stockholm ended in a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Västerås in the first of their Swedish Cup group matches.
Some six weeks away from the start of the new league season, AIK lost their opening tie in the cup, where they play three matches over three weeks to determine who advances to the quarterfinals as group winners.
Västerås were promoted to the Swedish top flight this season and were 2-0 up after 39 minutes away in Stockholm.
Former Pirates coach Riveiro insisted afterwards that there was nothing to be concerned about this early in the new season.
“It may be strange to sit here and tell you that everything is calm at this point in the season,” he told reporters after Sunday’s loss.
“There is still a long way to go. It is my responsibility to make sure that the team looks better after each week.
“The guys are doing an incredible job. I can't ask for more from the players. We will try to help the players get better week after week.”
The new AIK coach found positives in his team's performances despite the loss.
“We're at a point in the season where everything is really a question mark,” added Riveiro.
“We took our first steps together today. We know enough and are experienced enough to understand that these early results cannot dictate how we approach the rest of the game.
“I am happy to see the way the team tried to dominate the game at times. Even when we were 2-0 down, the players avoided the temptation to push harder towards the goal. We tried to create the kind of football we want to play.
“In the end, it's about the small details. Today Västerås were better than us in those moments. This game is over now. We can't win it anymore. We have to continue with the things we know we are already doing well and of course improve the things we are not strong enough at yet,” the ex-Buccaneers boss added.