Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has seemingly learned valuable lessons about his team without Patrick Maswanganyi.
Pirates had a different tactical plan against Mamelodi Sundowns in the league, a game they won 2-1 before the FIFA break.
They were surprisingly too defensive in that fixture, unusual for Riveiro to set up his team to play on transitions, especially with three centre-backs in Tapelo Xoki, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
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However, a closer look reveals that the Spaniard had no choice but to resort to defensive tactics following the injury of Maswanganyi prior to the top-of-the-table clash.
The side is not the same without 'Tito' going forward, and Riveiro lined up the same way against MC Alger, in risky tactics of playing with three centre-backs, that almost backfired had the Algerian side converted their chances.
"It's a positive start for us. We knew we are coming to (Alger) to suffer, probably not be the team we're used to be when we are in possession, when we are on the ball, in our league," Riveiro said in his post-match press conference at 5 July 1962 Stadium.
"Champions League is a different story, especially when you play away from home. So, we were a little bit pragmatic in our approach, with the three centre-backs. Did we concede many (chances)? I think we had two actions in the first-half, one in the second-half, where the opponent was close to get a goal.
"But it's normal, this is a quarter-finals, the best eight teams in the continent right now, we knew we would come here to suffer. Our centre-backs and a goalkeeper in certain moments, that's football," he continued.
"It's not the scenario we would like to experience all the time, to spend a lot of time out of possession, but I'm so proud of the application of the boys, the capacity to be resilient in difficult moments and again, to get a good result here against all odds."
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The scenario that Riveiro does not like, is arguably not having a capable replacement for Maswanganyi, which has forced his hand to play with their backs against the wall.
The skillful midfielder could return for the second leg at Orlando Stadium next Wednesday, where Ezimnyama are will be expected to take the game to Alger.