Despite ultimately suffering a 4-3 defeat to the Bundesliga giants, Sundowns caught the attention of pundits and crowds alike with their style and tenacity.

Ribeiro's solo goal at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati was also widely praised, and despite his individual brilliance coming to the fore, the Brazilian forward insisted he is happy the team has not shied away from competing as they do back home.

"We always have the confidence, my brother. I'm very happy that I scored the goal and gave an assist for Iqraam [Rayners] to score a goal, but I don't only speak about myself, I speak about the group," said Ribeiro.

"We played very well, we fought together and for me the most important thing is that the team plays the same way we do in South Africa, and we've come here and didn't change how we play, so I'm very happy for the team."

On a more personal note, Ribeiro added that he was looking forward to facing a topflight club from his native country of Brazil for the first time.

"For me it's a special game because it's my first time playing against a team from Brazil, and of course we have to play to win this game, which is very difficult just like it was against Dortmund," he added.

"But I think the team is relaxed, we're not putting that in our minds. But we know the level is very high, so the players are fully focussed on this game."

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