Riera kicked off his second season in Red and Black last week in the Wanderers 1-1 draw with Perth Glory. The Spaniard has made himself a fan favourite in Western Sydney and is keen on derby delight when they meet the Sky Blues in the 20th edition of the Sydney blockbuster. 

"It is a different game," said Riera. "It's that one game that is about the passion and not just about the players but the fans.

"The Sydney Derby is another level to the Melbourne derby for me." 

With skills nurtured in Barcelona's prestigious football nursery La Masia followed by a career in La Liga, Riera grew up with the spectacle and passion of city rivalries. 

"Everything during the week is different," said Reira. "If you have a bad result, you feel so bad about the game, but if you win, you are like a god!

"It's the feeling when I played against Real Madrid (at youth level) and in Spain. You don't need motivation – you just go out there and you fight." 

Riera has already made his mark on the derby in his short time in the A-League, scoring twice in three meetings with his Sky Blue counterparts. 

The Spaniard believes Western Sydney Wanderers fans provide the greatest atmosphere in the league and gives him another reason to ensure he is the best he can be on derby day. 

"I don't feel pressure in the game," Riera said. "The only thing i am nervous about is thinking what result are we going to get?

"You have to have respect for the game because it is a massive game, not just for us but for the fans. For this I know I have to give 100%. 

"It's not about any negatives, that is a positive because it is a massive game."

He's confident the side has turned around since their FFA Cup derby defeat and a flat first half against Perth Glory in their season opener last weekend which saw them rally in the second 45.

"We have been improving in every game since the Bonnyrigg match," he said. "If you look at the semi-final against Sydney, we were very good in the first half.

"We know the level, we are very positive and need to be ready for a fight." 

Riera said Sydney FC's loss of Trent Buhagiar – ruled out for the season with an ACL injury following his goal in the Sydney Derby semi-final – will have an impact. 

He added: "I think Sydney have a very good squad. Anyone in their team can compete at the level and they have lost a great player. 

"Sydney go forward all the time and he is quick and very good in the final third, they have lost an important part of attack which is his forward runs."