Oriol Riera ready for long-awaited Sydney derby win

Having come of age in Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Oriol Riera knows a thing or two about rivalry. 

But despite scoring twice in four Sydney derby appearances, the Spaniard is yet to taste success in Western Sydney Wanderers most important fixture.

The striker didn't take long to find his feet against the Sky Blues, heading home just three minutes into his first game against them. 

Personal heroics aside however, the Wanderers haven't been able to reverse their poor form against their biggest rival since Riera's arrival having won just one of the last 13 Sydney derbies. 

After claiming a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory last week, Western Sydney look to still be finding their feet under new coach Markus Babbel, but Riera is adamant they are ready to take down the Sky Blues despite plenty of work still being needed. 

"We are ready," Riera said at a La Liga event on Wednesday. 

"We are ready to fight and to compete.

"We have to improve many things."

Having resisted a contract offer from a second-division Spanish side over the off-season, Riera is hoping his loyalty will be rewarded with some derby delight.

Key to those hopes will be German attacking midfielder Alexander Baumjohann, who Riera almost combined with to score the winner against Glory. 

While unable to keep his shot down, Riera was full of praise for Baumjohann. 

"We signed one of the best players," he said.

"He can make the difference - for us he's more than just a player."

While the Barcelona product has one lingering eye on an upcoming El Clasico on Monday morning (AEDT), Riera's sights will be set firmly on a first Sydney derby win come Saturday night.