The coach looks back on the 2-2 draw with SL Benfica

In his press conference after Sporting CP's 2-2 draw with SL Benfica, coach Rúben Amorim analysed that his players put in a solid performance at the Estádio da Luz, but that they lacked better control when leading the game.

“Above all, we were up against a great team. We need to have the same consistency over the full 90 minutes that we had in certain periods, especially in the first half hour. That takes time with a team that has had changes made and that has young and new players. That's what was missing -maintaining consistency,” he began by saying.

“We twice lost the lead from moves from SL Benfica that we had prepared for, but we were up against very good players. We knew that Gonçalo Ramos runs to the near post a lot and that's what he did to make it 1-1. Still, the way we handled the game and attacked, even after conceding, demonstrates that the team are sometimes a bit bipolar, which has a lot to do with experience. In order to keep performing as we did at the start of the game, experience is needed and these players will acquire that."

Amorim also underlined that his team "always try to win the game, and as a result, I leave here frustrated, but confident because a coach has to look to the present and the future. There are things we can take from this to make players grow, and in that respect I am satisfied, but we should have won because we needed it more than SL Benfica."

"Both teams had a lot of respect for each other.That can be seen from the opportunities that came at the end, with us attacking in transition and SL Benfica in a different way. It's in the DNA of both teams to always want to win , but there was respect for each other."

The commented on Youssef Chermiti's debut for the first team, showing satisfaction with the performance from the 18-year-old.

“We are discussing a new contract with Chermiti and if he signs, I won't look for another forward. He, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Paulinho are my forwards. From what I saw of him today, you have my word that if he re-signs, I won't look for another striker. Everyone gets their time because the club's project is long-term."

In closing, Amorim looked at the standings, and is refusing to throw in the towel.

"Nothing is lost. It's true that we are getting further and further away from the UEFA Champions League places, but we were already nine points behind SC Braga before and managed to close the gap. We have to go game-by-game and look on the positive side, because anything is possible."