The coach reflects on the 3-3 draw with Rio Ave FC

After the draw at home to Rio Ave FC (3-3), Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim spoke in a press conference to analyse the match, acknowledging that his team “never had very much control."

“Rio Ave FC are very well organised. They were closer to their true level and we didn't reach ours. We conceded a goal very quickly, but then we took charge of the game, we created chances, we got the equaliser and took the lead, but we can't concede a goal like we did just before half time. It happened with BSC Young Boys and it happened again here. It was a decisive moment in the game," he considered, before mentioning that in the second half the team lacked finishing.

“We needed to play better. We were still looking for the winning goal until the end. It was a difficult game where we should -and could- have played better. A big club have to win almost every game to be champions. We didn't handle the pressure, we had a bad day and we came up against a better Rio Ave FC. There are games like this.”

Despite the less positive result, Amorim reaffirmed his confidence in his players.

“We are a team when we win and we are also a team when we lose. In the next game we have to be at our best, that is our mentality. We have bad days, but we have to look for good days,” he stated, before talking about the substitutions he was forced to make.

"Gonçalo Inácio went off at halftime due to injury. He felt a twinge in his leg and will now be evaluated. Francisco Trincão, suffered a knock. Both are likely to be out for the next game,” he said, referring to the derby against SL Benfica for the Taça de Portugal.

“We feel bad about the result. We had won several games and the group are upset because they know we can do better. But this draw in Vila do Conde will have no impact on the derby. It's a different story and a different competition and we will be prepared for the game."