The coach gives his preview of Matchday 7

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit GD Estoril Praia this Saturday for their seventh game of the Liga Portugal season, and coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.

What to expect from GD Estoril Praia
"They're a team that had a good season in 2024/25. They like to have the ball, and play with an attacking, pressing style. At home, they're even stronger and more dangerous. They have good players who can make a difference. They haven't been able to convert the opportunities they've created into goals, either due to misfortune or merit on the part of the opposition. They're one of the teams who have the most possession, which clearly demonstrates their coach's approach. They are very dynamic. We can't let them gain confidence and try to take control of the game. It's a tough match, and let's hope the weather helps us out, because it's a pitch where the wind can make things difficult."

Ousmane Diomande, Geny Catamo, and Rui Silva
"All three are fit, but Diomande won't play. Rui and Geny are in the squad. Fortunately, we have them all available, including Diomande -who is in the process of being reintegrated but won't play. (...) If everything goes as planned, he'll be ready for the next game."

The team’s performance
"I'm very pleased with the team's performance in every game, but of course there's always room for improvement -whether defensively, offensively, or tactically. There's always room for growth and a lot to improve. We must strive to become even better and never show satisfaction with what we've achieved. We must strive for more and to be better, and that's the spirit of this team."

Possible rotations with future games in mind
"I'm only thinking about GD Estoril Praia. I really want to win the game, which is against a different kind of opponent. Later on is when we'll think about SSC Napoli and, after that, SC Braga."

Pedro Gonçalves and Francisco Trincão
"Regarding their contract renewals, I don't know anything about it. I'm not getting involved in it. Would I like it to happen? Yes, both me, the club and the fans would. They've been very important players in these years in which Sporting CP have enjoyed successes. What I know is that they're happy and they show it. They have joy and passion in playing for Sporting CP; it's evident in the performance by each member of the team. They're having a great start to the season, and it's not just them but the collective."

A difficult series of matches
"We have to be able to respond. Looking at the team makes me confident and comfortable. Everyone has been performing fantastically. I feel that the squad, not just 11 players, are switched on. They know that at any moment they can be a solution and get the opportunity they're hoping for."

The goalkeeping situation
"I'm very comfortable with any one of them playing. I don't need to say much about Rui Silva, who was so important in our achievements last season. He started the season well, came back from playing with the national team, and had a short break. We have to hope he feels as comfortable as possible. João Virgínia has responded excellently, which is what we expected when we signed him. I'm happy to have both of them, and we'll see who will play soon."

Giorgi Kochorashvili, Georgios Vagiannidis, and Fotis Ioannidis
"[Giorgi Kochorashvili] is adapting. Regarding his performance and what he's been able to give the team, with his strengths, I'm happy. We expect and want much more from him, as does he, but he's still adapting, just like Georgios Vagiannidis and Fotis Ioannidis. Georgios Vagiannidis has been very good, but he can be even better. These are players fitting into a team with its own dynamics, with many players who have been kept on from past seasons. They've been growing, little by little, and that's why they play and have opportunities.

A full week off
"Sometimes, these weeks are a bit tricky. We have to rest the players, which is important for the games coming up. You can always train something. Last season, I said that weeks with a lot of games and little training time were a challenge for me. Fortunately, I'm at a great club with a fantastic day-to-day structure. Everyone helps each other, and my adaptation has been very good. We can always work in different ways. The team are well aware of our behaviour, and sometimes it's the little things that can make a difference."

The Taça de Portugal draw
"We will have a game against a good team, one that play in Liga Portugal 2, but are very competitive at home and in front of their fans. They're used to spending many years in the top flight. It will be a tough game in a competition where we want to defend our trophy. At a club like this, all we can think about is winning. To do that, we have to overcome several obstacles. It starts now in Paços de Ferreira."

Viktor Gyökeres's Gerd Müller Trophy win and acceptance speech
"Everyone deserves credit, including me. Above all, I'm happy for him. He deserves it for everything he was able to give us over those two years. I expected nothing less from Viktor Gyökeres in his acceptance speech. He's an extraordinary player, but also a very well balanced and sensible person. Outside of how he is as a player, he's very humble, and a friend. I expected nothing less than the gratitude he gave to his teammates and the Sporting CP structure. It was more than deserved."