The coach reflects on a 5-1 win for a much-changed side

After his side secured their place in the Taça da Liga Final Four with a 5-1 win over FC Alverca, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges spoke at a press conference to review the game.

The response from a reshuffled side
“These are youngsters who have been developing in the B team, and I want to emphasise the excellent work done by their coach João Gião. Their position in Liga 2 is illustrative of their ability. These are youngsters who have followed the path set out for them, have worked with humility, and have received opportunities because they deserved them. Now they have to come back down to earth. They responded very well to the opportunity, but tomorrow they have to work the same way with the B team. I’m happy to give them opportunities and very happy that [Salvador] Blopa repaid the decision to put him in the starting XI.”

The performance
“I’m very happy with everyone’s response, not just the result. The team kept ‘switched on’, competitive and focused on the task. The collective functioned very well and showed good energy, which made me very happy. I was calm and confident in this sense, because I work with them daily. The day-to-day work at the Academy is excellent and I knew they would respond. I’m happy for the players who needed minutes and that gained this energy to respond in the games to come.”

Keeping cautious for the ‘rematch’ on Friday
“These are two totally different games, because FC Alverca also made some changes for this one. Today’s result was achieved because we were ‘switched on’ from beginning to end and didn’t lose our balance. The two games will be different stories. This was just one victory and Friday is a different story. We have to return with the same energy and rigour to defeat FC Alverca.”

Using Quenda in the position that has been Trincão's this season
“He has those characteristics required: A good left foot, good decision-making, acceleration, and he can hold onto the ball. He's a kid who will occupy this position very well, and it was something I had already been thinking about. He has to be able to bring out different things; it's part of his growth. Honestly, I think in the future he will be more of an inside player than a wide player. He has enormous quality and humility. He will be very successful if he stays true to himself.”

The packed calendar due to the Taça da Liga
“We have to pay attention to this. We have to protect and value our football. I understand the importance of the Taça da Liga, but we have to think better about how to improve, above all, the issue of the fixture list. I am in favour of this trophy existing and giving access to a European spot, otherwise it is devalued. It's up to those in charge, so I won't go into too much detail about it.”

Ambition in the competition
“Sporting CP will always fight for trophies. Because of our quality and history, we are always contenders.”

Flávio Gonçalves
“He’s a young player, just like Blopa. He’s had very good growth in the B team and is improving in terms of his maturity. You could say he’s ‘cheeky’ with the ball, that he likes to have it and doesn’t shy away from the game. He has a bright future ahead of him.”

The impact of Fotis Ioannidis and his competition with Luis Suárez for a starting position
“It’s a big ‘headache’ because they are two great strikers. I’m very happy to be able to use both of them and I know that when one is missing, the other will respond. He gave a fantastic response, he’s happy at Sporting CP and it shows every day. I’m also happy that he scored a goal, because he worked hard and deserved it.”

The various debuts
“Salvador Blopa understood the tasks, the team dynamics, and his relationship with the other players. He gave a great response. He has his own characteristics and will still grow a lot physically. He has to continue with his work. In tactical terms, today he fulfilled his role, but now he will have to continue in the B team to wait for more opportunities here. All the debutants came in and did very well. Rayan trains daily with us, has personality with the ball, and still has to improve in other aspects. Chris [Grombahi] is 17 years old, I've been following him and I liked him; he's very similar to Quenda. He has to realise that he still has a lot of work to do to be a player for the first team, but he had an opportunity. Muniz even contained the FC Alverca striker very well, but credit to the opponents: They scored a great goal. I'm happy with the response these players have shown in the B team, to have given them these opportunities and, even more so, for them living up to expectations."