The coach analyses the league win over FC Alverca

Following the victory against FC Alverca, Rui Borges talked about both the positive result and the upcoming away game against Juventus.

Iván Fresneda's injury
"Iván suffered a sprain. We will see the severity of the injury in the coming days."

Analysis of the game
"We created scoring opportunities, but today we lacked some inspiration in our finishing. We had 26 or 27 shots throughout the game, which shows our ability to get into the final third, but Pedro Gonçalves was the player who was the most inspired and ended up making it 2-0 with a great shot. We were quite competent and managed to neutralise FC Alverca, who didn't cause us any problems. Ousmane Diomande and Gonçalo Inácio were very switched on, without any lapses in concentration.
In the second half we wanted to start well. We didn't score in the first ten minutes as we wanted, but with the substitutions we tried to put more men into the area, especially since FC Alverca defended with a line of five -sometimes six. The team didn't give up, we brought Pote back deeper, despite Simões' excellent work, and we were rewarded."

Pedro Gonçalves returning to his best
"A few days ago they were saying that Pote wasn't at his best. He has better stats in fewer games than last year. For me, he's in his best form, I already said that last week. Sometimes he misses a pass or whatever, but that's part of the game. I'd say the same about [Francisco] Trincão: I think he's in the best stage of his career. It doesn't surprise me. The biggest challenge for both of them – who have already won everything and have been here for many years – is not to fall into monotony or complacency, but neither of them settles for anything. They are players who always want themselves and the team to be at their best."

The absence of Ricardo Mangas
"[Ricardo] Mangas had a great game on Tuesday, but unfortunately I can only bring twenty players into the squad. It was a tactical decision."

The team's performance
"The changes were made to try and shake things up. Geny [Catamo] was having some difficulties in one-on-one situations, but he performed well in the first half. The idea was to bring on players with different characteristics. [Geovany] Quenda was able to give us more balls into the box. These are strategies we thought could work, and so we tried to change them. It was strategic, not due to a lack of performance.
Here and there we could have had more energy; we let the game settle into a tepid spell, but even so, we created chances and didn't let the opponents break through. Even for me, as a coach, it's difficult to face the same opponents three days after a first game against them. We tried our best to work on that aspect, because we knew that Alverca would want to leave a different impression this time. They were committed, and it was difficult. I'm happy as long as there is attitude, and the players had it. I am very confident after seeing the team's ability throughout the game and the very large offensive flow we created."

Finishing
"Over time, we've been trying to improve and enhance individual characteristics in the creative process, so as not to be predictable and to create difficulties for the opposition. If we finished every chance we created, we'd always win 8-0. It's a matter of moments: We might be more or less inspired and score more or fewer goals. In Tuesday's game, we finished better, but perhaps we had fewer opportunities. I would be worried if we weren't able to create chances, but we've been doing that in every game. We've been consistent, and that makes us happy.
Now we need to gain better defensive skills, and be more prepared to stop transitions. We've been improving in that respect too. We're working harder and harder to be more consistent."

Fotis Ioannidis and Luis Suárez
"I like them both. They are both in very good form. They always deliver, playing separately or together. We are much stronger in that sense and it's a big headache for me, I have no doubt about that. I'm happy because they are two very competitive players, who don't give an inch, and I'm happy to have both of them in my team. I want them to keep delivering and scoring goals, as that's what we and the fans expect.
Fotis gives us more attacking depth, Luis provides support and aggression. They are two great strikers that we have, who will make their mark at Sporting CP."

Effort Management
"Honestly, this is the part that worries me the least. Regardless of what we are capable of doing in Turin, these are games where the players will be highly motivated and engaged. It's about recovering well and then, within the context of the game, making the best decisions for the starting eleven and during the match.
What makes it most difficult for us is the Juventus FC game; a new coach has arrived for them, with different ideas, and we will only have one match to analyse Luciano Spaletti's style. This makes things very difficult for us strategically. When there's a change of coach, there's also a change in mindset. They're playing at home, they're a great team, but my players will all be fine, I'm sure."