The coach talks ahead of the game against CF Estrela da Amadora

Sporting Clube de Portugal will host CF Estrela da Amadora on Sunday, on Liga Portugal Matchday 12. Before the game, Rui Borges previewed the contest.

CF Estrela da Amadora
"We expect to be up against a very competitive team. They have a new coach and are searching for their best identity and game plan. They still have a line of five in defence and use a line of three when building up play. They've also opted for a line of four and we believe that this is their coach's idea. They are coming off a win and a draw, they are more motivated, and now they have had more time to work on their dynamic. They have many new, different players. They are the team with the second most long balls played, and they are effective off crosses. They will try to create danger for us and we have to be prepared for that. They give away few opportunities to the opposition and, playing at home, we want to keep up our energy and quality of play.

Reaching 50 games in charge of Sporting CP
"It makes me happy. It's a milestone as the leader of a great club and a great team -and on our path as a coaching staff. It makes me even happier to think of everything we have been able to achieve in these 50 games. We became back-to-back league champions, we won the Taça de Portugal and we are increasingly leaving our mark on the club. It motivates me to reach at least another 50 games in charge of Sporting CP. The work we've done has been paying off for us."

The return of Pedro Gonçalves
"He's in the squad and ready for the game. He's 100% fit and, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute, he's very important to the group. He's had a fantastic start to the season and I hope he get back to how he was, especially since the break he had -thankfully-, wasn't very long. He's a player we turn to and someone our opponents also focus on."

Games after the match against CF Estrela da Amadora
"The focus is CF Estrela da Amadora. We don't talk about anything else. It's the next game for us, and our 'Champions League' is the domestic league. We had a great game in the UEFA Champions League, but now it's time to focus on CF Estrela da Amadora. That's the message, and nothing else is being discussed."

His choice of starters
"Everyone respects each other and that makes my job much easier. It's natural that they always want to play 90 minutes and we have to be able to deal with that in the best way. This respect we have helps a lot with controlling that. I'm calm."

Sporting CP's offensive prowess
"We are a big club and the Portuguese champions. Naturally, whether it's with me or any other coach, we have a greater offensive power than almost all other teams. It's important to realise that we have to continue on this path and improve in this area -both the players and the coaching staff. It's something that defines a big club, and we still have to grow in the individual and collective aspects of the team."

The fixture list
"We have played less than 48 hours after the previous game before, and we're not complaining about it. It is what it is; that's the schedule. FC Porto postponed their game before and will have it now. Back then, we played a game without much rest, we changed 11 players in our starting lineup, and fortunately we responded. We need to find solutions more than anything. Players want to play, not train."