The coach looks at the meeting with Rio Ave FC

To close out 2025, Sporting CP play at the Estádio José Alvalade against Rio Ave FC this Sunday in Liga Portugal action. On the eve of the match, coach Rui Borges held a press conference to preview the contest.

The dangers posed by Rio Ave FC as visitors
“Regarding Rio Ave FC, and whether they are more vulnerable without Clayton, I give as an example the game away to Benfica where they drew: Neither Clayton nor André Luiz were starters, and they are the two players who are most talked about at this stage of the season and have been the most impactful. This speaks volumes about Rio Ave FC, a team that will create some difficulties for us. Away from home, they only lost in Moreira de Cónegos, and drew at Luz and in Famalicão. This shows their competitiveness when playing away. If we think we're going to score a goal just by waiting, then we're wrong. We have to be serious and rigorous in our approach, as we were with Vitória SC."

Options for the match
“Maxi Araújo is doubtful because he's feeling ill. Debast and Dani are still in the process of reaching their best level. At the right time they will be solutions for us, but not right now. Hjulmand, who is close to serving a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards, will play. There's no need to manage the approach based on cards, because the most important game is this one against Rio Ave FC, which is the next one. When one player is unavailable, another will play and they will respond. It has been like that up to now, and will continue to be so.”

The motivation to win three titles in a row
“My players already have enough fuel for motivation. Their greatest ambition, as was evident in some of their interviews during these last few days, is to achieve something very important that will mark the history of Sporting CP: The 'Tricampeonato.' It is the greatest motivation we have. We want to win the league again and be part of the club's history. It's natural that everyone wants to beat a winning team, and our group are the two-time champions. It's natural that there is this noise created around the champions, and our group feels it, like any other team would. Is it motivation? I believe that at some point, yes, it becomes part of it, because we keep hearing and reading things. In my teamtalks I don't use it much; I use more the fact that they are good, that they are the best."

The January transfer window
“If someone joins, it will be because everything is done in a well-structured and thoughtful way, always with a perspective for the future, and not because we have injuries or players at the African Cup of Nations. It’s natural that there’s more talk about the winger position because of Quenda’s injury and Geny’s absence, but the adaptations have been good and have provided solutions. I’m not worried. We’ll see what the market can offer us. It will be down to whether we have the capacity, think it’s the best time and it's someone who will immediately add something to the group. All these factors are important.”

President Frederico Varandas’ statements after the victory in Guimarães
“It was the president’s opinion, and I also already said what I had to say about that game [against CD Santa Clara]. The president told me right away on the plane, and I only saw the footage then. It’s always a matter of criteria; I’ve seen them be given and also not be given."

His happiest and most challenging days at Sporting CP
“I haven’t had any difficult days, only happy days. Even when I didn’t win or we lost a trophy, I was happy to be there competing and to be at Sporting CP. I’m very positive. It’s difficult to say just one happiest day. The day of the presentation is memorable for us, the coaching staff, and also the two days where we won trophies, because the title is the dream of any coach -and winning the cup, especially because my parents were in the stadium. I would say those three days.”

João Simões
“The biggest challenge is down to him. He is a very mature boy and this is also recognised by his colleagues, but he has a lot to do to grow. He is very focused, he knows he will make mistakes, but he is ready to make mistakes again and learn. He will have a bright future.”