The coach previews the match against Arsenal

In the lead-up to the UEFA Champions League quarter final clash against Arsenal, Rui Borges highlighted the ambition held by Sporting Clube de Portugal to continue making history in the competition.

The objective
"What we want is to make the dream a reality. We want to continue, in some way, to mark our path individually and collectively, and to mark the history of a great club like Sporting CP. We hope -and believe- that we can continue to do something extraordinary and, therefore, the help of our fans will be very important. I want them to make Alvalade a magical place once again. They will be very important if we are to overcome a great Arsenal side."

Viktor Gyökeres
"He's a great player, but we focus on the collective. Arsenal are a team full of individual talents, and any lapse from us could make the difference. We know what Viktor is capable of doing. He's a great player, and great players, no matter how well we know them, can always make a difference."

Favourites in the tie
"I think that, at this stage of the Champions League, you can't make anyone a favourite. These are two great teams competing in an advanced knockout round of the competition. We are two teams that have had a positive journey. Arsenal have nine wins in ten games in this competition, but they are up against a Sporting CP side that have only won at home, who finished among the Top 8 when nobody expected it.

There will be respect from both sides. Each team have their ideas, virtues, and flaws. There is no clear favourite, but I believe that our fans can make a small difference in us beating a team who are among the three best sides in Europe."

This being a good time to face Arsenal
"I don't believe that it is, especially because they are a great team -and great teams want to win everything. In some way, they come in wounded by the elimination, will be focused and want to show their ability. Honestly, I think it makes our job even more difficult. But they will also come up against a very motivated team, who believe we are capable of doing something extraordinary, that has never been done by Sporting CP."

The fight for the Liga Portugal title affecting performance in the Champions League
"Sporting CP will always want to be competitive in all competitions, but our 'Champions League' is the domestic league. It's our main objective. Now, we will fight to continue to do something different. The collective have given that response, the great group we have. Tomorrow, whoever plays, will again provide a great response. We will dignify the club and have a good game."

Ousmane Diomande vs. Viktor Gyökeres
"They are two very competitive players, and it's natural that, at some point, there was a 'spark' between them -in the good sense of the word. They have above-average intensity, but to stop Viktor, we have four great centre-backs who are capable of responding."

The most recent game against Arsenal
"The focus is on the present, not last year, in order for us to achieve an increasingly better and more remarkable future. I repeat, we are two great teams, but in different phases and different seasons. Arsenal are perhaps even stronger than last year. Sporting CP are a very competitive team, and tomorrow we won't deviate from our plan. We know the difficulties we will face."

Strategy
"I'm not going to talk about the strategy, because otherwise Arsenal would know everything we will do. They are a team that have some variability, depending not only on the midfielders, but also on the wingers. We have to be very focused collectively, even more so than individually. These are totally different games and the level of focus and rigour have to be even greater. This Arsenal team, in a millisecond, can make us pay dearly. I believe, above all, that we will be prepared for that."

The reception for Viktor Gyökeres
"He's a player who will certainly be well received by all of us. He made history at Sporting CP, in the Portuguese league, and deserves this recognition from everyone.

There's no resentment. I try to be a well balanced person. He was an important player for us, and everyone has a great friendship with him. I understand his ambition, and we ended up reaching a good understanding for both parties. Everything was as it should have been, in a minimally correct way for Sporting CP and for the player. It's natural that he wanted to take this step in his career, and we respect that.

That's football: Today you're here, tomorrow you're gone. Only the club doesn't change. Players change, coaches change, but Sporting CP will continue winning and being a great club in Europe. I wish him the best of luck in the world, because my admiration for him is great."

Lack of faith in Gyökeres in England
"I believe he went through an adaptation period in the initial phase of the season, due to the style of play in England and the Arsenal philosophy. Because of all his individual characteristics, he needed to adapt, but he's back to what he does well, which is scoring goals.

Viktor had a big impact in terms of goals and, with him not being able to score them, given his transfer fee, it's natural that the fans were initially sceptical. But the truth always comes out. He will continue scoring goals, wherever he is."

Sporting CP lacking a great European campaign before
"I believe it's a process. It's part of Sporting CP's growth at all levels. Things naturally unfold when the club is well-structured. Everyone knows the way forward, and there are detours and obstacles, but it's about being able to overcome them and keep going. If everything is well-connected and understood by everyone, this growth will be noticeable year after year. It was all a matter of time, and I believe it will be even better in the future."