The coach previews the Taça de Portugal final

The Taça de Portugal final will be played this Sunday at Jamor, kicking off at 5:15pm. After eliminating FC Paços de Ferreira, AC Marinhense, CD Santa Clara, AVS Futebol Sad, and FC Porto along the way, Sporting Clube de Portugal now go up against SCU Torreense in their attempt to win their 19th such trophy.

Coach Rui Borges spoke to the media before the contest.

Sporting CP deserving to win the Taça de Portugal
"Fairness is relative. It depends on who is looking at it and how the game will be, but I do think the group deserve to be in this final, to fight for the trophy and to win it. We will have to do a lot to win; it's no use saying we deserve it, we have to demonstrate it on the pitch, against a team that will give their all, at an historic time for the club and for most of the players. We have to be prepared for the demands of the game, regardless of whether they're in a lower division or not. They have demonstrated their quality throughout the season. Just this week, against a team from the Primeira Liga, they showed that, and it will serve as a warning for what we will encounter tomorrow. The group deserve it, for everything they've done this season. We deserve it, just as SCU Torreense will say that they deserve it."

Reaching a second consecutive final
"It makes me happy, but above all I'm pleased about the season. I think everything we did was very good. We didn't manage to win the title, and even today I told the players that it wasn't enough for us to be the same as last season to be champions again. We were almost identical to last season and it wasn't enough, but that doesn't erase what they all did. The team showed a lot of collective quality throughout the season and did so consistently, in all competitions as. We have to show on the pitch that we deserve to finish the season with a trophy."

SCU Torreense being in the middle of the promotion playoffs
“These are games in which, without a doubt, coach Tralhão doesn't need to motivate the players. There won't be fatigue, the motivation they have will be high, and it will make our task more difficult. That's why we have to be very serious. They're a team that have shown quality, they're coming off seven games unbeaten and have only conceded three goals, which clearly indicates their quality in duels and their defensive competitiveness. We have to be very focused on our individual and collective performance.”

Respect for the opposition making it difficult to feel like favourites
“We have to be serious and not take things lightly. The level of pressure at this club is constant, and nothing is better than that. It's a positive pressure that we all like. We don't consider ourselves favourites, because to be in a final, both teams have to have their merits. We respect that, and I have experience in that regard. I've been through all levels of football and I know very well what it means to be in a final at Jamor and play against great teams. I know the difficulties that the so-called smaller teams pose the favourites. I don't see SCU Torreense as a team that are in a lower division, especially since they are fighting to get promoted to the Primeira Liga."

The most difficult game to prepare
“The hardest thing would be watching it on television at home. I'm happy to be able to play in another final, and am taking it with the utmost seriousness. Just look at our path in the Taça de Portugal and the league, where we dropped points against teams that were already relegated. The games that stress me the most are those in the cup, because I know how difficult it is to face lower-level teams and how hard it is to win those games.”

The absence of Fotis Ioannidis:
“He's not fit for the game. I could say he's 100 percent recovered, but he hasn't fully integrated into training with us yet. Given everything that happened during his time out, it was best not to bring him back yet. I'm sure he'll start next season at 100 percent, and that will also be important for him and for us.”

The summer transfer market
“There's a lot of talk. "We can talk about Zalazar, and I've already spoken about him, as have the club. As for the rest, it's up to journalists. It's part of football, we have to be aware of what's happening, but one thing is certain: Everything here is done rigorously and with a lot of communication. We are aligned with what we want for next season and, in that aspect, the club are being fantastic.”

Possible departures
“I would like to keep everybody. I wish Morita weren't leaving, that Quenda weren't leaving, but that's how the market works. I'm happy to see them linked to big clubs, because it's a sign of individual appreciation within a collective that did very well throughout the season. It's good for us coaches to feel that we helped the players to be valued and that we helped the club to get the most from their assets. It's part of football, but it doesn't affect me at all. I like them all very much, I wouldn't want to lose any of them, but I know that this is football. For some to leave, others have to come in. I'm very cold-minded about it.”

Morten Hjulmand
“He's a player under contract with the club. He's a Sporting CP player and part of my plans. We'll see what the market dictates. Of course, I'll be very happy if he stays. If he doesn't, then it is what it is. I wouldn't be very happy because I like him a lot, he's shown a lot of quality, he's a great leader, he's always stood up for the group and that's very important. We need more and more of those leaders in the dressing room.”

Potentially the last game for many players
“They are professionals and they know that this is how football is. The ones who know they're leaving are Quenda and Morita; all the other players have contracts with Sporting CP and know when they need to report for next season. None of them can be too nostalgic about what the future holds, because they have contracts with Sporting CP. I believe Quenda and Morita might be more sensitive, but I feel they are happy and motivated to have another achievement here. I think their happiness and motivation will be at their peak, and I don't need to worry too much about that. What they really want to know is if the manager will play them.”

Sporting CP being the most represented club at the World Cup
“This also shows the work that Sporting CP have been doing, not only with Rui Borges, but throughout the last few years. This makes us very happy. I'm happy, but I am also sad because I wanted there to be more players called up. Pote deserved it. Edu, perhaps, is also a case to be taken into account in the future for the national team, as well as others.”