The coach looks at thee Troféu Cinco Violinos game

This Saturday, Sporting CP return to the Estádio José Alvalade for the 14th edition of the Troféu Cinco Violinos, against AS Monaco. The game marks the official presentation of the team to fans before the start of the 2026/27 season.

Coach Rui Borges talked to the media before the contest, and gave a very positive assessment of the first weeks of work with the group.

"It’s been a very good pre-season, in every sense. The energy that everyone has shown, on and off the pitch, has been very good. The demand has been high; everyone wants to show that they want to play, that they want to be a solution for us, that they want to make Sporting CP grow -and grow individually as well. I couldn't be more satisfied with everyone's response," the coach began by saying.

"I think we got our signings right not only in terms of footballing, technical and tactical profiles, but also in terms of character and personality. It's something we try to understand before adding a player to the group. They are all very friendly and open, and from the first day they talked to their teammates as if they've known each other for years. The day-to-day at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo is very easy to manage. Whoever arrives feels at home, feels happy and is motivated. It's also important that those who were already here before transmit the values of Sporting CP and the demands of representing this club. It has been fantastic.”

Borges added that the players “have to focus only on their work. For everything else, the club are always available to help and avoid worries that have nothing to do with football. Everyone helps everyone else, each in their role, and this is felt from the first second they arrive and start representing Sporting CP.”

When questioned about the various departures from the squad, the coach responded that he sees them as "a natural consequence in football" and showed full confidence in the current group.

"Some players leave because they had great seasons, others because they feel the time has come to embrace a new challenge. Sporting CP will continue to be a very competitive team, with positive energy and very high standards. Different, younger players arrive, with an enormous desire to show their worth, get victories and add their name to the history of Sporting CP. I’m very calm and happy with the individual and collective response of the group. Everything happens in its own time. Players and coaches come and go, but the club will always be the same and will continue fighting for trophies," he affirmed.

Despite recent results in preseason games, including impressive wins and an aggregate score of 11-1, Borges says that there is still much work to be done before the first matchday in Liga Portugal, when Sporting CP visit CF Estrela da Amadora on August 8th.

"There are many new players joining the team, and we are still far from where we want to be as a collective. We are growing physically, technically, and tactically, and the response has been positive. The important thing is individual and collective growth so that we arrive even stronger when the games really count," he said.

Now comes AS Monaco, another important test to prepare for the start of the season.

"It's a good test, against a great team, with great players and a great coach. They will show where we are at, and those are the challenges we want. We want to continue growing so that we arrive even more prepared for the first league game. Furthermore, we have to honour this tribute to Sporting CP's golden generation, the Cinco Violinos," he also said.

"I’ve really missed seeing a full stadium and having our fans with us. I would love for Alvalade to be full so the new players can immediately feel the atmosphere they will experience throughout the season. I believe they are also anxious, but it's a good kind of anxiety. These players will give their all for Sporting CP, and the fans have felt that. The new players arrived with great energy, eager to show their worth, and they will also feel the strength of our fans," he concluded.