The coach keeps the derby against SL Benfica in perspective

Sporting CP travel to the Estádio da Luz this Friday to face rivals SL Benfica on Liga Portugal Matchday 13. On 31 points and 28 points, respectively, both are chasing league leaders FC Porto (34) going into the derby, and coach Rui Borges talked of the importance of the game in his pre-match press conference.

Sporting CP's current excellent form
“I look at this game like any other. Whether it's the best moment of the season or not, it is what it is. I don't focus too much on that. The path we’ve been following has been very positive, gradually improving in confidence, energy and quality of play. We are growing and that's what I'm proud to see. The game comes in this phase and a win is worth three points -like any other contest. The level of difficulty is great and the level of respect is the same as always. It will be a great game between two teams. We are in good form and we want to continue to consolidate this growth.”

50 games in charge of Sporting CP
“It's a milestone and I hope to have many more. I believe I'm prepared, that's why I'm here. But I think I'm still far from our peak, because we understand that growth is daily in our ability as coaches.”

Being favourites in the derby
“As I said before our game against FC Porto, it’s 50/50, but perhaps there was a small percentage in our favour then because we were playing at home -and we ended up losing the game. In that sense, I believe that SL Benfica, playing at home, at a difficult ground and in a difficult environment, may have that slight advantage, but I think it’s evenly matched. Above all, may it be a great game and may we be the team we have been so far.”

Changes in the approach given the magnitude of the game
“We won’t stray from our game plan, but we’re up against is a great team, which will force us to be more balanced at times. We want to be a balanced team in all phases of the game, and we have been growing in that sense. Tomorrow not only the offensive process will be very important, but also the defensive process, to be organised to neutralise the opponent's strengths. SL Benfica are a very strong team in transition when they win the ball in a mid-block. Above all, I want my team to be better at all times. We'll see if we're capable of that, and I believe we are, because I see the team as confident and 'switched on'. We'll be true to ourselves and, when we can't keep possession as much, we have to be well organised.”

Differences due to the opposing coach now being José Mourinho
“I have the same respect for coach José Mourinho as I did for Bruno Lage. I look, above all, at the team and its collective. I believe that Mourinho, because he didn't build this team, has also adapted more to the players he has. But I look at this game in the same way I've looked at the others: with respect for the opponents and their coach. He's a great coach, whom I admire very much, as I've already said, but tomorrow is SL Benfica vs. Sporting CP, regardless of the coaches. Above all, may it be a great game, with great respect between us.”

Sporting CP’s form being better than that of SL Benfica
“It depends on the perspective, because if you look at SL Benfica, perhaps they are in their best form, with three consecutive victories. I look at my team and, within the idea and what I foresee, we are in a very good phase of maturation in terms of dynamics and collective play. For me, Sporting CP are growing, but I also think that SL Benfica are in good form. We also had difficulties winning away at CD Nacional. It’s very subjective. SL Benfica haven't lost domestically yet and at home they are difficult to beat. I believe that SL Benfica will want to win and will play intensely and press for most of the time.”

Comparison to the Supertaça
“I think it's different. We are four months on from that, there's a different coach for them and we are more mature and have grown in terms of our game plan. Although I think we played a good game in the Supertaça, even though we lost, I think we are better as a team, but we have to demonstrate that tomorrow on the pitch.”

The possibility of including Pedro Gonçalves in the starting XI
“Here, nobody has a direct spot in the lineup. It depends on what they demonstrate. Before Quenda arrived, we were already tough on ‘Pote’. We have been growing and what makes me happy is that the team continue to respond regardless of who plays. I couldn't ask for more.”

Fotis Ioannidis still in doubt
“He is still in doubt. I don't know if he will be called up. It may or may not happen.”

Impact of the match on the league standings
“I don’t think it will dictate anything in the outcome of the title. It’s a big game, and I understand why all this is happening, because both teams could be six points behind FC Porto or SL Benfica could be nine behind… I understand, but I don’t agree, because there’s still a lot of the season left to play. Last year we were eight points ahead and we lost the advantage. Football is very much about the moment and everything changes very quickly. There’s more than one game left, so in my mind this game doesn’t dictate what the outcome of the title will be. We really want to win, but it doesn’t dictate the outcome of the season.”

Doubt regarding the midfield choice between Hidemasa Morita or João Simões
“I still have to sleep on that today. Simões is in great form and it was simply a decision not to have him play in the game against CF Estrela da Amadora, considering the opponents. He has been having great games and will continue to do so. Morita has been improving and Giorgi Kochorashvili has grown immensely in his adaptation to the dynamics, the team and Sporting CP. He will have his space and opportunities to demonstrate it. I’m happy to see this growth in Simões, in Morita and also in Gio.”

Sporting CP's results in the 'big' games this season
"That doubt is something journalists create. I don't see anyone saying that Rui Borges didn't lose any of those games last year, except on penalties in the Taça da Liga. I could also respond with the results we've had in the Champions League, but I won't. It doesn't affect me at all. I already said when we lost to FC Porto; if we won all the other games, we could possibly be champions and I'd take that. What interests me is what the team have shown and what we can do now."

Tactical aspects in which Sporting CP have evolved the most
"I think in terms of offensive variability we are completely different, more so than the formation -that has been talked about so much (laughs). We've become stronger in the offensive process, because in the vast majority of games we have to give that response against increasingly difficult teams to beat. The challenge was to be stronger there, but without neglecting other aspects, where we have also grown. We have improved in our reaction to losing the ball and in our balance.”

The coach reflects philosophically on the Taça da Liga defeat

Rui Borges reflected on the Taça da Liga final that Sporting CP lost on penalties to SL Benfica, and considered that his side were the better team.

“It was an evenly balanced game, with a more dynamic first half in terms of goals and in the second half more play in midfield. In the first half, where there were more opportunities, the best chances were ours. Therefore, despite the final result, I'm satisfied with what the team did and I leave here calm, with the certainty that we will be very strong over the next few months. The fact that we haven't won the Taça da Liga is because there is something better saved for us. I think that overall we were the better side, and they were happier with it going to penalties," he explained.

“Would it be different without so many players out? I wanted to have everyone, but I'm not complaining and the team were able to put on a good performance and be intense. They only lost on penalties, where SL Benfica's goalkeeper ended up being more adept. As I said, I couldn’t be more satisfied and at ease with what the team are producing,” he said.

Rui Borges reiterated that this result cannot affect his side.

“The impact of this game has to be just one night. Now we have to rest and think that we have a game next weekend, which will be difficult, but if we have the same attitude as we have been showing, the future will be bright”.

“I'm very positive about my path forward. I really believe that things happen for a reason and, as I said, if we don't win it's because something better awaits us. If we behave as we have, with this competitive side, this dedication and ambition, the future will be bright. The players really want to be champions and today they demonstrated all the ambition they have.”

Borges also spoke about Francisco Trincão, praising the Portuguese international and saying that he doesn't have to feel down about his missed penalty.

“It was him today, and it could have been someone else. He has already given a lot to Sporting CP and will continue to do so. You have to lift your head up again and follow the path.”

A 1-1 draw with SL Benfica means the competition is decided with a shootout

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost out in the final of the Taça da Liga on penalties to SL Benfica at the Estádio Municipal de Leiria, after a 1-1 draw in regular time. Viktor Gyökeres scored the goal for Sporting CP.

For the game -a rematch of the 2021/22 final-, coach Rui Borges chose Franco Israel, Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Jeremiah St. Juste, Maxi Araújo, Geny Catamo, João Simões, Morten Hjulmand, Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres as his starting lineup.

SL Benfica began with more of the ball, but Sporting CP responded with a series of quick moves and opportunities. Quenda had the first chance, with Otamendi cutting it out in time, then two corners in a row piled on the pressure. The danger only passed after  Hjulmand missed his shot from the edge of the area.

In response, Di María also tried to score from outside the area with a low shot, but Franco Israel had no trouble holding it. Gyökeres made a fast move from the right, ending with his shot taking a deflection and going wide. From the resulting corner, Maxi Araújo forced goalkeeper Trubin to make another save.

A very intense opening spell continued with Sporting CP coming very close to a goal in the 15th minute: Set up by João Simões, Quenda had his effort kept out by Trubin. At the other end, Franco Israel made a save from a low cross from Tomás Araújo. The follow-up from Di María was blocked by Morten Hjulmand.

The match then lost some of its initial pace, but opportunities continued steadily. SL Benfica opened the scoring after half an hour of play, with a goal from Schjelderup.

It didn't take long for Sporting CP to try to equalise, with Quenda fed by Viktor Gyökeres and firing a shot wide. Eduardo Quaresma also threatened with a hit from inside the area, but it also went off-target.

Sporting CP finally pulled back level from a penalty: Maxi Araújo was brought down in the area by Florentino, before Gyökeres converted the spot kick.

In the second period, the first chance of note was a deflected strike from João Simões at the edge of the area, after a delivery from Gyökeres. Franco Israel had more work to do in the Sporting CP area, thwarting consecutive moves by Di María and then by Kökçü. In response, after insistence from Sporting CP, Catamo pulled the trigger from the edge of the area, but António Silva managed to deflect it with his shoulder. 

Close to the 70th minute, Rui Borges then started to make changes, bringing on Iván Fresneda for Eduardo Quaresma. Ten minutes later, he made another two substitutions, withdrawing Geny Catamo and João Simões and bringing on Zeno Debast and Conrad Harder.

Despite the insistence of both teams, the scoreline remained deadlocked and the game went straight to penalties. Trubin saved Francisco Trincão's spot kick, and it was SL Benfica who lifted the Taça da Liga.

Sporting CP will play again on Friday, away to Rio Ave FC in Liga Portugal.

The coach looks ahead to the Taça da Liga final

This Saturday, Sporting Clube de Portugal play SL Benfica in the Taça da Liga, and coach Rui Borges spoke about the challenge ahead in a pre-match press conference.

“I'm happy to be in the final, no matter who the opponents are, and very focused on ourselves. As for the changes at SL Benfica, the main principles do not change. There will be changes to individual characteristics, which will add some details to the team, but the idea does not change. We are prepared for whatever SL Benfica may or may not implement in the game, offensively and defensively," he stated.

"I believe there may be one or two changes in relation to their last game, despite their having enjoyed a beautiful game against SC Braga, but, more than that, it is important to prepare our team for the demands of the match. We have had a few days to work, a few days to recover and a lot of players were fatigued, so we will have to be careful, but the team are in good form and will give a good response."

“I don’t believe 100% that they play with the same team as in the semifinal, but we will be prepared for what SL Benfica may want from the game, which is to come in strong, just like they did against SC Braga. We have to be prepared for this and much more focused on what we can control as a team.”

With Hidemasa Morita out due to injury, the coach did not reveal who will play in midfield, saying that this will not change anything.

“We play with eleven players and I never dwell on difficulties, but rather I look for solutions. We will be competitive, we will be a good team, we will maintain the courage we have had and we will have a good game, regardless of whether we play Simões, Brito or others who have already played there. It’s up to me to find solutions, especially because we have other players, and I know that we will be competitive -regardless of who plays," he explained, before saying that Gonçalo Inácio "is one of the possibilities."

Sporting CP have several players out injured or fatigued, but Borges commented that “I don't focus on that. The team is tired, and that's part of football, especially because some players are carrying injuries, and we run the risk of losing even more of them, but we can't get attached to that. We are in a final, we are at a big club and the demand must always be to give our best. If we always do our best, whether tired or not, there are no advantages. The game is 11 against 11 and we have to do our best. If we do our best we will be competitive and we will win.”

“Because it’s a final, you can’t be tired. The desire to win and add trophies to the club's history must overcome any physical or mental fatigue. When the game starts, I believe the team will be prepared and will give a good response”, he added.