The coach previews the game against SL Benfica
Sporting Clube de Portugal have a huge Saturday game against neighbours and title rivals SL Benfica on Saturday, which could be decisive in the Liga Portugal title chase. Ahead of the game, coach Rui Borges talked about the expectations and his side's focus.
The implications of the derby
“Above all, we are where we want to be and where a club like Sporting CP have to be, which is in finals and trying to win trophies. We have to be happy with that for now. We can play around with two possible results, but we aren't focused on that. We're focused on what we have to do to win -and nothing more. It's like any other game, even though we know how important this one is. We are not shying away from that importance, and we know that it is a game that could win the title for both teams. We have to think about that, but more about what we can do to counteract the opposition and win -despite the difficulties that we will encounter."
Nerves in the game against Gil Vicente FC
“These are different games. Gil Vicente FC played a more defensive strategy, defended very well and caused us a lot of problems. More than the low block, what caused the most concern was conceding a goal so early and when we were playing well. That is normal, especially at this time of year when games are more decisive. Even so, despite this concern, I look more at what the team managed to do before the end. Only a great team could come away with a win, and that is what they did. It was a normal week. I look at the group and I feel the same way. We're focused on what we can control, are very motivated, courageous, ambitious and with a huge desire for the game to get underway."
Playing on the counterattack against SL Benfica
“In terms of counterattacks and expectations, if we look at both teams, SL Benfica have almost always won in recent games on the counterattack or on the fast break. People talk more about Sporting CP doing it, but our opponents have also scored most of their goals in transitions, because they are strong and have above-average quality, just like us. It will be a completely different game. The uneasiness in the game against Gil has no relevance to this game. Everything is different in this game, even the atmosphere and the pressure on each player. My job is to focus on what we can do as a team -with and without the ball- against SL Benfica's strengths in possession, with organised play and in transitions, and to always try to be prepared to nullify those moments in the best way possible."
A third Clássico of the season with him in charge
“These are different games. In the first Clássico, the team had just changed coaches, and that changes the game. The opposition perhaps didn’t know how we were going to play either. Then there was a final, in which they were lucky in the penalty shootout. This one could decide who becomes champions, and it will shake up a lot of things.”
Playing away
“The difference has to do with the resilience that the group have had. Throughout the season, they have managed to overcome the obstacles that have appeared along the way, showing great ambition and courage to get through everything. That is why we have to be able to deal with the atmosphere in the stadium, as it's part of our DNA. The team have to be prepared for this and I think that the side that are more focused, balanced and disciplined for longer will be the team closest to winning. We know that we are two great teams, with great players, but any moment in which there is a distraction could make one team overpower the other. Therefore, we have to be as focused as possible on our ambition to win the game and be champions."
Talk of a draw being sufficient
“We are very focused on winning. We just want to win so we can become champions. A draw would mean we have to win the last game, which will also be against a great team in Vitória SC. We are not going to settle, we are going to do everything we can to try to win the game against a team that also want to win and that have a lot of quality. Above all, we want it to be a great show and in the end, that Sporting CP are the winners.”
Pedro Gonçalves' possibility of being a starter
“Everybody is in the equation to play, and they have to be prepared, especially because I never give a starting XI away in training. They all have to be prepared to play or not to play, and Pote is the same. He has responded well and has improved in terms of his fitness. Everyone knows he’s not at 100 percent, and he knows that too, but he’s an important player because of everything he gives to the team, what he transmits to the team. He has grown, he has responded and worked towards the goal on a daily basis, and I think he is prepared, like everyone else, to respond -whether that's for 30, 60 or 90 minutes.”
His feeling about the game
“I'm calm. These games don't stress me out. I'm very focused, I've always been very confident and I have a lot of faith. I believe this is the most important game of my career, because of what it can do for us. We could become champions, and it's the first time I've been in this situation.”
Being more prepared than for the first Clássico on December 29th
“At the time, I could have said that I wouldn’t accept coming because it was two days before the big game, but I never said anything like that to the president. I always said that I wanted to come here, and everything remains the same. There is a lot of confidence, the feeling that we have the capacity and competence is exactly the same and it has been like that since I started at Mirandela. We have grown as a coaching team, of course, and that is why we are here, but everything remains the same. Nothing that people say about me, whether positive or negative, affects me. We are doing a good job, we are making decisions and now we need to have the capacity to win.”
Support from Sporting CP fans
“The fans have been fantastic in their support and in the feeling they have given us as a team. They have shown us a lot of affection. They were very important in the game against Gil and will continue to be very important tomorrow -from the departure from the Academia to the arrival at the Estádio da Luz.”
Violence between fans before the game
“We always look at these things with sadness. It’s a football match and there’s always passion, but passion can never go over the limit. There are limits to everything. The passion and rivalry that exists is good, but should never be excessive. Respect must always be there. That’s why it’s sad. I hope they focus more on supporting us, like our fans have done, showing us the affection they have for us and for what the team have done over the years.”
Ruben Amorim's words of praise
“I don’t look at the legacy he left behind. I came to a club where there was a great coach, who won a lot and who worked hard to make it happen. I didn’t send it to him, but I sent Carlos [Fernandes] a message congratulating Manchester United on reaching the Europa League final. Ruben is rooting for us, we’re happy about that, and we’re rooting for him too. I admire him for his journey from the bottom up, his character and personality, his ability and competence. He will always be someone we will look up to with admiration."
