Sporting Clube de Portugal host Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter finals on Tuesday. Before another big European night at Alvalade, Maxi Araújo spoke about the fixture.
Expectations for the game
"We know that the fans are always very important for us, and both tomorrow and in London it will be very difficult. We are prepared, in good form, and it will be a very good tie. We will look at them as our equals."
Favourites in the game
"I believe there are no favourites in the tie. They are doing very well, and we are also doing very well. For me, there are no favourites."
The absence of Morten Hjulmand
"I believe Morten is a fundamental player for us, but we have excellent midfielders and, as the coach has already said, we win thanks to everyone. We've done it before: Winning without key players. The important thing is that the player who comes in for him will undoubtedly be prepared. As I said, we have players who can replace him and whoever plays tomorrow will do very well."
The return of Viktor Gyökeres
"The whole group was very happy for him. He did great things for the club and deserved his move. He worked very hard. I haven't spoken to him, but I think some teammates have, and it will be wonderful to see him tomorrow.
Things are going well for him, he's scored a lot of goals and I'm very happy for him. He's also achieved things with Sweden. I wish him all the best."
A chance at an precedented spot in the semifinals
"Without a doubt it's extra motivation, but for us it's very important to think about tomorrow's game first. The tie will be tough, but there's always a first time and I hope this is it."
Facing Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke
"I believe that all the Arsenal players are very good. Both are among the best wingers in the world, and for me it's a privilege to face either of them. I feel prepared, and whoever plays, it won't affect me. The most important thing is that I'm ready."
At the end of the game against CD Santa Clara, Rui Borges analysed the 4-2 win for Sporting CP.
Rafael Nel's performance
"He had a good performance, but he wasn't obligated to make anyone forget about anyone. He was obligated to do his best -the same thing he does in training and with the B team.
He had a great game, he understood well what he could contribute to the team, and then his individual talent shone through. He's ready, we knew that, and he gave a very good response, as did the whole team. He has grown a lot, and the way he played demonstrated that. He clearly showed that he's here to help out and to be an option for the first team more often.
He has an understanding of what's good about his game, and what needs improvement. That's half the battle to reaching success and being better. He has improved a lot in his skills, in his combination play, in attack, in support, and he's a very competitive kid who wears down an opposition defence. He's very intense, and I particularly like those skills of his. I have no doubt that he will be an important player in Sporting CP's future."
Analysis of the game
"It was important for us to give a clear demonstration of what our group is about, and they did that. They were focused, in a game where we conceded a goal in the first few minutes, and from perhaps the only chance that CD Santa Clara had in the first half. The team remained true to what we had to do, to our game plan, and were calm and confident.
We grew as the game progressed, creating several opportunities, and we finished the first half with a more than deserved 3-1 lead. In the second half, we also controlled the game, and CD Santa Clara ended up believing in their chances in the final minutes. A small distraction on our part allowed them to make it 3-2.
CD Santa Clara always relied on long balls. They have their own style of play, which is physical, intense, and competitive, but even at that level, we gave a great response: Often we defended man-to-man, and were exposed to some problems in terms of attacking deep, but we controlled the game. The victory is inarguable."
Pedro Gonçalves' performance
"Coach Roberto Martínez certainly knows what he has available for Portugal. He called him up because he's paying attention to what Pedro has been doing at Sporting CP.
The substitution was just management of our resources. We have to understand that he was out for a while. We expected him to have some minutes with the national team to gain confidence and improve his fitness, but, considering everything that the next month will bring, we thought it ideal that he only played 45 minutes, and he played a good 45 minutes. We had the game minimally under control, I felt the team were doing well, and we opted to manage the situation."
The absence of Iván Fresneda
"He woke up with a fever. He was in the squad, but he was unavailable and went home due to illness."
Controversy with FC Porto
"Honestly, those who needed to speak have already spoken. I endorse everything the President says, I've stated this several times. Ricardo Costa spoke, and I'm with him until the death. I believe his word very much because I know him, I know his character and his personality. Those who needed to speak have spoken."
The team switching off
"I'm happy with everything the team were capable of doing. There was no falling asleep at all. It's natural that the pace dropped, due to all the constraints we had, but the team did well. CD Santa Clara took advantage of a lapse in our concentration, that's all. With everything we were capable of –winning duels, being competitive and being intense in one-on-one situations– I'm very happy with the team's response."
Goals from the left wing
"We identified a few things. CD Santa Clara were defending in a 4-4-2 formation that wasn't very intense in the press, giving us a lot of time to set up in the attacking part of the midfield. On the right, we had extra width because the wingers, being preoccupied with starting quick attacks, stopped looking for reference points later on. [Georgios] Vagiannidis could create many problems there, and we already had other players there as well, like Francisco Trincão and Geny Catamo.
CD Santa Clara's defensive line takes some time to expand, and we knew that when the ball entered the flanks, if there were accelerations inside, we could create danger because of those delays. That's what happened in the first half.
What Dani [Bragança] gives us, what [Hidemasa] Morita gives us and what Morten [Hjulmand] also gives us with the ball, is clarity, calmness, and composure. Our defensive line looks there and feels confident because they have this ability to play short passes and also go long. Dani gives us more mobility than Morten; they are players with different characteristics, although, with the ball, they offer similar things at times. I'm happy for him; he has grown a lot and become a different player than he was, but an important player with recognised quality."
"Thank you to everyone. Happy to see him return at a good time after a long break. It's to his credit and it's about continuing on this path."
Surpassing Mário Lino's record at Alvalade
"I'm happy to, in some way, continue to make history at Sporting CP, but I give the credit to the players. They are the ones who should be remembered for these 17 consecutive victories, more than me."
Changes to the starting XI
"Gonçalo Inácio came back injured from national team duty. Morten had been sick, but today he no longer had a fever and ended up playing. On top of that, he had just played 110 minutes for his national team. Maxi [Araújo] also played two games. We thought his energy would be more important in the second half than in the first.
If I had put Maxi in, I might have had to take him off after 50 minutes. Because of the fatigue he has and everything that will happen this month, we have to manage everyone's efforts and stay competitive."
The unavailable players coming back against Arsenal
"In the end, only Iván was unavailable. I hope and believe he will be available for the game in midweek. Otherwise, the rest of the guys will be available, except for [Geovany] Quenda. That's unfortunate, because he's a player who will help a lot in this final stretch of the season."
Rui Borges brings in B team players to make up the numbers
Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training this Wednesday, following last Sunday's home victory against FC Alverca and two days off.
Due to the international break, coach Rui Borges worked with a reduced squad, without Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves and Francisco Trincão (Portugal), João Simões (Portugal Under-21s), Zeno Debast (Belgium), Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast), Georgios Vagiannidis (Greece), Maxi Araújo (Uruguay), Morten Hjulmand (Denmark), Luis Suárez (Colombia) and Iván Fresneda (Spain Under-21s).
To complete the group, Rayan Lucas, Bruno Ramos, David Moreira, Rômulo, Rodrigo Dias, Kauã Oliveira, Samuel Justo, Mateo Tanlongo, Lucas Anjos, and Paulo Cardoso, from the B team, were called up for the session.
The coach looks ahead to Friday's game against CD Santa Clara
Sporting Clube de Portugal host CD Santa Clara this Friday at 8:30pm, kicking off Matchday 28 of the Liga Portugal season.
In a press conference before the game, coach Rui Borges previewed what he anticipates will be a difficult encounter.
Geovany Quenda and Giorgi Kochorashvili returning to training
"Quenda is not yet fit for action. We need to have a little more patience, for a few more days, so he is still not one of our options. That's unfortunate, because he is a player who contributes a lot. He is an important player for our team, despite his young age, just as he was last year. I'm happy to see him back, but not so happy that I can't use him tomorrow, as he would certainly be a great asset.
For me, it's easy to manage his emotional side, because he is very motivated to return and help the team in all the competitions we are involved in. This makes me more anxious than him: he is very important to us and is another player who gives us solutions. He is happy and he is raring to return.
Gio is also back and we still have to find out if he will be available or not, but he has been training well and I'm happy to see him back too."
CD Santa Clara
"CD Santa Clara haven't lost in their last five games, and in that spell they've earned the fifth most points, which clearly demonstrates their improvement under the new coach. They remain a very well-organised team defensively, allowing the opponents few scoring opportunities, are very strong on the counter-attack, with fast and strong players in one-on-one situations, and they have good decision-making. They're a very competitive and intense team in their duels, and one of the teams with the most bookings in the league, which shows the intensity they put into their play. They will create problems for us, and we have to be at our best to win."
Pedro Gonçalves
"If he wasn't fit, he wouldn't have gone away with Portugal, nor would he have stayed until the end of their training camp. He was fine, it was the coach's decision not to use him. Above all, I hope he's motivated, and I believe he is, to continue giving a great response at Sporting CP and greatly help his team -which is what he has been doing throughout the season.
I believe that, with everything he has done and shown at Sporting CP, he is always a player who can make a difference at any moment, whether for the club or for Portugal. I make my decisions at Sporting CP and that's already a huge responsibility. I can't comment on the choices of others. I know he was fit, that he had a cramp and recovered, but he would have been fit to contribute for his country."
Title calculations
"Whoever is ahead of us in the table deserves credit, as it's a sign that they have been more competent than the others so far. However, we are still in the fight. There are many games left and we have to be focused on what we control -which are our games-, do our best and win, starting with tomorrow's game."
The absence of Luis Suárez
"I'm not going to discuss the disciplinary committee's decision, as it is what it is. He took responsibility for what he did and we respect the decision.
There are alternatives. We might play with a false 9, but we have Rafael Nel and that's an option for the game too. We'll see, considering the players returning from international duty, who we can put out. Morten [Hjulmand] arrived ill, Gonçalo Inácio and Rui [Silva] arrived injured, Pote is just out of shape -or so I hope... but we'll see what we can do and field a team that, above all, is capable of the intensity of the game."
Preparation without the internationals
"It's the demands of my job. It was one of the biggest difficulties when I arrived here: I'm obsessed with training, as I believe that repetition gives a team a lot of stability at all times during the game. Arriving here and not being able to train with everyone, especially in the middle of the season when we're fighting for all competitions, left me very stressed in that moment. It was also part of my growth as a coach, to become better and more capable of responding at Sporting CP.
For tomorrow's game, when there's no time to prepare fully, the solution is rest, to relax and get them as prepared as possible for the game. They know our game plan and what they have to do in each game. We are very focused on who we are as a team; not ignoring the opponents, but with images and the little we can do on the pitch, we look at the strategy and get them as prepared as we can."
Controversy in previous games against GD Santa Clara
"Controversy will always exist in football. We all make mistakes, so many times. Part of it is up to me, journalists, players and everyone involved in football to assess. The best way is this: Valuing the participants. That's what I try to do: Make my team better and more capable, so that people identify with the team, so that they become better and players."
The young talent talks about his return from injury
On the day he returned to training after recovering from injury, Geovany Quenda spoke about his comeback.
"I'm very happy to be back. I'm training with the rest of the team and I feel very good. I spent my recovery period with people who helped me a lot, like Dário [Essugo] and his family, my father and my cousin," he began by saying.
Quenda guaranteed that "mentally, I'm always at 100%. All of the people who gave me strength have contributed greatly. We have goals to achieve and I have to do my best to help the team. We will continue working hard, because everything is possible. I think we will achieve our objectives."
Finally, the 18-year-old sent out a message for Sporting CP fans: "Continue supporting the team and never give up, as you always have done. We will not give up and we will continue to pursue our goals."
After the 1-4 win away to FC Alverca, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges analysed the victory in his press conference.
Analysis of the game
"I think we were the better side for the entire 90 minutes. We started well and scored against an FC Alverca team defending in a low block. Then, we entered a period of ‘controlled sleepiness’ which could have hurt us. We overdid it in that sense. It was a more subdued game then, but the second half was completely different. We were dynamic and had a different energy. We wanted to get the second goal, even running some risks at the back. It was a very good second half, both with and without the ball. It was a game controlled by us, with a second half that was better than the first."
Nuno Santos' injury
"It's a muscle injury, I can't say more than that. Unfortunately, a player who has been out for 15 months has these risks when they come back."
The yellow card given to Luis Suárez
"I think now there should be a white card. It was a strange situation, but I won’t comment much on it."
The postponed game meaning the team are the chasers in the standings
"We are focused on ourselves and we know what we have to do in this final stretch of the season. It has always been like that and the team gave another great response today. Now, some of the players will go away with their national teams and we will take a breather to prepare for an intense month."
Only one change in the starting XI
"We played on Wednesday. It was noticeable that our energy wasn’t the same in the first half, but we tried to press high. The most important thing was to recover from the mental strain of the Champions League. There were some players who had received 120 minutes and others 70, but we played on Wednesday, so it wasn’t an excuse. The team gave a great response, thankfully."
A 50th victory in charge of Sporting CP
"I’m happy. It’s another milestone in our journey as a coaching team. We’ve been doing a great job, and the quality of play and the data demonstrate that. Above all, I’m happy to have been in charge of a great Sporting CP side for all these months."
Sporting CP earn a strong victory against FC Alverca
Sporting CP defeated FC Alverca 1-4 in Liga Portugal to return to winning ways in the competition, outgunning the opposition with two strikes from Pedro Gonçalves and goals from Luis Suárez and Geny Catamo.
To face an FC Alverca side sitting in 11th place and coming off a run of five consecutive draws, coach Rui Borges made only one change to the starting XI that had made history in midweek in the UEFA Champions League: the suspended Maxi Araújo was replaced by Nuno Santos, who hadn't started a game since October 26th, 2024. Ricardo Mangas returned to the squad after more than a month out.
Sporting CP were up against a FC Alverca side who hadn't lost at home in 2026 and, moreover, had earned 19 of their 29 points at their own ground.
The team didn't take long to show their intentions, as 'Pote' was played through with a fast pass. He reached the ball on the goal line and, without an easy angle, shot straight at goalkeeper André Gomes.
FC Alverca also started aggressively, but quickly had to rely, above all, on their organisation to contain the rapid inside combinations initiated by Sporting CP.
Geny Catamo tried his luck from distance and almost surprised the goalkeeper, who prevented the opening goal. It was a goal that finally arrived just a few minutes later: On 22 minutes, Pedro Gonçalves collected a loose ball in the area and, with great finesse, placed it into the top corner to put Sporting CP ahead.
Misfortune then befell Rui Borges's men, as Nuno Santos fell to the ground, being forced to go off injured. Georgios Vagiannidis came on in his place, and the substitution coincided with a shift in momentum.
A long-range shot from Lincoln, was securely caught by Rui Silva, and the opposition managed to push up the pitch and grow stronger until halftime. After a couple of blocked shots in the area, a header from Sandro Lima didn't go far wide of the post.
In the second half, Sporting CP once again showed their lethal nature. Immediately after receiving a yellow card for simulation for a penalty initially awarded then overturned by VAR, Luis Suárez produced a masterpiece to make it 0-2. The Colombian cut inside from the left and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the back of the net, claiming his 24th goal in the competition and his 33rd of the season.
FC Alverca tried to respond quickly to get back into contention, but Nabil Touaizi shot wide in the home team's best chance.
Sporting CP took the scoreline to 0-3 through sheer force. Before the 70th minute, Geny Catamo cut in from the right and struck a piledriver of a shot to increase the lead.
Rui Borges began to make changes, bringing on Zeno Debast and Daniel Bragança for Inácio and Morita. As the final ten minutes approached, he also introduced Mangas and gave more playing time to youngster Rafael Nel.
André Gomes made a flying save to deny a fantastic goal from Vagiannidis, who had popped up in a central position.
There would be two more goals before the end of the game. First of all, FC Alverca’s Marezi found the back of the net with a cross-shot. Then, just two minutes later, Pedro Gonçalves scored his second from a free kick on the left.
Mangas hit the post in the final chance, with André Gomes getting down to deny Rafael Nel a goal from the rebound. The score ended 1-4, marking Rui Borges' 50th win from 73 games in charge.
After the international break, Sporting CP return to action to play CD Santa Clara in April.
The coach talks before the game against FC Alverca
Sporting CP travel to Ribatejo this Sunday to face FC Alverca in Liga Portugal. Coach Rui Borges spoke in a press conference ahead of the game.
Returning to domestic action after the UEFA Champions League
“Because of all the fatigue from the game against FK Bodø/Glimt, it will be a difficult task, and it will also be so because of what FC Alverca are like. They have been growing and, therefore, it will be a difficult game. The most important thing is to recover and get the players switched on as much as possible to the demands of the next game.”
Possible changes
“It's possible that there may be some changes. We will have to see how the team are feeling. In terms of the left side, we don't have Maxi [due to an accumulation of yellow cards], but we have Nuno Santos and Ricardo Mangas, who is back in. These are two solutions and either one of them gives us something.”
Luis Guilherme's Injury
“The time off that he needs could be around four to six weeks. We have to see about his ankle. The knock happened in the last moment of training. There are things we can't control.”
The impact of accumulated fatigue
“It's part of the demands of the club. Of course, there was an unusual amount of emotional and physical expenditure this week, but we have to be able to deal with it. It's not something new, it's always been here. We've played a lot of games and we're going into a very busy month of April. It's part of being where we are, but we have to find solutions to continue to do Sporting CP justice.”
Players called up for their national teams
“There are many of them, but it is what it is. We can't escape it. They also want to play for their national teams, with a World Cup comng up. I am happy, above all, to see them with their national teams, achieving another goal and dream. It doesn't mean that we're going to stop responding to demands in April. It's difficult for the players who need time to get rest. For example, Zeno [Debast] had a long break and is good to play for 30 minutes, because if you put him in from the start he won't have that response.
Postponement of the game against CD Tondela
“It was a regulatory right that we had and we exercised it. It's a good thing we did that, because if we had that game we wouldn't have been able to give the physical and mental response that we gave against FK Bodø/Glimt. We were fantastic for 120 minutes. We'll have to put the game against CD Tondela somewhere on the calendar. Protests from rivals is noise; it's part of the game, but the postponement was a right we had.”
The historic UEFA Champions League run
“It's important to find ways to switch on the players and draw on their energy. It won't be the same this weekend, because as much as we want it, it's impossible. The rest time isn't the same, the recovery isn't either, but we have to raise our energy to a good level. We're going to face a team who haven't lost at home in 2026, have grown a lot and defend well. It will demand a lot from us. The game could be separated into transitions and we have to understand what response we can give.”
A possible contract renewal with Sporting CP
“I'm very calm about that. I know well how the interaction and mutual trust with the Sporting CP structure is. I have a contract with Sporting CP and whatever has to happen, will happen in due time.”
The many good options for the centre back
“Perhaps it’s the most difficult position to manage. I have four fabulous defenders, they all deserve to play, and that’s a headache for me. Edu [Quaresma] has responded well. Diomande had that dip which coincided with Ramadan, which is natural. Zeno is coming back and doing very well, and Inácio has had a fantastic season. I have four high-quality defenders and any one of them can be a starter tomorrow.”
Luis Suárez’s fatigue
“I don’t believe Ioannidis will be available in the coming weeks. Regarding Luis, he's very particular. We also appeal to the good sense of the national team coaches, so that they understand the players’ fatigue and what they still have to play. He has been a very selfless player, giving everything to the team, and it shows. Physically he has been phenomenal, but he's not a machine and he'll have setbacks -as he already has.”
Post-UEFA Champions League euphoria being detrimental
“The euphoria is outward. For us coaches, it's over after ten minutes, because we have little time to recover and we know how difficult the game against FC Alverca will be. The players had a break to enjoy time with their families after achieving something unprecedented, but after we started training there was no more euphoria. The most important thing is to be able to draw on our energy."
Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, Rafael Nel and Iván Fresneda talk after the game
Following the epic 5-0 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal over FK Bodø/Glimt, which secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, several players gave their thoughts on the occasion.
Nuno Santos (Sporting TV)
"It was fantastic. We dream of being footballers in order to enjoy these moments. We are at Sporting CP, a great club where we have made a lot of history in recent years and now have done it once again. We were true lions. We lost the first game, but we strongly believed that we could turn it around -and we did. That's how football is; things change very quickly. Not long ago I was injured and now I'm there experiencing these moments. It's an incredible feeling. I congratulate the team and our fans, who were very important to us.
In Norway it was tough, but that's football. Our fans were fantastic from beginning to end and we didn't let the opposition breathe. We were persistent and we are very happy.
We started very well in both halves. I send congratulations to FK Bodø/Glimt for the first game. May they continue to do well in their domestic league.
It was the fans who made us believe. They were, once again, fantastic. We always need them and we have a lot still to achieve."
Francisco Trincão (Sporting TV)
"It's unique, historic, and unprecedented. We believed, the fans believed, and everyone believed we could do it. FK Bodø/Glimt are a great team and were coming off five consecutive wins in the UEFA Champions League. We knew it would be difficult, but we went out there from the first minute believing we could do it, and we made it happen.
We were warned in the game in Norway. We had to do a lot to win; they are an excellent team. We were intense from the start, and we had the support of the fans. Before the game, we talked amongst ourselves and felt the energy from outside.
Now we have to rest, because this game really took its toll on us. We have a Liga Portugal game ahead of us, and then the international break. We have to take advantage of this moment.
We felt that the fans wanted it and believed in us as much as we did. Maxi Araújo cried, Luis Suárez cried, everyone cried. We have to be grateful and always stick together, because we can still do beautiful things."
Rafael Nel (Sporting TV)
"On the bench, I felt I could come on and help the team. I felt a lot of support from the fans, who believed in me, and that helped a lot. It gave me a boost. Playing in the UEFA Champions League, especially in this stadium and representing Sporting CP, is a source of pride for me and my whole family. Scoring and hearing the roar of the stadium was a very happy moment for me.
The ball was won back and, out of nowhere, we managed a very quick transition. Daniel Bragança looked at me, passed me the ball, and I managed to score. It was a very happy moment and it could be the first of many goals representing this club. This night will be forever etched in my memory. I dare say it was the happiest night of my life.
I think today was the most beautiful stadium I've ever seen. I felt that the whole crowd was cheering us on, which was very important."
Iván Fresneda (mixed zone)
"I have no words to describe this team. We really believed a lot during this week. We were sad about the tough first leg defeat against FK Bodø/Glimt, but we never stopped believing and we really deserved to go through. The game in Norway didn't go as we expected, but we worked hard throughout the week to win this week. We left everything out there from the first minute. We demonstrated the true value of Sporting CP.
I've had some memorable nights at this stadium and this is one of the best. My performance could be one of the best I've had. I work hard for that. I dedicate this victory to my grandfather, who I'm sure was watching from heaven, and to the whole team, who work very hard, as well as the coach and the team. It's also for the fans, who supported us throughout the entire game.
How far can we go in the UEFA Champions League? We'll see. The tie against Arsenal will be difficult. On Sunday we have a very difficult game in Alverca and we'll be going all out in that too."
The coach reflects on the incredible showing against FK Bodø/Glimt
Following the 5-0 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal over FK Bodø/Glimt, which secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Rui Borges held a press conference to talk about the success.
Accomplishing the win
"For me, it's a victory. I believed strongly and said so at the end of the game in Bodø, despite the less successful performance. The players believed and realised what we hadn't been capable of individually and collectively. We talked about what we had to do to have a historic night, and that's what happened. We're already thinking about FC Alverca now.
I believe we'll be talking about this game for many years to come, and it makes me happy to continue making history for Sporting CP. The players deserve this victory and they deserve to be praised. Maybe, after today, people will still think the coach isn't capable of managing Sporting CP. They forget that the coach was league champion and won the double. I ask for more respect. The game in Bodø didn't define what this Sporting CP team are.
I'm very positive, and today's game demonstrates that. We had to overcome a 3-0 deficit. If we had the good fortune to play this game today, it's because if there was a team capable of a comeback, it was us.
Those who doubt will continue to doubt. Let them continue to do so; the more they doubt, the more I win, and my journey speaks for itself. I think there was a lack of respect for the Sporting CP coach after our heavy defeat, which was just one loss amidst months where the team have been fantastic. This victory is an epic one and deserves respect."
How far Sporting CP can go in the UEFA Champions League
"It's about continuing to dream and believing in what we can achieve, regardless of the opposition. We won against a team that beat us 3-0 and that had five consecutive victories against teams that were contenders to win the competition. We are among the top eight sides in Europe, as had happened in the league phase."
Dedication
"It's a special victory and I dedicate it to my family. I know how much my son suffers, being young, involved in football, and loving his father. I also dedicate it to my greatest star, my grandfather."
The goal by Rafael Nel
"I was happy for him because it was another goal, because he deserved it and because the team deserved it. He was stupendous in what he provided in the space of ten minutes, demonstrating strength and the ability to press. He has worked very hard for this opportunity. It was the culmination of a dream. The team show enormous affection for those who come up from the B team and the celebration was one of joy for everything that was happening."
Intensity
"It was 120 minutes of very high intensity, which was what was required. We had to have that and we knew it. We had seen the best of FK Bodø/Glimt, but FK Bodø/Glimt hadn't seen the best Sporting CP. The team wanted to demonstrate that. It's a great and historic victory, and leaves us among the eight best sides in Europe."
Praise from the FK Bodø/Glimt coach
"I'm happy for the recognition, just as I recognised the quality of the opposition when we lost. They are a great team, and just because they lost 5-0 today doesn't mean they've ceased to be that. It only makes our comeback even more meritworthy. I'm very proud of my players, who deserve this praise more than anyone."
The perfect game
"Clearly it was, otherwise we wouldn't have eliminated FK Bodø/Glimt. I said it had to be a perfect and extraordinary game, and that's what happened. The team didn't lose our composure or strategy, and they didn't panic. I asked them to do that at halftime: Not to think about the comeback, but about the 2-0 scoreline."
The fans
"There are no words to describe Alvalade today. From the moment I stepped onto the pitch, you could feel it was going to be different. They were extraordinary. They've been very good, but we need them like this all the time. If there was a stadium where this was going to be possible, it was here."
FK Bodø/Glimt
"They are a great team defensively, one of the best in Europe. They were playing against one of the best attacking teams in Europe, in Sporting CP."
