Sporting duo on edge, Alisson linked, Kristin’s woes: Rui Borges | OneFootball

At the press conference previewing the match between Sporting and Nacional, Rui Borges praised the work done by the Madeiran side, highlighted the ambition of the green and whites after their historic qualification in the UEFA Champions League, and reinforced the total focus on the fight to retain the national championship title.

"Tiago Margarido has done a great job. For us coaches, and in his case, to reach his hundredth game in charge of Nacional... he must be the coach who has been at the same club the longest. That deserves praise. It's a good team, very strong in quick attacks and offensive transitions, and Gabriel Veron has added quality in those moments. Away from home, they have four defeats, but always lost by the smallest margin, fought hard against Porto and won in Braga, which shows the quality we will face. It’s a competitive team, strong in duels, commits some fouls, and that shows the intensity with which they approach the game. They are strong in offensive set pieces, and in Madeira we conceded a goal in such a moment. After the UEFA Champions League, switching the 'chip' is always difficult, but the ambition is there, the motivation too. I believe we will play a great game against a good team."

Focus on the league after top-8 in Europe

"I lead a great group, which knows that post-UEFA Champions League games are tough, due to physical and mental fatigue. Only a great collective can fight against that and maintain the same quality and intensity of play. That is a challenge for us as a team. I believe in the responsibility of the group, which knows we have to win, and will give everything to do so against an organized and competitive team with the help of our fans. Our ambition, desire to win, and to fight for the league will overcome any difficulties that may arise in the game. I am happy for all Portuguese teams. It values our football and our position in the ranking, where we have overtaken the Netherlands. So, congratulations to all the teams that made it through. It's good for all of us."

Squad and transfer market

"I want to count on my entire squad. If someone has to leave, they leave, whether it’s Alisson [Santos] or someone else. It’s a credit to the whole team, which has increased its value through everything it has done throughout the season, in Europe and domestically, and through the collective and individual quality we have shown. These supposed departures and arrivals are natural, I handle it well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Sporting CP is always ahead of any player and any coach. I need everyone, that’s for sure, and I want everyone, but when one is missing, there are others. But Alisson is called up for tomorrow, he is a Sporting player and, therefore, I won’t say much more about it."

Luis Suárez and Pedro Gonçalves at risk of a fifth yellow card

"They will go into the match with zero restrictions. I look at Nacional, I want to win the next game and that’s what matters to me. Both will play, they are options, and better than anyone they know the responsibility and that they have four yellow cards, but it doesn’t matter to think about Porto if we don’t beat Nacional. Then, against Porto, whoever is available will give their best response."

Unavailable players

"Gonçalo Inácio is called up for tomorrow. Fotis Ioannidis is still out. We can already count on Souleymane Faye and he will also be called up. Zeno Debast is out; he has no problem, it’s just management of the injury he had. We don’t want him at 70%, we want him at 100%, because we need him in this final stretch of the league."

Different options on the wings

"They are all different. Faye gives us things that Alisson, Luís Guilherme, and Geny don’t. The two players we brought in are very promising. We believe a lot in the potential of both. I don’t look at a player just for his shot or the goals he scores. We have to look at several things. Alisson, for example, has enormous potential, but it’s important to understand the context and how much he has to grow, especially in domestic games. We sign players mainly for league games, those are the important ones, and performance has to be high especially there. That’s our main focus. Of course, we want them to do well in all games, but everyone has to improve in some areas. Alisson, in decision-making against low blocks domestically, because he doesn’t have as much space, whereas in the UEFA Champions League he can go one-on-one. Faye is a player who offers more depth and attacks depth without the ball more than anyone else. They are very dynamic players and, above all, different. That increases the quality of the team and the strategic options throughout the games."

Most important week of the season?

"The team always has inherent responsibility. It’s an important week, like all the others. I understand the question, because we’re discussing access to the Portuguese Cup semi-finals, we’re in second place and we have to have that responsibility to fight for the trophy we hold, but Sporting is not satisfied with just a Cup, it wants to fight for everything. We’re in those fights and we’ll do everything to continue. We play the league leaders away, but it’s a game like any other. First, we have to beat Nacional, to not let the gap increase, then we think about AVS and only then, yes, about Porto."

Message for the victims of storm Kristin

"I want to express our solidarity regarding the damage caused by the storm throughout the country, especially in the central region. In whatever way Sporting can help, it will always be available. Not just the men's first team, but the entire structure will be present, with all the love and care, to help ease the suffering of the people, even if just a little."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.