‘Whinger’ on FC Porto at boss’s renewal: “Credit to Porto, but above…” | OneFootball

Frederico Varandas, Sporting president, said that one of the explanations for the title FC Porto is on the verge of winning lies in the difference in demands between the Europa League and the Champions League, during Rui Borges’ contract renewal ceremony.

“The competitive exposure of this squad is not the same as the leader’s. The Europa League has nothing to do with the Champions League after the competitions were revamped. The league leader deserves it. But put that team, that squad, up against Juventus, Atlético, PSG, Bayern, Bodo/Glimt, Arsenal… and I ask you what their performance would be. Whether it would be the same in the league. Credit to our rival, because they understood their strengths. FC Porto rotated eight players in the Europa League and were eliminated by a team fighting to survive in the Premier League. They were also knocked out by Sporting in the Portuguese Cup. We also won two league titles, and in one of them we weren’t the same team. We put all our eggs in one basket. The coach at the time [Ruben Amorim] was very competent.”

Whether he will congratulate FC Porto

“I have to congratulate FC Porto’s professionals, the players. It is entirely deserved. They showed great merit and great seriousness. Now, above that, there are things far more important than winning titles. The way you carry yourself in life is far above that.”

Criticism of Sporting’s transfer business

“As for the transfer market, it’s the usual story, the same old thing. They say Sporting lack judgment and ambition, but we have the most valuable squad. When Rui Borges arrived, we had Viktor Gyokeres, the most valuable player in the league, and he has already left. Now the squad is five percent more valuable than it was then. So I have to say it, our rivals are weaker.”

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