Boos for Suárez, signings, Rui Silva; Rui Borges after Sporting - Vitória | OneFootball

After the victory over Vitória de Guimarães (3-2),Rui Borges appeared at the press conference and highlighted the first half, but acknowledged that the team lost intensity after the break. The coach admitted there was a drop in energy in the second 45 minutes, although he downplayed the boos aimed at Luis Suárez.

Match analysis and a reaction to Flávio Gonçalves scoring on his debut

"It’s the natural outcome of his quality, credit to him for growing the way he needs to grow. As for the game, a great first half in which we didn’t let Vitória believe they could take points, and a second half in which we did let them believe. We started losing energy, our ability to press, we became too passive. These are growing pains we’re going to have, with some changes, a lot of young players, understanding what Sporting’s DNA is. We have to improve individually and collectively. Then the 3-1 created some doubt and the opponent started to believe. The second goal came from losing the ball, more of an individual issue. Apart from that, it was long balls, first and second balls, we lacked energy there. We’re far too passive, and we can’t be".

What happened from the first half to the second?

"In the end, it comes down to the growing pains from the changes we’ve had and the players we have. A very demanding first half, then a second half where we lost a lot of energy. You can’t change 10 players, though sometimes it would be nice [laughs]. These are pains we’re going to have, and we need to understand how we can improve that or minimize those moments. I also believe that has to do with it being the first matchday; the important thing is to understand that we won, and tomorrow we’ll look at what we need to do better to keep growing as a team".

There’s a lot of talk about this lack of confidence; it’s not the best way to start the season. How do you manage that, and with Luis Suárez being booed?

"It wasn’t the best way to start because of the draw on the first matchday, but today we won. However difficult or not, we won. I don’t see what’s so difficult about the start. We’re going to have a lot of growing pains; it’s not all going to be plain sailing. We’ll have to grow as a team, and that starts with us, the coaching staff, and then the players. As for the fans’ lack of confidence, I believe it was a bit because of the first matchday. This new team we have needs positive energy from the outside in, because it’s important and it helps them grow. The support they gave in the first half needs to continue for the full 95 minutes. Of course, just as we need to be consistent for the full 95 minutes. Boos? Fans believe everything they read, and in the end it’s connected to that, because Suárez had a great season, gave us a lot, and will continue to give Sporting a lot".

Sporting had an outstanding preseason, what happened?

"Nothing happened, it’s just that preseason games and league matches with real demands aren’t comparable. It’s as simple as that. They gave us good energy, good indicators, good feelings, and they still do, but the demands of the game are different, opponents offer different things. Playing with pressure or without pressure is completely different for a team that is new. A lot of young players, different contexts. It’s going to force us to grow quickly, because the size of this club demands that from us. You’re up against 11 players on the other side who also have merit and quality".

Do you think there are conditions for Luis Suárez to continue playing for Sporting?

"I’ve already answered that. For me it’s a non-issue; you’re the ones creating an issue where there isn’t one. He’s not in the best condition to play 90 minutes, he’s a great player, had a great season, and will continue to help Sporting".

Do you think Doumbia can grow in midfield?

- It’s natural for that growth to be lacking. I’m laughing because if I put him on the left, it’s because Doumbia is a midfielder, and vice versa — football is funny. If I make substitutions at 60 minutes, and if I don’t, then it’s because I should have — football is fantastic in that sense. Doumbia gives us things in one position and in others; does he need to grow? He does. He was playing in a different system, with different demands. It’s up to us to help him grow. He had a good game, very competitive, as an 8. Zalazar also dropped off quite a bit physically and we stopped being as intense in our pressing.

Was the second half down to the opponent’s merit?

"Not only that, I already said that. They have their merit, they freshened up the right side, gave their midfielders more mobility, and we started losing our reference points here and there. And those doubts led us to stop pressing as much in a higher block, I believe because of a lack of energy, not desire. It’s natural for the team to lose that energy; the first half was very demanding and the other side deserves credit. They changed a few details and tried to get into the game. We knew that; the 3-2 came from us losing the ball. They were the team that put in the most crosses on the first matchday, partly because of the reference point in the box who scored today. Then the lack of confidence causes us to lose a bit of that energy, but we have to grow quickly".

"We’re happy with the squad we have. The only thing that might come in is a left-back because of Mangas’ departure. I still haven’t asked about the seriousness of the injury, or even what it was. I hope it’s nothing serious".

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