Elections, Nuno Santos, Champions League: Rui Borges on Sporting v Estoril | OneFootball

Rui Borges discussed the match between Sporting and Estoril in a press conference at the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy. The coach provided an update on the Alvalade Club's medical report, the elections, Nuno Santos' situation, and also a 'preview' of the Champions League draw. Check out everything he said.

Is Sporting the favorite against Estoril?

"Clearly not. It's going to be one of the toughest games we'll have throughout the season. They are a dynamic team in the offensive process, similar to us. A team that likes to have the ball, with good players in their offensive actions. At times they have some imbalances, which are part of the risks they take, but I believe they will expose us to different problems than we've encountered."

Real Madrid or Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League?

"Above all, happy, first for entering directly into the round of 16, then for being able to enjoy this competition. The team will be very motivated to continue this fantastic journey."

Renewal?

"I am focused on the work and very focused on the championship and continuing to make history with Sporting."

Is this the most decisive phase of the season?

"It's important to have all the players available. I don't know if it's the most important phase. It's natural for people to think so, with Cup games, championship, and Champions. It's an important phase in terms of the outcome of the competitions we're in. In terms of motivation, the team will be connected and super motivated. It's important to have everyone."

After this game, you will have an important game with Porto...

"I'm focused on Estoril, I haven't even talked about the game with Porto with anyone. This game with Estoril is going to be one of the toughest. We have to face it as the toughest because it's the next one. Our focus is the championship, we're chasing. We want to be first."

What do you expect from Estoril?

"I expect an ambitious, pressing Estoril. It's a team that changed the initial game system, maintaining some dynamics in terms of positioning. It's a team with variability in positions and players, creating different things. It will force us to think differently. It's a team that likes to have the ball. It's a good team in the offensive process."

Situation of Debast

"He's training. He won't play by choice because he's been at 100 percent for only a few days, but he's ready to help. When he returned, he wasn't at 100 percent and we're monitoring the player's clinical situation. He felt discomfort, and we decided to slow down."

The Sporting elections are approaching. What's your position?

"The position is Estoril. My role is to train, and that's what I focus on."

Nuno Santos and absences

"Gio is out, and Mangas too. Fotis is in doubt. His return is similar to Zeno's, in the sense of being a specific injury. Otherwise, Nuno Santos is fine. The only problem is that he was out for a long time. The decision is there, the quality, but the physical and athletic part is missing. He's feeling better and more available. Pote... we've had great games with Pote and now one without him. In this case, Luís Guilherme played, Trincão has also played. They are all important. Luís Guilherme just arrived and has 70 percent dribbling. They are different but important players. I'm happy to have more options."

More complete team?

"The best moment is subjective... we haven't lost our identity. The intensity, we lowered a bit in one or another game, but the quality was there. The 19 games demonstrate the team's regularity. There was one game or another, but it's natural. I don't know if it's the best moment. We started the season well, except for the game with Porto, but we've been competent. There's no best moment. Maybe we have more players returning. In this phase, we had many players out. We had to forgo the Champions playoff. We played in Dortmund with many B team youngsters. Better or worse, I don't know. Last year's team was champion, this year we're in the fight."

Work in these weeks

"It was important because we trained a little more. Normally we don't train. They gave us more training, intensified dynamics. I believe repetition helps internalize behaviors. That stimulus is important, offensively and defensively. It allowed us to stimulate, within the game idea. Create the mental habit of what is the collective side."

Real Madrid - Benfica and the Vinícius - Prestianni case

"I won't go there. Many coaches have already spoken well. Racism is a societal problem, not just in football. We have to be aware and do our best. It's up to us, as parents, to make the world better in that sense. I believe it was Guardiola who talked about it, about teachers, their role. Nowadays, teenagers and children are also taught by teachers, but we parents have the responsibility to show that we are all equal and gradually abolish it through education. Regarding the game, I was attentive because it was a good game to watch, and it was a good game."

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