Everything Rui Borges said ahead of Paços de Ferreira v Sporting (25/26) | OneFootball

Rui Borges, the green-and-white coach, spoke to journalists in a pre-match press conference for Paços de Ferreira vs. Sporting, this Friday, October 17. The match is scheduled for next Saturday at 8:15 p.m. at Estádio Capital do Móvel. Read here everything the Lions’ coach said.

Cup defense

"It’s about both things. The tactic is not to underestimate the opponent, given their past in the top division. The greatest respect is to take them seriously. Mentality? Understanding that we’re going to defend a title; the Jamor final left its mark on us. That’s our first motivation, to defend something we won with great effort and dedication."

Meeting with Varandas

"I didn’t even see the president. It’s funny to watch what’s going on outside; they create crazy stories. Our own fault? This will never be criticism; we want to win at all costs. We’ve had a productive start that shows our quality. After a less successful game we felt it. It’s not criticism, but the maximum demand we want. The players have to feel it because we weren’t the Sporting we want to be and have been."

3-4-3

"Now you’ve thrown me off… I’ll be objective. The system is very subjective; I’m always learning. We have the best version of Pote, Trincão, Hjulmand, Quenda. Sporting’s team has never produced so much; it’s the team that creates the most chances… and wastes them. It’s the second that allows the fewest chances; we were first. The system isn’t even the issue. It’s about the dynamics we give. It wasn’t about the system, but our inability—maybe mine. I wasn’t able to nullify Braga so they created less danger; we ran too much and at times poorly. The better versions statistically speak for themselves."

Mourinho’s jab

"I’m focused on what we can do; there’s immense noise around Sporting. It’s a sign we’re winners. Understand that we’re going to fight for a trophy that’s in the museum; enjoy it. Defend what we won. It brings back many memories because I came from the bottom, having my parents in the stands… that’s what marks the Cup for me, and it’s there in the Museum with our names."

Pote’s renewal

"For me they could all renew… the president wouldn’t find that very funny financially. It has to do with the confidence everyone has in him; it increases responsibility; he’s been very important; it conveys enormous trust in him. He’s very focused on wanting to win more, helping someone who lost many months and wants to get back to his best. We all feel he’s an important player. Our biggest task is to motivate him in that daily ambition."

Rivals’ noise and system change

"It’s in the museum because we were better. The noise is yours. It’s in the Museum on merit. For all the setbacks we had. We turned it around in the last minute. Interview? Have you seen the documentary? Watch it, it’s top. You must have seen the president explain why Rui Borges went back on the structure. No one ever asked me to change any structure. Only because I didn’t have any midfielders to play. I had to adapt to what we had, enjoy Zeno who became a luxury midfielder. He’s still an extraordinary player. I didn’t have midfielders. What elevates us is being champions with many difficulties, with many youngsters. We were champions with Pote playing at 50%. We lost so many players… As for the system, I’ve already answered. The statistics speak for themselves."

Alisson and Diomande

"Alisson’s opportunity has nothing to do with the Cup. He’s understood the context and the demands better. He’s been growing and has been important. He’s fought for more minutes. It’s not about the Cup game. The opportunity has to do with his growth. He’s a kid we believe will be very important in the future. He’ll have a bright future. Diomande? He’s more prepared; it was important he didn’t go to the national team. He’s more capable of responding, of being able to start. He’s important for what he gives us physically; he stands out in the physical side, in duels. Fortunately, we have him back."

Amorim

"The president’s ambition is ours; we can’t let the group slip into complacency; we didn’t just win this season. We have to fight. The biggest challenge is not letting complacency set in. We can’t get tired of winning. We must keep that standard. It’s part of Sporting’s DNA. It’s about keeping everyone engaged. We still have a lot to win. The three-peat will mark all our histories. In 30 years they’ll talk about them. It’s an indirect complacency; they’re used to winning a lot. That’s the hard part for us coaches: keeping everyone constantly connected to this ambition. We can’t switch off. We have to think we’ve won little. We want much more. The president’s words are natural. My take? Rúben marked an era and we don’t shy away from that. I’m a fan of Rúben. We learn from the best. If he won, it’s because he’s good; he earned it… but he won’t be back, no matter how much Sporting fans want it. If he returns, it’ll be many years from now. There’s no way around it. We have to move forward, hold on to each other. It’s Sporting that matters, not the coach or the players. The club has also won with others. What matters is Sporting. It’s not the people themselves; they’re part of the history and must become even more part of it. If they get the three-peat, they’ll be honored later, with their grandkids, because they can mark history again."

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