Mourinho grateful as Rui Borges hails Benfica boss before derby | OneFootball

Rui Borges considers José Mourinho a reference. In the aftermath of the match between Sporting and Estrela da Amadora — where there were provocations towards the rival — the Sporting coach discussed the upcoming duel, which will be precisely against Benfica, and praised the Special One.

José Mourinho: “For me, it's a challenge. It's the first time I'm facing the best Portuguese coach.”

“One of the best in the world, for me he still is, no matter what others say. He is a coach who has a different maturity in big games,” added Rui Borges, when discussing the Lisbon derby, which will take place next Friday, December 5th, at the Estádio da Luz.

However, the green and white coach clarified that he regards José Mourinho in the same way he treated the Estrela da Amadora coach: “I have a lot of respect for him, but it's the same respect I have for everyone, even for those with less experience.”

“I looked up to him at the start of my career as a reference; he was for me as he was for everyone, because he changed the paradigm of football,” concluded Rui Borges during the press conference, after another victory for Sporting by four goals to nil.

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