Mourinho reply, white card for Suárez: Rui Borges on Alverca - Sporting | OneFootball

After a comfortable win against Alverca, 4-1, Rui Borges, coach of Sporting, gave his thoughts on the match in a press conference. The Lions’ coach commented on José Mourinho’s recent words about Sporting’s Champions League campaign and also the strange decision by João Pinheiro regarding Luis Suárez. Check out everything he said.

Match analysis

“Regarding the game, I think we were better over the 90 minutes. We started well in the first half, managed to score, and Alverca defended in a low block, very close to their area. After the goal, we got into a bit of a lull, a controlled game, yes, but one that could have exposed us if we lost the ball. We started to overdo it with inside play, where there was no space, and Alverca looked for that to launch quick attacks. The three men up front were no longer defending much, already waiting for the counterattack. It was a bit of a lukewarm game from us, especially with the ball. The second half was totally different. We were very dynamic, adjusted one or two behaviors to create more space, to escape Alverca’s individual marking. We lost balls in areas where we had more players, where we could react facing forward and not have to run 40 meters back, and that’s what happened in the second half. The team was very dynamic, with a different energy from the first half, wanting to go after the second goal. We didn’t drop our lines, we always tried to play with a very high block, sometimes taking some risks, especially since Inácio was on a yellow, but we read that situation very well too. A very good second half, with and without the ball. The only dangerous moment they had was the goal, which made it 3-1, and a ball that went across our goal.”

Physical problems

“Pote was cramp. Trincão took a knock, he was stepped on. The only injured player, fortunately, is Nuno.”

‘Simulation’ by Luis Suárez

“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know. I think now there’s the white card, that’s what was required, that’s what should have been given. But I don’t know, you have to ask the referee or the VAR. A strange situation, but it is what it is, it’s part of the game and I’m not going to comment much on that.”

Bothered by Mourinho’s response?

“No, far from it. The coach’s honest opinion, I respect it.”

Would you like Benfica to be European champions?

“I’m Portuguese, above all. I want the Portuguese to win.”

Calm after the win?

“We are focused on ourselves, that’s what matters. We know what we have to do in these games now in the final stretch of the league and that’s what we’re focused on, we’re not focused on our direct rivals: whether it’s those ahead or those behind. We’re focused on what we control, which is our game. It’s always been that way and the team showed that today on the pitch. The only focus is on us and what we can do in our games. Another great response, now some will go to the national teams and we’ll take a breather these days to prepare for an intense month ahead.”

Exploiting depth

“The changes weren’t because of that, it’s natural that he made more runs in behind. Alverca pushed their block up, not much, but a bit more, and that gave us those spaces for diagonals and depth, but more than that it was about moving the ball dynamically, not falling asleep with the ball and always looking for the free man. We played a lot down the flanks because that’s what we had to do against a team that attacks quickly. We never had to run 40 meters back at high intensity, we always looked forward and that was the most important thing. Alverca finished the first half believing they could hurt Sporting, but in the second half the ball moved faster and was more dynamic, and the individual quality of our players stood out.”

50th win with Sporting

“I’m happy, it’s another milestone in my journey and my coaching staff’s. It’s been a very good, very happy journey, where we’ve done a great job. Everything in terms of quality of play and stats shows that. More than the 50 games [wins], I’m happy for all these months leading a great Sporting.”

Nuno Santos’ injury

“It’s muscular, nothing to do with his knees, thank God. It’s natural. A player who was out for 15 months runs these risks, unfortunately. When he comes back, the body will creak in some places, as I say up north. I know it’s an injury, he’ll be evaluated in the next few days, for sure. As for the game, I’m looking forward to having dinner with my family, seriously, and taking advantage of the break and a quieter week to relax a bit more.”

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