Napoli changes: Were Sporting punished? Rui Borges admits honesty | OneFootball

Rui Borges assured that changes in the starting eleven presented at Napoli - Sporting had nothing to do with Estoril

Rui Borges made a revolution in Sporting's eleven, against Napoli. The lions ended up losing 2-1 and, at the end of the match, the green and white coach justified the changes, ensuring that they were not related to the displeasure shown after the victory over Estoril (1-0).

"Being as honest as possible, it had nothing to do with the game in Estoril, obviously. It had to do with one or two things strategically, but mainly with some management that we had to necessarily have with some players. Pote, Trincão, for example, even Luis Suárez, for everything he has been doing. We had to guard against some things and it was also some management", he said.

The coach clarified that the idea "had nothing to do with thinking that the goal is the championship", although that is "clearly" the first goal of the lions. "It has a lot to do with the moment itself, some games, some guys with national team load, injuries, with small complaints at some moments and we have to be careful, because everyone will be needed, it will be a long season and we want to have a balanced squad and have fewer injuries than last season", he continued.

"There is a lot that we have to be careful about, but the certainty that the team gave a great response, regardless of who plays. I have already said this and I don't say this to throw it in the air, I train Sporting, I have a squad with 28 players, if they are here it's because they are good", Rui Borges concluded.

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