Rui Borges: A draw feels too little despite few chances | OneFootball

Rui Borges, Sporting’s coach, during the press conference after the draw at Estádio do Dragão against FC Porto:

Maintaining Confidence Until the End

«Overall, we were much more in control of the game. At times, we lacked a bit more aggression in our pursuit of FC Porto’s goal, but we always had the game well under control. It was a game that was, at times, cautious, but with us on top. We started very well, wanting to have possession and pushing FC Porto back into their own half, and we broke their pressure. Then FC Porto balanced the game, but we improved towards the end of the first half and started the second half better. We lacked some aggression in the final third. In the only chance FC Porto had in the second half, they scored. They were lucky and deserved credit. After that, we had to chase the result. We deserved the draw, which ends up feeling like too little, even though we didn’t create many clear chances. But we were closer to FC Porto’s goal than they were to ours.»

Team Adjusted for the Dragão

«It’s natural that there is mutual respect, these are two great teams. We knew that in small details, if there were 10 seconds of lack of focus, either team could decide the game. We were very good in our offensive process and defended well to neutralize the opponent.»

Lack of Boldness from Sporting?

«I made changes when I thought I had to, but the boldness was there. We lost many connections because Luis (Suárez) wasn’t at 100 percent. We had more approaches to the goal in the second half and FC Porto, with their only real dangerous approach, scored. We faced a team that is extremely strong defensively, the numbers show that. We have to give credit to the opponent for managing to neutralize us at times.»

Point Earned

«It’s a point on our journey. There are 13 games left, and they will be tough for everyone. We want to have an extraordinary second half of the season, because the first was good but not enough to be first. We have to do better.»

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