Rui Borges: Facing Porto, the league leaders and strongest side | OneFootball

What was the reason Pedro Gonçalves didn't play? Was he rested for the match against FC Porto? “Pote didn't play because he wasn't feeling 100%, we chose to manage him, not expose him, there was no need. It was due to this physical management. He has been training and was on the bench. We felt there was no need to expose him to any risk.”

Did you see FC Porto's penalty? Can controversial refereeing decisions hinder Sporting in their quest for the championship hat-trick? “I'm only concerned with what we control, our games. We made our path and that's how we have to continue. Then we'll see what we are capable of achieving. I don't talk about refereeing. I didn't even see it.”

Is this the best time to beat FC Porto or are they the favorites? “The games are tough for everyone. We won five or six in a row close to the 90'. Teams are more capable of facing and delaying the goals of the big teams. Football is very competitive now, there are no easy teams like before. They are the ones in front, it's the first half, we really want to continue in the Cup and defend a title that is ours, but they are the team leading the championship and that means they are the strongest.”

Will Ioannidis be an option? “I can't be sure if Ioannidis will be able to play. He will be in doubt.”

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