Rui Borges: Sporting starter feeling strain before Porto clash | OneFootball

Rui Borges was asked how Luis Suárez is feeling at this stage, since he appeared to be quite affected after the incident that led to Antoine Baroan’s injury, in the match between Sporting and AFS, valid for the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup. On the eve of playing against Porto, the coach made everything clear.

"It was a difficult moment for all of us. It affects everyone. Besides being an opponent, he is a fellow professional. Luis [Suárez] shouldn’t feel guilty, it’s part of the game. But I feel he’s motivated, even though he’s a bit shaken. As for the match, it’s not decisive. It’s important mentally for the outcome, but not decisive," he began by saying.

Next, when asked whether the fatigue from extra time in the cup competition could affect the Lions’ performance at the Dragão, Rui Borges clarified: "The physical or mental aspect of fatigue cannot be used as an excuse. They will be prepared for what the game will be. It’s a big match, which mentally makes us more focused – I hope – and everything it means has to motivate us. Therefore, the 120 minutes against AFS cannot be an excuse."

After 20 matches played, the team led by Rui Borges now has 51 points and remains in second place in the Liga Portugal Betclic standings. Porto has 55 and is in first place. Benfica is third with 46.

The green and white emblem will be back on the field next Monday, February 9, also against Porto. The match, counting for the 21st round of Liga Portugal Betclic, against the team led by Francesco Farioli, will be played at Estádio do Dragão at 8:45 p.m.

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