Santa Clara review and refereeing row: Rui Borges' key quotes | OneFootball

Rui Borges, the green and white coach, spoke with journalists in a press conference previewing the Sporting - Alverca match, this Friday, November 7th. The match is scheduled for next Saturday at 8:30 PM, at the Estádio de São Miguel. Read here everything the lions' coach said, including his response to Roberto Martínez.

What is your analysis of Santa Clara, a team that has maintained the core from last season?

"It's a mature team that knows each other well. It's a very well-organized team, Vasco [Matos] is doing a good job. It's a team that makes life very difficult for any opponent. Last season we had difficulties in all the games with them [three matches]. They have changed some dynamics in their initial system compared to what they used to do. But it's a team that has conceded one less goal than at the same time in 2024/25. This says a lot about what Santa Clara is. We will have many difficulties. Playing in the Azores is always very difficult; we know that. We have to be prepared for that demand. We have to continue being what we have been. It's a tough game."

The National Team call-up has just been released, which includes four Sporting players. How do you react? Would you prefer they stayed here to 'rest'? How is Fresneda's recovery process?

"The call-up of the four is natural, given their form. Rui [Silva] played a great game, [Gonçalo] Inácio has grown immensely, he is much more of a leader. Given what they've done, it was expected. Rest? I don't see it that way, Quenda could also be there. Simões is also in a good phase, showing that quality. I believe they are knocking on the door and their day will come. Fresneda? He is in a rehabilitation process, we'll see what the estimated time will be."

Morita is at the end of his contract. Does this contribute to João Simões' rise?

"I think that in terms of the season itself, João Simões was considered a solution; he was considered a player for the main team. It remains valid. He is in a good individual moment. His rise is natural. It has nothing to do with age, but with the ability to show himself. Morita? We wanted to count on him in the same way, we continue to believe he will be an important player because everything he gives is important for the group in terms of technical and human quality. In terms of what was asked about the season, he was identified as important."

The week was marked by controversy around refereeing. Farioli aligned with FC Porto's stance, pointing out refereeing errors. Does this condition the refereeing of Sporting's games? How is the team physically for this match? Do you plan to make many changes?

"I'm not going to dwell much on this topic, I'll refer to Sporting's statement. Leave it to those who are in charge and make decisions. I'll focus on what I can control. I'm not going to focus on this topic. The team has responded very well physically, we have grown. I think they are motivated, they are aware of the demands. They know the difficulty we had against Santa Clara. It's a well-organized team with a lot of quality, with its own dynamics. We have to be aware of that. They have to focus solely on the game with Santa Clara because it's natural for focus to drift, also because we are in a World Cup year, towards the national teams. But I believe the team will give a good response."

You've experienced a lot in football. What led to the referee's complaint? Do you think more situations should be reported? Santa Clara has as many wins as losses and draws, does this cause additional difficulties?

"As I said, Santa Clara is a good team. I don't focus much on that. They have conceded one less goal than last season. It shows their quality. The championship is more competitive, it has more quality. I think Santa Clara may have another player who is not at their best. But their core is from last season. Credit to the coach. I like it because I like to be very competitive. We are going to face such a team, competitive and intense. We want to play a great game. Refereeing? I'm not going to enter that topic. We are in 2025. I believe things will be resolved as they should be, by those in charge."

How is Nuno Santos' recovery process? Will his return imply someone leaving in January, for example, Matheus Reis, who is at the end of his contract?

"I hope he is at one hundred percent for the coach. It's a difficult injury, he's a real warrior, he has improved immensely. That's what I'm seeing. I believe he is better and getting closer. He's on that path. Hopefully, he will give me more headaches in January, but no departure is planned due to this issue."

Diomande has not been called up for the Ivory Coast national team, would you be happy if he misses the CAN?

"If he stays here, it's better for us. Big competitions always affect players. I believe it affects him too, that he would want to represent his national team. I believe he might be sad if he doesn't go, I haven't talked to him about it. If he stays, it's another solution. But if he is sad, it also affects me because I care a lot about them. I will be happy and sad, so to speak."

Carlos Forbs, who has been a substitute for Quenda in the under-21s, was called up for Portugal's main national team. Don't you think it's unfair to Quenda?

"We all would make a selection and an eleven, I'm not going to talk about justice or injustice. I always believe they are the best. All of you, if you were in my place, would make a different eleven. The coach is the one who understands the strategy, we have to respect that, Quenda understands that. João Simões is the same. They are kids with 18 years. Calm down, they still have to grow. Quenda understands that and has to respect it. It's part of his growth, he's 18 years old, we can't forget that. Sometimes it's good to bring them back to earth, not to create that ego and too high expectations because it won't help them for sure. Of course, I will be happy when Quenda is called up to the main national team. Now, I'm also happy for him being called up to the under-21s."

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