Sporting still can't do the basics, Rui Borges warns squad | OneFootball

Sporting are preparing for the trip to Vila do Conde with their eyes on the upcoming clash against Rio Ave, after a win over Alverca that showed positive signs but also once again exposed some weaknesses. Rui Borges made several changes in defence in that match and, although the team looked more solid for much of the game, they once again conceded a goal in the closing stages.

The Sporting coach now wants the team to take a step forward and finally manage one of football’s most basic tasks: finishing a match without conceding. Sporting have already let in five goals in their first official matches of the season, a record Rui Borges wants to correct quickly, especially given the green-and-whites’ title ambitions.

For the match against Rio Ave, the manager has already shown that he has no problem changing the team when he feels it is necessary. Against Alverca, the main changes came in defence, with Iván Fresneda, Zeno Debast and Ibrahima Ba coming in for Georgios Vagiannidis, Eduardo Quaresma and Gonçalo Inácio. It is not yet certain whether all of these changes will be kept, but the message from the coach is clear: there are positions and behaviours that still need to be consolidated.

Rui Borges also believes the team is starting to build an identity, even if it still has not reached the level the coach wants for the season. A second consecutive win brought confidence, but the coaching staff continue to work on creating habits and establishing a winning cycle. In attack, the aim is to make the side more lethal and to make better use of the players’ different qualities, from Issa Doumbia’s explosiveness to Geny Catamo’s pace, as well as Flávio Gonçalves’ creativity, Rodrigo Zalazar’s drive, and the finishing ability of Fotis Ioannidis and Luis Suárez.

The Lions will be back in action next Friday, 28 August, against Rio Ave. The match, valid for the fourth round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, against the side managed by Sotiris Sylaidopoulos, will kick off at 20:15 in Vila do Conde.

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