Suárez row, Irankunda and returns: R. Borges pre Sporting v Vitória SC | OneFootball

Rui Borges previewed Sporting’s game next Friday against Vitória de Guimarães, in the second round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, after the draw in their opener. The Lions’ coach discussed

Importance of winning at home

"It’s a reason to be happy to be back home. We’ve missed feeling Alvalade. Even for this young team, feeling the fans is special. As for tomorrow, it’s a team I’ve already been with and it’s special. The players know what that club represents. They lost in the first round, but they were the team that had the most shots. They will certainly want to make it an even game, but we want to come away with the win"

Tension with Luis Suárez

"The only tension that existed at this club during this week was collective. This is a club that is used to winning and we weren’t able to do that in the first round"

Pote and Daniel Bragança

"If we get to the end of the transfer window and they are still here, they are club players and we will gladly count on Pote and Dani. They are two great players, who have given a lot to Sporting and, if that is the case, will continue to do so. They are two players who, at first, want new challenges, and between everyone... They have that desire. Some fear of injury... Everything points to that. We’ve had some dialogue, and they have trained well, even helping with the integration of the many new lads who have come in, passing on Sporting’s DNA. They have been important in that process. Now, we have to wait and see what the market will bring for both of them"

Returns of Ibrahima Ba and Zeno Debast

"Ba and Zeno are now available to play. Of course, they are not at their best fitness levels. They have been called up and will be involved. Naturally, they are not players ready for many minutes, but they are important for the group and have quality. If we think they can help, because of the different characteristics each one has... I’m happy to see two more options available, who will be very important throughout the season"

Signing of Irankunda

"As for Irankunda... I don’t think I’d be lying if I said he is signing right now. He is a player we really wanted and who will add a lot to the team. He is different from the players we have in terms of his characteristics. Personally, I think I’m even very eager to work with him, to understand even better the qualities we believe can help the team and make us stronger"

Various Luis Suárez incidents

"As for the incidents, I’m not aware of those incidents. If he trains well, he plays; if he doesn’t train well, he doesn’t play. He has been called up for tomorrow and it was not his fault that we didn’t beat Estrela. The blame lies with the coach. Suárez is important and he is improving"

"As for Fenerbahçe, it’s not an issue, because he was the league’s top scorer. It’s the market... they want him, they want Geny... He showed up when he was supposed to, he is regaining his physical condition. As for social media, everyone can interpret it however they want..."

Rafael Nel

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