Beto Pimparel backs Rui Silva, blames others for Napoli goals | OneFootball

Beto Pimparel was questioned about Sporting's performance against Napoli in the second round of the Champions League. The former goalkeeper of the Lions agreed with the squad management by Rui Borges and ended up absolving Rui Silva, ultimately blaming the rest of the team.

"Starting with the changes... there are always many things at play. I am sure that Sporting, whether in matters of the Primeira Liga, the Champions League, or the Portuguese Cup, has in its DNA to always enter the field to compete for results, to win games. That will always be Sporting's basic principle. Regarding the changes, I believe there is a lot that could be discussed here. Only Rui Borges and his squad will know the reason for this management. There are two trips and another very important factor. There are two games that can mean a lot for Sporting. First of all, their own game, with Braga, and then the Classic, where Sporting will gain points from someone or can gain points from both," he began by saying, in statements to Notícias ao Minuto.

"There is a lot that needs to be managed here, never abandoning, in my perspective, the basic principle that Sporting enters the field to win every game. No one knew if there were players who were tired, or if it was just a tactical and technical management by Rui Borges. From the course of the game, I think Sporting respected Napoli too much in the early phase of the game. However, it quickly became clear that the team had the means to face this Napoli," stated Beto Pimparel.

Next, the former Sporting goalkeeper spoke directly about Rui Silva: "It is true that goals always have to come from mistakes... the issue of not committing a foul, that is competitive maturity. As for Rui Silva's departure, it is part of the game and the growth of the goalkeeper. Everyone will make mistakes. I could never blame a defeat on an individual error. I never did, especially not to a goalkeeper. The most important thing is the issue of competitive maturity, knowing at what moment of the game the team is in, and understanding that a foul needs to be made to reorganize, to protect itself. This is Sporting's growth at the European level. Personally, it leaves a lot to be desired because, as the game unfolded, I realized that Sporting had the means to leave Naples, in this case, with a different result."

"I have been through the same situation of coming back from an injury and having an important Champions League game. At the time, coach Unai Emery put me in to play, even though I had been out for two or three weeks. The game had a very high emotional load, and it was necessary to have players on the field in specific positions, with experience, to endure the game times and also to convey that same experience to the rest of the team. I believe that is why Rui Borges put Rui Silva back in. For his experience, obviously, always for his quality, above all, but for his experience. Rui already has some experience in European games, there is always a very strong synergy between Rui and the defensive line. I don't mean to say that the other goalkeeper couldn't do it just as well, or better, but we always start from the principle that before the game, the coach will want to put those who will give him more guarantees, not only of quality and performance but also of managing what is a Champions game, and with a Napoli that is a great team," he concluded.

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