Hjulmand, Porto clash, injuries: Rui Borges on Sporting v AFS SAD | OneFootball

Before the quarter-final match of the Portuguese Cup between Sporting and AFS SAD, Rui Borges attended the press conference for the duel of the main competition. Among various topics, he addressed the 'Hjulmand case', Porto's defeat, and the injured players in the squad.

"The second half of the season is going to be increasingly difficult because teams need the points. The team has realized this in the last few games and will face the game against AFS in this way. We have to give our best to overcome AFS, there is no other option, especially since it determines a passage to the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup. The difficulty will increase in the coming months and we have to be serious and stay focused from start to finish. AFS may be struggling in their league position, but this game can put them in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup and the motivation will be extra. We will face difficulties, but the team knows this will happen regardless of the opponent and the competition. The last few months will be quite intense and the team must maintain this spirit and ambition from start to finish of the games. It is a different game compared to the league match. We have observed their coach better and they seem to be a more compact and competitive team despite the results. AFS has varied their system and I believe they will try to play a good game tomorrow. I believe in some changes compared to the starting eleven of the last match, even due to the days of rest. We are prepared, knowing that in the Portuguese Cup dreams happen and we have to be able to stay focused to prevent surprises and fight until the end for something we achieved last season."

Morten Hjulmand

"I won't talk more, I already spoke at the end of the game. I said he would play and he will be a starter tomorrow. There is no situation at all. He is a great captain, leader, and example. The group looks up to him, believes in him, and trusts him, and it will continue to be like this. He will be a starter and captain, everything normal. I have a great captain."

Confidence in the structure

"It's total, we are always in sync. There is a lot of confidence and dialogue from day one."

Goals near the end of the match

"Luck takes work. Our fans should be happy with four victories. We still need ten goals in the last 15 minutes to reach last season's number. The game is until the end and the team shows that confidence is high. We know the games will be difficult, but they believe so much and the group is so strong that we end up, as many say, being lucky to score in the last minutes. Perhaps, in an initial phase, we were scoring many goals in the first ten minutes. Now, we are scoring some in the final part of the game. I'm happy that we have been scoring for 33 games, which shows the team's ambition."

Casa Pia vs. Porto match

"I watched it in parts because we will face Porto in the next league match. Teams will commit to the game more and more in order to want points. It will be tough for those who are lower and the points will be very costly. Regardless of being Sporting, Porto, or Benfica, the games are difficult. Benfica had difficulties and so did we to beat Nacional. I've said many times that there is no game that will dictate anything. Everything changes very quickly and the teams are getting stronger and more competitive. They know each other better and know how to nullify the power of the big teams."

Fotis Ioannidis, Nuno Santos, and Zeno Debast

"Fotis and Debast are out. Nuno may enter the squad."

Position 10

"The difficulties we have encountered have given us solutions with more players and more positions and that makes the team stronger. Individually, they grow as players by responding in various positions."

Francisco Trincão

"Last season, I said he was one of the players who surprised me the most. He is a very different player. He is extraordinary, responds wherever needed. I will be very happy if the renewal happens, both for him and for Sporting and for us, the coaches. He is an extraordinary player and doesn't need to wear an armband. He has always responded and is one of the few players who, fortunately, hasn't had long injuries. He always stands up for the team, even in difficulties. He is there, stands up, takes responsibility, and doesn't hide. He exemplifies what it is to be a leader."

Changes in the starting lineup

"There may be one or two changes, it's inevitable. It's part of it, it's natural and I have shown the confidence I have in everyone. They know this and respond, they are connected. I am super calm about my decisions for tomorrow's game."

Squad depth

"What we have done so far answers everything about depth. Just look at our performance in any competition and realize that the team has responded and will continue to respond. When it doesn't, it's because the opponent will be better than us and that's part of it. We are not machines, we are humans, but the commitment will always be there. Fortunately, we went straight to the round of 16. Otherwise, we would have to be competitive in two more games. They will respond. They want to play and the team responds for me. We are in the round of 16, in the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup, and in the fight for the championship. We are having a great season and whoever is in first is having an extraordinary season."

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