Pillow talk and Champions League dreams: Rui Borges on Bodø/Glimt v Sporting | OneFootball

Rui Borges addressed the match between Bodø/Glimt and Sporting in a press conference. The coach spoke about the ambitions of the green and whites to make history in the Champions League and also about the options for the starting eleven. Check out everything he said.

"For me, it’s not surprising. Just look at Bodo in recent months. Last season they reached the Europa League semi-finals, this year they've already beaten great teams. Two teams with huge ambition, a bit different in their approach. Two teams determined to make history, to make their name, with each player also seeking that. On the other hand, each with their own weapons, but both are great teams."

Choices for the artificial pitch

"Fortunately, they have access to any type of boots and they have to be prepared for the demands. It won’t be an excuse, but it is different from playing on grass. The ball bounces more. Some players get stuck more, in terms of turns. It’s totally different for those who are used to it, but it can’t be an excuse. Bodo has been strong at home and away, always strong and competitive."

History in the knockout stage

"I hope the guys are well, it can’t be an excuse, but in Braga there was a noticeable physical drop in some players, but those on the outside might not notice, but we do. It won’t be an excuse for what is required, if you ask them all, they’ll always say they’re fine. They’re fine for what the game demands, especially since we’re going to face a team that will demand a lot physically, besides the impact of playing on an artificial pitch, which is not the same, but has all those particularities. We’ll have to be attentive, talk to the players and see now in training, to figure out what will be the best and strongest eleven to face a great Bodo/Glimt.

I think Sporting has already made history. It’s about continuing to dream, with our feet firmly on the ground, it’s over two legs, of course, but Bodo has quality, it’s a very strong collective, in their league context they dominate possession, with about 65 percent, they weren’t champions, but had the best attack and the best defense. In 24/25, at home, they averaged three goals scored per game. In the Champions League, the team has more goals on the counterattack, which shows the contrast of Bodo/Glimt’s strength. We have to be prepared and understand the demands."

Is the starting eleven already defined or will you sleep on it?

"Both games will be decisive. Bodo has already played great games at home and away, they’ve already beaten Atlético... that says a lot about their quality. It won’t be decided here or at our place, it’s over two legs. As for sleeping on it, it’s about understanding some things between today and tomorrow. Nuno and Dani are coming back from injuries... it’s about understanding the impact that might have. All the other guys will have to adapt and that demand will be decisive."

Choice for left back?

"The key to the tie is our ability to be prepared for the physical demands of the 90 minutes. It’s an intense, vertical team... we have to be prepared and balanced. As we like to have the ball, we have to be clear-headed and rigorous in our balance, since they are strong in transitions. Left back? If Nuno doesn’t play, I’ll have to make an adaptation... it could also be Moreira. It could go that way. Sometimes..."

Postponement of Sporting - Liverpool

"We have that right. We chose that opportunity, we were coming off three consecutive games, plus tomorrow’s, all highly demanding matches. It’s important within the context of the Champions League knockout stage. If we have that right, we should take advantage of it. Maybe we would have postponed one or another game already, we couldn’t, it is what it is, those are the rules. Of course, we’d like to always have normal weeks, because the team breathes more and trains a bit more to be prepared for the game."

Status of Nuno Santos

"Nuno is coming off a very long break, a very serious injury. Physically, Nuno is not yet the same Nuno. The technical and tactical part is there, he’s an extraordinary player. You can sense what he feels and thinks. From the outside, we also have that perception. Even talking to the player, he might be walking but says he’s fine. It wasn’t a normal injury and we can’t ignore that. He’s a warrior. If there’s anyone who could go through this and come back to being the same, that player is him."

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