Dragão controversy and Benfica message: Rui Borges on Sporting v Porto | OneFootball

Rui Borges discussed the match between Sporting and Porto at a press conference at the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy. The coach provided an update on the Alvalade Club's medical report, Benfica's accusations, and the recent controversies with the Dragons. Check out everything he said.

"It's another match against a good team that is first in the league. It's only the first part... It will be a good game, and we want to come out of the first leg with a victory, that's for sure. We will play at home and want to take an advantage from the first leg."

Porto's penalty and Ioannidis's situation

"Ioannidis is doubtful for the game; he needs to be evaluated daily. Regarding the incident, it might not have been a penalty, but the referee decided that way, and I won't discuss refereeing, especially incidents from other games."

Respect between the teams

"I don't talk about fear; I think there is great respect between the two teams. We know there's always a strategic side, as is normal in big games. Now, there are no longer things like passing the ball to the goalkeeper to catch it. Sometimes we have to be smarter, and the teams don't expose themselves, but I believe it will be a good game with both teams wanting to play, even with that strategic side."

Real and virtual standings

"I focus on Porto, and the real standings are what matter at the moment. Tomorrow is another competition; we are focused on what we can do against Porto to be in the final, which is our main goal, to defend a title that is ours."

"I've already answered, I don't get into that. I'm focused on the game with Porto. I'm not worried about that. I know, yes, that I'm four points behind the first place and that I have to do my part."

Referee

"About the referee, I left training in a hurry and just saw that it's Cláudio Pereira. I don't have much to say, I just hope he has a good game."

Returns and goalkeeping

"Pote and Debast are ready to play. As for the goalkeeper, I never said who the starter was. Between Rui Silva, Virgínia, and Callai, all must be prepared. There are no competition-specific goalkeepers. There are Sporting goalkeepers, and any of them can play."

Analysis of Porto

"I'm more concerned with my doubts than Porto's, and they almost always exist. It's part of it; sometimes the pillow tells us things, and suddenly we change. In this game, there are few. Regarding game variability, we know we can be more often in a low block like in a Champions game. It's the team that defends best in Portugal, knows how to play in a low block, and is strong in quick attacks. In the last game, we managed to nullify them quite well, and the opponent hardly created any chances. We will have to be very committed to defending against a team that is also committed. Then, with the ball, we will have to do what we have been doing to overcome a team that defends very well, and we will have to be very united and committed."

Sporting as favorites and motivation

"In these games, it's always 50-50. I ask the fans to support us and give us strength to win this game. As for what happened in the last classic, it won't change anything. We really want to win this game to, as I said, win a trophy we won last season. That is the motivation. We are Sporting and holders of the Portuguese Cup."

Two-legged semifinals

"I consider it positive because I remember my past and where I come from, and it gives smaller teams a chance when facing bigger opponents. Thus, it ends up being fairer for lower-tier teams to always play at home and make the most of it and be able to dream."

Team identity

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