Ex-Sporting man hits back at Villas-Boas, says Porto are... | OneFootball

Bruno César, known as Chuta-Chuta for his powerful left-footed shot, played for Benfica and Sporting, always under the guidance of Jorge Jesus. In Portugal, he also wore the jerseys of Estoril and Penafiel and, in an interview with the newspaper O Jogo, he gave his preview of the Classic against Porto

Among Sporting fans, the memory of the goal scored at Estádio do Dragão, in the last victory of the lions at that venue, remains vivid. It happened in the 2015/16 season, at a time when Sporting was fighting for the title with Benfica. In the 32nd round, against Porto, Islam Slimani scored in the 23rd and 44th minutes, Herrera equalized in between, and Bruno César sealed the result in the 85th minute, shortly after entering the field.

It is this type of moment that the former midfielder admits wanting to see repeated in the Classic, now with the team led by Rui Borges. For this, he points to the influence of Luis Suárez: “He is a great player, and it shows in everything he has done this season at Sporting. I didn't know him, he has all the power to decide the game”, stated Bruno César, also warning about the challenge's demands against an opponent with Porto's “capacity”, which is “playing very well this season”.

A defeat at Dragão could put Sporting seven points behind the leader again, but for Bruno César, that would not mean the end of the fight: “It wouldn't close the championship, especially because football always reserves many surprises for us”, he emphasized, acknowledging, however, that it would open a “very large points difference margin”.

Contradicting André Villas-Boas's view, the former midfielder believes that Porto has the advantage: “Being in front, Porto is better. However, Sporting is also playing very well”, he stated. Regarding the current Sporting squad, Bruno César highlighted Daniel Bragança. “I really like Bragança, he has strength, he shows himself during games, and that enchants me, especially considering his age,” he commented.

Recalling the 2015/16 season, he admitted not remembering the specific strategy outlined by Jorge Jesus for the classic, but he emphasized the team's performance quality. “As I said before, it was a very good year, we always played well and with good results. However, football sometimes plays tricks, and I think that's what happened to us that season,” he added.

Regarding Bryan Ruiz's missed chance against Benfica at Alvalade, often pointed out as decisive in the title race, Bruno César rejected personalizations. “I don't think so. Bryan always helped us in several games. That chance could have happened to anyone, unfortunately, it was him who missed. When you win, everyone wins, when you lose, everyone loses. There, everyone lost: the players, the fans, and Sporting.”

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