Fatigue, Suárez and winning: Rui Borges on Porto v Sporting | OneFootball

Before the match for the 21st round of the Liga Portugal Betclic, between Sporting and Porto, Rui Borges attended the press conference for the Classic. Among various topics, he discussed accumulated fatigue, the team's ambition for the game, and Luis Suárez's current form. Check out everything the coach said.

Differences from the first classic with Porto

"These are different moments. The first game was very competitive, it could have gone either way. Now, both teams are more adapted to the coach's ideas. Above all, I expect an intense, competitive game similar to the first round. I think it's an important game regardless of the points. It's just a game. I don't think it's a game that will make a difference, and it's not decisive."

Response to Villas-Boas, who considered Sporting in a better moment

"I will be consistent: the one who is better is the one in front. Given our standings, these are the two best teams, with Porto in a better moment. But we believe in our ability to win what I believe will be a good match."

Antoine Baroan's injury and how it affected Luis Suárez

"For all of us, it was a difficult moment. It affects everyone. Besides being an opponent, he is a colleague in the profession. Luis doesn't have to feel guilty, it's part of the game. But I feel he is motivated, although a bit worn out. Regarding the game, it's not decisive. It's important mentally for the outcome, but not decisive."

Could fatigue from the extra time with AFS weigh in?

"The physical or mental aspect of fatigue cannot be an excuse. They will be prepared for what the game will be. It's a big game, which mentally makes us more focused - I hope - and everything it signifies has to motivate us. Therefore, the 120 minutes with AVS cannot be an excuse."

Importance of scoring first and set pieces

"Regarding set pieces, we trained as we would against any other team. More than the technical part and schemes, their strongest aspect is the athletic part, with very tall players. Otherwise, we worked normally, as it is a moment we have been doing well. Regarding the other part, Porto is a very strong team defensively, one of the least beaten in Europe. It's a very committed team, very intense, knows how to play well in a low block, and has a great reaction to loss. Offensively, they also create opportunities and are very aggressive in seeking the goal. We also have our strengths offensively; in fact, we are the best nationally. It will be a very intense game."

"I won't talk about the game strategy, but I can say there will be moments when we will be higher and others lower, also due to the opponent's quality. The important thing is for the team to understand the moment of the game and adapt."

'Preferred' by Mourinho in the Classic

"I am focused on Sporting, what Mourinho said has to do with his team. My focus is to win our game."

Final message

"My thought is to win, I don't think about anything else. We are two-time champions, we are a great team. We will face another great team, but here we only think about winning."

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