Leonino exclusive: Barroso on ex-Sporting figure, despicable man | OneFootball

After Sporting's thrashing of Alverca, Eduardo Barroso argues that Rui Borges is a "very competent" man and strongly criticizes several commentators and Jaime Marta Soares. The former president of the MAG of the Alvalade Club reacted to the victory against the Ribatejanos, discussed the impact of Porto's win against Braga on the aspirations for the three-peat championship, and the Champions League tie against Arsenal.

"It's the normal for Sporting. The team that plays the best in Portugal, one of the best in Europe, a phenomenal coach, and fantastic managerial stability. Therefore, we are having a fantastic season. Sporting is playing football that excites fans and Sporting lovers, like me. We are playing very well, but there are those who have done better in the league than us," he began by telling our newspaper.

The former commentator began to praise Rui Borges, defending him from the criticism he receives from the press. "Our coach is a humble man, a competent man, but he is little respected. It pains me to live in a country where humble people and those without economic power are so mistreated, which is the only shocking thing in all of this. Some commentators are really rude, that's the term, rude," he stated.

Regarding the case between Luis Suárez and João Pinheiro, Eduardo Barroso believes it would have been best to show the white card but does not crucify the referee. "I felt proud of him (Suárez) and my Sporting, proud. However, he should have told the referee that 'it wasn't a penalty, but I didn't simulate anything, I lost my balance.' Well, but when the referee went to correct the mistake he made, he thought that to value the mistake, or to justify the mistake, he always needed to say, 'you fooled me, you simulated me.' So, instead of giving him a white fair play card, he gave him a yellow card. But it's not serious. I also criticize João Pinheiro, but I understand. It's not too serious, but it would have been nice to give the white card instead of the yellow card," he said.

Regarding Porto's victory over Braga, the surgeon believes in the three-peat, although it is something difficult to achieve. "Do I believe in the three-peat? Asking me that is like asking if I'm hungry and want to eat a steak. Obviously, Porto is getting closer to being champions. Now, Porto ended up losing a game that no one expected (Casa Pia, away). Obviously, I maintain hope, but I recognize that it is very difficult for that to happen," he expressed.

After the international break, Sporting faces Arsenal in the Champions League 'round of 16' and Eduardo Barroso is confident in advancing to the semi-finals: "It will be very difficult, but we will advance. The big surprise in this Champions League is not Bodo/Glimt, it's Sporting. And we will advance, as we did three years ago when we eliminated Arsenal in the Europa League (2022/2023). No one demands, no one demands the passage to the semi-finals. In fact, if you look at the teams in the eight clubs, there are seven sharks and one little shark, right? So, the little shark can eat the sharks. Let's believe in that," he defended.

On this topic, Eduardo Barroso once again praised Rui Borges's work and fiercely attacked Jaime Marta Soares, who recently said that the Mirandela coach was not fit to coach Sporting. "Regardless of whether we are eliminated in the quarter-finals, not winning the championship, or not reaching the cup final, I think Sporting is different and is having a remarkable season, which demonstrates the quality of the coach. No, he never had the quality to be president of the MAG of Sporting. He is a man I have deep contempt for," he concluded.

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