Wind, José Mourinho and management: Rui Borges after Estrela-Sporting | OneFootball

After Sporting’s victory over Estrela da Amadora (1-0), Rui Borges spoke to journalists at a press conference, where he analyzed the hard-fought win. The coach was asked about José Mourinho’s comments and refused to say that he had made any rotation with the matches against Arsenal and Benfica in mind. Check out everything he said.

Match analysis

"A difficult, highly competitive game. We know that post-Champions League matches are tough. We had to compete, and the game was very much about that. We controlled the game on the ball, but we lacked a bit of inspiration in the final third. We should have made better decisions and we also had some giveaways. We didn’t let them believe or get into transition situations; in that respect we were very good. We knew it was important to have that discipline. The game was a bit like that. We had a lot of the ball, but with some lack of inspiration in the final third. But we knew it was going to be like this, and the team had that mindset. That’s how true champions show themselves"

"As for that, I’m not going to comment. They’re opinions, and I respect them. I’m focused on what we control and on Sporting. That and only that"

Physical management

"It was physical management. Gonçalo Inácio has played a lot of minutes. It’s true he was also one booking away from suspension, but it was much more for physical reasons: he came back carrying a knock from the national team, we’ve entered a month with a lot of games, and so that he wouldn’t suffer a drop-off and we wouldn’t lose him, we chose to manage him. Edu [Quaresma] and Zeno [Debast] deserved that trust; they had a very good game at home against Santa Clara. They clearly show the character and desire everyone has to make the most of the opportunities the coach gives them. I trust everyone"

"In the end, we freshened up the central area a bit, the two center-backs and two midfielders. Morten [Hjulmand] didn’t play against Arsenal, [Hidemasa] Morita played 90 minutes, Dani [Bragança] has been doing very well... it was important to have some fresh players there mentally as well. There weren’t many changes for it to be said that it was with the next games in mind. It was more a bit of physical and mental freshness in the middle of the pitch"

Quenda’s return and the three-way title race

"For me, it’s a three-way fight. Mathematically, it’s possible among three teams. As for Quenda, I’m very happy to see him back. He’s an important player who gives a lot to the team. The team is happy to have him. He’s a special player and can help in this final stretch"

Confidence in the players

"It’s a good thing you’re not a coach, because otherwise you’d be sacked after 15 days. The players wouldn’t believe in you. Undervalue the team that played? No. I trust everyone. I’ve already changed several players. I have a great group that has given a great response"

Iván Fresneda’s substitution

"The wind affected everyone, not just Sporting. Adapting ended up not being easy for anyone, not just for us. As for Fresneda, he came off because of physical complaints. With the accumulation of minutes and games, we chose to take him off at half-time"

Decisive week

"It’s natural for it to be a decisive week, because we’re getting closer and closer to the end of the season. The games become more decisive, but I only care about looking at the next one. And the next one is Arsenal"

Daniel Bragança could be a coach

"Dani has grown. He’s an even more mature player and, of course, that goes together with his technical quality and reading of the game... I read a few days ago, on the internet, people saying that in the future he could be a coach. I have absolutely no doubt about that. He has above-average game reading and decision-making; he needed time, but he’s in a good moment, he has added a lot to the team, and his teammates see in him that quality to help and make the difference"

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