Sporting's poor form? Rui Borges: just as well we lost the Champions | OneFootball

Rui Borges was asked about Sporting’s recent results ahead of the match against Porto, valid for the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup. The Lions’ coach praised his players and said he expected to be well received at the Dragão.

"It’s a big-team week. It’s a good thing we lost the Champions League, it means people look at us as a big club. And that enhances our work and the Club. It feels very good to hear the question put that way. The fact that we lost the Champions League means we could have won it... As for the rest, I’ve already answered. We are still in the fight for everything, and that is the primary objective of a big club. The players have been having a fabulous season," he began by saying.

"As for the league, it’s true that we have fallen further behind. But there is still no champion yet, so we must always believe. And there is a team in first place that has had a great season, better than ours unfortunately. We have to look ahead, to the week ahead, to the next game. It could decide our place in the Cup final and, further down the line, in the Super Cup. It is the possible presence in two trophies, and the team is highly motivated and calm in that regard. It knows what it has to do and what it means. As for whether we will be well received or not, you have to ask the opponent. Porto have been very well received at Alvalade, and we hope to be received the same way as well," Rui Borges said.

It is worth remembering that Sporting hold the advantage in the tie. In the first leg, Rui Borges’ side won at the José Alvalade Stadium, 1-0, with the game’s only goal scored by Luis Suárez from the penalty spot in the 61st minute.

The green-and-white side return to action next Wednesday, April 22, against Porto. The match, corresponding to the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals, against the side coached by Francesco Farioli, will be played at the Dragão Stadium at 8:45 pm.

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