Injury wave and Sporting talks: Rui Borges speaks before AFS | OneFootball

Rui Borges spoke to journalists at a press conference previewing the Sporting - AFS match, this Friday, December 12th. The match is scheduled for next Saturday at 8:30 PM at Estádio José Alvalade. Read here everything the coach of the lions said, who will have a return but many other absences.

What challenges can AFS pose?

"They are a very aggressive, intense team with experienced players. They come here with nothing to lose and may come with more confidence, relaxed in a positive way. I think we will have a completely calm team, with much to gain and little to lose. In the 2nd round, they drew in Braga, which shows what can happen if we become complacent. And the big challenge will be to keep the team connected after a week of maximum demand with games against Benfica and Bayern. Keeping them with the same energy, focus, rigor, and intensity to play a great game and win."

What happened with Pote? Was he fit to play?

"He was fit to play. So much so that he played. Otherwise, we wouldn't have taken that risk. We have shown very well how we manage players. Fortunately, we have had few muscle injuries. Pedro, and I had said this before the game, felt discomfort in training and ended up with a muscle injury. I can't say how long it will be because I'm not part of the medical team. What I can say is that he won't be able to contribute in the next games. He will contribute in other ways."

Wave of injuries

"It is what it is, they are part of football. Fortunately, we haven't had many. Last year there were many, and some muscular, this year we've had two, at most three, muscular injuries. We've managed it very well. The performance department, the medical team, and the coaching staff have done a great job. The injuries now are traumatic, we can't control them. It's a contact sport. Despite Pote's injury... We wish we didn't have injuries because that's what we want to avoid, but we need to keep our heads up and move forward. The players are going to the CAN as well... These are things we can't control."

Fatigue for the game

"I think and believe not. We do our work very well here with the entire structure in trying to recover the players as much as possible. I feel them super motivated, and that's a sign that the energy will be there. Fatigue is more mental than physical many times. Of course, if we have the intensity we want, we might feel it a bit later, but that's what substitutions are for. The coach then has to make decisions at the best moments to provide intensity."

Would you sign the renewal now?

"I would sign, no problem at all. But it's not something that crosses my mind. I have a contract until 2027, and I know well the confidence they have in us. I'm just focused on doing my job, which I think has been well done. Everything else is a consequence of that. I will always look to the future. Things will come in due time within our competence. But my focus is to be better and better, to make Sporting stronger, to win titles again. That's my only focus."

Do you already have a list of reinforcements for January?

"I don't have lists, I've already said that I'm not very focused on the market. We have many games, and I don't waste time looking at that. I don't know if we will go to the market or not. I focus a lot on my current solutions, which are what matter to me. We want to respond in these games, and we can't bring anyone in. In due time, we will make those decisions. At the moment, my focus is on the players I have and who can play. In Munich, we responded and didn't win. And answering the first question, the group is confident and super motivated. They understood very well what we were capable of doing in these last two demanding games, we understood what we did well and less well. They know and understand, they are very ambitious and never tire of winning. They are always looking to be better. They know what we could have done better and what we did very well. They are super motivated. Affected? No. We didn't leave Munich happy because we wanted to win, but we gave our best and played a great game. We continue our growth despite a result that doesn't please us. The team knows very well what it has been capable of and wants to maintain and improve more and more."

Sporting tried Geny and Diomande against Santa Clara

"Regarding Diomande and Geny, we tried. It's something we know won't be easy, but we tried because they only play against each other on the 24th. Trying to appeal to that. If it doesn't happen, we move on. Response? For now, as far as I know, no."

Privileged at Sporting

"Clearly, and I've already said that. Earlier, they said I'm very happy at Sporting, and I really am. The day-to-day makes me happy, it's very joyful, positive, a very good energy. And that is clearly felt. Whether in training or in the main team wing. I'm happy because the kids have been able to continue the Sporting image, in what it means to move from training to the main team. We've been able to bring more kids with us, and that's to be valued, it's a sign that the work is being well done. It's not just about me, the coaching staff calls them because they have shown skills. Happy for them to give this image and continuity to the Sporting image, of believing a lot in training. I look at the B team and see a very focused, rigorous team, kids who, even when they are here and go back, don't get arrogant. They understand the demand, how much it costs to have an opportunity. The rewards are then individual recognition, they work hard, and nothing is better than being recognized for it. Sometimes we think we're doing well and may not be, but being recognized by others gives confidence. And that's good for everyone. But it's a consequence of their daily work. They have to want to win much more, and the difficulty of being an exceptional player is maintaining consistency."

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