Rui Borges on Mourinho’s reply and Suárez’s white card after Alverca v Sporting | OneFootball

After a comfortable win against Alverca, 4-1, Rui Borges, coach of Sporting, gave his analysis of the match in a press conference. The Lions' coach commented on José Mourinho's recent remarks about Sporting's Champions League campaign and also addressed João Pinheiro's strange decision regarding Luis Suárez. Check out everything he said.

Match analysis

"Regarding the game, I think we were better over the 90 minutes. We started well in the first half, managed to score, and Alverca defended with a low block, very close to their box. After the goal, we fell into a bit of a lull, a controlled game, it's true, but one that could have exposed us if we lost the ball. We started to overdo it with play through the middle, where there was no space, and Alverca looked for that to launch quick attacks. Our three forwards weren't defending much anymore, already waiting for the counterattack. It was a bit of a lukewarm game from us, especially with the ball. The second half was totally different. Very dynamic, we adjusted one or two things to get more space, to escape Alverca's man-marking. Losing balls in areas where we had more players, where we could react facing forward and not have to run 40 meters back, and that's what happened in the second half. The team was very dynamic, with a different energy from the first half, wanted to go after the second goal. We didn't drop our lines, we always tried to play with a very high block, sometimes taking some risks, especially since Inácio was on a yellow card, but we read that situation well too. A very good second half, both with and without the ball. The only dangerous moment they had was the goal, when they made it 3-1, and a ball that went across our goal."

Physical problems

'Simulation' by Luis Suárez"

"I don't know. Honestly, I don't know. I think now there's the white card, that's what should have been given, that's what was required. But I don't know, you have to ask the referee or the VAR. A strange situation, but it is what it is, it's part of the game and I'm not going to comment much on that."

Bothered by Mourinho's response?

"No, far from it. The coach gave his honest opinion, I respect that."

Would you like Benfica to be European champions?

"I'm Portuguese, above all. I want the Portuguese to win."

Calm after the victory?

"We're focused on ourselves, that's what matters. We know what we have to do in these games now in the final stretch of the league and that's what we're focused on, we're not focused on direct opponents: whether it's those ahead or those behind. We're focused on what we control, which is our own game. It's always been like that and the team showed that again today on the pitch. The only focus is on us and what we can do in our games. Another great response, now some will go to the national teams and we'll take a breather in these days to prepare for an intense month ahead."

Exploring depth

"The changes weren't because of that, it's natural that he made more runs in behind. Alverca pushed their block up, not a lot, but a bit more, and that gave us those spaces for diagonal runs and depth, but more than that, it was about moving the ball quickly, not falling asleep with the ball and always looking for the free man. We played a lot down the flanks because that's what we had to do against a team that attacks quickly. We never had to run 40 meters back at high intensity, we always looked forward and that was the most important thing. Alverca finished the first half believing they could hurt Sporting, but in the second half the ball moved faster and was more dynamic, and the individual quality of the players came through."

50th win with Sporting

"I'm happy, it's another milestone in my journey and for my coaching staff. It's been a very good, very happy journey, where we've done a great job. Everything in terms of quality of play and stats shows that. More than the 50 games [wins], I'm happy for all these months leading a great Sporting."

Nuno Santos' injury

"It's muscular, nothing to do with the knees, thank God. It's natural. A player who was out for 15 months runs these risks, unfortunately. When he comes back, the body is going to complain in some areas, as I say up north. I know it's an injury, he'll be evaluated in the next few days, for sure. As for the game, I'm looking forward to having dinner with my family, seriously, and making the most of our day off and a calmer week to relax a bit more."

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