Rui Borges urges respect for Sporting and transfers before Vitória SC | OneFootball

Rui Borges spoke to journalists at a press conference previewing the Vitória SC - Sporting match, this Monday, December 22. The match is scheduled for next Tuesday at 8:45 pm at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques. Read here everything the Lions' coach said, who asked for respect for himself and for the Club.

What difficulties do you expect in tomorrow's game?

"It's special. On the day I end up saying goodbye to Vitória, this year marks one year since I will play at Vitória's home. It's thanks to Vitória that I'm here today. It's a special and difficult game. The atmosphere is special and anyone who goes there understands. The crowd makes a difference and that was noticeable last season, when we had the game under control and suddenly it turned around. It galvanizes the team. It's a different Vitória, younger. Luís is doing an excellent job, he deserves a lot of credit. Apart from the Cup game, they were coming off five wins and with confidence. It's a big challenge. At home, they've only lost to Benfica, and they're the only ones who beat Porto domestically."

Have you seen the footage of Santa Clara - Sporting and do you think you were favored?

"Unfortunately, we live in a society that is sad because there is a lack of respect for Sporting and its coach. It makes me sad because I am anything but a liar. I hadn't seen the incident, I saw it on the plane. At home we have two tablets, one with the Sport TV broadcast and another with our own footage. It's mainly for us to talk at halftime or to make adjustments during the game. And that's what happened in the Azores. And since they spent time watching the footage on the tablet, they could also have spent time watching the coach telling the players that it couldn't be seen. At no time did I look at my phone. I sat for 12 minutes waiting for a decision. When they look at the image on the tablet, they become 'fortune tellers.' We live in a society that feeds on hate and in football there are a lot of people with short memories. It's happened in several games and it's the referee's criteria. My captain says there was contact. Regarding the game and the refereeing, I won't talk anymore. Sometimes there is no respect for Sporting's coach and it's not just today."

What present do you expect to receive from Frederico Varandas?

"The only present is victory tomorrow. We will be attentive to the market, but that's not our focus and I'm not worried. Within our possibilities and what we think is important to adjust, we will adjust. Any game at Vitória's home is difficult. We must value everything Luís has done. It's a young team. He has had that ability, regardless of the defeat to AVS. It's hard to play there. I say this because I had the happiness of being in that house. The atmosphere makes the team stronger than it already is. It's the Christmas season, I believe there will be a good crowd. We have to be aware of the difficulties and prepared for the demands of the game."

Last year you were a bit hurt by the reception in Guimarães... Is Nuno Santos' return near?

"Regarding Nuno, I don't know where the information that he'll return in January comes from. He's recovering, I really wanted him to come back in January but I don't know. I hope to have him back as soon as possible. It's been a tough recovery, mentally it's hard, but he's different and capable of overcoming it. Regarding last season, it's normal, they were fresh. They're fans who love the club, who defend the colors and the city. They do it passionately and vibrantly. I have enormous respect for the club, the structure, and the players. Everyone helped me get here. I will never be ungrateful."

Ioannidis + Suarez duo? Is Vagiannidis an option for the right side of the attack?

"Bragança is not available for the game, but I believe he'll be back soon. He's another one to help. Fotis is already better regarding his injury, he was a real example. They're two forwards, they offer different things. We have to adapt to the players we have available and to the strategy. Fotis, both he and Vagiannidis, can play as wingers. He's a player who can play there, he trained and at any moment can do it."

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