Rui Borges pulls out all the stops, assures he is very happy at Sporting and demonstrates enormous respect for Fafe and Torreense.
Rui Borges, Sporting’s coach, in statements at the press conference after the draw (0-0) in the visit to FC Porto, in the second leg of the semi=finals of the Portuguese Cup . The Lions’ coach recalled that the Alvalade team is the reigning champion, reiterated that he is “very happy” at the club and showed enormous respect for Fafe and Torreense, even because of their origins.
He lost two key players very early on, such as Inácio and Hjulmand.
“They are extremely important players, two leaders of the team both on and off the field. Players who make their presence felt on the pitch. We’ve won with everyone and without everyone. We’ve played without Morten [Hjulmand], Inácio, Luis [Suarez] and we still won. I never complain, I always start with 11 and they deliver. And they have a lot of faith in each other. There are no egos, everyone respects each other and recognizes value in everyone, that’s the strength of this group. It’s the recognition of each other’s quality. The team has shown maturity throughout the season. That demonstrates the strength of this group and for some reason they are national champions.
If the Cup final is the saving grace of the season
“I have a contract until 2027, I’m very happy at Sporting, the recognition and trust have been there since day one. I understand your point of view, but that completely doesn’t concern me. I’m very happy at Sporting and I will continue to be very happy at Sporting.”
It wasn’t about saving anyone. I’m guided by the greatness of the club I represent and the happiness I have in representing it. The first objective of a great club is to be present in the finals for trophies. The league is more difficult, but it’s still possible, I never give up. We’ll fight. In the Cup we’re in the final, we had a great Champions League campaign and the only bitter pill to swallow is the League Cup semi-final, with many injuries. The work has been fantastic and it’s not the trophies that will define the quality of the process. The process is very good and is recognized daily by everyone. We want to add trophies, but the first objective is to be in the finals. We’re in the final, the trophy is still ours and we really want to keep it. And we have a game ahead of us.
Respect for Fafe and Torreense
“I don’t know who it will be, but I have enormous respect for them because I’ve been on the other side. I know where I came from and how much I dreamed of playing in a Portuguese Cup final. Lower-league teams rise to the occasion against league teams, especially big teams. I know well the difficulties we will face. In our first game this year, we won in extra time against Paços de Ferreira, who are fighting for survival in the Second Division. It will be a Cup final match, with two teams deserving to be there. I have no doubt that it will be a very well-contested game by both teams.
How attentive will he be to the other semi=final?
Tomorrow I’m going to rest and focus on AVS, with all due respect to Torreense and Fafe. Either team deserves to be in the final.