Rui Borges highlights how the Sporting team competed at the Dragão stadium, explains what he expected from Porto tactically, and admits to being surprised by Quenda.
Sporting coach Rui Borges, in statements at the press conference after the 0-0 draw away to FC Porto in the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semi=finals , considered that the team was superior to Porto in the first half, discussed the importance of Pablo Rosario in Francesco Farioli’s tactics, and praised Quenda.
Symbolism of the embrace between the players after Rui Silva’s save.
It’s natural, but that’s not all that reflects the strength, friendship, and family that this group represents. It’s a time when we’ve had some misfortunes in terms of injuries that have affected us, especially in this final stretch, with the demands of the games. But the team gave a fantastic response. We had a good first half, better than FC Porto, and in the second half, FC Porto was better than Sporting. The team gave a fantastic response. We knew how to suffer at times defensively, always very well organized, cohesive, with a lot of mutual support and communication. In the first half, we controlled the game with the ball and were better. There was a great save by Rui, but before that, there was a great save by Diogo Costa. They are two great goalkeepers.
Pauses caused by Rui Silva
Rui Silva finished the game with physical problems.
Classic Tension
“The tension is natural; these are two great teams competing for a place in the final, with the home crowd and tension on both sides. These are natural aspects of the game, as long as they don’t exceed reasonable limits.
Suarez played the entire game.
I wanted to win, and the first half showed that. In the second half, we dropped off physically and were hampered by two stoppages due to Inacio and Morten’s injuries. I only had one more stoppage left; Suarez, Maxi, Quaresma, and Trincão were exhausted. I spoke to Luis [Suarez], and he said he would go all the way. And rightly so, he fought, he gave everything on the field for the team.”
Fall Level
It was surprising, he was at a very good level. A beautiful game with and without the ball, it was expected he would play less time, but his energy was good. Strategically, he was a winger, to maintain width, which gives more than Pote. They are different players and we managed to break the pressure there, also with more speed in attacking the depth, although he still doesn’t have that freshness. He was very important, mainly because of his different characteristics from Pote, with more width and even for giving Maxi more inside movement.
Farioli said that Sporting came to defend and waste time.
“Where do you work? I noticed Porto Canal. These are opinions, I have nothing to say. Sporting were good with the ball in the first half, in the second it was FC Porto. A very competitive game.”
How did he try to overcome FC Porto’s pressure and take advantage of Rosario marking Trincão?
It’s something FC Porto always does. In 95 percent of their games, they rotate to the right with Alberto. It was clear from the team, because Kiwior played at left-back, which is what had happened to us in other games against FC Porto. We knew Rosario would be behind Trincão, Quenda gave us more width, kept Alberto occupied, and pushed the FC Porto centre-back further down the wing, because he doesn’t have as many habits as a full-back. While we had the energy, we had a great first half, with quality attacking play and the dynamics we had anticipated.
Space behind Trincão and Suárez, with central defenders linking up with Rosario.
It’s noticeable what FC Porto does, but it’s sometimes difficult to neutralize. I disagree a little; they managed to connect a few times, but we always conditioned their attack, we didn’t let them create danger. In the first half, they had a dangerous chance in the 47th minute. Morten lost his marking to Gabri behind him, Edu came to cover, and the ball went in from the outside. That was their only chance. It’s a difficult job for a back two, but it was something we knew and we were competent in that moment. They like that and they execute those wall passes very well. More than letting them in, it’s about conditioning Rosario’s decision=making, and we managed that a few times. It was fantastic work from Suárez and Trincao