Rui Borges: My players have enough fuel to spare.

Asked about the recent  statements by Frederico Varandas , in which the Sporting president spoke about refereeing and admitted that the “collective hysteria” surrounding the club is “super fuel” for the three=peat, Rui Borges once again appealed to the responsibility of football agents, in anticipation of the duel with Rio Ave for the 16th round of the League.

“You [journalists] already have plenty of fuel. My players have enough fuel to spare. Their greatest ambition, and this has been quite evident in some interviews they’ve given these past few days, is the ambition of the group = the three-peat, something historic. The motivation is to feel that, above all, they are happy playing. To win again and make history for Sporting. 
I repeat what I said last week: all of us involved in football have to do our best to enhance the value of football and reduce the noise. We have to find strategies to enhance the value of football. Only one team can win, that’s true, but even amidst the noise we have to be intelligent. I’m not focused on that. 

(Noise), as a group motivator

The best way to motivate is to want to beat those who win. Our group is a two-time champion. It’s natural that there’s noise surrounding us. Our group feels it, as any other would. Is it motivation for the players? I believe that at some point it is, but in my speeches, I don’t use it. I only say that they are the best and that we have to have the ambition to be better. The group demonstrates this very well in their game and their communication. Everyone wants to beat the champions.