Rui Borges highlighted the importance of the 4-2 victory against Santa Clara, but lamented the “lapses in concentration” that led to the goals conceded.
Rui Borges, Sporting’s coach, in a Flash Interview on Sport TV after the 4-2 victory over Santa Clara in the 28th round of the League:
Sporting dominant
It’s a game that I think we controlled from start to finish, very honestly. Santa Clara ended up scoring the first goal in the first or second minute, from a second ball. They deserve credit for scoring. After that goal, we grew stronger. We never lowered our guard or lost faith in what we had to do, in what we were going to face. A very competitive, very intense team. We always controlled the game with the ball, always looking for a goal. We had several chances inside Santa Clara’s area. It was also important that the fans, right from the start, after we conceded the goal in the first minute, stayed with us, pushing the team forward, keeping the team calm and confident for the rest of the game. A first half that ended very well for us, with a 3-1 result. A second half in which we started reasonably well as well, controlling the game. We made some substitutions, even to refresh and secure the game more. It’s natural that the team might drop off a little, because of everything that this break meant.” “Santa Clara tried to create some danger within their own very physical style of play: long balls, through balls, very fast wingers. They ended up making it 3-2 in a move that was under control on our part, and with a lapse in concentration on our part, they managed to reduce the deficit and then believe in themselves. But, apart from that, very honestly, I’m happy with the team’s response, both individually and collectively, in a difficult game. They were a very confident team, perhaps coming off their best run of form this season. A very competitive, very intense team, as I said, that takes the game very physically. And we managed to respond throughout the game, also in that aspect. I’m happy with everything the team gave.
Goals conceded from set pieces
The corner was disallowed. That’s why we conceded a goal from a set piece, a throw-in. The second goal was a play where we fell asleep, as I said. A play that we clearly had under control, controlled by Zeno [Debast], and, due to a small distraction, a stroke of bad luck, we ended up letting Santa Clara make it 3-2 and believe, because until then we had controlled the game well. And, as I said, always with very long balls: first aerial balls, second balls in the corridor and attacks in depth with very strong and very fast wingers. And we were in control.
Five changes to the starting eleven
It was a management strategy based on observing the game and understanding all the circumstances. We needed a team that was physically fit and ready to respond to the demands of an opponent that, as I said, was very intense and very competitive. Therefore, we felt that, within this context, this would be the best eleven to attack the game.
The container only lasted 45 minutes?
No, it happened due to our management. He’s coming off a long break. As I said yesterday, he didn’t get any minutes with the national team, we expected him to, but he didn’t. And today, as a precaution, we thought he played a good 45 minutes, considering how intense this month will be. We need him, we need him to regain that confidence and rhythm within our management plan.
Off=field controversies
I didn’t downplay Sporting’s position. Great victory. I want to thank the fans for today’s game, they were very important throughout. As I said, it’s another victory on our path.