The coach explains the loss to FC Porto

Rúben Amorim talked about the 1-2 defeat in O Clássico and expressed his opinion that Sporting Clube de Portugal were punished excessively for small details.

“Again, we were lacking some details. We should have gone into the break ahead and then, off a rebound, we conceded the goal, which made everything more difficult," he explained.

"After the opening goal we struggled to create chances, we tried to break through -but not always with care- and there were some stoppages. The game became a bit like the League Taça da Liga final. Then, at the end, we pushed FC Porto closer to their area, we tried to hit them with crosses with Paulinho and Youssef inside, but off a transition we conceded the second goal. We still scored and made it 1-2, but there was no time for an equaliser."

Amorim started to change the team early on in the game, and justified his adjustments and the reasons for them.

“I would make them again, because that was what the game required. Esgaio had to go off and I apologised to him, but I have to think about the team. Bellerín, having not had much game time, got tired, so we had to change him. Then we conceded the goal and, looking at everything, where we had to have more width was upfield instead of at the wing. Therefore, I would do everything again."

“That's not why we lost the game," he continued. "We lost because of the details, not because FC Porto played better than us or pushed us. I would make those substitutions again because when I looked at things that's what the game was telling me. Trincão wanted to play on, but he has had tonsillitis and I felt he wasn't at his best. I do what the game tells me to do."

“As for my starting lineup: The best players in training, play. I'd rather lose one game or another, but win the rest. I have so much confidence in my players and in myself that I put in those I think should play and who are in the best form. What gives me confidence is the players being at their best and ready to play, knowing that I won't get everything from Youssef and Fatawu now, but it's part of their process and I thought they should play."

Focused on what lies ahead, Rúben Amorim said that he knows what is needed.

“We have to have a better second half of the season and see what happens in the end. Our aim is to win every game. That's always our aim, regardless of our position in the table. On Thursday we will be back here to win in the Europa League. In football, there has never been anyone who has been successful without going through difficult times, and so it is up to us to approach this with a clear conscience and face the challenges. That is what we are going to do once again," he concluded by saying.