The coach looks at a Sunday meeting with FC Paços de Ferreira

Sporting Clube de Portugal play FC Paços de Ferreira away from home on Matchday 31 of the Liga Portugal season. Before the action got underway, coach Rúben Amorim talked to the media in his pre-match press conference.

“We know that FC Paços de Ferreira are fighting for survival, and when human beings fight for survival, they transcend what they are capable of. We have to do the same and look at the last two games, where we won and conceded just one goal," he explained.

"We shouldn't have suffered in those games and there's a lot to improve in that sense. It's a shame, because of the way that the table is, that there are only four more games to play, because there's a lot to improve and more games would allow us to prepare for the future more quickly. We want to win and not concede goals.”

“They are a team that take a lot of risks in their buildup play, their coach, César Peixoto, is used to big clubs and is transmitting that idea at FC Paços de Ferreira. We have to be brave and strong in our pressing to steal balls early on, as well as being careful with talented one-on-one players like Nigel Thomas. Gaitán also still has quality, despite having less pace than before. We have to be strong because they play well and we have to compensate because we play with two in midfield and they play with three. We analysed the game as if it were against Arsenal or Juventus; that's how we have to look at all the games," pointed out Amorim.

The coach also sees the game as another opportunity for the team to evolve and take steps forward.

“Looking at the last game, we have to have longer spells of possession and hurt the opposition more. We allowed FC Famalicão many transitions and, therefore, we have aspects to improve. But seeing the quality of FC Paços de Ferreira, it's a game that we have to win. We have this obligation and we will try to do that."

Asked about what remains of Sporting CP's season and what could change in the remaining games, Amorim ruled out that the derby against SL Benfica in two matchdays' time could be a lifeline.

“The image given by Sporting CP this season is one of little consistency. It will never be remembered as us being a team that didn't play good football or a team that scored few goals - we're about to pass the 100 barrier - but we weren't consistent and in key moments we couldn't turn the situation around. We weren't good enough this season. We live off trophies and not on victories, and our objective is to improve so that next year we can fight for silverware. We have to win every game until the end of the season and we have that obligation against anyone. Winning the Europa League wasn't going to change the way you look at the season and winning against SL Benfica won't change anything. Our obligation is to win our games, especially at home."

The game against Paços de Ferreira will mark the return of Paulinho, with the coach confirming that “He will be in the squad and will be able to play for a few minutes. As for Pedro Gonçalves, he's fine, he came off against FC Famalicão because I thought he was tired, perhaps mentally, and had few ideas. But he wants to score more goals and make more assists and he is another option for tomorrow."

Finally, he talked about the young players who have been brought up from the youth team this season.

“We are proving that we call up a lot of players when they need to come through. The objective is always to win trophies, regardless of whether there is a youth system in place or not, but it is very obvious that the project involves homegrown players achieving objectives and winning titles."

Sporting CP's trip to FC Paços de Ferreira will take place this Sunday, with kickoff at 8.30pm at the Estádio Capital do Móvel.