The coach reflects on the 2-2 draw with SL Benfica

Rúben Amorim analysed Sporting CP's 2-2 draw with SL Benfica at the Estádio José Alvalade, after a first half in which his team were the better side.

“We weren't able to keep up the pace, which is to the credit of SL Benfica and also a little to our detriment," said the coach.

"It was a very tense game, in which Sporting CP were still fighting to try to reach third place, but in terms of the pressure of the game there was no comparison between Sporting CP and SL Benfica players because of everything involved. There was a great response from my players in the first half, but in the second half the team were unable to play their game and it was SL Benfica who had more of the ball. Nevertheless, we had our opportunities, but then in some moments there was a lack of maturity."

“For us, this draw feels like a defeat, because we can't go into the last weekend of the season fighting for third place, but that wasn't really within reach either because we had failed early on in our goal of fighting for the title," Amorim acknowledged.

"I wanted to win the game and we didn't do that. Looking at the way the game went, even though SL Benfica grew in the second half, I think that, overall, we were the best team and deserved to have won -but it's a result that we can't be surprised about. We were better in the first half, they were better in the second, we had more opportunities, but that's how it is."

Talking about the support from the fans, he commented: "They supported us in this way even in a very difficult time. We saw a good atmosphere out there, on a difficult day for the fans and the players, but we showed them that there is talent, that there is a team that play well, that can fight -and that was a good sign. We have to improve. We have a game against FC Vizela and then a new season begins."