The coach talks after the Champions League opener

After Sporting Clube de Portugal's 2-0 victory over Lille OSC in the UEFA Champions League, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match in a press conference.

"The result was better than the performance and the sending off helped. Everything went well, but we have a lot to do still," he began by telling journalists, before commenting on Zeno Debast's fantastic goal that made it 2-0.

"There are not many words to describe it. It was a great goal. I was upset with his decision to shoot, but the best goals happen when you least expect them. If there was anyone who needed a goal and a performance like this, it was Zeno. His quality is there. There were some doubts from people about him, but in Belgium he is a beloved player. The goal was very important, but the performance even more so."

When asked who could stop Sporting CP, Rúben Amorim was quick to respond: "AVS" -this weekend's opponents.

"Anything can happen and we have to stay focused. This game was good, but we could see the nervousness that we had, and the sending off helped a lot. Any team can stop Sporting CP, we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground and know how to read the game to improve," he explained.

Regarding Conrad Harder, who made his debut for Sporting CP, the coach expressed his satisfaction.

"He is a player who, in the little time he had on the pitch, showed a lot of what he can do. He pressed for every ball, headed a free kick, and held on to the ball and was fouled, helping the team move upfield. He confirmed what we had seen in him, but he needs some more training time and we have had little of that. The same goes for Maxi Araújo."

"Looking at the game, I think Morten can improve, Trincão can make better decisions, Pote can be even more involved. You can see that Maxi isn't into the swing of things yet, but he has very good characteristics. You could see the players' lack of experience in difficult moments. However, today everything went well, except for Inácio's injury," he insisted.

Finally, and after revealing that Hidemasa Morita's withdrawal at half-time was due to his yellow card, Amorim spoke about the several consecutive games Sporting CP have gone without conceding a goal.

"Quenda is doing better defensively and Geny Catamo and Nuno Santos have already worked on that aspect. We have improved, been compact, been focused and been good at set pieces. It's a question of a bit of luck and a bit more work with the players."