The coach responds to the loss away to Club Brugge KV

At the end of the UEFA Champions League loss to Club Brugge KV, Sporting CP coach João Pereira analysed the performance in his post-match press conference.

“We were strong and showed belief. We made it 0-1 and we had the game under control, we played well and then we conceded again from a shot that wasn't even going in. It's another misfortune and a strange goal that affected the team, which is normal when you are on a run of three consecutive defeats. We regained control and it seemed to me that we were always closer to making it 2-1, but we conceded the goal off a long ball,”, summarised the coach, who then highlighted João Simões' starting debut.

“He took advantage of the opportunity he had and showed that he has character and maturity. He played an excellent game, like all the players," he stated, before giving an overview of the injuries to Gonçalo Inácio and Eduardo Quaresma.

“Inácio had a problem in the warmup and we didn’t want to force things. Quaresma was having an excellent game, and in a move where I believe there was an elbow and not a clash of heads, he got hurt."

“This is a tough defeat that leaves us feeling down today, but we have to pick ourselves back up quickly because we already have a game coming up in the league, where we can't drop any more points," pointed out Pereira.

Afterwards, he explained the substitutions he made in the second half.

“Maxi was already worn out, he was on a yellow and we didn’t want to risk going a man down. Esgaio coming in was not to control the game, because I think we were on top and, therefore, I didn't want to change the team too much."

Pereira also stated that, despite the several setbacks suffered, he is “not a coach who makes excuses."

“If I didn't have confidence in myself and the players, I would give up, and today they showed great personality again. It's a difficult time, and it's normal for fans to feel dissatisfied. Four defeats in a row is something that hasn't happened in a long time. Throughout the game the fans support you and, at the end, it's normal for them to speak up and show their displeasure. We have to receive criticism and continue to believe in our work. I feel like the players trust the message we send out to them. We have to be stronger and give an even more positive response in the next game.”