The coach comments on the move into the Taça da Liga final

Rui Borges talked about the 1-0 win for Sporting CP against FC Porto in his post-match press conference, and began by highlighting “the tranquility, the commitment and the rigour” of his players.

“I'm happy with the way they performed, with an enormous capacity to compete despite the fatigue, and an ambition and thirst to win that dignifies the club we represent,” he stated.

“The credit goes to the players. In the first half, we let FC Porto connect between the midfield and defensive lines and it took us a while to understand that. Even so, in the first half we had some quality on the ball, but I felt we lacked energy. During the break, I adjusted a few things. We improved in the second half, were faster at moving around, understood the spaces, were more dynamic, won more balls and grew. This gave us greater energy -and we had this energy until the end," he summarised.

"We dropped back a little more after the goal, but FC Porto weren't able to create any dangerous chances.”

Asked about the victories taken in a short space of time against rivals SL Benfica and FC Porto, Borges responded that, above all, he is “happy to be coach of Sporting CP” and “happy to be able to play in a final."

“I've never had this opportunity, and now I get it. My concern is to make the players believe in what we transmit to them, and we will get better. The room for improvement is immense."

“When we have everyone available, we will be stronger, because we will have more solutions and the players who are out add a lot," he continued.

Asked about using Iván Fresneda as a starter, the coach stated that the young Spanish full-back “had the opportunity and took it."

“He’s dedicated to the club and someone I believe in. He has worked very well, with a very good personality, and had a wonderful game. I'm very focused on the players I have and pay little attention to the transfer market."

"Maxi Araújo was important due to the energy he has, so Geovany Quenda’s rotation out was strategic. The important thing is that the players feel that they are connected, regardless of the minutes they play."

As for Viktor Gyökeres, who experienced discomfort in the first half, the Sporting CP coach commented that it was “a knock that was nothing to worry about,” while Matheus Reis’ forced injury “was the worst part of the game."

“We have to be even more competent on Saturday to win the trophy. I just want to play in the final, regardless of the opponent. SL Benfica and SC Braga are two great teams and we will be prepared."