Borges: "The victory was a more than fair result"

Rui Borges gave a press conference after the 1-3 win for Sporting CP over Casa Pia AC.

The result
“The victory was a more than fair result. The first half was evenly balanced, but we reached a 0-2 lead with the game under control. Afterwards it took us a while to adapt our pressure, due to the midfielders being wary of going forward. There was a lack of pressure and we needed to connect with the game more. Then we conceded to make it 1-2 in a move in which we had things under control, which cannot happen; there was a lack of focus. With that, we let the opponents believe, when they weren't doing anything to do so. That's why they entered the second half with a different energy, believing a different result was possible. After that, the game was more competitive, and Rui Silva made a good save after off a set piece, but we were growing and improving, and the substitutions helped with that too. Morita and Geny started well, from then on we had more opportunities and we began to control things."

Hidemasa Morita's introduction
“His and Geny's gave us another level of offensive power. We have to see that the game always has two teams involved; two competent teams. As much as we are the stronger side, we have to demonstrate this on the pitch. Casa Pia AC hadn't lost at home since August and, in my opinion, we were very competent. Apart from their goal, in a completely controlled move, the game was back and forth, but Sporting CP always controlled things. In the second half there was more competitiveness, we didn't have as much of the ball as we wanted, but the introduction of Morita and Geny was very important to calm the game down more and have more possession."

The fight for the title
“I only focus on what we can control, on Sporting CP. It's normal for us to look and see that SL Benfica are close, and can move level on points, but we have to focus and be rigorous. We are in first place, there are nine games to go and we know they will be very difficult for everyone: Sporting CP, SL Benfica, FC Porto and SC Braga. But, more than thinking about our opponents, we have to focus on ourselves. The team are growing and we have our fans who today, once again, made us feel like we were playing at home. They were fantastic and, for me, that’s what’s important: Feeling like we’re all focused and connected even if sometimes things don’t go the way we want.”

The importance of Viktor Gyökeres
“We don't shy away from the importance he has, for everything he gives to the team, for what he transmits to his teammates and also to the opposition. He is a phenomenal player. He has it all: Technique, strength and speed. He's amazing, and I said that before working with him. He is, without a doubt, one of the best of all time in our league. His importance is obvious and demonstrates his ability to score goals.”

Goals from set pieces becoming more frequent
“Nothing has changed. We just weren't scoring goals, but we had chances. That's football. Sometimes it's a question of being able to finish chances. We won't always be able to do this, but the drought people talk about is not correct. It’s a matter of hitting the target."

The absence of Franco Israel on the bench and Morten Hjulmand's inclusiong in the lineup
“Franco had a problem. I believe it is nothing serious and that he will be available for the next game. As for Morten, he missed a few days of training and he's not at full strength yet, but he's very important for the team, he's our captain. So it had more to do with his leadership and what he stands for. We have a young team and sometimes we need help from the captains on the pitch. Furthermore, it's what he gives us. I have always said, with all due respect to others, that he and Gyökeres are the best players in the league."