The coach sets out his aim for the game against FC Famalicão

Sporting Clube de Portugal host FC Famalicão this Saturday at 8:30 pm in Liga Portugal. Beforehand, Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.

The team's form
"It is important to go into the international break with another victory, continuing this phase of growth in terms of fitness, confidence and quality of play. The team must remain rigorous and focused, because we are going to have a difficult match against a team that are also growing, with a change of coach. In the last seven games, FC Famalicão have only had one defeat and conceded two goals; this illustrates the quality we will encounter at a defensive level.

They are a compact team, which makes the opposition as difficult as can be, and with a lot of quality in the last third too. We have to be aware and not stray from our focus. We need to look at the opponents with full respect, but also look at who we are, at what we have been able to do, and continue with that. A team that wants to be champions cannot be happy about winning three games; they must want to win the next game as well."

The work during the week
"These weeks have seen fewer games and we can work on some aspects more, but don't expect Sporting CP to change from one weekend to another. The players are understanding things better, we are managing fatigue and rest better, and in that sense these weeks help. The overload was clear in our team."

The international break
"It's a thankless situation for those who work with great players, because we will have more than half the team out. We don't get a lot of time to work with them to develop, because we won't have many players with us. We'll have to deal with it, it's part of working at a club like Sporting CP. We are expectant, taking into account these last few months of unhappiness, and are anxious for everyone to return fit. But it's part of the game. More than looking at the physical wear and tear, I prefer to look at the positives: Eduardo Quaresma is back, [Jeremiah] St. Juste will be back after this break, and they are important players to complete the group.

Debast's position
"I'm very happy with everything he's been able to give, both as a midfielder and as a central defender. I'm very comfortable with Zeno [Debast], wherever he plays."

Morita's return
"He's a player that I praised publicly even before I became Sporting CP coach. He's different and I admire him a lot. It's natural that he may not yet be able to play the full 90 minutes, but more than defining minutes, it's important that he's available for the game. His usage will depend on how the game develops, whether the dynamics force a high intensity for a long time. And then it will be about understanding how much he's capable of responding. It's not just him; it's  Morten [Hjulmand] as well."

Pedro Gonçalves' recovery
"He is recovering well and has started, little by little, working on the pitch. He is closer to that return. I hope to have him available as soon as possible, for everything he offers and the importance he has to the team."