The coach reviews the win over FC Arouca

After Sporting Clube de Portugal’s resounding 6-0 victory against FC Arouca, coach Rui Borges reviewed the result and performance, with words of praise for his players.

Analysis of the game
"It was a good game, with different circumstances than the match against Casa Pia AC. I'm pleased with the players' performance and dedication from start to finish. With the opposition down to 10 men, the team didn't slow down, and were always striving to do more and play better."

Ricardo Mangas' performance
"I know the player well; he put in a good performance. We'll have to keep going with him, because it's just one game. But he's a serious kid, focused on his daily life as an athlete. I'm happy to have him here, and happy to see that outsiders are beginning to believe he's a true Sporting CP player.

I've come up through the lower leagues, and I'm happy to see a Portuguese player, who's also come through them, arrive here. He's experienced sustained, rigorous growth, never giving up or doubting his qualities. It's a matter of opportunities. I gave him this opportunity, and I'm happy to have him here. I've watched his growth. Portuguese players need these opportunities. Having worked with him, I knew what he could contribute, and he's seizing the opportunity."

Differences from one season to the next
"Last year, we were already a pressing side, especially at Alvalade, but more intermittently. This season, we've been better able to stay on top of the opponents, to play more of a linkup game. The target is to add different things, to become unpredictable. That's what's been happening. People praised our inside game against Casa Pia AC, and today, FC Arouca tried to counter that by giving us space on the wings. We recognised this and were able to create finishing opportunities from there.

It's these dynamics, this unpredictability on the pitch, that we want to have, so that opponents never feel they can take the game away from us. We’ve had three consistent games, in which we've improved. The challenge will be maintaining this consistency as the games go on, but the team have been fantastic."

Negative aspects of the performance
"I liked the game in every aspect, except for the ten minutes after the red card, where we misplaced many passes and let the opposition believe. After we took the 3-0 lead, we settled into the opponents’ half and sought that interior play we love so much. At halftime, we demanded this seriousness and respect for ourselves and the opposition, and the team didn't let up. It's in our team's DNA, with good reactions and ambition. That's what makes me happy. I only ask that they make mistakes, and often, but that they always react to them. If they don't, it's because they've been hiding. We'll never be perfect, but I want them to enjoy themselves."

Luis Suárez's performance
"He responded well, as did [Conrad] Harder, who, when he came on, tried to help and got the goal -which he deserved. I'm happy to have both of them. Now we’ve been playing Suárez, and in a few weeks I might play with Harder. It really hurts me to always leave someone out, but as a leader, I have to make decisions, manage them, and deal with them. I can only choose eleven players, unfortunately. The important thing is for them to realise that soon we'll have games every three days, and that everyone has to be ready to respond -as everyone will have opportunities.

Seriousness is part of [Conrad] Harder's growth process. He did well to try to score. I care that he reacted well, helped the team, and is starting to play a good team game. This growth will make him better with each passing day. He has enormous potential."

Offensive superiority
"The cornerstones of this victory was the team. It was about the rigour and focus of all of them as a group, in which egos are absent and where everyone helps everyone else. They welcome newcomers and are like a family, all striving for the same goal.

They demonstrate this on the pitch They perceive each player's individual qualities and understand the micro-relationships within each system. It's very important to have this understanding of each other on a daily basis. Not just on a football level, but on a personal level as well."

Tactical aspects
"I like the intensity we bring to the game, trying to press from the first minute. Our forwards are very strong in their first pressing action, and this is perhaps the tactical virtue I like most. Teams that come to Alvalade quickly realise they're going to suffer because we press, win the ball, and keep it. Last season, there were many moments when we lost too many balls, which led to greater fatigue and a lack of consistency in high pressing."

Zero goals conceded
"I'm happy with the defenders I have. Only eleven players can play. Edu [Quaresma] also deserves to be a starter, but Zeno [Debast] gives us a technical quality that is undoubtedly a different class. Average. If he can improve in other areas, he'll be one of the best in the world. In the B team, we also have young players with enormous potential, like Bruno Ramos and João Muniz, who we believe in. That's why they play for the club."

The use of Geovany Quenda
"He's been training very well, but we decided to stick with Geny [Catamo] because he's been showing a good dynamic. I'm happy to have two excellent players and the entire squad at my disposal. Managing these options is one of my duties as coach. Quenda will have his opportunities as a starter as well. Above all, I'm very happy to have him in our squad for another year. I praise the president's work in this regard, because for me, as a coach, having him with us was one of the best things that could have happened to us."