The coach reflects on an incredible 2-1 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain

Following the victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal against Paris Saint-Germain, coach Rui Borges spoke in a press conference to review the game.

His analysis of the performance
"It's the feeling of a job well done. It was a great victory. These were three difficult points to get against a great team. We had many difficulties throughout the 90 minutes, but we were able to have what I asked for: Cohesion and passion. We knew we would suffer against the reigning European champions, the best team in Europe. They have a lot of individual and collective quality. We had to suffer in a first half in which we had difficulties getting our play together. We came out with a more audacious approach in the second half. I didn't talk to the players much at halftime. The substitutions helped and we forced Paris Saint-Germain to run back. We had some luck with the goals, but that’s part of the audacity we had.

I thank our fans for the energy they gave us. They were very important to us; they were the twelfth man. It was difficult, but we had to believe and it was beautiful to see the whole crowd at the end of the game. I’d love it to always happen, not just in the UEFA Champions League. The players deserve the applause they received, and not just today. I want to make an appeal to the fans: In these last months of the season, their support will be very important. May this spirit of victory, unity and belief be maintained."

Luis Suárez
"We knew what he would give us. It doesn't surprise us. We knew his characteristics, personality, and character. Today we needed him, and I said so before the game. It was going to be a game similar to the one in Munich against Bayern, where he did very well. Today he did an extraordinary job, as he has done in every game. The two goals are a credit to the team -not just to him."

Statements by Luis Enrique
"I understand what he’s saying. They had a great game. Besides the disallowed goals, they had some opportunities and were on top of us, but there's the other side to things. Football features various strategies. In our league, we also play against teams with a low defensive line. The team were fantastic, as we had been in Munich. We were very focused and, in the second half, we were more daring within our capabilities, I couldn't ask for more from our team."

The impact of the victory
"Today we are talked up as the best, tomorrow we could be talked about as the worst. We deserve the joy that comes with these three points, and the players made history for Sporting CP, but we have to prepare for the game against FC Arouca."

The transfer market
"Souleymane Faye, who hasn't been presented yet, has already signed and, like Luís Guilherme, is a player for the future. They are two young players in whom we recognise value. We strongly believe in what they can bring to Sporting CP."

The UEFA Champions League
"Our ambition to reach the Round of 16 stems from having two fewer games on the fixture list. If we don't get there, nothing erases what the team did today and in all the other games.

I have my feet on the ground and I'm looking at it game by game. I’m happy to have beaten the European champions. We haven't been able to train much because we have many games, but the team have responded well. We're only thinking about the next one. If we win, we'll be part of Sporting CP's history and that's what we have to focus on.

We have achieved our first objective of getting through the league phase. Now, we want to go straight into the Round of 16. That's all -nothing else changes."

Different strategy
"Sporting CP and the players are aware of the reality. We recognise the value of the opposition. We can't compare Paris Saint-Germain with the teams in our league. We knew we would struggle. Sporting CP can't always be on top of the opponents, pressing, and enjoying many scoring chances. Today we had only a few and we had to make the most of them, which is what happened."

Big games
"I don’t think people will say anymore that I don't beat big teams. I don't care about that, it's just noise. I focus on our work, as that's the best response."

Game preparation
"Since we have so many games, it's about resting, watching videos and taking advantage of the little time we have to train to explain some behaviours. We focus on the simple things. There are things we don't change and then we add something individual and strategic. The preparation hasn't changed at all compared to other games. It's about making them realise that these are games where we won't have as much possession and they have to believe that it's part of the game. If we are focused, we will be able to demonstrate that we are a good side. That was a little lacking in the first half."

Whether it was the best victory of his career
"No, that was against Vitória SC last season, when we won the title."

Confidence
"A victory gives us more confidence for the rest of the season and to face the upcoming games, which are difficult. The most difficult will be in Arouca. As Pote said, Liga Portugal is our Champions League."

Strategy
"Paris Saint-Germain must be the strongest team in terms of reacting to losing possession and in defensive transitions. They are very intense. Hence the importance of Luis Suárez, with whom we managed to link up many times in the first half. He did a spectacular job. What we lacked, however, was taking the next step. We had that difficulty because they are very intense. If we had had more of that ability, I believe we would have created more problems for Paris Saint-Germain."