The coach gives his preview of O Clássico

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit FC Porto this Monday in Liga Portugal, and coach Rui Borges previewed the Clássico in a press conference the day prior.

What he expects from the game
"It's a different moment for both sides compared to the first league meeting this season. We had some absences for that game, but it wasn't really about that. It was a competitive and evenly matched encounter that could have gone either way, and unfortunately for us it went to FC Porto. Now we are in different phases, and the teams are more aligned with each other's coach's ideas. Just like the first game, it will be very competitive and intense. I hope it's a good game, in an atmosphere that will be electric. Above all, we want to be able to have a good game."

The importance of the game
"It's an important game regardless of the points difference between us. We're at an advanced point in the season, but for me, it's an important game, although not a decisive one. Of course, we're aware of the points difference, but I don't think it's a game that will determine the title -especially since there are still many games left."

The favourites
"I'll be consistent with what I always say: the side in better shape are the one who are ahead in the table. FC Porto are leaders and have a points gap over second place. Given our current positions in the standings, we're the two best teams at the moment, with FC Porto being the better side because they have been able to demonstrate it. We will see two motivated and confident teams. For our part, we believe in what we are capable of doing against good opponents, without straying from who we are."

Luis Suárez and AFS player Antoine Baroan's injury
"It's a difficult moment for the player in question. He's a fellow professional. It affects everyone, it's a sad moment. Unfortunately, it's our job and we're all subject to something bad happening at any time. Suárez] doesn't need to feel guilty. We offered him words of comfort, as did the AFS directors at the end of the game. I felt he was motivated and prepared for the demands of tomorrow's game."

Fatigue
"It can't be an excuse. It is what it is. The players wouldn't want to rest if you asked them. They will be prepared for a different game, and there's no escaping that. It's a big game between the first and second-placed teams. In mental terms, it makes us more focused, committed and rigorous, I hope, as well as motivated. Playing 120 minutes against AFS was our fault and we have to be able to deal with it. It's over now, and we're focused on FC Porto."

Set pieces
"We train for this one as we train for any opponents. It's a strong point of FC Porto due to their athleticism. They are strong in duels, tall, intense, and competitive. This makes them stronger in offensive set plays, but we have trained as we normally do. We know they are strong and athletic, that they have quality, but we have to be prepared as we always have been. We've had a good season in that aspect."

FC Porto
"FC Porto are clearly a very strong team defensively. They are the team that concede the fewest goals, which clearly indicates the defensive capacity of their collective and not just the defensive line. They are very committed, intense and strong in defensive transitions. In offensive terms, they also create their opportunities. They are a very dynamic and aggressive team in their search for the opposition goal. We also have our offensive side, where we are the best in the league, and it will be a good game in that sense. The team that concede the least against the team that score the most."

Zeno Debast and Fotis Ioannidis
"They are not among those in the squad."

Strategy
"I'm not going to talk about our strategy. It has a lot to do with the moment in the game and the way the team are. We like to be quite aggressive, but we will have moments in which we play with a lower block, depending on the quality of the opponents. The opposite will also happen. The team will respond by perceiving how we are doing and how the opponents are. We have to be balanced, cohesive, and competitive."

"Our only thought is to win. We are the champions and a great team, as we have demonstrated. We will face another great team and we want to be competitive. In this club, the only thought is to win, and it will always be that way, regardless of the opponents."