Coates on extending his stay in Alvalade

Sebastián Coates was a largely unknown name for many Sporting fans when arriving at Alvalade this January, but the backing given by fellow Uruguayan and former teammate at Liverpool, Luís Suárez, has certainly rung true: "A player like Sebastián brings lot of quality to a team. I am certain he will be a great signing." Since arriving in the Portuguese capital, Sabastián truly has bossed the Sporting defence in an intimidating double-team with Rúben Semedo.

"All players dream of playing for a club that is fighting for titles, with ambitious objectives, and that made the difference for me", said Coates in an interview with the Sporting website after signing his loan extension, before adding a word on his odd forays forward: "Personally, my role is to defend, but If I can help in attack then I will."

Jorge Jesus' focus on defence has actually taken the Uruguayan by surprise, considering that goals are need to turn in wins. However, the final result can of course be decided by good defending. "The coach worries a lot about how we defend. Of course goals are needed to win, but he really worries about getting us all defending. Not every coach does that and it makes a big difference", said the defensive giant, finishing: "This is a great club with fans who are always pushing the players. I want to do my best for this shirt for us to get the results that we all want."

Alvalade president sits down with the Sporting president ahead of league showdown

You have to go back 42 years for the last time that Sporting and Benfica took the title race down to the last match of the season. It was in 1974, when millions waited for the final whistle. History isn't on Sporting's side, with the league leaders going into the decisive fixture tending to hold out and take the trophy, however Bruno de Carvalho sees things a little differently.

“Going into the last match of the season, we are two points behind first place. Of course it isn't the place we would prefer to be in and of course we would like to be in first. However, we are completely focused and we know anything could happen. That is what makes football such a beautiful game. While it is mathematically possible, anything can happen", commented the Alvalade president in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, adding: "What I see is a Sporting team focused on our match and that believes that we can bring home a title that we have been missing for so long now. We will do everything we can to do that."

Sporting's hopes of silverware after the dust settles this weekend does however not just depend on what happens in Estádio Municipal de Braga. Meanwhile in Lisbon, Benfica will host Nacional, with Sporting needing the team from Madeira to at least steal a point.

“Looking at Benfica-Nacional, well from what I have seen and heard it seems like Nacional doesn't count for anything. It seems like Nacional doesn't care. That if what I have felt when listening to commentators associated with Benfica, but honestly I don't believe it", affirmed Carvalho, continuing: "Nacional are a good side and I don't think they want to be the side show for the league title. I know how hard Rui Alves has been working to put Nacional on the map and they are fighting for places further up the league now. Of course Benfica are motivated, because winning gives them the league, but Nacional are motivated as well."

The coach reviews the win over FC Alverca

After the 1-4 win away to FC Alverca, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges analysed the victory in his press conference.

Analysis of the game
"I think we were the better side for the entire 90 minutes. We started well and scored against an FC Alverca team defending in a low block. Then, we entered a period of ‘controlled sleepiness’ which could have hurt us. We overdid it in that sense. It was a more subdued game then, but the second half was completely different. We were dynamic and had a different energy. We wanted to get the second goal, even running some risks at the back. It was a very good second half, both with and without the ball. It was a game controlled by us, with a second half that was better than the first."

Nuno Santos' injury
"It's a muscle injury, I can't say more than that. Unfortunately, a player who has been out for 15 months has these risks when they come back."

The yellow card given to Luis Suárez
"I think now there should be a white card. It was a strange situation, but I won’t comment much on it."

The postponed game meaning the team are the chasers in the standings
"We are focused on ourselves and we know what we have to do in this final stretch of the season. It has always been like that and the team gave another great response today. Now, some of the players will go away with their national teams and we will take a breather to prepare for an intense month."

Only one change in the starting XI
"We played on Wednesday. It was noticeable that our energy wasn’t the same in the first half, but we tried to press high. The most important thing was to recover from the mental strain of the Champions League. There were some players who had received 120 minutes and others 70, but we played on Wednesday, so it wasn’t an excuse. The team gave a great response, thankfully."

A 50th victory in charge of Sporting CP
"I’m happy. It’s another milestone in our journey as a coaching team. We’ve been doing a great job, and the quality of play and the data demonstrate that. Above all, I’m happy to have been in charge of a great Sporting CP side for all these months."

Sporting CP earn a strong victory against FC Alverca

Sporting CP defeated FC Alverca 1-4 in Liga Portugal to return to winning ways in the competition, outgunning the opposition with two strikes from Pedro Gonçalves and goals from Luis Suárez and Geny Catamo.

To face an FC Alverca side sitting in 11th place and coming off a run of five consecutive draws, coach Rui Borges made only one change to the starting XI that had made history in midweek in the UEFA Champions League: the suspended Maxi Araújo was replaced by Nuno Santos, who hadn't started a game since October 26th, 2024. Ricardo Mangas returned to the squad after more than a month out.

Sporting CP were up against a FC Alverca side who hadn't lost at home in 2026 and, moreover, had earned 19 of their 29 points at their own ground.

The team didn't take long to show their intentions, as 'Pote' was played through with a fast pass. He reached the ball on the goal line and, without an easy angle, shot straight at goalkeeper André Gomes.

FC Alverca also started aggressively, but quickly had to rely, above all, on their organisation to contain the rapid inside combinations initiated by Sporting CP.

Geny Catamo tried his luck from distance and almost surprised the goalkeeper, who prevented the opening goal. It was a goal that finally arrived just a few minutes later: On 22 minutes, Pedro Gonçalves collected a loose ball in the area and, with great finesse, placed it into the top corner to put Sporting CP ahead.

Misfortune then befell Rui Borges's men, as Nuno Santos fell to the ground, being forced to go off injured. Georgios Vagiannidis came on in his place, and the substitution coincided with a shift in momentum.

A long-range shot from Lincoln, was securely caught by Rui Silva, and the opposition managed to push up the pitch and grow stronger until halftime. After a couple of blocked shots in the area, a header from Sandro Lima didn't go far wide of the post.

In the second half, Sporting CP once again showed their lethal nature. Immediately after receiving a yellow card for simulation for a penalty initially awarded then overturned by VAR, Luis Suárez produced a masterpiece to make it 0-2. The Colombian cut inside from the left and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the back of the net, claiming his 24th goal in the competition and his 33rd of the season.

FC Alverca tried to respond quickly to get back into contention, but Nabil Touaizi shot wide in the home team's best chance.

Sporting CP took the scoreline to 0-3 through sheer force. Before the 70th minute, Geny Catamo cut in from the right and struck a piledriver of a shot to increase the lead.

Rui Borges began to make changes, bringing on Zeno Debast and Daniel Bragança for Inácio and Morita. As the final ten minutes approached, he also introduced Mangas and gave more playing time to youngster Rafael Nel.

André Gomes made a flying save to deny a fantastic goal from Vagiannidis, who had popped up in a central position.

There would be two more goals before the end of the game. First of all, FC Alverca’s Marezi found the back of the net with a cross-shot. Then, just two minutes later, Pedro Gonçalves scored his second from a free kick on the left.

Mangas hit the post in the final chance, with André Gomes getting down to deny Rafael Nel a goal from the rebound. The score ended 1-4, marking Rui Borges' 50^th win from 73 games in charge.

After the international break, Sporting CP return to action to play CD Santa Clara in April.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GR], Iván Fresneda (Ricardo Mangas, 82’), Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio (Zeno Debast, 71’), Nuno Santos (Georgios Vagiannidis, 27’), Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 71’), Geny Catamo, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincão, Luis Suárez (Rafael Nel, 82’)

The coach talks before the game against FC Alverca

Sporting CP travel to Ribatejo this Sunday to face FC Alverca in Liga Portugal. Coach Rui Borges spoke in a press conference ahead of the game.

Returning to domestic action after the UEFA Champions League
“Because of all the fatigue from the game against FK Bodø/Glimt, it will be a difficult task, and it will also be so because of what FC Alverca are like. They have been growing and, therefore, it will be a difficult game. The most important thing is to recover and get the players switched on as much as possible to the demands of the next game.”

Possible changes
“It's possible that there may be some changes. We will have to see how the team are feeling. In terms of the left side, we don't have Maxi [due to an accumulation of yellow cards], but we have Nuno Santos and Ricardo Mangas, who is back in. These are two solutions and either one of them gives us something.”

Luis Guilherme's Injury
“The time off that he needs could be around four to six weeks. We have to see about his ankle. The knock happened in the last moment of training. There are things we can't control.”

The impact of accumulated fatigue
“It's part of the demands of the club. Of course, there was an unusual amount of emotional and physical expenditure this week, but we have to be able to deal with it. It's not something new, it's always been here. We've played a lot of games and we're going into a very busy month of April. It's part of being where we are, but we have to find solutions to continue to do Sporting CP justice.”

Players called up for their national teams
“There are many of them, but it is what it is. We can't escape it. They also want to play for their national teams, with a World Cup comng up. I am happy, above all, to see them with their national teams, achieving another goal and dream. It doesn't mean that we're going to stop responding to demands in April.  It's difficult for the players who need time to get rest. For example, Zeno [Debast] had a long break and is good to play for 30 minutes, because if you put him in from the start he won't have that response.

Postponement of the game against CD Tondela
“It was a regulatory right that we had and we exercised it. It's a good thing we did that, because if we had that game we wouldn't have been able to give the physical and mental response that we gave against FK Bodø/Glimt. We were fantastic for 120 minutes. We'll have to put the game against CD Tondela somewhere on the calendar. Protests from rivals is noise; it's part of the game, but the postponement was a right we had.”

The historic UEFA Champions League run
“It's important to find ways to switch on the players and draw on their energy. It won't be the same this weekend, because as much as we want it, it's impossible. The rest time isn't the same, the recovery isn't either, but we have to raise our energy to a good level. We're going to face a team who haven't lost at home in 2026, have grown a lot and defend well. It will demand a lot from us. The game could be separated into transitions and we have to understand what response we can give.”

A possible contract renewal with Sporting CP
“I'm very calm about that. I know well how the interaction and mutual trust with the Sporting CP structure is. I have a contract with Sporting CP and whatever has to happen, will happen in due time.”

The many good options for the centre back
“Perhaps it’s the most difficult position to manage. I have four fabulous defenders, they all deserve to play, and that’s a headache for me. Edu [Quaresma] has responded well. Diomande had that dip which coincided with Ramadan, which is natural. Zeno is coming back and doing very well, and Inácio has had a fantastic season. I have four high-quality defenders and any one of them can be a starter tomorrow.”

Luis Suárez’s fatigue
“I don’t believe Ioannidis will be available in the coming weeks. Regarding Luis, he's very particular. We also appeal to the good sense of the national team coaches, so that they understand the players’ fatigue and what they still have to play. He has been a very selfless player, giving everything to the team, and it shows. Physically he has been phenomenal, but he's not a machine and he'll have setbacks -as he already has.”

Post-UEFA Champions League euphoria being detrimental
“The euphoria is outward. For us coaches, it's over after ten minutes, because we have little time to recover and we know how difficult the game against FC Alverca will be. The players had a break to enjoy time with their families after achieving something unprecedented, but after we started training there was no more euphoria. The most important thing is to be able to draw on our energy."

Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, Rafael Nel and Iván Fresneda talk after the game

Following the epic 5-0 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal over FK Bodø/Glimt, which secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, several players gave their thoughts on the occasion.

Nuno Santos (Sporting TV)
"It was fantastic. We dream of being footballers in order to enjoy these moments. We are at Sporting CP, a great club where we have made a lot of history in recent years and now have done it once again. We were true lions. We lost the first game, but we strongly believed that we could turn it around -and we did. That's how football is; things change very quickly. Not long ago I was injured and now I'm there experiencing these moments. It's an incredible feeling. I congratulate the team and our fans, who were very important to us.

In Norway it was tough, but that's football. Our fans were fantastic from beginning to end and we didn't let the opposition breathe. We were persistent and we are very happy.

We started very well in both halves. I send congratulations to FK Bodø/Glimt for the first game. May they continue to do well in their domestic league. 

It was the fans who made us believe. They were, once again, fantastic. We always need them and we have a lot still to achieve."

Francisco Trincão (Sporting TV)
"It's unique, historic, and unprecedented. We believed, the fans believed, and everyone believed we could do it. FK Bodø/Glimt are a great team and were coming off five consecutive wins in the UEFA Champions League. We knew it would be difficult, but we went out there from the first minute believing we could do it, and we made it happen.

We were warned in the game in Norway. We had to do a lot to win; they are an excellent team. We were intense from the start, and we had the support of the fans. Before the game, we talked amongst ourselves and felt the energy from outside. 

Now we have to rest, because this game really took its toll on us. We have a Liga Portugal game ahead of us, and then the international break. We have to take advantage of this moment.

We felt that the fans wanted it and believed in us as much as we did. Maxi Araújo cried, Luis Suárez cried, everyone cried. We have to be grateful and always stick together, because we can still do beautiful things."

Rafael Nel (Sporting TV)
"On the bench, I felt I could come on and help the team. I felt a lot of support from the fans, who believed in me, and that helped a lot. It gave me a boost. Playing in the UEFA Champions League, especially in this stadium and representing Sporting CP, is a source of pride for me and my whole family. Scoring and hearing the roar of the stadium was a very happy moment for me.

The ball was won back and, out of nowhere, we managed a very quick transition. Daniel Bragança looked at me, passed me the ball, and I managed to score. It was a very happy moment and it could be the first of many goals representing this club. This night will be forever etched in my memory. I dare say it was the happiest night of my life.

I think today was the most beautiful stadium I've ever seen. I felt that the whole crowd was cheering us on, which was very important."

Iván Fresneda (mixed zone)
"I have no words to describe this team. We really believed a lot during this week. We were sad about the tough first leg defeat against FK Bodø/Glimt, but we never stopped believing and we really deserved to go through. The game in Norway didn't go as we expected, but we worked hard throughout the week to win this week. We left everything out there from the first minute. We demonstrated the true value of Sporting CP.

I've had some memorable nights at this stadium and this is one of the best. My performance could be one of the best I've had. I work hard for that. I dedicate this victory to my grandfather, who I'm sure was watching from heaven, and to the whole team, who work very hard, as well as the coach and the team. It's also for the fans, who supported us throughout the entire game.

How far can we go in the UEFA Champions League? We'll see. The tie against Arsenal will be difficult. On Sunday we have a very difficult game in Alverca and we'll be going all out in that too."

The coach reflects on the incredible showing against FK Bodø/Glimt

Following the 5-0 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal over FK Bodø/Glimt, which secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Rui Borges held a press conference to talk about the success.

Accomplishing the win
"For me, it's a victory. I believed strongly and said so at the end of the game in Bodø, despite the less successful performance. The players believed and realised what we hadn't been capable of individually and collectively. We talked about what we had to do to have a historic night, and that's what happened. We're already thinking about FC Alverca now.

I believe we'll be talking about this game for many years to come, and it makes me happy to continue making history for Sporting CP. The players deserve this victory and they deserve to be praised. Maybe, after today, people will still think the coach isn't capable of managing Sporting CP. They forget that the coach was league champion and won the double. I ask for more respect. The game in Bodø didn't define what this Sporting CP team are.

I'm very positive, and today's game demonstrates that. We had to overcome a 3-0 deficit. If we had the good fortune to play this game today, it's because if there was a team capable of a comeback, it was us.

Those who doubt will continue to doubt. Let them continue to do so; the more they doubt, the more I win, and my journey speaks for itself. I think there was a lack of respect for the Sporting CP coach after our heavy defeat, which was just one loss amidst months where the team have been fantastic. This victory is an epic one and deserves respect."

How far Sporting CP can go in the UEFA Champions League
"It's about continuing to dream and believing in what we can achieve, regardless of the opposition. We won against a team that beat us 3-0 and that had five consecutive victories against teams that were contenders to win the competition. We are among the top eight sides in Europe, as had happened in the league phase."

Dedication
"It's a special victory and I dedicate it to my family. I know how much my son suffers, being young, involved in football, and loving his father. I also dedicate it to my greatest star, my grandfather."

The goal by Rafael Nel
"I was happy for him because it was another goal, because he deserved it and because the team deserved it. He was stupendous in what he provided in the space of ten minutes, demonstrating strength and the ability to press. He has worked very hard for this opportunity. It was the culmination of a dream. The team show enormous affection for those who come up from the B team and the celebration was one of joy for everything that was happening."

Intensity
"It was 120 minutes of very high intensity, which was what was required. We had to have that and we knew it. We had seen the best of FK Bodø/Glimt, but FK Bodø/Glimt hadn't seen the best Sporting CP. The team wanted to demonstrate that. It's a great and historic victory, and leaves us among the eight best sides in Europe."

Praise from the FK Bodø/Glimt coach
"I'm happy for the recognition, just as I recognised the quality of the opposition when we lost. They are a great team, and just because they lost 5-0 today doesn't mean they've ceased to be that. It only makes our comeback even more meritworthy. I'm very proud of my players, who deserve this praise more than anyone."

The perfect game
"Clearly it was, otherwise we wouldn't have eliminated FK Bodø/Glimt. I said it had to be a perfect and extraordinary game, and that's what happened. The team didn't lose our composure or strategy, and they didn't panic. I asked them to do that at halftime: Not to think about the comeback, but about the 2-0 scoreline."

The fans
"There are no words to describe Alvalade today. From the moment I stepped onto the pitch, you could feel it was going to be different. They were extraordinary. They've been very good, but we need them like this all the time. If there was a stadium where this was going to be possible, it was here."

FK Bodø/Glimt
"They are a great team defensively, one of the best in Europe. They were playing against one of the best attacking teams in Europe, in Sporting CP."

The team overcome FK Bodø/Glimt in extra time

Sporting Clube de Portugal secured a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final in epic fashion, beating Norwegian side FK Bodø/Glimt 5-0 (after extra time) in the second leg of the Round of 16, in an historic comeback. In the quarter-finals, they will face English side Arsenal.

With the team trailing 0-3 from the first half, Rui Borges made several changes to the starting lineup: Georgios Vagiannidis, Ousmane Diomande, João Simões and Luís Guilherme were replaced by Maxi Araújo, Eduardo Quaresma, Hidemasa Morita and Pedro Gonçalves for the tough task of turning the tie around.

The team needed an intense start, and that was exactly what happened. The first big opportunity came in the 3rd minute, when Araújo ran down the left and crossed for Francisco Trincão, in a great position, to head over the bar. 

Shortly after, Geny Catamo surprised the defence with a great cross, and Trincão this time struck wide. The visitors were unable to stop the momentum, and both Gonçalves and Trincão had further efforts denied in the 8th minute.

Sporting CP dominated, and both Iván Fresneda and Luis Suárez -who forced Nikita Haikin to make another save- threatened. In the 13th minute, a great ball from Morten Hjulmand found Araújo at the far post, and the Uruguayan tried to set up Gonçalves, who missed by centimetres.

In one of FK Bodø/Glimt's few approaches, a dangerous counter-attack ended with a shot from Kasper Høgh going just wide in the 16th minute. The response from Sporting CP was another Trincão effort narrowly off target.

Haikin saved a subsequent shot from Gonçalves, then Suárez and Catamo both failed to find the net.

Finally, Sporting CP opened the scoring on 34 minutes, from a set piece: A corner from Trincão was headed in by Gonçalo Inácio, marking his 250th game for the first team in style.

Up until halftime, the home team continued to dominate, and they had another shot on goal through Gonçalves kept out by Haikin. FK Bodø/Glimt came very close to equalising themselves in the 43rd minute, when Odin Bjørtuft met a corner from the right with a header that hit the post.

There was no shortage of excitement in the opening minutes of the second half. From a free-kick, Patrick Berg shot into Rui Silva's hands in the 47th minute, and at the other end, Hidemasa Morita crossed, Suárez headed at the near post, and Catamo, at the far post, put the ball into the side netting.

Rui Silva made another save when Sondre Brunstad Fet tried his luck, and Catamo only failed to score when an opposition defender intervened at the right moment. Shortly after, Gonçalves shot from distance, but Nikita saved.

In the 55th minute, an incomplete clearance by the defence allowed Morten Hjulmand, in a central position, to come very close to making it 2-0, before another defender deflected the ball out for a corner. In the next move, the captain rose high and headed slightly over the bar. 

Finally, Sporting CP got the second goal with a fantastic pass from Catamo to play through Suárez. The striker, unselfishly, passed to Gonçalves, who finished off to make it 2-0.

In the 64th minute, Rui Borges brought on Zeno Debast to replace Eduardo Quaresma and, shortly after, substituted Morita and Gonçalves for Daniel Bragança and Nuno Santos.

Debast tried to mark his return to action with a great goal, only to be denied by Haikin.

In the final quarter of an hour, a VAR review awarded a penalty to Sporting CP. Called upon to convert, Luis Suárez made no mistake, levelling the tie with his spot kick.

Dangerous shots from Suárez and Trincão, and a Nuno Santos effort that hit the post, continued the onslaught. In the 87th minute, Morten Hjulmand also had a look with a header, but the goalkeeper made an easy save.

The game went to extra time, but with all the momentum in Sporting CP's favour.

In the second minute of extra time, history continued to be made. In another great collective move, Nuno Santos found Bragança on the left, who passed to Trincão. In turn, he assisted for Maxi Araújo to make it 4-0.

Sporting CP continued to be the better team and had more possession, but without frequently creating dangerous chances in the opposition's area. FK Bodø/Glimt tried to find a response, but were unable to do so in the first half of extra time.

In the second half, Rui Borges took off Araújo and Trincão, bringing on Ousmane Diomande and Souleymane Faye. Playing higher up and getting more desperate, FK Bodø/Glimt only managed to respond with a header from Andreas Helmersen after a corner kick, which Rui Silva caught. 

Meanwhile, Sporting CP made another change: Luis Suárez came off, and Rafael Nel came on, making his UEFA Champions League debut.

The 20-year-old striker capped off the occasion: Bragança set up Nel to unleash a powerful shot into the back of the net, taking the score to 5-0.

An unforgettable night saw the team advance to the next round of the competition and a meeting with Arsenal, set for April 7th/8th and 14th/15th. Sporting CP will now return to Liga Portugal action, where they will visit FC Alverca at 6pm on Sunday, March 22nd. 

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma (Zeno Debast, 64'), Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo (Ousmane Diomande, 110'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 68'), Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão (Souleymane Faye, 110'), Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 68') and Luis Suárez (Rafael Nel, 116').

The attacker speaks ahead of the meeting with FK Bodø/Glimt

In the lead-up to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg, where Sporting Clube de Portugal will try to overcome the 0-3 deficit, Pedro Gonçalves spoke about FK Bodø/Glimt and assured that the team believe in a comeback. 
 
Attitude from the first minute
"It's a game where, in my opinion, we have to go for goals as quickly as possible, but also be strong when defending, because we can't concede. That would complicate things even more. That's why I say we have to attack, but also be careful with the defence, because they are very strong on the counter-attack.

We know we have to come out very strong, pressing, to get to the goal as quickly as possible. It's difficult to score three goals and we know the opposition have a very strong counter-attack. The number 10, Jens Petter Hauge is very good at that, and they arrive with many players in the area. We will also have to be very attentive in the defensive aspects, with everyone inside the area if necessary, because if they score a goal against us it makes things even more complicated. We will give it our all and transmit the best energy from the first minute."

His fitness
"I hope to be at 100 percent. I believe nobody is always at 100 percent, but I will try."

What Sporting CP need to do differently
"Obviously the coach and the analysts have already done their job of seeing what didn't go so well. We did the analysis during the week, we know that our pressure wasn't the best and we want to show that we are a completely different team from the one we were in the first leg."

Probabilities of a comeback in the game
"I believe a lot, the team believe a lot, and the fans believe with us. So we're going to do everything to turn the scoreline around. It's very difficult, and Bodø surprised us a lot, but of course we have to believe. Just as if it were the other way around, they would believe too."

The coach previews the second leg against FK Bodø/Glimt

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face FK Bodø/Glimt this Tuesday at 5:45 PM, in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

In a pre-match press conference, Rui Borges guaranteed that the team fully believes in the possibility of overturning the result from Norway -and reinforced his desire to continue making history for Sporting CP.
 
Continuing to make history
"I truly believe we can do it. I said this right at the end of the game in Bodø. I know the difficulties will be great, but I have great faith in the individual and collective resilience that this team have demonstrated throughout the season. One game won't define us. The team have shown that they really want to project a different image and demonstrate that we are capable of continuing to positively make a mark on Sporting CP's history, doing something unprecedented and extraordinary.

We know we have to have an almost perfect game, and we will strive for that. The team’s ambition is enormous, and they have demonstrated this from the very beginning, from the first day I arrived at Sporting CP."

Support from the fans
"As Pedro [Gonçalves] was saying, the affection and belief that the fans have shown has been fantastic. If there's a team capable of achieving great things, due to our resilience and responsiveness, it's us. If there's a stadium where extraordinary things can happen, it's ours, and that's largely thanks to the strength provided by our fans. Tomorrow they will certainly be extraordinary as well, so that together we can write another positive chapter in Sporting CP's history."

Luís Guilherme's availability
"Unfortunately, yesterday in the last part of training he suffered a knock. He's being evaluated and we'll see if he can contribute."

A possible contract renewal
"I have a contract until 2027. I'm happy here, and focused on doing something extraordinary together with my players. They deserve it more than anyone."

Fan dissatisfaction with the showing in Bodø
"It's natural. We're at a big club, the demands are enormous, and we really want to keep winning. Neither they nor we were happy, but if we weren't the best in the world for beating PSG, then we're not the worst for one other less successful game. It doesn't erase everything we've shown."

Possible tactical variations from the opponents
"Very honestly, I don't think they'll change anything. That's why I said they didn't surprise me, because we knew very well what they are capable of doing. They’ve won not only against Sporting CP, but against other teams that are contenders to win the competition. They are a truly capable team and in that sense they didn't surprise us. What surprised us was that we weren't able to provide a different response.

It has a lot to do with the intensity with which we do things, individually and collectively, and we weren't able to have the right intensity to neutralise Bodø. We're already halfway through the tie, but there's no point in lamenting anything. We need to see what we weren't able to do and why. We did that over the last few days and we want to give a different response tomorrow. With that resilience, that ambition I was talking about, we'll have to be even more courageous and daring. We'll go for goals, I believe we will score, but we can't concede. We are aware of the difficulty and the dangers we will have to face. The game is 90 minutes long. We will always have the same intensity, but we have to be prepared for all moments that occur in the game."

A lack of ambition in big games
"These are interpretations and opinions. I don't live by statutes, I live by my work. My work speaks for itself. I'm at Sporting CP because of all the competence and work that we, as the coaching staff, have demonstrated.

I would answer with several stats: In offensive terms we are the best team in the league. In Europe we should be too, and at home we are very strong. We finished seventh in the league phase when nobody believed it could happen. As I said, I wasn't the best in the world when we beat PSG, I'm not one of the worst for us losing to Bodø."

Criticism of the postponement of the league game
"The regulations are the same for everyone. We only exercised the right we had. That's all. The idea was to have some rest time, especially since we were coming from games with a high degree of demand, with considerable physical and mental strain."

"It will be a completely different game. It will require more audacity from us, which will expose us at times, but I also know that the players' belief is so great that they will give a fantastic response against a great side, who in terms of intensity of play are one of the best I have ever seen as a coach."

The quality of FK Bodø/Glimt
"They deserve credit for being in the Round of 16 and for winning against teams that are contenders to win the tournament. They deserve to be seen as a great team, capable of competing against any opponents. Football is becoming increasingly demanding individually and collectively, and they keep up with this required intensity. Therefore, at this level, they were one of the best teams I have seen as a coach. Their physical capacity is extraordinary."