The coach looks at the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund

Rui Borges, coach of Sporting Clube de Portugal, spoke ahead of the game against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund; the return leg of the play-off to reach the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

“The difficulty is huge, as we are going to face a great team that are 0-3 up from the first leg," he acknowledged, before explaining his plan for the rematch.

“The big challenge is, and will continue to be, to gain more consistency throughout the game. A consistency that we had in the first half, where we were intense, competitive and clearly superior. We didn't have that in the second half, and against great teams these details make the difference. It is a difficult result to come back from, but the greatness of the club we represent means that we will never give up and will always do our best to win," he said.

Asked about the absences of Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres from the squad that arrived in Germany, Borges claimed that it was “just team management."

“Everything is a priority in terms of competitions, but we had some injuries that made our decisions difficult throughout this accumulation of games. On Sunday we will also have a very difficult game in the league, where we want to win again and we will have more absences: Morten [Hjulmand] and Ousmane [Diomande]. It is impossible not to have this squad management."

Despite the adversities, especially as a result of the various injuries that have plagued the squad, the coach outlined the ambition that will drive his team in Dortmund, where they will have young players José Silva, Eduardo Felicíssimo, Alexandre Brito, Manuel Mendonça, Afonso Moreira, Lucas Anjos and Rafael Nel all looking for experience.

“We will do our best. We want to respond and dignify the great club we represent. There is no time to regret things, but rather we have to find solutions."

“Tomorrow we will come into the game with great spirit, with a huge desire to win and without looking too much at the result of the first leg. We have to look at the game at hand, and do our best with our strategy and our ideas."

“We have to believe in our path and that, in the future, we will be very happy regardless of all the setbacks that have happened to us. We have to be more resilient and stronger, and this character also defines Sporting CP," he concluded.

The striker promises maximum effort in the Champions League playoff

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit BV Borussia 09 Dortmund on Wednesday (6:45 pm CET), to play the second leg of the play-off for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Speaking before the game, Conrad Harder assessed the difficulty of overcoming a 0-3 disadvantage from the first leg.

“I feel happy and honoured to play in the UEFA Champions League. Of course it's a difficult game, away from home and with a three-goal deficit, but we will do everything we can to win. The club, the team and our fans demand this," he highlighted, adding that, after the confirmation of Daniel Bragança’s serious injury, the group “want to win the game for him too."

A long list of absentees that includes Jeremiah St. Juste has been added to by Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres, who have not travelled to Germany.

“They are two very important players for us," acknowledged Harder. “We have a good team, which believes in itself. We will give everything for the victory. We feel prepared, and I will give my all on the pitch."

The coach talks after the draw with FC Arouca

Rui Borges expressed his disappointment with the 2-2 draw against FC Arouca in his post-match press conference following the Liga Portugal game.

“It was a very unfortunate game in every way: The own goal, the injuries, the penalty, the sending off... Many situations happened that changed the course of the game. We were trying to fight against them, so it is worth appreciating what the players did, even with ten men, in a game that could have gone either way," the coach began by saying, adding: "It was a difficult game, where everything happened to us, but we have to be able to deal with these things. We remain in first place, so we have to take that away, think game by game and do everything we can to stay first.”

“Today, I highlight the positive contribution from the group. Especially after the sending off. That's why the team ended up exhausted. I think that for everything they did, they deserved to have come out of this game with the three points."

“I’m still very motivated and confident. The belief is there. Like I said, we're still first, that's what we want and we have to hold on to that. The fans hae been important and they were important today, especially when we were left with ten men, and they were giving us that energy to make us believe that we were capable of turning the game around. Only together will we be able to overcome all these circumstances that happened to us," continued Borges.

He also spoke about the injuries to Daniel Bragança and Jeremiah St. Juste, saying that the midfielder's “could be something more delicate” and that the defender's is “more of a muscular problem”. Both will be absent for next week's European game.

"We will fight in that match. We will have to take some precautions, but we will not throw away the game. We will try to come up with strategies and ways to win, because we want to win the game, regardless of who plays.”

Harder and Trincão score for Sporting CP

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 2-2 against FC Arouca in their 22nd game of the Liga Portugal season.

Coach Rui Borges made changes to his initial XI, the most notable being Viktor Gyökeres' starting role.

Sporting CP started with Rui Silva in goal, Iván Fresneda, Jeremiah St. Juste, Gonçalo Inácio and Maxi Araújo in defence, Daniel Bragança, Morten Hjulmand and João Simões in midfield and a forward line of Francisco Trincão, Gyökeres and Geovany Quenda.

As expected, Os Leões took control of the game but in less than 15 minutes a series of setbacks put them in difficulty.

St. Juste played a ball almost from midfield to Rui Silva, and the goalkeeper’s attempt to control was unsuccessful, as it went into the net and put FC Arouca in front.

The Dutch defender went off injured afterwards, with Bragança also coming off with discomfort. Zeno Debast and Conrad Harder took their places.

The initial equaliser came when Trincão won the ball from Henrique Araújo and passed it to Gyökeres, who knocked it on for Harder to enter the area and send the shot in to make it 1-1.

Gyökeres was then denied on two occasions by goalkeeper Nico Mantl, and Morten Hjulmand, off a corner, headed wide. FC Arouca tested the woodwork and then forced Rui Silva to make a good save in response.

Sporting CP immediately made a quick counterattack, and Quenda entered the area off it before Nico Mantl again got the better of the duel.

During stoppage time at the end of the first half, FC Arouca made it 1-2, as referee Miguel Nogueira considered that Morten Hjulmand had fouled an opponent in the box and awarded a penalty -dispatched by Henrique Araújo.

Although Sporting CP had further efforts before the break, they went into the interval at a deficit.

The second half began with Sporting CP pressing high and creating danger close to Nico Mantl's goal. As a result, Maxi Araújo was caught for a free kick on the edge of the area, which Trincão struck against the wall.

Quenda received from Viktor Gyökeres and aimed an effort towards the far post, but a defender managed to cut it out.

A series of corners followed, and in the first 10 minutes FC Arouca were put under siege, only breaking out on the counter to require the intervention of Rui Silva.

Another blow was suffered with the expulsion of Morten Hjulmand for a second yellow card, as Sporting CP were reduced to ten men with half an hour to play. The task became more and more difficult, as FC Arouca wasted time whenever possible.

In the 75th minute, Harder held the ball on the left, with Trincão appearing and shooting to make it 2-2.

With five minutes to go, Rui Borges brought on Biel and debutant Alexandro Brito, taking Iván Fresneda and João Simões off.

Harder and Gyökeres both missed late chances to grab a winner, whilst Rui Silva saved with his foot in the closing moments. Biel shot over the crossbar with the last attempt of the game, and the score remained 2-2 at the final whistle.

Os Leões will be back in action on Wednesday in Germany, against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff.

The coach previews Saturday night's Liga Portugal game

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

"Arouca FC are a team created in the image of their coach, very well organised, who like to analyse their football. It is up to us to remain on our path and be competent. I believe it will be a good game, against a good opponent, but we have to be Sporting CP, win and keep the gap at the top of the table,” he explained.

Confirming the absences of Hidemasa Morita and Geny Catamo, Borges assured that Viktor Gyokeres is “available for the game."

Once again asked about the many absences, the coach prefered to see this as an opportunity to increase “internal options."

“Iván Fresneda has grown with each game he plays. He has been competitive and is responding. Maxi Araújo and Zeno Debast are playing well in a position that is not their own, and João Simões is gaining importance in the team's dynamics, as well as Conrad Harder."

Underlining that“the biggest motivation is to fight for the title, and this ambition and desire will always override fatigue," he also commented that Sporting CP “are the team with the highest average number of monthly games in Europea” and that “players are not machines but human beings."

Celebrating fifty days in charge, Borges says he has been “a happy coach since day one. The energy that exists at Alcochete  is fantastic across all departments. I promise to work hard and fight to be champions. I want to win every game, regardless of the competition. What the members want most is what I want too."

The coach laments the first leg scoreline against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund

Following the 0-3 defeat for Sporting Clube de Portugal against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund, coach Rui Borges spoke in his press conference to analyse the match.

"In the first half we were clearly the better side. There was a lot of quality in every moment of the game, and we deserved to have gone into the break in front against a great team. BV Borussia 09 Dortmund started better in the second half, and when we thought about making a change, they made it 0-1. That was down to the opposition's merit.
Conceding the goal affected us, the team felt it mentally and then we lost confidence and got into a phase of the game where we couldn't play. When they have space, BV Borussia 09 Dortmund accelerate very quickly with just two touches. With more space between our lines, they were effective on two more occasions," he explained.

Asked about Viktor Gyökeres' fitness, Borges explained that the Swede "had a physical problem -like hundreds of players have. Clubs don't reveal all of the players' injuries. We don't have to specify what Gyökeres' injury is. There was also some training sessions missed by him, and that is noticeable. But the fitness deficit is not only noticeable in Viktor. Maybe in the league it isn't noticed as much, but in this competition the other side have a lot of quality and it is felt more," he added.

"Several very important players for the dynamic of Sporting CP have not been available, so it's down to me to create solutions -even if I'm without an abundance of options. Today we put players on the pitch who are looking to get back in their best shape. We are still competitive, as we saw in the first half, but we were missing that. We have to gain more rhythm in the game."

Rui Borges underlined that Sporting CP "didn't deserve such a big margin of defeat," and promised that his side would go for the return leg.

"We need to dignify the great club we represent in the best possible way. We have quality and we have to try to be very competitive," he said.

"Throughout my journey, I have really believed in our work and competence. I would like to have everyone available and I'm looking forward to that, because it means that the team get better, but while I don't I need to find solutions to be competitive. Sporting CP will fight to be Liga Portugal champions. The team have been fantastic."

Sporting CP lose 0-3 to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in the Champions League

A equipa principal de futebol do Sporting Clube de Portugal perdeu, esta terça-feira, por 0-3 na recepção ao BV Borussia 09 Dortmund para a primeira mão do play-off de acesso aos oitavos-de-final da UEFA Champions League.

Os Leões contaram com três alterações nos titulares, saindo Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand e Daniel Bragança para as entradas de Matheus Reis (que utilizou a braçadeira de capitão), Jeremiah St. Juste e Zeno Debast. No banco de suplentes, destaque para as presenças dos jovens Alexandre Brito e Lucas Anjos à procura da estreia pela equipa principal - assim como Biel, reforço da última janela de transferências. Na baliza, Rui Silva fez o primeiro jogo da carreira na UEFA Champions League.

A primeira parte pertenceu ao Sporting CP quase por completo. A pressão alta desde o minuto inicial revelava ambição e a primeira jogada perigosa surgiu quando Matheus Reis procurou servir Conrad Harder, mas o passe saiu muito para trás. Pouco depois, o avançado rematou, mas contra a muralha defensiva do BV Borussia 09 Dortmund.

Aos nove minutos, o Sporting CP ameaçou de forma mais séria: nova ligação Matheus Reis-Conrad Harder, agora com o dinamarquês a tentar o golo e a não conseguir apenas porque Nico Schlotterbeck apareceu com o corte milagroso. Os visitantes reagiram de forma tímida, com Emre Can a cabecear sem perigo.

Estava bem melhor o Sporting CP, que tentou a sua sorte através de um tiro de longe de Francisco Trincão que Gregor Kobel. Logo a seguir, o 1-0 ficou ainda mas perto e novamente numa investida de fora da área quando Maxi Araújo atirou com força à trave do BV Borussia 09 Dortmund. Seria um golaço do uruguaio, responsável pela ocasião mais flagrante do primeiro tempo.

Gregor Kobel, guardião dos germânicos, voltou a ter trabalho na tentativa de João Simões e o Sporting CP continuava a carregar no meio-campo ofensivo. Novamente de longe, foi a vez de Conrad Harder, aos 35', adicionar mais um remate defendido à estatística de Gregor Kobel. A seguir, João Simões fez o mesmo.

Só dava verde e branco até o BV Borussia 09 Dortmund ameaçar pela primeira vez aos 38', num tiro de Jamie Gittens a sair perto do poste. Mesmo em cima do intervalo, Serhou Guirassy assustou com um remate desviado, mas Rui Silva conseguiu afastar para canto. No final do primeiro tempo, ascendente Sportinguista mas 0-0 no marcador

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 0-3 at home to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in the first leg of their play-off for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Os Leões had three changes to their starting lineup, with Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand and Daniel Bragança stepping out for Matheus Reis, Jeremiah St. Juste and Zeno Debast. On the bench, young players Alexandre Brito and Lucas Anjos awaited their debut for the first team, joined by Biel, a reinforcement in the winter transfer window. In goal, Rui Silva played the first game of his career in the UEFA Champions League.

The first half was almost completely dominated by Sporting CP. High pressure from the opening minute revealed their ambition, and the first dangerous move of the match came when Matheus Reis tried to set up Conrad Harder, but his pass went too far behind the striker. Shortly afterwards, the striker did get an effort off, but it hit a crowded BV Borussia 09 Dortmund defence.

On nine minutes, Sporting CP threatened in a more serious way: Another Matheus Reis-Conrad Harder connection saw the eventual effort from the Dane cut out by Nico Schlotterbeck.

A long shot from Francisco Trincão was kept out by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. then another attack from outside the area had Maxi Araújo shooting hard against the BV Borussia 09 Dortmund post.

Kobel had to deal with a strike by João Simões, as Sporting CP continued to attack through their offensive midfield. From distance, Harder tried his luck in the 35th minute, then João Simões, with the goalkeeper reacting on both occasions.

BV Borussia 09 Dortmund threatened for the first time in the 38th minute, with Jamie Gittens putting the ball close to the post. Then, just before half-time, Serhou Guirassy's deflected shot was pushed away by Rui Silva.

To start the second half, Gittens gave the first warning for the visitors, followed up by Karim Adeyemi forcing a tremendous save by Rui Silva. Serhou Guirassy then opened the scoring with a header to make it 0-1.

In response to the disadvantage, Rui Borges -who had already brought on Viktor Gyökeres for Conrad Harder- replaced João Simões and Matheus Reis with Hidemasa Morita and Daniel Bragança.

 Zeno Debast, in the 64th minute, shot wide, as Sporting CP looked for a response. Just when they were pushing, however, BV Borussia 09 Dortmund made it 2-0 when Pascal Gross appeared in space to finish.

Immediately after Maximilian Beier's shot into the side netting for the German side, Iván Fresneda and Zeno Debast made way for Eduardo Quaresma and debutant Biel.

Ousmane Diomande had a close opportunity in the 74th minute, but BV Borussia 09 Dortmund were comfortable and controlled their lead well. Occasionally they threatened, which happened when Guirassy shot and Rui Silva saved.

Eight minutes from time, a counterattack finished off by Karim Adeyemi took the score to 0-3.

Rui Borges' team will now host FC Arouca in Liga Portugal on Saturday at the Estádio José Alvalade. The following Wednesday, on February 19th, sees the return leg of the playoff in the UEFA Champions League, away in Germany.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda (Eduardo Quaresma, 73'), Ousmane Diomande, Jeremiah St. Juste, Matheus Reis [C] (Daniel Bragança, 62'), Zeno Debast (Biel, 73'), João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 62'), Geovany Quenda, Maxi Araújo, Francisco Trincão and Conrad Harder (Viktor Gyökeres, 59').

The coach talks about the Champions League exit

After the 0-0 draw at home to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund that resulted in Sporting CP bowing out of the UEFA Champions League (0-3 on aggregate), Rui Borges spoke in a press conference at Signal Iduna Park.

Starting by looking at the tie overall, the coach singled out the second half in Alvalade, where the team conceded all three goals, as being the key moment.

“We had a great first half in Alvalade and today, given the circumstances, I couldn't have asked for a better attitude. We could have had more quality here or there, because we misplaced some passes, but that is part of the lack of maturity that we have because our team is so Young”.

“There is nothing to reproach the players for. We dignified Sporting CP and now we have to follow our path”, he highlighted.

Asked about the performance of Rui Silva, who ended up being chosen as Man of the Match, Rui Borges considered that the goalkeeper “did his role” with “two or three very good saves. He saved a penalty that, honestly, didn't seem like a penalty to me. He's a mature player, he gives this calmness to the team and that's important”.

Regarding the changes he made to his starting lineup and throughout the game, he made no secret of the fact that he was also thinking about the away league game at AVS SAD.

“The squad management started a little in that game in Lisbon. Here, we ended up not being able to manage it very well, because [João] Simões and Morten [Hjulmand] went off injured and [Gonçalo] Inácio was taken off as a precaution. The squad management was present a little, but the team never gave away the tie”.

“The attitude of the team should be praised. There was the debut for Lucas [Anjos], the minutes for [Alexandre] Brito, and also Afonso [Moreira], who started very well. I really liked the young players we introduced in the second half”, he stated.

The return to 3-4-3 was another of the topics discussed and Rui Borges explained that it was a “strategic” option "because BV Borussia 09 Dortmund had some difficulties against lines of five, and also because of the options we had available. The idea was to be organised and expose BV Borussia 09 Dortmund on transitions”.

“Above all, we were competent and competed”, stressed the coach, without forgetting the quality of the opponent.

“They have a great team, they didn’t change any players and that shows the respect they had for us. I'm very happy with what we have been able to do, and with our attitude”.

“The fans demand attitude and the team respond. The fans, like us, really want to be champions. We are focused on what we can control. It was very important to hear them supporting the team from start to finish and it will also be very important in this final stretch of the season”.

A 0-0 draw for Lions sees them lose on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund

Sporting Clube de Portugal exited the UEFA Champions League with a 0-0 draw away to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund, as the German side went through the playoff to the Last 16 as a result of their 0-3 first leg win.

Rui Borges' men were unable to break down an ultra-defensive Borussia Dortmund, who focused on controlling their advantage at the Signal Iduna Park.

Facing the losing finalists of the last edition of the Champions League, currently 11th in the Bundesliga, Sporting CP made wholesale changes. Rui Borges returned to the 3-4-3 formation and made six rotations to the XI he fielded in Liga Portugal the weekend before. Injuries to Jeremiah St. Juste and Daniel Bragança forced his hand, and he decided to rest Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres.

Sporting CP lined up with Rui Silva in goal; a trio of defenders made up of Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande and Eduardo Quaresma; Matheus Reis and Ricardo Esgaio as the wingers; Morten Hjulmand and João Simões occupying the midfield; and the attack featuring Geovany Quenda, Biel Teixeira and Conrad Harder.

As night fell, the temperature also dropped to just above 0ºC. There were more than two thousand Sporting fans present in the largest stadium in Germany -one of the most imposing in the world, with a capacity for 81,365 spectators.

After kickoff, as the minutes passed, Sporting CP began to enjoy a series of transitions, but the action near the areas only began later, in the 28th minute. Borussia Dortmund opened space for a dangerous shot by Marcel Sabitzer from the edge of the area, to which Rui Silva responded with an excellent save.

Serhou Guirassy, top scorer in the European competition, also tried his luck from outside the box, but Rui Silva held onto it efficiently. Sporting CP made some valiant forays from Matheus Reis, Biel and Quenda, although with no shots registered.

Closing the first half, Sporting CP experienced further injury woes: João Simões went off and was replaced by Zeno Debast.

At the start of the second half, there was another change, with 19-year-old Alexandre Brito making his debut in the UEFA Champions League -just days after his first team debut proper. He came on for captain Hjulmand, who had suffered a knock.

Rui Silva continued to make saves in a more frantic start to the second half, denying Karim Adeyemi with a terrific stretch and then stopping a penalty from Guirassy to keep the score goalless.

Maxi Araújo and another Champions League debutant, Afonso Moreira, were introduced, and it was the young players from off the bench who tried to create the necessary reaction. After the winger shot over, Alexandre Brito also went upfield and struck slightly wide of the post.

Dortmund were then denied by the post, off a shot from newly introduced Giovanni Reyna, and soon after, Emre Can had a goal disallowed for offside.

After a promising shot from Quenda that was blocked by the defence, Harder also sent a ball around the post from a flick.

Even though he didn't scare Gregor Kobel because he ended up being blocked by the rebounds, Harder managed a deflection at the near post, but it went wide.

The young Dane then forced goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into action with his header, off a delivery from first team debutant Lucas Anjos.

The score remained the same, and Os Leões said goodbye to the Champions League with a draw, something that no Portuguese team had achieved before against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in seven games.

With the UEFA Champions League campaign over, Sporting CP now look to Liga Portugal, with an away game scheduled for this Sunday (6pm) at AVS SAD.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GR], Ricardo Esgaio, Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio (Maxi Araújo, 56’), Matheus Reis, Morten Hjulmand [C] (Alexandre Brito, 46’), João Simões (Zeno Debast, 40’), Geovany Quenda (Lucas Anjos, 84’), Biel Teixeira (Afonso Moreira, 56’), Conrad Harder.

The goalkeeper's thoughts ahead of the Champions League playoff

Rui Silva could make his debut in the UEFA Champions League in the playoff against Borussia Dortmund, and he talked about the potential opportunity alongside his coach in the pre-match press conference.

"I'm very grateful to be able to be here. It has always been a big goal of mine to be able to play in the UEFA Champions League and I'm very happy. I always work to play, but I only control what depends on me, and the one who chooses is the coach", he began by telling journalists.

Asked about the relationship with Franco Israel, Rui Silva assured that they both have "great respect for each other."

"We have a very healthy competitiveness, which is fundamental to achieving our objectives. It is important to have solidarity and we have to show our commitment. We are creating a very strong bond, with a lot of respect."

Ensuring that he is aware of the "importance of this tie and the opponents we face", the 31-year-old refused to judge BV Borussia 09 Dortmund on their domestic league form -which has been below par.

"It is very different, in terms of motivation, to compete in the UEFA Champions League or the domestic league. Borussia Dortmund are an historic club who are not doing well in their league, but we know the ability they have -both offensively and defensively. We are prepared. We have 180 minutes to go and we have to be very rigorous with our weapons, and create danger for them."

Regarding Viktor Gyökeres, Rui Silva made no secret of the fact that he is "a very important player" for the team.

"He is a natural goalscorer, but we have other players who can respond. Conrad Harder has responded very well and scored goals, but of course Gyökeres is a big standout. Let's hope that he is 100%, to be able to score goals and help us."

Finally, Rui Silva promised to be "motivated in every game."

"I play for a big club, so it has to be like that," he added.