The coach talks before Liga Portugal Matchday 27

Rui Borges spoke to the media ahead of Sporting Clube de Portugal's return to action, which takes place on Saturday away to CF Estrela da Amadora.

CF Estrela Amadora's league position
"There are no easy games. Football is increasingly more difficult and demanding. We will face a team that need points, that will give their all for points, at a smaller stadium, with fervent fans. I believe that our travelling fans will also make us feel as if we were playing at home, as has been the case the season, but it will be a difficult game against a team that are playing at home and at a difficult ground for all teams -especially the big ones. Estrela are a very athletic team, strong on their quick attacks and on transitions, and they look for set pieces a lot. They are also dangerous from long balls, and on a defensive level I believe that they will want to be pressing at times and at others play in a lower block."

Sporting CP's fitness after international commitments
"It's difficult to say. We had 15 days off, but we didn't train the same because, unfortunately or fortunately, Sporting CP have a lot of players in the national teams -both senior and Under-21s, who play a lot of minutes. It was very difficult to work; we only had the whole team together today, but I believe the team will give a good response."

Reduced options in midfield
"It's nothing new. Since we arrived, there have been a lot of setbacks and we have to be able to fight against them and find ways to be competitive and honour the club we represent. Morten Hjulmand won't be available and Hidemasa Morita won't be either. We have the players who have already played: Zeno Debast and Ricardo Esgaio. It won't stray too far from there, as that's what has happened in the past. Whoever plays will give a good response and will be able to help the team in the best way."

Pedro Gonçalves' possible return
"I really wanted to have Pote, Dani Bragança and everyone else back, but it's not possible. Pote is already in the final part of his recovery, and he's working on the pitch and with the ball, but he's not training with the team yet. All I can do is wait and get the ok from the medical team. He has to go through all the processes, and he's going through them well. Let's see if it's the next game or not that he's back: it's very much day-to-day and a question of passing all the medical tests. I believe his return is coming soon, because he's already in that final stretch."

Jeremiah St. Juste's fitness
"He's 100 percent fit and available to play, but him not doing so has been down to the coach's choices. He's doing well, training well and he's another solution that we have. Since I arrived, he's had a lot of games and that shows the confidence we have in him. He just didn't play when he was injured, but he was almost always a solution."

Eduardo Quaresma's starting role
"Debast must play as a midfielder because we have no other solutions. He has played very well as a midfielder, but he is adapting to the position. For Zeno to step up, someone will have to play as a midfielder, like Esgaio, St. Juste or Quaresma. Fortunately, for that position I have more options than normal, but whoever plays, I will be comfortable."

Managing Gonçalo Inácio's fitness
"We have to be careful with him. He played a lot of minutes for the national team, as did others, but in this final stretch the most important thing is to understand what is best for the team and not expose the team to problems -and be as competitive as possible. It is what it is. Everyone wants to help. If we have to make an extra effort, we will have to do so, because the most important thing is to reach the end of the season and get what we want."

No room for error
"The final stretch will be difficult for everyone. The difficulty will be great and all the teams will have difficult games, whether at home or away. Whoever is the most competent will be champion and, therefore, I always say that we have to be competent, but I'm not thinking further ahead than tomorrow's game, trying to be competent, winning, getting three more points and remaining in first place. It will always be like this, until the end."

Francisco Trincão attracting interest from other clubs
"Trincão was already attractive to the market and, before he went away with the national team, I made a point of talking about him. He has done a spectacular job and was one of the players I was most surprised by. His quality is recognised by everyone, but what he works for, what he gives to the team and his commitment have been phenomenal. Maybe his work in the last few games at Sporting CP was not valued much because he didn't score a goal, and now he scored two for the national team, but Trincão was the same for the national team as he is at Sporting CP. He has been very important for us, I'm happy with the two goals for Portugal, and he deserves it."

The coach's assessment of the win against FC Famalicão

At the end of the Sporting Clube de Portugal's 3-1 victory over FC Famalicão, Rui Borges was present at the press conference to review the contest.

Analysis of the match
"It was a first half in which we started very well and then we lost some confidence. We were dropping too low, and we let FC Famalicão gain confidence. They got closer to our goal and then they got the penalty. After the penalty, we improved and grew again with our positive energy. We ended the first half with clear opportunities to make it 2-1. At halftime, we didn't change anything, we just improved a few things. We grew and were clearly better than FC Famalicão. Until the sending off of Maxi Araújo, we were clearly the dominant side and created several goalscoring opportunities.

The influence of Viktor Gyökeres
"There are no words to describe Viktor. In the coming years, there is unlikely to be a player of his quality in our league again. He is a player who is out of the ordinary. He gives us a lot and is looked for in that sense, even if the rest of the team help out too. He is a difference maker and will continue to be so. His quality is unequivocal and phenomenal."

Support from Sportinguistas
"Since our first game, the fans have been fantastic. They never stop supporting us, both at home and away. They will be very important in the final stretch. I feel like a happy coach and with more and more confidence that we will all be very happy in the end."

A fair result
"We could have scored more goals. FC Famalicão had 15 minutes in which they were better than us, in the first half, and the second half was all us until the final minutes. The victory is a fair one, even if we could have scored more goals."

The international break
"The break will be good for us to get more and more solutions. We want to have everyone available, because the team's confidence is different when that is the case. The team are fantastic and have given a very good response. The confidence, intensity and energy are better now. I hope to be able to have the squad increasingly available to respond to the eight 'finals' that remain."

Pedro Gonçalves
"I want to have him back as soon as possible. He is improving and is already doing individual work on the pitch. I can't say when he will return, it depends a lot on his day-to-day work and his confidence. He is doing better and on the right path. He is a different kind of player and will add a lot to the team."

Francisco Trincão
"Not much is said about him, but he's one of the players who has impressed me the most here. In addition to his individual quality, what he gives to the team is fantastic."

Hidemasa Morita
"He was tired and asked to come off. He's a very different kind of player in some ways and I like him a lot."

The calendar and pressure
"It depends on everyone's perspective. We have difficult games coming up away from home, just like other teams. We have to be competent. It's up to us and that's a good feeling. If we're very competent in the eight games that remain, we'll finish first."

Tactics
"In the first few games, we defended with a 4-4-2 and attacked with a 3-4-3. It's all a question of strategy, of what the game asks for and provides. The formation is something initial and then it changes. At times we defended with five at the back, others with four. It's all very relative. The problem is that we weren't able to train and acquire behaviours. What was missing in the first half was a little bit like that."

Ousmane Diomande
"He had a great game, regardless of the penalty he gave away. I haven't seen the game replay yet, but it was a moment in which he was a little late. He had a great game. He'll make mistakes sometimes, he's young and it's part of his growth. We have to understand that and support him. He reached a very high level quickly and has superb qualities. He'll be talked about for years."

Sporting CP take a fourth consecutive victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat FC Famalicão 3-1 on Matchday 26 in Liga Portugal, as Iván Fresneda, Viktor Gyökeres and Geny Catamo scored the goals.

On a rainy night at the Estádio José Alvalade, coach Rui Borges made two changes to his starting lineup: Ricardo Esgaio and Gonçalo Inácio were replaced by Hidemasa Morita and Maxi Araújo.

The start to the game couldn't have been better, as Sporting CP opened the scoring when the first minute was coming to an end. From a run down the left, breaking through the opposition defence, Gyökeres got into a dangerous area and passed to Francisco Trincão, who missed his shot. However, Fresneda appeared to finish off the move and make it 1-0.

Sporting CP then threatened with a free kick over the crossbar from Gyökeres, and would only face chances for FC Famalicão after the 17th minute appeared: Rui Silva making a save, then later Rafa Soares striking wide.

At the other end, Morita tried to set up Trincão, but goalkeeper Lazar Carević grabbed the cross.

Rui Silva was again called into action on the half hour, denying Gustavo Sá the equaliser with a great save.

After Lazar Carević prevented Fresneda from scoring a second goal, FC Famalicão won a penalty. Aranda converted from the spot and made it 1-1.

Before the break, only Sporting CP had clear opportunities. First it was Geovany Quenda with a venomous cross that flashed across the face of goal, then it was Araújo's turn, on two occasions, to come very close to scoring. The Uruguayan shot slightly wide with his weaker foot, and four minutes later he met Gyökeres' pass with -requiring both Sorriso and Lazar Carević to keep the ball out.

After the restart, Quenda shot slightly wide, and then had a powerful effort tipped onto the post by the opposition goalkeeper.

Just past the hour, Araújo was fouled in the FC Famalicão area and referee Miguel Nogueira awarded a penalty. Gyökeres successfully dispatched it for his 28th goal in Liga Portugal -his 40th in all competitions for Sporting CP in 2024/25.

Araújo once again came close after Quenda's phenomenal cross, but Lazar Carević saved. Ousmane Diomande's header went wide. Zeno Debast tried his luck with a free kick, but the goalkeeper saved it, as the opportunities continued.

In the 80th minute, Araújo was shown a straight red card, leaving Sporting CP a man down.

The task of maintaining the lead became more complicated, and an ambitious FC Famalicão tested Rui Silva with Sorriso's shot, but it was Sporting CP who were next to score.

In a tremendous collective move, Trincão set up Gyökeres and the latter, with great class, set up Geny Catamo at the far post. The Mozambican only needed to tap the ball in to make it 3-1.

Sporting CP took the victory and maintained the top spot in the table. They return to action at the end of the month, after the international break, visiting CF Estrela da Amadora.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis, Iván Fresneda (Geny Catamo, 60'), Morten Hjulmand [C] (Eduardo Felicíssimo, 90+2'), Hidemasa Morita (Eduardo Quaresma, 73'), Maxi Araújo, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 90+2'), Geovany Quenda (Ricardo Esgaio, 90+2') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach sets out his aim for the game against FC Famalicão

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

The team's form
"It is important to go into the international break with another victory, continuing this phase of growth in terms of fitness, confidence and quality of play. The team must remain rigorous and focused, because we are going to have a difficult match against a team that are also growing, with a change of coach. In the last seven games, FC Famalicão have only had one defeat and conceded two goals; this illustrates the quality we will encounter at a defensive level.

They are a compact team, which makes the opposition as difficult as can be, and with a lot of quality in the last third too. We have to be aware and not stray from our focus. We need to look at the opponents with full respect, but also look at who we are, at what we have been able to do, and continue with that. A team that wants to be champions cannot be happy about winning three games; they must want to win the next game as well."

The work during the week
"These weeks have seen fewer games and we can work on some aspects more, but don't expect Sporting CP to change from one weekend to another. The players are understanding things better, we are managing fatigue and rest better, and in that sense these weeks help. The overload was clear in our team."

The international break
"It's a thankless situation for those who work with great players, because we will have more than half the team out. We don't get a lot of time to work with them to develop, because we won't have many players with us. We'll have to deal with it, it's part of working at a club like Sporting CP. We are expectant, taking into account these last few months of unhappiness, and are anxious for everyone to return fit. But it's part of the game. More than looking at the physical wear and tear, I prefer to look at the positives: Eduardo Quaresma is back, [Jeremiah] St. Juste will be back after this break, and they are important players to complete the group.

Debast's position
"I'm very happy with everything he's been able to give, both as a midfielder and as a central defender. I'm very comfortable with Zeno [Debast], wherever he plays."

Morita's return
"He's a player that I praised publicly even before I became Sporting CP coach. He's different and I admire him a lot. It's natural that he may not yet be able to play the full 90 minutes, but more than defining minutes, it's important that he's available for the game. His usage will depend on how the game develops, whether the dynamics force a high intensity for a long time. And then it will be about understanding how much he's capable of responding. It's not just him; it's  Morten [Hjulmand] as well."

Pedro Gonçalves' recovery
"He is recovering well and has started, little by little, working on the pitch. He is closer to that return. I hope to have him available as soon as possible, for everything he offers and the importance he has to the team."

Borges: "The victory was a more than fair result"

Rui Borges gave a press conference after the 1-3 win for Sporting CP over Casa Pia AC.

The result
“The victory was a more than fair result. The first half was evenly balanced, but we reached a 0-2 lead with the game under control. Afterwards it took us a while to adapt our pressure, due to the midfielders being wary of going forward. There was a lack of pressure and we needed to connect with the game more. Then we conceded to make it 1-2 in a move in which we had things under control, which cannot happen; there was a lack of focus. With that, we let the opponents believe, when they weren't doing anything to do so. That's why they entered the second half with a different energy, believing a different result was possible. After that, the game was more competitive, and Rui Silva made a good save after off a set piece, but we were growing and improving, and the substitutions helped with that too. Morita and Geny started well, from then on we had more opportunities and we began to control things."

Hidemasa Morita's introduction
“His and Geny's gave us another level of offensive power. We have to see that the game always has two teams involved; two competent teams. As much as we are the stronger side, we have to demonstrate this on the pitch. Casa Pia AC hadn't lost at home since August and, in my opinion, we were very competent. Apart from their goal, in a completely controlled move, the game was back and forth, but Sporting CP always controlled things. In the second half there was more competitiveness, we didn't have as much of the ball as we wanted, but the introduction of Morita and Geny was very important to calm the game down more and have more possession."

The fight for the title
“I only focus on what we can control, on Sporting CP. It's normal for us to look and see that SL Benfica are close, and can move level on points, but we have to focus and be rigorous. We are in first place, there are nine games to go and we know they will be very difficult for everyone: Sporting CP, SL Benfica, FC Porto and SC Braga. But, more than thinking about our opponents, we have to focus on ourselves. The team are growing and we have our fans who today, once again, made us feel like we were playing at home. They were fantastic and, for me, that’s what’s important: Feeling like we’re all focused and connected even if sometimes things don’t go the way we want.”

The importance of Viktor Gyökeres
“We don't shy away from the importance he has, for everything he gives to the team, for what he transmits to his teammates and also to the opposition. He is a phenomenal player. He has it all: Technique, strength and speed. He's amazing, and I said that before working with him. He is, without a doubt, one of the best of all time in our league. His importance is obvious and demonstrates his ability to score goals.”

Goals from set pieces becoming more frequent
“Nothing has changed. We just weren't scoring goals, but we had chances. That's football. Sometimes it's a question of being able to finish chances. We won't always be able to do this, but the drought people talk about is not correct. It’s a matter of hitting the target."

The absence of Franco Israel on the bench and Morten Hjulmand's inclusiong in the lineup
“Franco had a problem. I believe it is nothing serious and that he will be available for the next game. As for Morten, he missed a few days of training and he's not at full strength yet, but he's very important for the team, he's our captain. So it had more to do with his leadership and what he stands for. We have a young team and sometimes we need help from the captains on the pitch. Furthermore, it's what he gives us. I have always said, with all due respect to others, that he and Gyökeres are the best players in the league."

Sporting CP continue top of the Liga Portugal table

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Casa Pia AC 1-3 at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior, on Matchday 25 of the Liga Portugal season.

The teams first and sixth in the table faced each other for the 21st time, with the most notable news from the starting XI the return of captain Morten Hjulmand.

With no further changes compared to the last game, Rui Borges went with a lineup of Rui Silva, Ricardo Esgaio, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Iván Fresneda, Zeno Debast, Morten Hjulamnd, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão, Viktor Gyökeres and Geovany Quenda.

As expected, Casa Pia AC went at Sporting CP in the opening minutes, but soon the roles were reversed -with Gyökeres gaining prominence. The Swede's runs on both the right and left provided the initial opportunities of the game: In the first, Debast shot wide, and in the second Trincão had his effort cut out by Tchamba.

On the third chance, Gyökeres himself was the target, but was unable to finish off a good move by Quenda.

Sporting CP took the lead off a short corner on the right, Quenda placing the ball into the area and Inácio heading it inside the far post.

They came close to making it 0-2 soon after, as Fresneda set up Quenda, but the shot went wide of goal.

The pace of the match then slowed down, but both teams continued to enjoy looks on goal. A shot by Fresneda went straight at the Casa Pia AC goalkeeper in one such move.

Not even five minutes later, Sporting CP did double their lead. Hjulmand put Gyökeres through, and the Swede entered the area on the right, squared up to the defence and sent his shot between two opponents and under the goalkeeper.

The home team responded with approaches on goal and clawed the scoreline back to 1-2: Esgaio tried to intercept a ball from Miguel Sousa and put it past Rui Silva into the net.

After the interval, Rui Silva was required to make saves from José Fonte and Rafael Brito. Sporting CP, who were having some difficulty gaining possession, only managed to respond later, with Gyökeres entering the area from the right and shooting under pressure for a Sequeira stop.

After the hour mark, the first two substitutions for Sporting CP saw Hjulmand and Quenda coming off and Hidemasa Morita – back after injury – and Geny Catamo replacing them.

With more of the ball and a sturdier midfield, they built up play to create further attacks. The third goal arrived in the 75th minute, when Trincão was brought down in the box by Tchamba. Referee Hélder Malheiro consulted VAR, awarded the spot kick, and Gyökeres stepped up to convert.

With the score at 1-3, Sporting CP became more comfortable. There were opportunities for Gyökeres to complete his hat trick, and he came close when Tchamba cleared off the line when he had rounded the goalkeeper. His follow-up strike took a deflection and ended up with Trincão, who shot wide.

In the end, the three points went back to Alvalade, keeping Sporting CP top of the table with a game in hand. Next Saturday, they play FC Famalicão at home.

The coach previews the meeting with Casa Pia AC

Sporting Clube de Portugal go to the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior this Sunday to face Casa Pia AC in Liga Portugal action. Coach Rui Borges previewed the match in his press conference.

The team's form
“The team are doing well and have shown that they are growing in terms of physical strength and confidence. We are doing better, the team feel better individually and collectively, and I believe we will only improve”.

Analysis of Casa Pia AC
“They've had a great season. They are a very committed, cohesive and defensively compact team. Despite having lost some players in the January transfer window, they remain a very fast and strong team with quick attacks. They play with a low-mid block and in Alvalade used a line of six, but I believe that tomorrow they won't use that formation, because they have confidence and, therefore, must maintain their usual dynamics. They are a confident team, who will cause us problems and who haven't lost at home since August. This clearly demonstrates the difficulties we face, in addition to the weather conditions. We'll see what the pitch looks like. Regardless of these difficulties, we have to be the better side and win”.

The club's 100% record against Casa Pia AC
“I don't look at it much, either negatively or positively. I look at the moment of form itself. We have got two wins, which gives us more confidence. The atmosphere is fantastic, but above all we have to maintain the intensity, competitiveness, dedication and rigor that we had in the game against GD Estoril Praia, and then combine collective and individual quality”.

Possible returns for Hjulmand and Morita
“They are two players who could be available for the game. As I said before, they are dependent on how they feel. They are improving, but I believe they could be a solution for minutes in tomorrow’s game”.

The adaptation of Biel Teixeira
“There is a lack of opportunities to play, but at the right time he will get his. On a daily basis we look at what we can work on better in relation to his adaptation to the team and our league. He looks very motivated to be representing a big club and to learn as well. It makes me happy to see him wanting to improve”.

Zeno Debast's best position
“I look at Zeno for his characteristics, because technically he is very well evolved. At 21 years old he is growing too. For a centre back, he's not very aggressive. He's fast and has technical quality, but he has to grow in terms of duels and the use of his body. In both defence and midfield, I think he has enormous potential. I even think that as a midfielder he has been more aggressive than as a defender. Call me crazy, but in the future he could be a great midfielder. I really like talking to the player and understanding his feelings, because that's the only way the team improve. At this moment, he has managed to respond”.

Lessons for the final stretch of the season
“The president has already clarified everything regarding the transfer market. I'm calm about the squad I have. We will reach the end and we will be champions. In our minds there is only one thing: Being able to be Two-time Champions. I don't even think about the transfer market. We have to be capable, with the team we have, of becoming champions. That’s our thinking”.

Taking care with Viktor Gyökeres
“In terms of managing his fitness, not even we can put the brakes on him sometimes. He is very focused and very committed to his job and everything we ask him to do. He has showed extraordinary commitment, his ambition is enormous and that's good for a young team like ours. He has had extraordinary seasons at Sporting CP and of course there will be great teams around the world who want him. He seems committed and ambitious for the end of the season”.

Tactical variations and full-backs on the flanks
“It’s very subjective. In terms of our initial structure, in the last game we returned to a line of three and I went more for the comfort of the characteristics of the players we had available, without straying from our gameplan. When I arrived we played 4-4-2 to defend, but we often built with three at the back. They are natural things. Rúben [Amorim] sometimes played with two wingers, but that will also be affected by the players we have available. We won 3-1 with Matheus [Reis] and Iván [Fresneda] on the wings, and each one gives their own things to the team, but we created several opportunities and the team are still competitive. I’m especially happy that players are starting to come back so we can be stronger and have more solutions”.

The coach reviews the 3-1 win over GD Estoril Praia

After Sporting CP's return to winning ways in the league, coach Rui Borges spoke in a press conference to reflect on the team's performance.

Eduardo Felicíssimo's debut
"I want to highlight the courage, ambition and desire of the entire team. Six months ago, Eduardo Felicíssimo was starting in the Under-17 European Championship and now he is fighting to be a league champion with Sporting CP. He had a very balanced, consistent game and handled the yellow card very well. I asked him just to be happy and make a lot of mistakes - because players only truly make mistakes if they hide. He and the other youngsters are kids who have a dream and who have had opportunities."

The team's performance
"We had a very good 96 minutes, with fantastic commitment. We were clearly the better side for much of the time. We could have won by three or four goals, but in the last ten minutes we let GD Estoril Praia believe and get back into the match. A lack of maturity still leads us to make some mistakes, although that is natural if you look at the players on the pitch."

The importance of the victory
"It's worth three points. After sixteen games in charge, I've only lost two, both in the UEFA Champions League. Getting two wins in a row doesn't matter to me. We focus a lot on our daily work. We've shown ambition, despite all the setbacks. The team are happy, united, competitive and want to be two-time champions. We maintain the position we want and we'll continue on our path."

Biel's availability
"He's a solution, like everyone else, but we have to understand if the game requires his characteristics. He is focused, happy and will have his moments. He can play in the same area of the pitch as Trincão or Quenda, but in this match, Geny gave us more speed and Harder came on to offer us more energy. I'm happy to see Biel happy, willing to understand the demands of playing here and willing to learn."

Viktor Gyökeres' performance
"He is doing well physically, and in the second half he showed his ability. The idea was to exploit the one-on-ones and Gyökeres is very strong in that. He has enormous ability."

Zeno Debast's adaptation
"He filled the pitch. He played a great game in a position that isn't his own. I loved his performance and I want to highlight him, despite not liking to single players out, because he's playing an adapted role. He's grown a lot."

The substitutions
"Given the response the team were giving, I didn't feel the need to change anything any earlier. I could have taken off Eduardo Felicíssimo, but he was doing very well; it was just that he picked up a yellow card. Henrique Arreiol also came on and did very well. Substitutions are there to be made, but if I don't need to do it, I won't do it. That's our reading of it as a coaching staff."

Matheus Reis
"He went off with a knock to his arm, but mainly it was due to tiredness. It's normal, as he hasn't played as wide before, he covered longer distances and had more metres to press. He reached his limit, but fortunately he didn't go off with an injury."

A message to the fans
"The team will grow. The fans understand the difficulties and support us. They are fantastic from the beginning to the end of the games. They know that we need them and their affection - for everyone, not just the kids. I challenge them, on Sunday in Rio Maior, to show up with this same positive energy that they have always given us."

Sporting CP beat GD Estoril Praia at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal took a 3-1 home win over GD Estoril Praia on Liga Portugal Matchday 24, through an early goal from Gonçalo Inácio and two strikes from Viktor Gyökeres.

Still unable to field the same starting XI for consecutive games since taking over, Rui Borges brought in Eduardo Felicíssimo to replace Alexandre Brito. The young Leão, a starter for the first time, had already played six minutes against AVS Futebol SAD on the last matchday.

Gyökeres, in place of Conrad Harder, and Ousmane Diomande, for Maxi Araújo, also returned to the initial lineup. The Swede was on a mission: To score against the only team in the Portuguese league who had not conceded to him.

Before the opening whistle, captain Gonçalo Inácio was applauded by the more than 36,000 Sporting CP fans present at the Estádio José Alvalade, as he received a shirt and a plaque commemorating his 200 games for the club from president Frederico Varandas.

It was fitting, then, that he had an instant impact on the game. In the fifth minute, off a free kick taken from the left by Zeno Debast, Inácio headed home to make it 1-0.

On fifteen minutes, after an excellent cross from Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão could have increased the lead, but was denied by Felix Bacher's intervention.

Three minutes later, after a clever team move, Trincão shot powerfully from outside the area with an effort that was just off target.

The opportunities then began to accumulate. First, Diomande headed over the top. Then Gyökeres had his first effort denied by goalkeeper Joel Robles. Trincão sent an effort over the bar to end the flurry.

GD Estoril Praia, a side unbeaten since December, tried to react but without much success. The exception came in the 26th minute, when Matheus Reis had to clear a swerving cross coming from the left flank for a corner.

At the other end, Gyökeres had two good chances in as many minutes kept out by Robles. But it would not be long before he opened his account for the night.

In the 35th minute, the striker, played through by Debast, he sauntered towards the area to score a trademark goal and make it 2-0.

GD Estoril Praia had three attempts before the end of the first half, with Wagner Pina, Yanis Begraoui and João Carvalho all either being denied by Rui Silva or shooting off target.

The second half was a slow burner, and Rui Borges made his first change just before the hour: Matheus Reis went off injured, and Geny Catamo came in to return after a month out.

Debast, who had provided two assists, nearly got a goal of his own, but his effort off a corner came back off the post.

On 78 minutes, Rui Borges freshened things up with the introduction of Conrad Harder, Henrique Arreiol and José Silva – making his debut for the Sporting CP first team.

GD Estoril Praia managed to pull a goal back in the 84th minute, through Gonçalo Costa, then the visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

However, in stoppage time, it was Sporting CP who reestablished their advantage. Harder recovered the ball near the middle of the park, picking out Gyökeres. In his duel for the ball with João Carvalho, VAR showed a handball in the box, and the Swede duly dispatched the penalty for his 25th goal in the league this season, giving Sporting CP a 3-1 win

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Matheus Reis (Geny Catamo, 58'), Zeno Debast, Viktor Gyökeres, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 78'), Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Ousmane Diomande, Ricardo Esgaio, Geovany Quenda (José Silva, 78') and Eduardo Felicíssimo (Henrique Arreiol, 78').

The coach speaks before the game against GD Estoril Praia

Leaders Sporting CP host GD Estoril Praia on Monday in Liga Portugal, playing a side who have gone eight games unbeaten and lie seventh in the table.
Ahead of the match, coach Rui Borges talked about the difficulties that Sporting CP will face, but highlighted that they will be focused at a time when several of the regular starters remain unavailable.

“The strategic plan is to look much more at ourselves than at our opponents, who are really on a positive run, with very good dynamics, well organised, confident and have not lost since December. GD Estoril Praia are a team that will create difficulties for us, but they also have to be aware that they will face the side in first place and that they will also have a lot of difficulties at Alvalade," he began by saying.

“Viktor Gyökeres has recovered and can play 90 minutes, Morten Hjulmand and Jeremiah St. Juste are still out, Geny Catamo is still looking to get back to full fitness and Alexandre Brito is a doubt."

Borges will have to continue making adaptations, in a season in which 37 different players have already been used.

“We always say that one person's bad luck is another person's good luck. The young players have had the opportunity to work with us, to make their debuts and to make a dream come true," he commented.

“I always have to make adaptations: The line of four or five at the back, or the formation is very subjective. Therefore, more than the structure itself, it's about trying to adapt to the comfort of the players we have available and to individual behaviours and qualities."

Zeno Debast is one of the players who has adapted and has played further forward, receiving praise from Borges.

“He has adaptable characteristics. He realises that the team need this and that's why he tries to play a new position, helps and listens. He has had a huge capacity to learn and doesn't complain about not playing in his favoured position. He is always available and happy in his day-to-day life. He will easily be a leader and a good captain in the future.”
The coach also spoke about the phrase he said when he first arrived, addressing the team's inspiration and attitude.

“With inspiration, you've already seen it at times because, up until now, it hasn't been all bad. There was inspiration in several games and there was also attitude. It was only missing in the first half of the game against Gil Vicente FC. So I said it was the worst first half we've had since I arrived. I want to win and I know that sometimes we will win with attitude, which is what happened there. Because of all this, we don't have time to make beautiful music, but we have to have attitude and be effective, competent, and over time we will have better quality and for longer periods. This takes time, I won’t regret it, but in the future it will appear for longer.”

“We have not been able to implement our game idea and this can be seen if you look at the trajectory of this coaching staff. We haven't had time to train much, but, more than that, we haven't had the players available. Adding to this, the team was not created according to Rui Borges' model, it was created according to Ruben Amorim's style, and there had to be some adaptations. It's been a different challenge for us as a technical committee."

"We tried to adapt, but we are clearly far from Rui Borges' complete idea. Still, there's no point in me sitting here lamenting that. The coach has to find solutions and has to be able to adapt to the context, the moment and everything that involves coaching a team. It's all a challenge, but it makes me grow as a coach so that I can be more capable and better in the future."