Sporting CP are back in league action on Friday night

Rúben Amorim is not expecting Rio Ave FC to roll over in Sporting CP's Liga NOS Matchday 14 game, but was emphatic in his press conference that his side will be gunning for victory.

"Rio Ave FC are a good team, headed by a coach with good ideas," he told the media. "Like us, they are coming into this one off a defeat, and of course they want to win. Besides that they don't have great responsibility in these games (against big sides) and they have good players that will create a lot of problems for us, but we have to defend our position. A win would keep us top with a 4-point lead, and that is always good,"said the coach.

"I expect a very difficult game, but we have a lot to gain. We have to be very competitive and win."

Sporting CP suffered a setback this week in the Taça de Portugal, suffering a shock elimination at the hands of CS Marítimo. Amorim explained that his players are looking to learn from it and move on.

"What happened in Madeira was that as a rule we are effective and in the first half that wasn't the case - and then things got difficult. What we didn't do was score goals. I still have confidence in all of my players."

"We always go 'all in' on the next game. We have had two defeats this season, and both meant we were eliminated from competitions, but that can happen."

Amorim also commented on the fact that against Rio Ave FC he will be back in the dugout.

"It doesn't change much, but it relieves Emanuel [Ferro], because he was the one who showed his face after the two defeats we had, and I have to be the one to do that. It is not fair on him, and so I am happy because it will be different now."