The pre-match press conference before facing FC Paços de Ferreira

Back in Liga Portugal action after the Champions League triumph against Beşiktaş JK in midweek, Sporting CP visit FC Paços de Ferreira on Sunday on Matchday 11.

Previewing the match, coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference in which he talked up the importance of winning the next match and equaling the best run of consecutive victories from last season. 

“Winning is always important. We want to win the game to maintain our position, and the feeling going into the two-week break is always better with a victory. We are still alive in the UEFA Champions League, we are in the Taça da Liga and then we have a game to play in the Taça de Portugal. It will be much better to win and have that break, because the players also need to rest”, considered the coach, adding: “Those who go away with the national team also rest and train, but with a change of environment. If they stay, they'll have to work very hard, but then I'll give them some time off, because they deserve it”.

To that end, Amorim turned the focus back to FC Paços de Ferreira: “It will be a very difficult game that will be completely different from the UEFA Champions League. The players are prepared for the change in competition. FC Paços de Ferreira will be much more aggressive and they are a team who know us much better than Beşiktaş JK”,  he said. 

“When you play against a big team, your team plays without responsibility. A full week to prepare always helps, they have an experienced coach and they have Vitorino [Antunes] there, who must have helped them. We have to be prepared for a team who react very well when they lose the ball, who commit a lot of fouls and are very incisive in attack. That's what we have prepared for, without having much time. We did it well and we have our way of playing set out”.

Tiago Tomás will be available again, having recovered from an injury, but Pedro Porro was confirmed by the coach as being sidelined.

 “Tiago has recovered and will be called up to the squad. He can't play for long, but he is an important player for us. Porro is out, but we have to look on the positive side: He has two weeks to recover and we have [Ricardo] Esgaio and [Gonçalo] Esteves in the meantime. We're ready for anything”, he guaranteed.

Amorim also addressed the offensive production of the trio comprising of Pedro Gonçalves, Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho.

“They've been doing well. The three spots up front are not guaranteed. Nuno Santos has had a great impact on our team, both in terms of goals and assists. Those who have to play know that the others have had a great impact as well - and I don't forget that”, he stressed.

Finally, he expressed his gratitude for praise from opposition coach Jorge Simão, but reminded journalists that “there are great teams in Portugal and we could lose to FC Paços de Ferreira. We know that we have to score and win the game”, he concluded.