The coach reacts to the win against Dortmund

In the moments following the 3-1 triumph against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim called the performance by his side "close to perfection".

"We still had some flaws in a very difficult game, but the players' mutual help for each other and the way they read the game were perfect", he said at the post-match press conference.

“If we had lost and were in the UEFA Europa League, I would say the same thing. The road is very long, but we have gained a financial income that helps us and we are in the Round of 16. There are going to be some very difficult games and we could experience a big disappointment, but we have to focus on the path we have to take and the fact that we can play in the Champions League again and have a financial boost. Of course, I'm very happy for the players and with the growth they have made during this competition, so congratulations to them for a great game", he stressed.

As for the match, Amorim said: “We were much better offensively than we had been in Germany and we showed more quality. Besides that, we defended equally well, as Dortmund didn't have that many chances. We didn't slow things down because we wanted to, but because the game required that. The players understood the moments of the game. We had little of the ball, but we adapted and had a good game in that aspect".
 
As for the opponents who could meet them in the next stage, the coach admitted that there are teams that "I hope don't get drawn against Sporting CP".

“Let's see if we're lucky in the draw -and when I say luck, I'm talking about teams that match our system. There are certain teams I would prefer to meet, but I won't say which ones. Now what I want is for us to beat CD Tondela, and then SL Benfica".

Amorim also thanked the Sportinguistas, who turned out in force at a sold out Alvalade. “When we walked around the stadium at the end of the game and were applauded, it was remarkable. Many thanks to the fans for the way they support the team. Much of the growth we have made during this competition was due to our state of mind, and we know that the Sportinguistas are with us. Since I signed for this club, I have felt like a Sportinguista".

Finally, he also commented on the performance of Pedro Gonçalves, who was decisive with a brace. 

“He had gone seven games without scoring, but he is a player with a special instinct for a goal. He has to continue like this, because he has a great future ahead of him", he concluded.