The coach comments on the win over FC Famalicão

Following the win over FC Famalicão in Liga Portugal, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim spoke to the media about the result, and rejected the idea that his players had gone onto the pitch thinking about Friday's Clássico against FC Porto.

“Just because we were less fluid with the ball, doesn't mean that the players were thinking about another game. We knew that FC Famalicão had been conceding few goals and they are a well put together team, with very talented youngsters who sometimes play even better in these games with the big clubs. We fielded the players we thought were the best for the game, and I didn't see anyone thinking about O Clássico. We could have played better, but we should be congratulated because the victory was a fair one,” he began by saying.

Asked about the debut of Islam Slimani, who came on in the 74th minute, Amorim stated that the Algerian's introduction was motivated by the way that the match was going, rather than sentimentality.

“We know that the fans are very fond of Slimani, but he came on because we lacked some energy due to our run of games, and he gave us that. With Slimani in the middle and Paulinho on the other side coming in for crosses, we were able to open up the game. FC Famalicão were putting pressure on us up top and, more than it being a case of giving Slimani minutes, it was what the game required. Slimani still has room to grow, and that is noticeable physically, but he works hard, he has adapted in the best way and is a great asset for us,” he said.

As for Pedro Porro, who picked up a yellow card and will miss the game against FC Porto, the coach stressed that he likes “that the players don't take it easy.”

“He was going racing for the ball against Ivo Rodrigues, who is a fast player, and we don't know if that would have ended up being a dangerous move or not. He stopped the move when he had to and didn't let the player go past him, because he's on the field to defend for the team and maintain the result."

Finally, Amorim justified the departure of Zouhair Feddal at half time, which brought Matheus Reis back into the defence.

“Feddal went off because he was on a yellow card and Matheus Reis is faster. We wanted to control the long shots that the opposition had two or three times from the left side in the first half, as that was the only way for FC Famalicão to reach our goal. Matheus did not play against Belenenses SAD and was fresher, so he could give us more during the second half,” explained the coach.