The coach previews “o Clássico” against FC Porto in the Taça de Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal welcome FC Porto to the Estádio José Alvalade this Wednesday, for the first leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-finals.

In his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim spoke of the game as being a meeting “between two great teams” in which anything can happen.

"We are playing at home and we will have the support of our fans, but the teams are so similar and strong that FC Porto can win at Alvalade and we can win at the Dragão. We have played several times against FC Porto this season, so we have to look at what we did in the game at the Dragão and improve what we have to improve - and maintain what we did well", he said, before guaranteeing that the approach to the game will not be any different on account of the away goals rule.

"I don't see it that way. In the second leg it might have an influence, but our idea is always to score and not to suffer, and that won't change much. The players are used to playing to win and both teams always want more; I think that factor will have more of an effect in the second leg", he considered.

Amorim also expressed his opinion that FC Porto will be no less dangerous in the absence of Luis Díaz.

"FC Porto are a very strong team, and they can win games with and without Luis Díaz. They are in good form, just like Sporting CP, who had a draw in the last game but played well and should have won the game. We are two teams at full strength, and it is a very strong FC Porto".

After confirming that Pedro Gonçalves will miss the game and that Zouhair Feddal is a doubt, Amorim stated that Bruno Tabata will be part of his plans, and said that he was undecided as to whether João Virgínia would start in goal.

"We will choose the best team to win the game and the best goalkeeper to beat FC Porto".

Finally, the coach recalled that, despite this being the third Clássico between Sporting CP and FC Porto this season, both coaches could spring surprises.

"Coaches always try to improve their teams, and when there are very close games we make changes to play even better. We had the option of playing with Paulinho and Slimani in the last game. We didn't change the way of playing so much as the characteristics, and that creates some uncertainty for the opponents. We may make one change or another, and we still have one more day to choose the best team to win the game".