The coach's verdict on the 0-2 win against Moreirense FC

At the end of Sporting Clube de Portugal's 0-2 triumph over Moreirense FC, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the and noted the shift in mentality following elimination from the Champions League.

"We know that we have to win our games and play better and better. We were better in the first half. We scored two goals and could have scored more. In the second half, three passes were enough for us to reach Moreirense FC's goal. Our reading of the game was better in the first half. The team were a little tired, we took a while to push our lines higher up, and we weren't so agile when going back. Overall, however, it was a good performance", he told reporters.

For the coach, winter arrival Marcus Edwards has been a useful addition to his squad.

"He's better adapted now. All the details point to him feeling more free to play. He's showing why we brought him in. Edwards is on the right path, but knows that he has to keep working", he stressed.

Explaining his decision to play with Paulinho and Islam Slimani up front, Amorim commented that "it takes the game into different terrain, because Paulinho has different characteristics to players like Nuno Santos or Pedro Gonçalves. We left Slimani in more for the long balls upfield, and they are those nuances that we are looking for. We want to squeeze as much as possible out of the team, but I think we have a lot to improve still".

After revealing that Gonçalo Inácio was not an option to play because of his feeling under the weather the previous night, Amorim reviewed the showings by João Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves - who both returned from injury.

"The fact that we didn't move higher up the field and the construction of play wasn't so clean hurts the players that come on. We could see their lack of match rhythm, but we have to get them going, as they are very important for us. They felt more difficulties, but it's normal. They will get on the pace and return to their normal level", he assured.