​The coach reflects on a 2-0 win over FC Paços de Ferreira

Rúben Amorim expressed his satisfaction with another triumph for Sporting CP in Liga Portugal, although he admitted that his side did not put in their best performance against FC Paços de Ferreira.

“In the first half there were many balls that we recovered very high up the pitch, with FC Paços de Ferreira left open, and we could have finished those chances off better. We controlled the game well, but at the start we lacked better finishing," he stated in his post-match press conference.

"We didn't give Paços chances, we didn't let them circulate the ball and then we took the lead. At the beginning of the second half, it was obvious to everyone that we had difficulties. Bringing on Ugarte and Marcus Edwards helped, but the whole team improved: We had more of the ball and we controlled the opponents more. This game was a sort of a summary of what this season has been like: There were moments of anxiety, of euphoria, shots hitting the posts and moments in which we controlled things. Players have to understand that a game has several phases.”

"What matters is that we ended up winning and didn't concede. Now we will focus on the next game."

The coach reiterated that he believes the team can win their remaining games this season.

“I'm never calm, because I think the team can always do better, but we're always evolving . I don't feel at ease, but I feel rested because we did our job. Whatever will happen, happens, we just have to focus on ourselves and I believe we can win the next six games.”

“Today the fans demanded more - Sporting CP are always demanding more. I think we had an excellent end to the game against a team that had zero shots on target. It's a good sign when people want more from a team that had several chances to score and that controlled the game. It is a sign of growth for the team and the club. We always have to do better."

Amorim also addressed the controversy surrounding the penalty awarded to Sporting CP.

“If people say that our coaching staff manage to make Sporting CP benefit from refereeing, then that is a miracle and a compliment they are paying us. The referee went to VAR, rescinded Paulinho's yellow card for simulation and gave a penalty. It didn't change the content of the game, which continued to be the same throughout the match."