The coach reflects on the loss in the UEFA Champions League

In his post-match press conference following the defeat against Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim analysed the performance from his side.

“We didn't get into the game too well, as we were in a hurry to get the ball upfield. The game was scrappy, and then off a rebound the ball was loose and there was a penalty given against us, which came with a red card. This affected the game a lot, once again," he said.

"Then Sebastián Coates went off because he felt an injury problem, and we conceded the second goal, which made everything more difficult. It was more or less the same story as the game away in Marseille.”

Amorim also reiterated his confidence in Ricardo Esgaio, who was shown a red card in the first half.

“I have the utmost confidence in Esgaio, and when I say this I don't mean that I will have him playing all the time or even in the next game. As long as the players give it their best, they'll have the protection of the coach, and Esgaio will have this because him coming in was my choice. When there are individual mistakes, the responsibility is down to me, because I play them. I have confidence in Ricardo Esgaio, and he is probably the one who is a little less confident," he said, also explaining that Pedro Porro was not in the starting lineup because “he could not play more than 25 or 30 minutes."

Amorim then downplayed the fact that the group has become more difficult, with Sporting CP now third with six points and level with second placed Olympique Marseille.

“We knew that the group was evenly matched and tough. The objective remains to win the next two games. The results cannot change the way we look at games. We know the responsibility we have and that is the objective. We are still in the race, everything is open. What matters is how we turn things around.”

In closing, the coach also sent out a message of confidence to the players.

“We are very good in these moments. Whilst everything is very difficult, I know this team can turn it around. I would not be able to sleep if I abandoned my players now,” he underlined.