​The coach highlights Sporting CP's performance in the first half against Tottenham Hotspur

After the draw away to Tottenham Hotspur on Matchday 5 of Group D in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach, Rúben Amorim, reviewed the action in London.

“Everyone had an extraordinary first half. Bearing in mind the importance of the game, which was decisive, we started with a lot of personality and that was noticeable while we were fresh. We had a big slump in the second half thanks to the opposition, who have great players. They came out from the break with different movements because they have a very good coach who changed the way they play. We suffered due to the merits of Tottenham Hotspur and their coach. We tried to change things up, but we couldn't," he said at the press conference, but refuted that the decision to bring in Mateus Fernandes, Flávio Nazinho, Fatawu and Arthur had not paid off.

“If Nazinho had converted the two chances he had, it would have been a great substitution. As for Mateus Fernandes, we had the choice between him and Sotiris, but due to the progress that Mateus has made, and because he has spent more time working with us, he is prepared for these games. If he's not, he has to be, because this is the project and these are our solutions. Fatawu came in because we were under pressure, he is the best winger from set pieces and the strongest when making runs alone. Arthur came in and assisted in reeing up Nazinho," he explained.

“We suffered a lot in the second half, but those substitutions were not decisive in that happening. Of course, they had more difficulties than some other players, but that was because we were very tired and we didn't have the ball. When we don't have the ball, we suffer a lot," continued Amorim, who considered a draw to have been a fair result.

“We deserved the point because we were playing a very powerful team. We deserved it for that and for the first half that we had. In the second half they were clearly superior, and we have to accept that. Even so, the way we suffered as a team and how the players -many of whom were tired- adapted, also helps us to grow. It would have been very unfair not to have left here with a draw," he said.

“The group is very balanced and anything can happen, but it is very important for us as a club to reach the last game of the group stage fighting for qualification. It has been hard, because we gifted two games to Olympique Marseille and we were not competitive against them, but in the matches where we ended up with eleven men and were always very focused, we responded and that is an important sign. We have a chance, but before Tuesday we still have to face FC Arouca in Liga Portugal."