The coach previews the game against FC Arouca

Sporting Clube de Portugal play FC Arouca away from home on Saturday (8:30pm local time), on Matchday 11 of the Liga Portugal season.

At the press conference ahead of the game, played three days after the fixture against Tottenham Hotspur and three days before the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt, coach Rúben Amorim addressed his squad management and confirmed the absences of Hidemasa Morita and Paulinho.

“Squad management is done according to the best players we have available to beat FC Arouca, and this is the only management we do. Morita is out -I don't know for how long because he still has to do some tests- and so is Paulinho. Luís Neto is still unavailable and Ricardo Esgaio is back. Jeremiah St. Juste remains limited in terms of game time, but the rest of the squad are ready to play,” he began by telling the journalists present.

“We have to be very fresh physically against FC Arouca due to the characteristics of the opposition. They have very skilled midfielders, like David Simão and Alan Ruiz, and three players up front who, if we don't press well, will cause us a lot of problems. We will field the best team without thinking about Eintracht Frankfurt, because our objective and priority is the league. Energy and physical freshness will be important factors,” he emphasised.

FC Arouca are a side in form, having not lost in five games and occupying 11th in the table.

“FC Arouca are very dangerous on transitions, which is an important characteristic in the league. Antony is very strong in that respect, and the other two strikers are too. Then there's David Simão and Alan Ruiz, who came up at big clubs and play very well with the ball. In addition, they are in a steady position in the table. The more teams free themselves from the pressure of earning points, the better they play. They have no responsibility against Sporting CP and that is an advantage for them,” he said.

Amorim also stressed the importance of winning this weekend's game. 

“The best thing to do is to beat FC Arouca, as that is the best way to prepare for the match against Eintracht Frankfurt. It would be an extra source of energy taking into account the preparation of this match”, he said.

“If we beat FC Arouca, the way the fans see the next game and the team will be different. We can't drop points before the break for the World Cup, and it's important that we get that run of victories."

In closing, he stated his confidence in the squad regarding the fight for the Liga Portugal title. 

“We are still in with a chance, because we are still going to face all the teams and we want to win every game. As long as it is possible, we will fight for every match and trophy."