The coach analyses the 1-2 loss against Eintracht Frankfurt

In his post-match press conference following the defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim analysed a loss that means his side will now play in the Europa League.

"The match was divided and not very well played by us," he lamented. 

“Sometimes there was a lack of confidence in the team with the ball, but Eintracht Frankfurt weren't the better side. We had more chances and controlled the game better, but we didn't take advantage of some passes when the opposition opened up the central midfield. They barely had a shot on goal. The penalty didn't improve the game because they didn't put any more pressure on us, but then with a long ball they scored their second goal. That's the story of the game. It was very evenly matched and went the other team's way."

“It has been a difficult season so far, and what the coach can do is the same as always: Work hard every day and defend the players, because they give their best. It's okay to admit  that it hasn't been enough. When we look at our play, something is missing, especially at a time in which we have less confidence. The only way to turn this around is to work hard, win games, score goals and not suffer. There is no magic formula.”

Amorim then explained his choice to start Pedro Gonçalves in midfield. 

“We looked at where we have more players and  Gonçalves has experience there, as he was a central midfielder before. I thought it gave us more stability, and the first half showed that. It's an option we have, because he carried the ball forward. The player who scored our goal was the one who played in his position, Arthur Gomes."

To close, he justified bringing in Dário Essugo and Francisco Trincão off the bench.

“They were ready to come on before the penalty. Marcus Edwards was not doing well in the game and Manuel Ugarte was very tired from the first half. We looked at the players we had for those positions. Trincão usually plays there and Dário, who is the only one who can act as a defensive midfielder, did very well. There was no management of fatigue, as this game was decisive and a final," he said.

"They gave everything. We wanted to have fresh players and keep our idea going. It was a forced substitution, as I wasn't going to take Ugarte off because even though he was tired, he was a player who always fought a lot -with and without the ball."