The coach gives his thoughts ahead of the game against CS Marítimo

This Tuesday, Sporting Clube de Portugal face CS Marítimo at the Estádio José Alvalade in the Taça da Liga. So far, the team have six points from a possible six, and are very close to qualifying for the quarter finals.

On the eve of the game, coach Rúben Amorim gave a pre-match press conference.

“We will field a very strong team to win the game, score nine points, not concede goals and increase the goal difference. What we want is to continue winning games and achieve our fifth consecutive victory, keeping a clean sheet, because that gives us confidence for what is to come," he underlined.

“Winning games creates a dynamic that helps us. We are a big club and we have to go on this winning streak."

The coach also addressed the importance of the break due to the World Cup for the team.

“It depends on the results, but I would say that the break has been good for preparing the present and the future of Sporting CP. Above all, players like Mateus Fernandes and Dário [Essugo] have grown, Sotiris [Alexandropoulos] has had more time to train and I think all the players have improved in the process. I think the games are proof of that, with us not conceding goals either," he explained.

"Now, the internationals are back. [Hidemasa] Morita has returned with injuries and we will have to put him through rehabilitation again. This break was important for us as a team, to work on everything we didn't have time for, because the initial phase of the season was very busy.”

Amorim promised that Mateus Fernandes will be in the starting lineup against CS Marítimo, as well as Jovane Cabral.

“[Mateus Fernandes] worked hard for this and he has to live up to it. It's also a message for all the young people at Sporting CP, who have to fight and work hard to join the first team. I know the value of Mateus, he doesn't have any extra pressure on him and he's going to play because he deserves it."

The coach insisted that he does not know for sure when St. Juste, Daniel Bragança and Morita will be back available, saying that  “Day by day, game by game, we are evaluating things, and what we have to do is prepare for any eventuality. That's why Mateus is playing, we have Pote, Soto and Dário who is growing very well and can play alongside Ugarte."