The coach talks about the win against FC Famalicão

In the aftermath of the win over FC Famalicão in Liga Portugal, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim said that he was satisfied with the performance.

"It was a very difficult game, but the players were competent at all times and were always in control. In the first half we rotated the ball a lot to tyre out the opposition, we were intense in our reaction and created chances. We were very strong in controlling FC Famalicão's transitions, but we didn't have the quality we should have when we just needed to move to the wing. The ball was always one metre further forward than it should have been, and that makes a difference in these games," he began by saying in his post-match press conference.

“We scored in the second half, we controlled things to a certain extent and then, when the second goal didn't appear, we defended a little lower. This is also part of the process and we are improving in this aspect. But it was a completely fair victory."

The coach then praised the starting debut of Morten Hjulmand and his midfield partnership with Morita.

“He's everything we thought he would be, but he's going to improve a lot physically and he has to get to know his teammates well. The way he always plays the ball forward helps the team and that is very important. He is very smart at reading the spaces and understanding when to press or when to join the defensive line. He is a leader, and he was made captain in Italy at the age of 24. You don't get to do that if you are not a leader."

Amorim was also asked about Paulinho's form, as the striker was decisive by scoring the winning goal and has already found the net four times in three matches.

“When he was criticised, maybe he wasn't performing well, but now he is and everyone is excited. They sing his song all the time and that's football: A rollercoaster. Now, knowing that the bad moment of form is over, he also has to know that this good run can end too, and it is all about hard work. He's a guy who deserves it; he's playing a little out of position but maybe this is his position, because he plays a little looser there. He did his job and is scoring goals, but what matters is hard work and winning games, and he helps the team win."

Regarding the evolution of the team, given that Sporting CP now have five more points than at this stage last season, the coach admitted that these three victories in three games bring with them a good feeling, but he also made it clear that it is not time to relax.

“Obviously we're satisfied, but I don't sleep well and I'm always stressed -like all the coaches."

 “The team are more mature. The new players fit our characteristics very well and I'm happy with that aspect. The difference of five points compared to the beginning of last season is very big, but we have to keep going."

“Maybe it's the hope of the fans and the way we look at games. Last year we dropped a lot of points at the beginning and then we were always chasing, with the fans very disappointed with the situation. This year there's something in the air that helps us. It's not just the quality of the players but rather everything that involves them, like the mental side. As I felt against Casa Pia AC and FC Vizela, today I felt that we were going to win the game ”, he underlined.

“The passion that the fans conveyed helped us a lot to be intense during this game. The team managed to keep a cool head and control things for 90 minutes. What I can promise is that next week will be just as difficult, but we hope that in the end the result will be the same."