The coach reacts to the win over Rio Ave FC

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim was satisfied with the victory against Rio Ave FC, which keeps his side at the top of the Liga Portugal. In his post-match press conference, he highlighted the importance of keeping another clean sheet.

“Not conceding goals is a very important sign, because last year we conceded a lot and this year things are different. This past week has included an away trip, but we have a squad that allows us to prepare well for all the games and today we were very strong again," he explained to journalists.

"We started the game well and in the first half we could have scored more. In the second half we had to be intelligent, control the game and give Rio Ave FC more of the ball. It ended up being a game of two very different halves, but we were always closer to scoring the third than conceding to make it 2-1. In the second half we started well again and were doing a good job, we just didn't have the exuberance of the first half."

“More than scoring a lot -and we always want to score more goals- we want to concede few and be one of the best defences in the league,” he added.

There is the possibility of Sporting CP becoming outright leaders of Liga Portugal next weekend, with rivals SL Benfica and FC Porto playing one another. Amorim said of this: “I'm not going to be cheering anyone on. The season is very long and a lot will happen. I'm not going to worry about that. Whatever happens, it will be good for us because they are two of our rivals, but I will be more worried about José Mota's SC Farense."

“This team are prepared to win any game. We cannot think about anything beyond that. It’s about taking this game by game, not thinking so much about the league table."

The coach, who said he did not yet know the extent of Ousmane Diomande's injury and that Viktor Gyökeres should be fully ready for the next game, also praised Marcus Edwards' performance, noting that the English player can give even more.

“For me he has the potential to play for England. We try to help him, but it’s all in his hands and in his head.”