Sporting CP play RKS Raków in Europa League competition

Sporting Clube de Portugal host RKS Raków this Thursday night at 8pm, in a home game at the Estádio José Alvalade in the UEFA Europa League.

Before the Matchday 4 encounter in the Group Stage, Rúben Amorim stated that “this is a crucial game and there is no way to hide it," highlighting the importance of a win and of continuing the positive run of form.

"The team's good momentum is good for coming into games, but it has to be maintained week after week, or every three days in our case, because a negative result always changes things," he explained, before speaking about the first encounter between the two sides.

“In the first half, even after we went down to ten men, we didn't let RKS Raków create any big opportunities. In the second half I noticed that the team no longer had the same capacity to push through, and I tried to change things up. It was very difficult for us because they were very intelligent and created difficulties for us. Tomorrow I want the same dedication, attitude and concentration, but with eleven players on the pitch. It is important for us to fight not only for first place in the group, but also to go through."

Amorim believes a clean sheet would be a big boost.

 “Our focus is to not concede goals, as we have conceded a lot, as well as scoring goals of our own. In that aspect we are doing well, as we have created many chances. It is also important to have eleven players on the pitch, and there have been many games in Europe where we have only had ten. We have to do better and I believe that tomorrow we will be better,"  he assured, refusing the suggestion from the media that RKS Raków are the team with the least quality in the group.

"Obviously I'm not going to say that. It wouldn't be very smart to say that they are the weakest team, 24 hours before the game. They play in a league that isn't watched by as many people, but their coach does an excellent job. The players may not have the individual talent of Atalanta BC, but all teams that don't have a big responsibility on their shoulderscan surprise you. We have to be aware that we can win any game, but also lose them. RKS Raków are very well organised and will be faced as if they were the best team in the world, because we have an objective and we want to win. It is crucial to win tomorrow's game so as not to make things complicated."

Unable to field Viktor Gyökeres after he was sent off in the last game, Amorum revealed that Antonio Adán will once again start in goal, after Franco Israel played 90 minutes in Poland.

“Adán will start tomorrow. The entire rotation we made was already pre-planned with the goalkeeping coach. We have a young goalkeeper who also needs to play, but tomorrow Antonio will start the game," he announced, then informing that Geny Catamo and Hidemasa Morita are out of the squad.

“Geny has not recovered and will not play, and he will only be fit after the international break. Morita is not fit; let's see if he's there for the next game because he is still a doubt. We also have some kids that we are going to take to these games, which is always important."