The coach previews the Champions League encounter

Rúben Amorim previewed Tuesday's Champions League game against SK Sturm Graz, at the Wörthersee Stadion, in Klagenfurt, Austria, in a pre-match press conference. The Sporting CP coach noted that the opposition are in better shape than the last time they encountered them: In last season's Europa League.

“SK Sturm Graz have improved compared to last year. They have a stronger striker and a midfielder who gives them quality on the ball. By increasing the quality of the players, they have increased the quality of the team. They were already well organised and very aggressive, very competitive, with a lot of quality. Now they have become more complete," he noted.

"Last year I thought they would play with a higher press, but they played with a medium block and I think maybe they could do the same this time. Therefore, we have to not lose the ball in transitions and improve in some situations, such as set pieces and duels. This season we have lost our strength in duels because we have wanted to look for other characteristics, but tomorrow we have to be very aggressive, not lose the ball and be strong off second balls."

Amorim said he is not too focused on how SK Sturm will defend in Tuesday's game.

“Our idea doesn't change based on whether they play with three defenders or two full-backs. We know what we want, we know how they defend, what they do, and we have to be strong. We know it is very difficult to stop them, but we have everything planned. We know that we will suffer in the duels, off dead balls and with William Boving off second balls, but our way of playing won't change”.

Of his squad, the coach revealed that “Matheus Reis and Pedro Gonçalves are fit and could play a few minutes. I think the team have felt their absence, especially that of Pote, and we are very happy that they are back.”

Also returning is Franco Israel, and Amorim explains why the Uruguayan will be the starter in goal.

“The difference is not in their footwork, it is in luck and context. Vladan Kovačević was injured and Franco grabbed the spot. This already happened last year, when Adán was injured in the middle of the season and I changed things again, and I don't think I can do the same with him as I did last year. At the moment, I think he's prepared, he's won the place and I'm going to let him have that peace of mind, because the goalkeeper position is a very specific position. Vladan is growing, working a lot with Vital, but at the moment Franco is playing."

As for the midfield, Sporting CP coach did not say who will play out of Morten Hjulmand, Hidemasa Morita and Daniel Bragança.

“It's very difficult to choose. It has to be based on the moment, fatigue and what we want for the game," he said, admitting that the captain still has “things that are not tangible, like we had with Seba [Coates]."