Amorim: "The coaching staff and I want to leave the team off the back of a victory"
09 Nov, 2024
The coach previews his final game in charge of Sporting CP
Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to SC Braga on Sunday for their 11th Liga Portugal game of the season, and the final match in charge for outgoing coach Ruben Amorim. He spoke in the pre-match press conference to give his thoughts on the contest.
He admitted that the objective is to reach 11 consecutive wins at the start of the season, just like the club did in 1990/91.
"Equaling the record and having the chance to beat it is very important for us. The most important thing is to maintain and increase the distance between us and our rivals. Braga have always had a great meaning for me, and I also really enjoyed my time there. They were a club that gave me the opportunity to start my career at the highest level," he began telling journalists.
"We really want to win the game. The coaching staff and I want to leave the team off the back of a victory. I'm very focused on what we have to do on a very important weekend, in which there is a game between SL Benfica and FC Porto and in which we can gain points over one or both teams."
Regarding the fact that Sporting CP have two more days of recovery and preparation than their opponents, Amorim explained that "it could make a difference, but the SC Braga players and coach are already used to that. If we are not at our best, you won't notice the difference, but there's no way to say it doesn't have an influence. If we're competent and serious, it can make a small difference."
Despite the team coming off "a very positive and historic result" against Manchester City, the coach assured that maximum concentration will be required.
"If we are not prepared, we will suffer in Braga and we will not win the game. We have a very difficult job and if we do this, everyone will have a better feeling about this international break," he commented.
On his coaching Sporting CP for the last time, Amorim did not hide that "it was strange leaving the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo today knowing that I would not be back there. I didn't tidy up the office, and the club will have to send me my things. I said goodbye to everyone, but I'm not good with goodbyes and I think it's very strange. It's been almost five years of going to the same place every day, and it's very strange to leave in the car and know that I won't be back."
"I never thought I would like Sporting CP in this way. I will always like Sporting CP and that will never change, because of everything I've experienced here. I have a special affection and I will always support Sporting CP."