The coach previews the trip to Moreirense FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal go to Moreirense FC this Thursday for their next game in Liga Portugal, and João Pereira talked before the match in the press conference.

"Moreirense FC are going through a good phase. They haven't lost at home yet. We remain leaders, with the best defence and the best attack, and we want to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible. That's our focus and what we want to do in the next game," he began telling journalists.

Asked about possible pressure, he said "I have my objectives well defined. When I started out with the Under-23s I wanted to do the best job possible and I continue to not let myself get complacent. I don't make it easy for myself, and I'm always looking for the best."

"What happened over four years doesn't change in a week. I feel the players are confident, they are behind the coaching staff and the club and want to get back on track. We lost to CD Santa Clara, it's true, but we had more shots and possession. We had more chances, but we should have created more," he continued.

Regarding a possible conversation with the team after the loss to CD Santa Clara, Pereira said that he spoke with the players "as I do every week: To prepare the game in the best way. Of course it is much better to win than to lose , but I don't change according to which way the wind blows. And we had to be prepared for that. We already knew that, if we won, everything would be normal."

After revealing that Eduardo Quaresma is not 100% fit and that Franco Israel is still ill, the coach emphasised that whoever replaced Rúben Amorim would always have a complicated task on their hands.

"He was one of the best coaches in the history of Sporting CP. He took over at Sporting CP at a certain time and, four and a half years later, Sporting CP are now much better. Of course the legacy weighs heavy, but if I had been afraid of that, I would have said no to the job and wouldn't be here," he assured.

"The dressing room is cohesive and everyone wants to go in the same direction. Nobody wants to win more than us and we are motivated. We know it was a big change, but the players are confident. You have to try to take away any anxiety they may have of wanting to resolve things quickly, and everything will get better," he concluded .