The coach previews Liga Portugal Matchday 18

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to Vila do Conde this Saturday to face Rio Ave FC, on Matchday 18 of the Liga Portugal season. Coach Rui Borges previewed the game in his press conference.

"The team are tired, the same players have been playing almost always due to the injuries we have had. There is some overload and we have to be careful. I could work on one or two more details, but I won't do that with just two days."

Revealing that "Daniel Bragança could feature, although having been out of action for some time it is necessary to take precautions with him," Borges also confirmed the absence of Eduardo Quaresma and the doubt regarding Viktor Gyökeres.

Asked about the possibility of seeking solutions for absences in the transfer market, the coach explained that if he did this for each injured player, he would end the season "with 50 footballers."

"We have to adapt to injuries. We Portuguese coaches have been valued because we are capable of adapting to all contexts. Of course, Viktor is an important player and I believe we can use him the game and in the next games, but If it's not possible, we have to find some way to be competitive and win. That's what football is about: It's about being able to adapt and focusing on the problem."

After confirming that Marcus Edwards is out of the squad and that Hidemasa Morita is in doubt, Borges spoke about newly signed goalkeeper Rui Silva.
"Rui has arrived and is training, so he is an option for the game and is available. I have him in mind, just like any other goalkeeper".

Regarding this Saturday's game, he said that he expects a tricky contest.

"I'm focused on Rio Ave FC, which will be a difficult game. They are a team that haven't lost at home in 20 games. We want to go there and have a good game against a very competitive team, like their coach is, with a lot of quality. We're going to have some problems, but we want to emerge victorious regardless of everything," he assured.

"It's part of our job to understand what Rio Ave FC may or may not be able to do, given what we present. The coach, in strategic terms, always tries to adjust one thing or another within his idea for the game, to try to nullify the opposition. It's a difficult game at a difficult ground."