The coach analyses O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit FC Porto on Friday, in an 8:15pm local time kickoff. Coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference on Thursday.

"Strategically, it is easier for them than for us in terms of knowledge. Coach Anselmi has arrived now and is creating an idea, an identity. For us, it is more difficult to feel the changes and the way he makes them. You can understand some things by analysing his past teams, but we are more focused on what we can do in the game. FC Porto's structure varies during the game in terms of their offensive and defensive processes, so we are more concerned with what we have to do", he began by telling journalists.

Borges emphasised that, in the event of a triumph at the Estádio do Dragão, Sporting CP "would have a gap over the teams behind."

"Our objective is to do our part. If we do that well, we leave FC Porto a greater margin behind, and maintain the lead we have over second place. Continuing in first place will become more and more difficult. Tomorrow's game has different characteristics and both teams are very motivated."

He went on to reveal that Geny Catamo "has recovered very well, but is out of this game,· then admitted that Hidemasa Morita and Viktor Gyökeres "remain in doubt, as has been the case all week. We are in a daily process of understanding how they feel. Regardless of who is in the squad, they will all be very motivated," he added.

Asked if his side are the favourites, Borges rejected the idea.

"The distance that they are behind Sporting CP could even give an extra dose of motivation for FC Porto. We have to be prepared for the demands and the atmosphere at the Estádio do Dragão. We are joint favourites."

Regarding the team's form, he considered that "the players have to feel that it took a lot to reach first place, but that it takes even more to remain at the top of the standings."

"If we relax, we will quickly lose our position. We have to be focused and rigorous at all times. Everyone wants our place, so it becomes even more difficult to maintain it. Being first implies a lot, even in terms of the motivation of our opponents. We have come up against many teams with very low blocks and the games have not been very beautiful or spectacular as a result. It will increasingly be like this," he said.

Biel, the club's new signing, "is available," and Borges assured that he has no doubt that "Sporting CP have become stronger in the transfer window."

"When we add something, it is with the idea of being better. We will be stronger when we have everyone without limitations and available to play. We haven't achieved that yet, and that is the main objective."