The team host Moreirense FC this Friday at Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Coach Rui Borges previewed his side's Friday night fixture against Moreirense FC in a pre-match press conference, and called upon the fans to continue their support in the final stretch of the season.

The impact of the supporters
"It's very important and I made a point of emphasising this at the end of the game against CD Santa Clara. The massive support from the fans has been the same since we arrived. They make us believe and we want them to believe as much as we do. We really believe in ourselves and the players convey this on the pitch, regardless of the difficulty of each game. We have immense belief, a huge ambition to be champions, and I ask the fans to come out and create a fantastic 'wave of green' in these five remaining games."

The return of Hidemasa Morita
"Morita is out of the game against Moreirense FC, but he will still be important in the final stretch. He is important on the pitch and is making his contribution, despite all the problems he has had. We need him and he will be back very soon. He wants to recover as quickly as possible and is very motivated to be able to help in the upcoming games. He is very important for the team and a player I admire a lot."

A possible starting role for Pedro Gonçalves
"I wish I could have Pedro Gonçalves 100% fit, but he was out for five months. Everything is sore for him except the pain from the injury, because he is in 'preseason,' let's say. We have to be careful and his return requires individual fitness work on his part. He is still far away from being a starter, but I believe we will be racing against time and that he will still be very important in this final stretch of the season. He's tired but he's given his all, he's focused and wants to help, he believes that the team will be happy in the end and he wants to contribute to that. He is available to help at any time. That makes me happy."

Controversy regarding refereeing and the game against Moreirense FC
"The Sporting CP coach is focused on what he controls, which is the game. Moreirense FC beat Sporting CP and FC Porto at home, drew with SL Benfica, and had a great game at Estádio da Luz as well. They are a very competitive, well-organised team, who have had their own routines for some years now. They are very calm in defence and competent in attack, and their coach works very well on set pieces. We have to be prepared. I owe a lot to the club I'm going to face, because they opened the doors for me in the Primeira Liga. I know most of the players and we will be focused on transitions and set pieces, if they exist for the opponents. In attack, we have to understand what we can explore within our individual and collective quality."

The ban for Conrad Harder
"The player celebrated a victory with our fans, without provoking anyone. The referee made the decision he did and I believe it will be reversed, because the footage is clear. If we don't celebrate, football becomes apathetic, but we are prepared to go into the game with or without Conrad."

Criticism of the performance of the title contenders
"When things don't go as we want, we put others down. We really want to be champions, and so do the fans, and we will celebrate with all due merit if that happens. It will be more than deserved for everything the group has overcome and will continue to overcome until the end of the season. They really deserve to be happy."

Five important games
"We'll take it one game at a time; there is no futurology and no easy games. We will focus on what we control and go into each game with the desire, ambition and will that we have shown. There are competitive teams that want to steal points from the big teams."

The motto for the final stretch of the season
"Luck is about hard work and that's why I say: "Whoever is most competent until the end will be champions." We know all the difficulties that lie ahead, but the ambition and belief that the team have demonstrated, despite sometimes less successful performances... the players are incredible and really deserve to be happy. The fans have spoken for us: "We don't need slogans for the final stretch, we need you to believe as much as we do and to be connected with us."

Alisson Santos' integration
"He has been training a lot with the first team, and he is growing and adapting to the demands of Sporting CP. He is a kid we believe in a lot, he has a lot of potential and characteristics that we like. He is going through a period of adaptation, understanding the size of the club and getting to know his teammates. He has provided a very good response. He wins duels, is powerful and will have his growth. I have no doubt he will be a player you hear a lot about."