The coach reflects philosophically on the Taça da Liga defeat

Rui Borges reflected on the Taça da Liga final that Sporting CP lost on penalties to SL Benfica, and considered that his side were the better team.

“It was an evenly balanced game, with a more dynamic first half in terms of goals and in the second half more play in midfield. In the first half, where there were more opportunities, the best chances were ours. Therefore, despite the final result, I'm satisfied with what the team did and I leave here calm, with the certainty that we will be very strong over the next few months. The fact that we haven't won the Taça da Liga is because there is something better saved for us. I think that overall we were the better side, and they were happier with it going to penalties," he explained.

“Would it be different without so many players out? I wanted to have everyone, but I'm not complaining and the team were able to put on a good performance and be intense. They only lost on penalties, where SL Benfica's goalkeeper ended up being more adept. As I said, I couldn’t be more satisfied and at ease with what the team are producing,” he said.

Rui Borges reiterated that this result cannot affect his side.

“The impact of this game has to be just one night. Now we have to rest and think that we have a game next weekend, which will be difficult, but if we have the same attitude as we have been showing, the future will be bright”.

“I'm very positive about my path forward. I really believe that things happen for a reason and, as I said, if we don't win it's because something better awaits us. If we behave as we have, with this competitive side, this dedication and ambition, the future will be bright. The players really want to be champions and today they demonstrated all the ambition they have.”

Borges also spoke about Francisco Trincão, praising the Portuguese international and saying that he doesn't have to feel down about his missed penalty.

“It was him today, and it could have been someone else. He has already given a lot to Sporting CP and will continue to do so. You have to lift your head up again and follow the path.”

A 1-1 draw with SL Benfica means the competition is decided with a shootout

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost out in the final of the Taça da Liga on penalties to SL Benfica at the Estádio Municipal de Leiria, after a 1-1 draw in regular time. Viktor Gyökeres scored the goal for Sporting CP.

For the game -a rematch of the 2021/22 final-, coach Rui Borges chose Franco Israel, Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Jeremiah St. Juste, Maxi Araújo, Geny Catamo, João Simões, Morten Hjulmand, Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres as his starting lineup.

SL Benfica began with more of the ball, but Sporting CP responded with a series of quick moves and opportunities. Quenda had the first chance, with Otamendi cutting it out in time, then two corners in a row piled on the pressure. The danger only passed after  Hjulmand missed his shot from the edge of the area.

In response, Di María also tried to score from outside the area with a low shot, but Franco Israel had no trouble holding it. Gyökeres made a fast move from the right, ending with his shot taking a deflection and going wide. From the resulting corner, Maxi Araújo forced goalkeeper Trubin to make another save.

A very intense opening spell continued with Sporting CP coming very close to a goal in the 15th minute: Set up by João Simões, Quenda had his effort kept out by Trubin. At the other end, Franco Israel made a save from a low cross from Tomás Araújo. The follow-up from Di María was blocked by Morten Hjulmand.

The match then lost some of its initial pace, but opportunities continued steadily. SL Benfica opened the scoring after half an hour of play, with a goal from Schjelderup.

It didn't take long for Sporting CP to try to equalise, with Quenda fed by Viktor Gyökeres and firing a shot wide. Eduardo Quaresma also threatened with a hit from inside the area, but it also went off-target.

Sporting CP finally pulled back level from a penalty: Maxi Araújo was brought down in the area by Florentino, before Gyökeres converted the spot kick.

In the second period, the first chance of note was a deflected strike from João Simões at the edge of the area, after a delivery from Gyökeres. Franco Israel had more work to do in the Sporting CP area, thwarting consecutive moves by Di María and then by Kökçü. In response, after insistence from Sporting CP, Catamo pulled the trigger from the edge of the area, but António Silva managed to deflect it with his shoulder. 

Close to the 70th minute, Rui Borges then started to make changes, bringing on Iván Fresneda for Eduardo Quaresma. Ten minutes later, he made another two substitutions, withdrawing Geny Catamo and João Simões and bringing on Zeno Debast and Conrad Harder.

Despite the insistence of both teams, the scoreline remained deadlocked and the game went straight to penalties. Trubin saved Francisco Trincão's spot kick, and it was SL Benfica who lifted the Taça da Liga.

Sporting CP will play again on Friday, away to Rio Ave FC in Liga Portugal.

The coach looks ahead to the Taça da Liga final

This Saturday, Sporting Clube de Portugal play SL Benfica in the Taça da Liga, and coach Rui Borges spoke about the challenge ahead in a pre-match press conference.

“I'm happy to be in the final, no matter who the opponents are, and very focused on ourselves. As for the changes at SL Benfica, the main principles do not change. There will be changes to individual characteristics, which will add some details to the team, but the idea does not change. We are prepared for whatever SL Benfica may or may not implement in the game, offensively and defensively," he stated.

"I believe there may be one or two changes in relation to their last game, despite their having enjoyed a beautiful game against SC Braga, but, more than that, it is important to prepare our team for the demands of the match. We have had a few days to work, a few days to recover and a lot of players were fatigued, so we will have to be careful, but the team are in good form and will give a good response."

“I don’t believe 100% that they play with the same team as in the semifinal, but we will be prepared for what SL Benfica may want from the game, which is to come in strong, just like they did against SC Braga. We have to be prepared for this and much more focused on what we can control as a team.”

With Hidemasa Morita out due to injury, the coach did not reveal who will play in midfield, saying that this will not change anything.

“We play with eleven players and I never dwell on difficulties, but rather I look for solutions. We will be competitive, we will be a good team, we will maintain the courage we have had and we will have a good game, regardless of whether we play Simões, Brito or others who have already played there. It’s up to me to find solutions, especially because we have other players, and I know that we will be competitive -regardless of who plays," he explained, before saying that Gonçalo Inácio "is one of the possibilities."

Sporting CP have several players out injured or fatigued, but Borges commented that “I don't focus on that. The team is tired, and that's part of football, especially because some players are carrying injuries, and we run the risk of losing even more of them, but we can't get attached to that. We are in a final, we are at a big club and the demand must always be to give our best. If we always do our best, whether tired or not, there are no advantages. The game is 11 against 11 and we have to do our best. If we do our best we will be competitive and we will win.”

“Because it’s a final, you can’t be tired. The desire to win and add trophies to the club's history must overcome any physical or mental fatigue. When the game starts, I believe the team will be prepared and will give a good response”, he added.