The coach speaks ahead of his Alvalade swansong against Manchester City

European nights are back at the Estádio José Alvalade, as Sporting CP host Manchester City this Tuesday on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League.

Coach Rúben Amorim talked ahead of the game, and gave hints about his team selection for the encounter with the English champions.

"Eduardo Quaresma is in the squad, but has a limit to how much time he can play, whilst Gonçalo Inácio is out," he revealed.

“We could take risks, but the international break is coming. We don't know if he can play against Braga, but we didn't want to risk a longer absence for him. The season is very long and Inácio is very important."

 He then turned his attention to Manchester City, who have a strong recent history in the competition.

“Any player they field is world class. They have some players out, but when we look at the eleven and the bench, we realise that they are a very difficult team to beat. It's also very difficult to predict what will happen, in which positions and on which wing each of the players will play, so we have to be strong in what we do. We believe in this a lot and we have to go into the game with the courage to try to win," he highlighted.

Both Sporting CP and Manchester City are on 7 points so far, and the home side are undefeated at home for over a year. They have also not lost in Liga Portugal or Champions League action this term.

Regarding how he will approach the game, Amorim did not hide the fact that there are adaptations to be made, especially when pressing, given the quality of the opponents.

“We want to maintain our identity when we have the ball, and that will be very important in the game. Regarding the way we play, we have to adapt a little. Sometimes, there is more courage when coaches adapt to be competitive and win."

Amorim also considered that, compared to the two meetings with Manchester City from 2022, his side are “more prepared to play a more complete game."

“I feel like I'm a better coach now, but in these five years we've had two squads. Only 'Pote', Nuno Santos and Inácio are left from the first squad. It's not been five years of working with the same players. I feel like I'm a better coach, but unfortunately Pep Guardiola is also a better coach. We play in different leagues and with different realities. Tomorrow is a good game to look at these nuances and I hope the result is different."

Asked whether a draw would be a good result, the coach considered that “it depends on what happens in the game. When we enter the pitch it is to win; that is part of our DNA."

Regarding whether he would prefer to have Erling Håaland, the City striker, or Viktor Gyökeres on his team, Amorim stated that "You will never hear me saying that I would change any player on my team. They are the best. Viktor has done a lot for us, even as recently in the last game he was very important."

On it being his last home game in charge of Os Leões, Amorim said he was “stressed,” but only with the difficulty of the game itself.

 “I'm stressed about the game, because we had a plan, City played AFC Bournemouth, it changed everything and I get stressed when I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”

“I take a lot of things from Pep Guardiola, Roberto De Zerbi, a lot of things from Jorge Jesus, and I watch a lot of football. I get inspired everywhere and there are always ideas that we can use."

In light of his imminent departure to Manchester United, Amorim also made no secret of the fact that he is aware of the attention he will have on him in this European game.

“I will be analysed as a coach of Sporting CP, but I am fully aware that I will be evaluated as a coach based on this game. I understand what people might get out of it, but I don't think much about it. The focus is to win the game for Sporting CP so that we can be closer to the playoffs."

"Afterwards, I don’t know what I’ll feel, but it will definitely be a special moment for my last game at the Estádio José Alvalade. I'm sure I will be able to maintain my emotions in check, but the perfect thing is to win this game. I want to help my players, make sure that we have a spot in the knockout stage more or less guaranteed, and that would help me to leave with a feeling of joy."

“These players are very mature, they understand the game very well, they are prepared and I believe it won't make a difference in the end that I am leaving. It’s a change, but the team are prepared for it,” declared Amorim.