The coach gives his assessment of the win over Moreirense FC

Rui Borges talked in the Auditorio Artur Agostinho Auditorium following Sporting CP's 3-1 win over Moreirense FC. The coach considered the victory fair, thanked the fans for their support and gave praise to Ricardo Esgaio.

THE RECEPTION AT THE STADIUM
"I want to dedicate the victory to the fans and especially to my father, who came to Alvalade for the first time. What they made us feel is indescribable, and the players gave a clear response: they felt this support, which has been incredible in every game.

In this final stretch, it's a boost for the team to come in with the atmosphere as strong as it was today. We give them a huge thank you and want them to keep believing as much as we do that we will be happy in the end. They are of great importance in our final stretch and give us desire and ambition, in addition to that which the players already have.

This energy that passed from the outside to the inside was important -and will be important on the path to the end. I believe a lot and have been very confident since the first day we arrived here that we can be champions. We have to face the remaining games with the same ambition, the same courage and the same quality that we have shown so far."

ANALYSING THE MATCH
"We controlled practically the entire 90 minutes. Moreirense FC only had two chances. We played 35 very intense minutes in the first half and didn't let the opposition get close to goal. In short, it was a very strong first half and a second half where we started well and made it 3-0. Moreirense FC believed for 5 or 10 minutes, but above all I'm happy with the team's ability.

We couldn't maintain the same intensity for 90 minutes and it's natural for the opposition to adjust one or two things in the second half. They created some doubts for us, but when we settled down we controlled the game; at a slower pace but with quality and still creating chances to finish. It was a great game from my team."

CONVERTING CHANCES
"I'm not worried about a lack of effectiveness, but this wasn't just today. If we always scored goals when we created chances, we would always win by 6 or 7 goals. Today we created a lot of chances and if in the previous game we didn't finish in the best way, today the team were able to do that.

Mistakes are part of the game. You depend a lot on inspiration and the quality of the moment. I would be upset if we didn't create or if the players hid from play and weren't there to try to finish."

STRATEGY
"It's part of our DNA to come out strong and score early, at least in most games at Alvalade. After that, it's difficult to have that intensity for 90 minutes. I'm not complaining, but having full weeks to work helps a lot to create habits. Even so, the players were incredible in delivering at all levels."

CHANGES TO THE STARTING XI
"Geovany Quenda and Iván Fresneda are different players, in different form, who offer different things against different opponents. Fresneda played a good game in the Azores. I hope we always win with whoever is on the pitch.

I'm happy with the ability they showed. Those who come into the game later always try to keep the pace high, and not let their teammates fall asleep, and above all I see them all switched on, regardless of whether they play 5 or 90 minutes."

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TEAM
"I believe we can always improve. It's not like in one or two full weeks that we're going to gain habits, but above all I they seem focused and believe in what the coaching staff tell them. They are able to listen to our message and that's very important, and you can see it on the pitch too. They believe in the ideas and there's dialogue. I really like listening to them and finding out what they feel in games and in training.

There are four difficult games left, and we want to be competent and continue growing as a team, but we will face difficulties. The other teams are becoming more and more competitive."

VIKTOR GYÖKERES
He is a top player. We know everything he is capable of and what he can give to the team. Viktor helps the team and the team help him. We know each other and we know what each other can give. He grows, and so do we all. The team is growing individually and collectively."

RICARDO ESGAIO IN THE MIDDLE
"It's nothing new for me: I know what Esgaio is capable of. I think 'fairness' is very relative, but I haven't been very fair with him. He played three very good games, the team won, but when I had more options I took him out of the team and he didn't deserve that. He trains very well, he's a very important player for the group, and he makes very good decisions, perhaps even above average. There are midfielders who don't see what he sees. It's an adaptation but in a position where he's already trained a lot. We've gained another solution."

PEDRO GONÇALVES AND HIDEMASA MORITA
"We see Pedro Gonçalves on the pitch and he is different, but we have to be a little careful because he was out for five months. If we are too hasty with him, it will end in failure. Above all, he wants to help, and that makes me happy. Little by little he will gain minutes and I believe he will help in this final stretch, whether he plays 40 or 60 minutes. He's gaining confidence too and will grow in terms of minutes.

Morita's return is coming soon - I believe he will be back for the game against Boavista FC, but I hope he's even available for the game against Rio Ave FC."

BIEL
"Biel plays in a position with players who are very good on an individual level. He trains very well and waits for his opportunities, he deserves them and it's the coach's fault for not giving them to him."