Rui Borges: "Difficult Moment? We're in First Place, It's Not Difficult at All" - Sporting Clube de Portugal Lead the Way Despite Injuries
Recently answering questions about his team’s state after several key player injuries, Rui Borges, the Sporting manager, showed confidence as he stated, "Challenging moment? We are in first place, so this is not a difficult moment at all. I want to find solutions. We are not here to lament anything. It is what it is. This is football." With this resilient mindset, Borges gears up for the upcoming match against AVS SAD, determined to maintain their top position.
Meanwhile, Moreirense’s head coach, César Peixoto, is also instilling confidence within his squad as he anticipates "a highly challenging match" against Famalicão. His enthusiasm is grounded by their recent victory against Casa Pia (3-2). Peixoto emphasized the aim to maintain "a balance" amid a physically competitive match against Famalicão, who are currently showcasing strong form. He pointed out, "Both teams possess quality, with a proactive approach to the game, aiming to dominate and hold possession. I believe we will perform well against a team who will pose many challenges. I anticipate a game of great difficulty, but we are prepared."
Moreirense, who find themselves 11th on the Primeira Liga table, will try to leverage the momentum from their win over Casa Pia to climb higher against Famalicão, ranked 9th. This upcoming clash is set to kick off at 20:30 on Sunday at the Municipal Stadium of Famalicão.
Meanwhile, on the II Liga front, Feirense managed to secure their fourth consecutive victory against Oliveirense with a solid 3-1 result at the Estádio Marcolino Castro. The game commenced with Banjaqui's goal putting Feirense in the lead just before halftime. Despite Oliveirense leveling the score through Bruno Silva early in the second half, Feirense quickly regained control with Rúben Alves and Shodipo securing their victory. This win propels Feirense up to fourth place, now tied with Benfica B on points.
With Feirense's impressive performance, Oliveirense continues to find themselves struggling at 17th position. The pressure mounts for their coach as he faces criticism following this game, particularly after losing their last encounter.
On another note, Boavista's struggles continue as they suffered their eighth consecutive defeat against Benfica, concluding the match 3-0. Coach Lito Vidigal highlighted his players' positive attitude and the challenges they face, acknowledging the ambitious goals of building a competitive team. Vidigal stated, “We are building a team. The placement of some players has been important, as they show positive dynamics.” Despite the recent streak, Vidigal is optimistic about his team's potential to turn things around. He emphasized, "I go to bed, sleep, and wake up with the objective of remaining in Liga Portugal. I believe we have the potential to achieve our goals."
The pressure escalates as Boavista prepares for their next match, hoping to capitalize on home advantage to break their losing streak.
Both leagues showcase the intense competition and resilience of managers and players alike, reflecting the high stakes involved as teams strive for success amid challenges.