Sporting coach recognized lack of inspiration before LASK Linz, lamenting some collective and individual mistakes. Here's Rui Borges' analysis after the first loss in the Champions League.
© Getty Images
21/10/2026
by
Rui Borges, coach of Sporting, in statements to Sport TV, after the defeat before LASK Linz (2-3), in play of the 3rd round of the League of Champions league.
Analysis: “A very unintended game, collectively and individually. We knew what the opponent was capable of, we were over-warned of what they are as a defensive team. Strong in the counterattacks... We had some ball losses and they hit three goals. Simple ball losses that can't happen. It's inside the despirator. It wasn't our best collective energy. We tried to fight it, but unfortunately we did not succeed.”.
Did you miss the inside game?: “It failed... But it's about the despiration. After the draw, some players lost north in terms of strategy. We tried to get behaviors that we hadn't defined so well for this game and that today would not make sense. At times, we were badly positioned at the offensive moment, which led to these counterattacks of the opponent being deadly. You have to look at the game and learn the lessons. To realize how wrong we have been so that in the future we will be stronger. I had told you yesterday and all week: we had to have humility. The theory doesn't win in this competition. I wouldn't say we lacked humility, it was more lack of inspiration. We were penalized for this.”.
Defeat in the Champions League: “May it have the impact of reacting. Look at the next game, against the Scholar of Viseu, do our best and win. It's our main goal and we're getting back to the same energy we've had. The same focus, the same rigor and the same respect for the next opponent”.