Rui Borges ignores critics and praises Zalazar: “We paid what we paid...”

Rui Borges was very pleased with the victory of Sporting in the visit to Sp. Braga (3-1), in play of the 8th journey of the I League. At a press conference, lion trainer admitted that he was limited in his options and had to adjust his game plan. 

In the face of the opponent and the demand of the game, we knew that anyone who entered at first would have to be 100%. And they weren't, for all the selections. There could have been more sense on the other side, but it's up to us to manage that. Suárez came straight to the internship... In advance, we knew that at certain minutes they would make the contribution regardless of the outcome. They're important and we don't run away from it, the whole team knows. For your quality, your energy... And they were important. Happy for everyone's attitude, not only for those who entered ", started by saying Rui Borges. 

“ It was a win, not just the twist, but also what we didn't do in the first part. Still, I don’t think Braga was ever very ‘mandão’ about Sporting. Now we have to think about the next game, a different opponent and not run away from who we are. Win against a great team that only had victories and zero goals suffered here only values our victory more”, he added. 

Asked about the importance of giving a response to the supporters, after two consecutive draws, Rui Borges again said that the pressure remains the same.

“It was the answer we wanted to give us. We came in two draws and we're Sporting. Here you play to win. And a team like Sporting can't be two games without winning. The pressure is the same, either with Sp. Braga or with Lens. The goal is to do my best to help the team win,” he said. 

“Happy to have Zalazar with us” 

On the criticisms that have been targeted by not always touching the team, even when there is a fall in income, the coach of Sporting said that the victory in Braga is not a response out, but inside. 

“ We have suffered goals for very specific things, individual behaviors. I'd rather have goals for lack of organization because it was a sign that my work was badly done and had to be improved. We have suffered goals for things that remind no one. But luck and bad luck are hard work. It's about focusing on what we need to improve. But it's not a response to critics, it's for us. We're Sporting and we can't be two games without winning. We knew it was very important for us to go our own way and not let the distance go any further. We really want to fight for the championship”, he stressed. 

Borges also praised Rodrigo Zalazar, who would eventually score against the former team, ensuring he was hopeful that the Uruguayan player could assert himself even more in Sporting. 

“Zalazar is a great player, so we came to get him and paid for what we paid for. He's a great kid, he works hard, and he's differentiated. Glad you came back and made a difference, sad because you left with a touch. Let's see what you got. But very happy to have him with me, he was a player who wanted him for a long time”, he said, before revealing that the player should be low for the game with Lens, in the Champions League. 

“ Possibly low... I don't know if it will be, but I believe that for the short time and as much as it is the discomfort, you can't play the game. He is a very important player for everything: technical quality, irreverence, for the energy he brings. Give it to your colleagues. And you've noticed the entrance of the players. The very energy of the players who entered, even in terms of personality, pulls others. They're different players. Happy to have Zalazar with us,” Rui Borges said.