Consolidating its leadership and remaining six points behind second place is Sporting’s main objective in the derby against Benfica, on matchday 11 of the I Football League, coach Rúben Amorim said this Saturday.
The coach, who was speaking at a press conference prior to Sunday’s match with the Águilas, acknowledged that, although the match will not be decisive for the result of the championship, which is already in the first third, a Leonine victory will leave the rival uncomfortable for what what’s left of time.
“Let’s look at the results of Benfica and Sporting in the championship and they are practically the same, except for the first round. Sporting is not fooled by this [com os resultados negativos do Benfica na Liga dos Campeões]. We don’t want to lose first place and we know how uncomfortable it is to be six points away. We really want to win this game,” Amorim said.
For the coach there is no favoritism in this derby, especially because, he admitted, regardless of the result after the final whistle of Porto referee Artur Soares Dias, no one will have more points than Sporting in the I Liga, at most, in case After the defeat, the lions will share the lead with Benfica.
Regarding the variation in Benfica’s tactical scheme, which in recent games has aligned itself in the ‘3-4-3’ to the detriment of the 4-2-3-1 with which it began the season and was proclaimed national champion, the Last season, Rúben Amorim believes that Roger Schmidt will return Benfica to the classic scheme.
“I have an idea of Benfica’s playing system, but I won’t say it. I can reveal that we work in both systems. If Benfica presents itself with three centre-backs, it will be another duel match in which we will fit in.” better, because we know each other well, but I predict a Benfica with the normal tactical scheme [‘4-2-3-1’]. “I don’t want to say it, I already said it,” she highlighted, laughing.
Hours before Sporting’s press conference, Roger Schmidt, before Benfica’s meeting with the ‘lions’, stated that his goal was to be in charge of the ‘reds’ until 2026 and then “say goodbye to the Marquês de Pombal “.
Rúben Amorim sees things differently and hopes to see Sporting at the Marquês at the end of this season.
“What I know is that, if I am not in Marquês before, I will not be in 2026. It is my conviction and, therefore, what I hope is to be in Marquês at the end of this year. Of that, I am sure: if we do not arrive before of 2026, I will not be there in 2026,” he said.
For now, the only certainty is the absence of Geny Catamo, injured, and the full availability of Morita and Gyökeres for the derby. Rúben Amorim hid, however, whether the Japanese midfielder and the Swedish forward will start or not at the Estádio da Luz.
If he wins, Rúben Amorim will reach 100 wins as coach of the ‘green and white’, a mark that, according to him, he had in mind to achieve quickly, but which does not put pressure on him or the team. play with Benfica.
“In relation to 100 wins, I clearly thought we could reach that number sooner. Last year we were able to have four more wins and now we would be there. The most important thing is to win to be six points ahead,” he said. he concluded.
Sporting, leader of the I Liga, with 28 points, will face Benfica, current champion and second place, with 25, in a match of the 11th on Sunday, at the Estádio da Luz, at 8:30 p.m. day that will be refereed by Artur Soares Dias, from the Porto Football Association.
Source: TSF
