<![CDATA[ "Não estamos na melhor forma": Rui Borges assume que existe a possibilidade de as águias vencerem a Supertaça ]]>

"We're not in the best shape, we're looking for it, but I'm sure we'll be competitive and competent," said Rui Borges, assuming that Sporting will do everything possible to win the Super Cup, the first trophy of the season, against their Lisbon rivals.

Regarding the match, the coach admits there's a "50% chance" of victory for each side. "I don't even think about what I won anymore. If I don't win tomorrow [this Thursday], the coach isn't very good; this is football. It's about fighting for a trophy where we can take advantage of the fact that we have nine men, and Benfica too," emphasized Borges, who rejects controversy over the refereeing after Benfica criticized the selection of Fábio Veríssimo for the match and after the Portuguese Cup final (the Eagles accused referees of gross errors in that match).

The Lions' squad will still undergo some adjustments, as Rui Borges admits. "The squad is balanced for now. Of course, we want to add players, and there's been a lot of talk about the right-back [Vagiannidis is the choice] and the left-back [Ricardo Mangas was the last to arrive], admitted the Lions' coach, who recalled Viktor Gyokeres: "We knew he would end up leaving because, as much as he wanted to go to Arsenal, there were plenty of clubs, because he defined an era. He helped me immensely, and I wish him the best of luck. We're still here. Sporting and champions."

Colombian signing Luis Suarez is the natural replacement for Gyokeres, but Borges assumes that Harder will be the first choice for the game: "Harder has been around longer, he's already more in tune with the idea, although Suárez is a more mature player."

QUOTES BY RUI BORGES

"Viktor Gyokeres? These are things I have no control over, I didn't even care about them."

"Left side? Oh, so many options... Quenda, Esgaio, Fresneda. There are so many solutions."

"Benfica had fewer holidays, but lost less fitness, had less rest. Unfortunately or fortunately, we lost all our fitness."

"Harder is not Viktor, things are different. He has to adapt."

DETAILS

Hjulmand committed

Captain Hjulmand has been linked to Juventus, but Rui Borges assures that the Dane is at ease: "There's a clause, whoever wants to pay it will have to speak to the president. I look at him, he's focused, motivated, and has been setting a daily example in terms of the demands of training. He came in different, married [laughs]. I look at him the same way. I feel he's at ease."

Reinforcement Alisson misses game

Alisson Santos is out of Rui Borges's Super Cup squad. The Brazilian signing will serve a one-game suspension from his time with União de Leiria.

Travassos will be the bet

Rui Borges admits that full-back Diogo Travassos (who was on loan to E. Amadora last season) was his request to join the squad: "He's here because I asked to be here. In January we tried to bring him back, but it wasn't possible."