Rui Borges, the head coach of Sporting Clube de Portugal, said he expects Luis Suárez to post better numbers this season than last, as the Lisbon club prepare to travel to Famalicão on Sunday in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
Borges said Suárez works to his limits and has to, because he has played more than any of his team-mates and has a strong forward, Fotis Ioannidis, pushing him for a starting place. The Colombian striker has scored five goals in his opening six matches, the best start of his career, which Borges said was a sign he felt happy and motivated for a big season.
Sporting's Strong Start
Sporting have won five and drawn one of their opening six matches this season. Borges said he was satisfied with how the team had performed so far.
But he warned his players not to relax ahead of the visit to Famalicão, a side he said had not picked up as many points as they deserved this season. He noted that Famalicão are coached by Carlos Carvalhal, whom he described as perhaps the most experienced manager in the league.
Guarding Against A Champions League Comedown
With the Champions League phase now under way alongside the domestic season, Borges said the switch between competitions does not usually go well for teams. He said Sporting had to stay switched on and play at their best, or risk running into trouble, and called for a performance similar to the one that beat Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Borges said he could make changes to his starting eleven "within a logic of squad management." He described the current Sporting side as already a team shaped in his own image, but one that is still developing. He said the players needed to improve certain patterns of play and cut down on mistakes, adding that this would come with time as mutual understanding between him and the squad continued to grow, leaving plenty of room for further progress.
Asked whether criticism of the team this season had been overblown, Borges played it down. He said he did not pay attention to it and copes well with whistles and dissatisfaction from supporters, calling it natural and a reflection of Sporting's growth. He said the club wants to win a lot and to play with quality.
Praise For Doumbia
Borges also spoke about the young player Doumbia, saying he is still far from reaching his ceiling because of his immense potential. He said the player has a lot of street football in his game and performs the same way for a Campeonato de Portugal side as he does in the Champions League, calling his potential fabulous and saying he was not surprised that Italy's national team coach had come to watch him.
Injury Update And Squad News
Ibrahima Ba and João Simões are still recovering from injuries and are not options for Sunday's game at Famalicão, Borges confirmed, and nor is Nuno Santos.
Borges also said Jesse Derry and Irankunda remain in an adaptation process at the club. However, he said the English winger, on loan from Chelsea, has made very promising progress and is close to being ready to play.
