Vieira hails Rui Borges: Sporting boss shows humility, intelligence | OneFootball

Rafael Vieira, current player for Paços de Ferreira, played alongside Rui Borges for a season at Bragança, before being coached by him at Académica and Nacional. On the eve of Sporting facing Nacional at Choupana, the footballer recalled his experiences with the Lions’ coach, who will have a tough job against the Madeiran side, considering the number of injured players in the squad.

“I worked with the coach at Académica and Nacional and played with him for a season at Bragança. When I met him, at the end of his playing career, he already understood and interpreted the game differently from my teammates,” Rafael Vieira began, in an interview with Record newspaper, recalling the time he shared a locker room with Rui Borges.

Next, the footballer highlighted the achievements of the current Sporting coach, pointing to the Portuguese manager’s work: “It doesn’t surprise me at all, his work speaks for itself. At Académica – a team that no one expected anything from – we finished 4th and launched a series of good players. At Nacional, he didn’t start the season, he came in on the 5th or 6th matchday – if I’m not mistaken – we didn’t achieve the much-desired promotion, but he did a good job and increased the value of the players.”

Regarding Rui Borges’ recent success, Rafael Vieira attributes it to the coach’s personality: “I already had a relationship with him before he became my coach. I admire the connection he has with the players, his way of leading and communicating with the athletes. I think one of his merits was knowing how to take advantage of the good things done with Ruben Amorim. He showed humility and intelligence.”

Finally, the Paços de Ferreira player addressed Rui Borges’ change in Sporting’s tactical system, implemented throughout pre-season for the new campaign: “Now, with a pre-season ahead, he had more time to introduce his ideas and his way of playing, and the results are there for all to see. Anyone who thought Sporting would falter because the system changed or because they lost one or another player is mistaken. He’s not one to complain and will always fight.”

Recall the highlights from the last time Sporting and Paços de Ferreira faced each other:

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.