He returned the “giant killer” and tells how the miracle that Cristi Chivu failed to achieve was possible
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 07:27 / Updated Wednesday, March 18, 2026 07:34
Sporting managed an absolutely fabulous result and prevailed 5-0 in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League, at home, against those from Bodo/Glimt, after the Norwegians had won the first duel, score 3-0, and were one step into the quarters. Rui Borges (44), the coach of the Lusitanians, drew the first conclusions immediately after the match in which he and his team achieved what Cristi Chivu's Inter had not done a phase ago.
The Lions coach was at a loss for words to praise the quality shown by his side on a night that will go down in history after a crushing victory that left him extremely happy and proud of the group he leads.
“First of all, let me dedicate the victory to my parents, my family, my son… They deserve it. They suffer a lot with me, for sure. I miss them and they are always there to support us. I never did, but today I think it is a victory to dedicate to them. Also to my wife and my sisters, who are suffering a lot, and especially to my star, my grandfather.
I don't forget… I always say I have a big star. In relation to the victory, it is a bit of the phrase that we used today in the technical meeting and that even Neto said very well, that is, we knew the best Bodo/Glimt, but Bodo/Glimt did not know the best Sporting. We had to be the best Sporting and we were.
I felt these days, from the first moment I entered training, that the energy was different, the desire to do something different was infinite, and as the days passed I also had the message of trust from the fans. I clearly felt that it was going to be a different evening. I could have been here after winning 2-0 and we wouldn't have qualified, and I'd still be super proud of everything we were able to do.
More than any strategy, it had a lot to do with belief, desire and the intensity we put into the game, in our individual and collective actions. That made all the difference.” declared, in the first instance, at the microphones of Sport TV, the technician Rui Borges, quoted by abola.pt.
How Sporting produced the miracle with Bodo/Glimt
Asked about exploiting the side lanes as the key to success against the northern team, Rui Borges provided the necessary strategic explanation: “We knew that in the few things we created in the Bodo game, we couldn't get too much into the inside game, which we appreciate a lot, and we had to, yes, exploit the lanes. Because that's how we had finishing moments there [în Norvegia].
The team understood and today they did it perfectly. The energy was there, both of those who played [din start]as well as those who entered and were extremely important. I think above all, they were completely wired and really wanted to turn the game around. I knew that in the match in Bodo we were not the Sporting that we always are. It happens, it's part of it.
After seven or eight months I had a less good game. Unfortunately it was in the Champions, it could have cost us dearly, but it is part of the game. They [jucătorii] he deserves that respect, from me and everyone. It's not cars, we learn from what we didn't do so well, and today it was 8 to 80.
The intensity was extremely high almost throughout the game, we fell here in the final part of extra time, which is normal, but otherwise it was impressive how we wanted to have the ball and press. They were perfect in the strategic part of the game.”
The heavy defeat (0-3) suffered in the first leg in Norway generated criticism from many quarters, but Rui Borges was not too fond of what he heard after that game. “I will be very honest. I understand the criticism, but my players, who I will always defend, did not deserve it.
For everything they've been able to do so far. We could have been beaten here and I would still have said that my players are fantastic and deserve everything. And it was not because of the game in Bodo that the criticism was deserved. They were all wonderful. But more than the criticism itself, internally we were disappointed by what we weren't able to do and demonstrate.
We were far from who we are and we, more than anyone, had that realization right after the game. I knew it would be different here. If there was a team that could make it, it was this, if there was a stadium where it was possible, it was this. And let me say the fans were phenomenal today.
I wish it was always like this. They were good, but today they were extraordinary. Just like the team. May it always be so, because we need them. They were very important for this comeback”.
On the scale of Sporting's achievement, particularly the way they turned around a tie which, after the first leg, was clearly in jeopardy, Rui Borges was pragmatic.
Rui Borges, Sporting's coach // photo: Imago
True champions fall and get back up as often as needed. As I said yesterday, the resilience of this group is unwavering and infinite. This has been demonstrated since I have been at Sporting. And today they proved it once again
– Rui Borges, Sporting coach
Rui Borges' side will meet Arsenal on their way to the semi-finals. Arteta's team beat Leverkusen 2-0 after 1-1 in the first leg.
