SPORTING : Domingos: ?Nothing decided?

The Sporting coach stressed that there are never any favourites in a 'classic', but did reveal that he is expecting a strong response from his players when they take on FC Porto tomorrow.

Domingos defended the fact that the game decides little in the scheme of the season as a whole, no matter what the outcome. "You (the media) have already done just about every calculation, in case we draw or somebody loses, but there are still a lot of games to play. There is still a game to play before we even reach the halfway point of the season. Nobody is going to win the league based just on this game. The two teams are separated by six points and there are other teams interested in the result. Of course what we want to do is win yet another game and it would be an important three points for our team's growth, just like it will be against Nacional and Braga", he said.

The coach also highlighted the importance of a winning attitude if his team is to overcome FC Porto. "It is one more game that we have to try to win. We will be playing at home and we have to have to try and maintain the good things that we have been doing, knowing that we will be facing a team that is also fighting for the title. My players know what they have to do as a team. The whole team wants to do their best and wants to play well. These are very emotional games and the players are always full of adrenaline, so normally these are good ones to watch. You can't say that anybody is favourite", he said, considering that Sporting is still a team under construction: "Three new players have just come into the squad. We have been working together for six months and it is a team that is a real joy to manage, because, as Renato Neto said, There is a real team spirit. Everything is going well right now and we are going to try and make sure that we carry on down the same path."

Domingos also reflected on the arrival of Sebastian Ribas, Renato Neto and Xandão during the January transfer market. "They are two players (Ribas and Neto) that have come in to deal with two situations that we have picked up on and it is mainly because of Postiga and Yannick left that Ribas has come in. The question of Renato Neto is one that has to do with Rinaudo and Luís Aguiar. Xandão is a solution to the problems that we have been having in defence and he is another useful option", said the coach, guaranteeing that Jeffrén is also closing in on a return to action: "Jeffrén is getting better every day, he feels more confident and he is aware that we have to be careful to avoid any repeats of what happened."

According to Segundo Domingos, speculation linking Yannick Djaló with a move to FC Porto will have little repercussion on Sporting: "It is normal that people show interest in a good player like Yannick. This all has to do with the ongoing process since he left Sporting and signed for Nice, but it isn't especially relevant right now and Sporting would at most only be minimally affected."

Domingos is FC Porto's sixth all time top scorer in games against Sporting

The Alvalade coach spoke of his pride when reflecting on his career as a footballer, but guaranteed that he is completely dedicated to bringing titles to Sporting. "I like hearing certain comments that suggested only Messi has a control over the ball that I had. It was something that made me really proud as a player, because I did some amazing things and left a mark on football. Now, as a coach, I want to win and I want to make the people that work with me and the fans proud of the club, the players and our overall structure. I have really noticed that our fans know what they are talking about when they talk about Sporting. They know perfectly well that it takes a while to take on two well structured teams and it is only normal that we have our share of difficulties. We are conscious of the fact that we have changed a lot of things in six months. The fans believe in us, they see a team that is capable of working hard and it is only natural that they be realistic. Independently of what happens tomorrow, Sporting is going to continue to grow. We don't know if it will be this year, but we are certainly going to try", said Domingos.

The Sporting coach has also been nominated as one the best coaches of 2011. Domingos laughed off the award, but did guarantee that he is determined to build a successful career. "People congratulated me in the dressing room, but I didn't know why. Obviously I am proud to be on a list with the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mourinho, Villas Boas. Maybe it is a good analysis to highlight the work of someone who was with a club like Braga, that has fewer resources but still managed to do what I did."

Text: Sandro Baguinho