Sporting’s coach, Edo Bosch, couldn’t hide his joy. His team had just pulled off a thrilling 4-3 Supercup victory over FC Porto in extra time. Bosch immediately pointed to the incredible physical effort from his players. He told reporters these guys had endured “two trips of more than 10,000 kilometers” in just the last twelve days.
“We were pretty tired when we got here,” Bosch admitted after the final whistle. “Only truly great teams can do what these young men achieved.” He explained the grueling schedule: many games packed into those twelve days, plus all that travel. To then fall two goals behind, not once, but twice, against a top-tier FC Porto side, truly showed their character. “This team grew even closer when they were losing,” he noted. “They went after something incredibly tough. They pulled it off, and they absolutely earned it.”
The Secret to Their Comeback
When asked about the key to their win, Bosch detailed the team’s demanding schedule. “We got back on Tuesday, exhausted but buzzing from winning the World Cup,” he explained. The club’s staff worked tirelessly, he said, making sure the players recovered. They only had a short time to train, focusing instead on getting everyone fresh. “That was the real difference today,” Bosch stated. FC Porto, knowing Sporting might be tired, started at a very high tempo. But Sporting held strong. They gave up two goals but never once threw in the towel. “The secret wasn’t about tactics or any one player,” Bosch added. “It was all about the collective spirit. That’s the heart and soul of this team.”
A Season Starting Strong
Bosch reflected on the team’s strong start to the new season. “It’s always easier to work when you’re winning,” he remarked. He compared it to last year, when things didn’t go so smoothly. They were knocked out of the Champions League early on, which was a tough blow. “But even then, it was a strong group that found a way to bounce back,” he remembered. Bosch made it clear his belief in his players runs deep. “We could have lost today, but the pride I feel for these players makes me believe in them 200%.” He sees their drive every single day. “They show me daily how much they want it. They are incredibly hungry. This Supercup win won’t make them comfortable; they’re already looking for much more throughout the year.”