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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ben Fisher

Rui Borges’s timely Sporting revival built on talent and a lucky charm

Sporting’s Francisco Trincão (left) celebrates with his teammate Luis Suarez after scoring against Club Brugge in the Champions League
Sporting’s Francisco Trincão (left) celebrates with his teammate Luis Suarez after scoring against Club Brugge in the Champions League. Photograph: José Sena Goulão/EPA

If there is a stoppage in what is sure to be a supercharged Dérbi de Lisboa on Friday, the Sporting head coach, Rui Borges, will likely look down to check the watch he considers a lucky charm.

The black Casio – bought for €20 while still playing for his hometown club Mirandela in north-east Portugal, 150km inland from Porto – is a symbol of his superstitious nature and one he has maintained on his journey from the obscurity of being an amateur coach to making a mark on the biggest stage in club football.

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