The presentation game ends 2-0 at the Estádio Jose Alvalade

Playing for the first time at the Estádio José Alvalade in the 2026/27 preseason, Sporting Clube de Portugal took a 2-0 victory over AS Monaco in the 14th edition of the Troféu Cinco Violinos.

After the previous edition was held at the Estádio Nacional in Jamor last year, the match, a presentation to Sporting CP fans and a tribute to the mythical quintet of Jesus Correia, Vasques, Fernando Peyroteo, Travassos and Albano, returned home.

Played out in front of 39,803 Sportinguistas, the game saw goals from youngsters Rafael Nel and Jesse Derry.

As is tradition in this fixture, before kick-off the squad for the new season was presented, along with their squad numbers: Rui Silva (1), Silas Andersen (4), Sergi Altimira (5), Zeno Debast (6), Fotis Ioannidis (7), Pedro Gonçalves (8), Rafael Nel (9), Geny Catamo (10), Nuno Santos (11), João Virgínia (12), Georgios Vagiannidis (13), Giorgi Kochorashvili (14), Souleymane Faye (15), Rodrigo Zalazar (17), Maxi Araújo (20), Pedro Lima (21), Iván Fresneda (22), Daniel Bragança (23), Gonçalo Inácio (25), Ousmane Diomande (26), Jesse Derry (28), Luís Guilherme (31), Diego Calai (41), João Simões (52), Ibrahima Ba (55), Flávio Gonçalves (58), Eduardo Quaresma (72), Issa Doumbia (77), Luis Suárez (97) and Francisco Silva (99).

For the meeting with AS Monaco, who placed seventh last season in Ligue 1, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges maintained much of the starting XI used in the thrashing of RC Strasbourg. Uruguayans Maxi Araújo and Rodrigo Zalazar were the only changes as starters, in place of Ricardo Mangas (transferred to AC Monza this past week) and Silas Andersen, who began the game on the bench.

The team didn't take long to produce their first attacks, lacking only the finishing. First of all, off a quick transition, Nel's promising pass was slightly overhit for Geny Catamo. Then, moments later Rodrigo Zalazar tried the first shot, which went low and wide of the far post.

Before the first quarter hour was up, Nel enjoyed several chances in the box, and only a last-ditch clearance denied him a goal on the second of these.

With a curling shot, Geny hit the crossbar, and then opposition goalkeeper Lukas Hradeký made a spectacular save to deny Flávio Gonçalves off a Nel backheel. Doumbia and Geny also had dangerous shots that went wide before the half hour, albeit without success.

AS Monaco – with former Sporting CP players Eric Dier and Flávio Nazinho among their number – managed to contain play, but were unable to threaten until a recovery in an advanced position by Mika Biereth. Eduardo Quaresma, the last defender, cleared the play with efficiency.

For the second half, Sporting CP changed their kit, made three substitutions – Pedro Gonçalves, Silas Andersen and Luís Guilherme coming on for Flávio Gonçalves, Rodrigo Zalazar and Geny Catamo – and regained control of possession.

A few minutes after the restart, Nel had a deflection towards goal blocked by a defender. He then finally broke the deadlock, appearing at the far post to head in an excellent cross from Luís Guilherme, making it 1-0 in the 54th minute. And the lead almost increased immediately, as Pedro Gonçalves unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that went just wide of the post.

The attacker was taken off not long after, and this was followed by another triple substitution, bringing on Pedro Lima, Jesse Derry, and Fotis Ioannidis.

AS Monaco's first chance saw Aleksandr Golovin take a free kick that went close to the top corner of the Sporting goal.

However, it was Sporting CP who struck again, as in the 68th minute, debutant Jesse Derry received the ball in the area and, with a well-placed effort, scored a fantastic goal to make it 2-0.

With everything under control, Rodrigo Dias, Iván Fresneda and Daniel Bragança also came on. Chances were not lacking and Luís Guilherme and Jesse Derry again put the opposition goalkeeper to the test. Silas Andersen then headed thunderously against the woodwork near the 90th minute.

After the final whistle, there was the presentation of the symbolic trophy with the presence of the families of Jesus Correia, Vasques, Fernando Peyroteo, Travassos and Albano.

On Friday, July 31st, the squad will once again travel to the South of the country and to the Estádio Algarve Stadium, where they will face the English side Nottingham Forest in their final pre-season friendly.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 74'), Eduardo Quaresma [C], Eduardo Felicíssimo, Maxi Araújo (Rodrigo Dias, 74'), Sergi Altimira (Pedro Lima, 59'), Issa Doumbia (Jesse Derry, 59'), Geny Catamo (Luís Guilherme, 46'), Rodrigo Zalazar (Silas Andersen, 46'), Flávio Gonçalves (Pedro Gonçalves, 46’ / Daniel Bragança, 74’), Rafael Nel (Fotis Ioannidis, 59’)