Coates on extending his stay in Alvalade

Sebastián Coates was a largely unknown name for many Sporting fans when arriving at Alvalade this January, but the backing given by fellow Uruguayan and former teammate at Liverpool, Luís Suárez, has certainly rung true: "A player like Sebastián brings lot of quality to a team. I am certain he will be a great signing." Since arriving in the Portuguese capital, Sabastián truly has bossed the Sporting defence in an intimidating double-team with Rúben Semedo.

"All players dream of playing for a club that is fighting for titles, with ambitious objectives, and that made the difference for me", said Coates in an interview with the Sporting website after signing his loan extension, before adding a word on his odd forays forward: "Personally, my role is to defend, but If I can help in attack then I will."

Jorge Jesus' focus on defence has actually taken the Uruguayan by surprise, considering that goals are need to turn in wins. However, the final result can of course be decided by good defending. "The coach worries a lot about how we defend. Of course goals are needed to win, but he really worries about getting us all defending. Not every coach does that and it makes a big difference", said the defensive giant, finishing: "This is a great club with fans who are always pushing the players. I want to do my best for this shirt for us to get the results that we all want."

Alvalade president sits down with the Sporting president ahead of league showdown

You have to go back 42 years for the last time that Sporting and Benfica took the title race down to the last match of the season. It was in 1974, when millions waited for the final whistle. History isn't on Sporting's side, with the league leaders going into the decisive fixture tending to hold out and take the trophy, however Bruno de Carvalho sees things a little differently.

“Going into the last match of the season, we are two points behind first place. Of course it isn't the place we would prefer to be in and of course we would like to be in first. However, we are completely focused and we know anything could happen. That is what makes football such a beautiful game. While it is mathematically possible, anything can happen", commented the Alvalade president in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, adding: "What I see is a Sporting team focused on our match and that believes that we can bring home a title that we have been missing for so long now. We will do everything we can to do that."

Sporting's hopes of silverware after the dust settles this weekend does however not just depend on what happens in Estádio Municipal de Braga. Meanwhile in Lisbon, Benfica will host Nacional, with Sporting needing the team from Madeira to at least steal a point.

“Looking at Benfica-Nacional, well from what I have seen and heard it seems like Nacional doesn't count for anything. It seems like Nacional doesn't care. That if what I have felt when listening to commentators associated with Benfica, but honestly I don't believe it", affirmed Carvalho, continuing: "Nacional are a good side and I don't think they want to be the side show for the league title. I know how hard Rui Alves has been working to put Nacional on the map and they are fighting for places further up the league now. Of course Benfica are motivated, because winning gives them the league, but Nacional are motivated as well."

The coach hails a professional display against AC Marinhense

After Sporting CP made it through to the Round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal, Rui Borges gave an analysis of the 3-0 victory against AC Marinhense.

The game
"I give a very positive assessment of the team, for the seriousness, humility, commitment, and composure we showed. It was a more intense first half, with more possession, and a slower second half in which we were serious in our transitions. These games end up being dangerous because you can allow the opposing team to hit you on the counterattack, but we always remained serious and demanding of each other until the end.

Honestly, I was happy with everyone's performance. There are individual details where the players, who are in the process of improvement, are aware of the strengths they need to work on. I was very happy with the whole team; everyone remained switched on and serious. I'm only sad because Rodrigo [Ribeiro] didn't score. He had a wonderful game, and I was sorry he wasn't lucky enough to score -because he deserved to get off the mark in that aspect too."

Rodrigo Ribeiro's growth
"He's a kid who has grown tremendously, and I think he can play both as a striker and behind the striker. He's skillful, technically gifted, and makes good and varied decisions.

He's very focused, and that's why he played up front, whilst in the B team he's been playing in another position – the one in which he trains with us. That was the conversation we had with him at the beginning of the season: sometimes, young players want to take a step forward. Rodrigo emerged very early. The Second Division will give him more skills, as it demands other things.

I usually say that I only control 20% of the team's performance, because the rest is made up of individual and collective decisions. After him coming into the top flight and playing 200 minutes, he needed to understand that when you’re a Sporting CP player, it's better to play 2000 minutes for the B team, score goals, and grow. This natural, continuous growth will give you things that training doesn't.

The young players have to realise this, he realised it, and next year he’ll possibly come back up. He is viewed differently, both internally and externally. That's why I said I was sad that he didn't score: he has shown an enormous capacity to learn, to read the game, and that makes me happy."

The recovery of injured players
"Zeno [Debast] is within the expected recovery timeframe. It may still take some time, and I don't believe he will be available for the next few games. I believe and hope that João [Simões] will be ready for the game against Club Brugge KV. He was left out mainly as a precaution."

The AC Marinhense coach
"The only thing I told Renato Sousa is to make the most of his chance. Sometimes, it's in these moments that we create our opportunities. Chase your dream, like Rui Borges did in the past. Many coaches are looking for this opening of an opportunity, and he had it. His team were very committed and very organised, thanks to him. I hope he has a lot of luck. Luck takes work, and that's what will dictate your future."

Francisco Trincão
"He was rested by the national team, so it didn't make sense for him not to be an option. He was in good shape, was fresh, wanted to play and he was serious. It was a solution, and it's good that we had him. He scored two goals that he richly deserved, he's been having great games, and he's just been lacking that consistent playing time.

Obviously, I respect the national team coach's decision; I'll always support him 100%, because I'm Portuguese. I won't interfere in his decisions because fairness is very relative. The Portugal national team have great players, all playing for big clubs; it's difficult to choose 11 men and leave out another 11, who are all starters at their clubs and with above-average quality. I'm happy to see him in the national team, as well as Pedro Gonçalves, Rui Silva, Geovany Quenda and João Simões -even [Ricardo] Mangas, who I believe can get there and be a solution. We work to get more and more players into our national team."

Relying on younger players
"If I didn't believe they were capable of responding at any time, I wouldn't even put them in these games. I see a lot of quality in all of them; they've given a very good response with the B team and have given us that confidence individually. Salvador Blopa provided another assist today; in the Taça da Liga, they all gave a good response as well. Blopa had another very good demonstration of his ability against a low-block side, delivering many high-quality crosses, so he met expectations, as did everyone else. Flávio [Gonçalves] is exceptional, and we will rely on them, in time, not only in the cups but in other competitions as well.

These are players we look at with a positive future perspective and in whom we have great faith. When they need to deliver for the first team, they will, and when they don't, they'll be in their natural habitat, which is the B team. They know they can't neglect their work, and perhaps that's why they've been called up more often."

Personal goals
"I'm living my dream. I'm where I want to be. If I were to stay here for ten years, I would be the happiest coach in the world, and I will continue fighting to win trophies. That's what this great club demand. We are the ones who create our dreams, and we will chase them. I still want to win the Taça da Liga and the Supertaça, which I haven't won yet. These are trophies I will strive to win, so that we can grow as a coaching staff. I am the leader, but those behind me work very hard and are very important. If I’m here, it is because I owe it to them, and we still have much to achieve."

Sporting CP defeat AC Marinhense 3-0, with a Trincão and Luis Suárez on the scoresheet

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated AC Marinhense 3-0 to secure their place in the Round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal. Coach Rui Borges gave opportunities to young players, but a mature display saw his side go through without significant problems.

Before the opening whistle, the 35,002 Sportinguistas present paid a heartfelt tribute to Júlio Rendeiro, with applause preceding and concluding the minute of silence in memory of the former hockey player and sporting director.

Celebrating his legacy, there was new blood on the pitch: Rodrigo Ribeiro and Salvador Blopa came in for starting roles, and João Virgínia, Matheus Reis, Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Mangas, Georgios Vagiannidis, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Hidemasa Morita and Alisson Santos were also brought into the first XI.  Of those who started the match against CD Santa Clara, only Francisco Trincão kept his spot.

The game started slowly, with the ball mostly moved around in midfield. Sporting CP enjoyed a first chance in the sixth minute, after a quick run by Alisson Santos down the left. His cross was not converted by Rodrigo Ribeiro, in a let-off for the visitors. Moments later, Trincão cut in from the right, but his powerful shot went over the crossbar.

On 12 minutes, the Portuguese international repeated the move, this time forcing the opposition goalkeeper into a save. When nobody collected the rebound, AC Marinhense player João Vieira took advantage of the space to shoot from a long way out, without any danger, towards goal.

Sporting CP began to apply pressure, and opportunities followed. On 16 minutes, Rodrigo Ribeiro was fed after a good run by Hidemasa Morita, producing a good save from Ohoulo Framelin. From the resulting corner, Georgios Vagiannidis headed the ball over the crossbar. On 19 minutes, Alisson Santos and Giorgi Kochorashvili also tried their luck, but the ball got lost in a tangle of legs in the AC Marinhense defence. A minute later, it was Ribeiro again, leaving two opponents in his wake with a feint, then shooting straight at the opposition goalkeeper.

Unable to overcome the low defensive block set up by their opponents, Sporting CP circulated the ball patiently, and on 29 minutes they were rewarded. Kochorashvili found Blopa on the right and delivered to the young winger, who went up to the byline and crossed for Francisco Trincão. The midfielder, with a run into the area, headed the ball into the back of the net and broke the deadlock.

Eight minutes later, Trincão scored a second goal, borne out of pure inspiration and talent. Facing the goal, he received a pass from Eduardo Quaresma, unleashed a powerful shot, and made it 2-0 with a piledriver into the top right corner.

The visitors tried to react in the 39th minute, with Filipe Oliveira surging through the middle and shooting harmlessly wide, but Sporting CP imposed their dominance and came close to increasing the scoreline to 3-0 on several occasions: Ribeiro attempted a backheel flick, Alisson Santos hit the crossbar in the 42nd minute, and on the rebound, Blopa also shot wide. Near halftime, Ribeiro had the ball in the net but the striker's goal was disallowed for offside.

In the first minute of added time, João Virgínia was called upon to save from Ricardo Matias, and at the other end Ohoulo Framelin also stretched to deny Ribeiro. Kochorashvili rounded off the first half action with a shot just wide.

To start the second half, Sporting CP could have quickly increased the lead, were it not for another excellent intervention by Ohoulo Framelin to keep out Alisson Santos’s effort.

Playing at a less intense pace, Sporting CP controlled possession without creating any clear-cut chances. AC Marinhense, however, quickly capitalised on a defensive error to test João Virgínia's reflexes: Rayan Santos recovered the ball and shot towards the bottom left corner, and the Portuguese goalkeeper made the stop.

In the 59th minute, Ohoulo Framelin came out of his area and tried to clear the ball, but Ribeiro stretched out his foot and the rebound went just millimetres wide of goal.

With 25 minutes to go, coach Rui Borges made the first changes, taking off Alisson Santos, Francisco Trincão and Rodrigo Ribeiro and bringing on Geovany Quenda, Flávio Gonçalves and Luis Suárez. Sporting CP continued to run the show, but without creating many clear chances to increase their lead: In the 74th minute, Matheus Reis and Hidemasa Morita both had good opportunities, but their shots went wide.

Luis Suárez took his chance, however, scoring his ninth goal of the season and his first in the competition: In the 81st minute, the Colombian cleverly appeared right in front of goal, and only needed to tap the ball in to make it 3-0 after a clinical pass from Quenda on the left wing.

Shortly after, Borges replaced Vagiannidis and Blopa, giving playing time to Iván Fresneda and Geny Catamo. Sporting CP also faced the final moments of the match with a numerical advantage: AC Marinhense, having used up all of their permitted substitutions, defended with ten men after Brahima Diallo went off injured.

In the last move of the game, Geny Catamo cut inside from the right and sent a looping effort just wide of the post. The score remained 3-0 and Sporting CP advanced in the Taça de Portugal, with their next opponents to be decided in a draw on Tuesday, November 25th, at 2:30pm.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Matheus Reis [C], Hidemasa Morita, Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 83’), Giorgi Kochorashvili, Francisco Trincão (Flávio Gonçalves, 67’), Alisson Santos (Geovany Quenda, 66’), Rodrigo Ribeiro (Luis Suárez, 67’), Salvador Blopa (Geny Catamo, 83’), Eduardo Quaresma and Ricardo Mangas.

The coach previews the cup encounter

The international break over, Sporting CP return to action in the Taça de Portugal this Saturday, playing AC Marinhense at home.

Ahead of the match, coach Rui Borges attended a press conference at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo to preview the meeting with the side from the Campeonato de Portugal -the fourth division.

The approach to the match against a lower-level opponent
“I am approaching the game with respect, despite their internal problems [a series of disciplinary issues and the dismissal of coach Rui Sacramento] and sporting issues [going four games without a win], because cup games are always different. I've been on the other side of the equation, at lower-tier clubs, and I know how motivating it is to face a big club, especially when it’s the champions. AC Marinhense will be committed to trying to make things difficult for us, but we must demand maximum commitment from ourselves, as well as concentration and a serious approach. We have to focus on what we can control, start strong and not let up, because that is the greatest respect we can have for the opposition.”

Places for Salvador Blopa and the returning internationals
“I never announce the starting XI ahead of time, and I won’t break that rule, but Blopa and Luis [Suárez] are in the squad for the game. Maxi Araújo isn’t, due to his suspension [he was sent off against CD Santa Clara]. With some limitations for one or two players, we’ll use the strongest side available.”

Focus on the upcoming games and not the next transfer window
“Very honestly, I’m not really thinking about the January transfer window, but rather the very intense month of games we have ahead of us. That’s my focus. We have important Champions League games that could determine our continuation in the competition, and important league games we want to come out of top of the table. Sporting CP have a very large and strong structure, so I’m very calm. I’m sure we’ll be prepared for the January transfer window. I’m happy with the squad we have and the response they have given.”

Injured players 'Pote', Ioannidis, and João Simões
“I think 'Pote's' recovery time is shorter; he could be fit in the next few days. Ioannidis' comeback could take longer, but I can't be precise about that. Simões is out of tomorrow's game.”

Alisson Santos being ready to take over from 'Pote'
“Pedro Gonçalves has had, perhaps, his best start to the season, and I hope he returns quickly. Alisson is prepared, as are others like Quenda, Geny, and Rodrigo [Ribeiro], who have been training in those positions. They are players who are prepared to respond. Since I arrived, we played with Quenda and Geny and we were crowned champions. This year we have Alisson, with different characteristics; he is still developing and has given a tremendous response. He may have his opportunity at some point.”

Rumours about Hidemasa Morita's departure
“He is a great player and is coming to the end of his contract, so it's natural that people talk about him in many places. I look at him and see that he has grown and is very happy on a day-to-day level. He is a player I admire a lot and I think he will help us a lot until the end of the season.”

Being careful with Morten Hjulmand’s minutes
“Tomorrow he won’t be playing, so we need to manage his situation. He’s a very important player and has had fantastic growth. He’s in very good form, and that’s evident in the team’s growth in recent games. Given his performances with the national team, we have opted to be a bit cautious with him, because there’s a very demanding month and a half of games coming up, and we need him at his best. He’s sad that he didn’t qualify directly for the World Cup with his national team, but he’s already focused on the demands of Sporting CP and then, at the right time, on the play-offs to be at the World Cup. He has a very positive and mature mentality, hence why he’s a captain despite being so young.”

The squad work during the international break

Sporting Clube de Portugal played a training match against CF "Os Belenenses" on Saturday morning at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Coach Rui Borges fielded João Virgínia, Matheus Reis, Hidemasa Morita, Alisson Santos, Bruno Ramos, Rayan Lucas, Samuel Justo, Eduardo Quaresma, Lucas Anjos, Rafael Nel and Ricardo Mangas in the starting lineup.

Anjos and Mangas scored the goals for Sporting CP.

The squad will train again on Wednesday morning.

Sporting CP strike in stoppage time in the Azores

Sporting CP travelled to the Azores for Liga Portugal Matchday 11, defeating CD Santa Clara 2-1 thanks to a 94th minute header from Morten Hjulmand. Pedro Gonçalves had previously scored an equaliser for the team.

They faced the traditionally demanding Azorean team, who entered the match in 11th place (on 11 points). Rui Borges made three changes to the starting XI from three days prior against Juventus FC: Iván Fresneda, Geny Catamo, and Luis Suárez returned, replacing Georgios Vagiannidis, Geovany Quenda, and Fotis Ioannidis.

The start of the match could hardly have been more punishing for Sporting CP, who conceded after just five minutes. Off a long ball, a defensive slip by Ousmane Diomande allowed Wendel Silva to approach the area, and with a well-measured cross he found Vinícius Lopes, CD Santa Clara's top scorer, who struck to make it 1-0.

Vasco Matos' team, who hadn't scored in two games and had the third worst attack in the league, started with maximum effectiveness.

Sporting CP, however, have the division’s most prolific attack, and from the quarter-hour mark they began to increase their chances. A header from Suárez, following a cross from Maxi Araújo, went just wide of the near post. Shortly after, to finish off a play through the middle, Pedro Gonçalves shot from outside the area, forcing a save from Gabriel Batista.

Maxi Araújo also rose in the area to nod the ball over the bar, and 'Pote', after a perfect break towards the area, couldn't finish another chance. However, Gonçalves did find the equaliser eventually, heading in a cross from Geny to make it 1-1. He has now scored nine goals this season, with eight in the league, where he is the joint top marksman.

Sporting CP could have taken the lead almost immediately after. Defender Sidney Lima cleared Suárez's shot off the line, after he had already taken the goalkeeper out of the equation, and then the Colombian international came close to making it 1-2 again, before his cross-shot was saved by Gabriel Batista.

For the second half, Rui Borges took off the booked João Simões and brought on another striker, Fotis Ioannidis. He was forced into another switch shortly after, as Hidemasa Morita replaced the injured Gonçalves, and Quenda came on for Geny to boost the energy on the right side of the pitch.

Among the main attempts to score again were a blocked shot by Suárez and another that went completely off-target, then Quenda cutting inside from the right and shooting low and wide.

In the last 15 minutes, Rui Borges switched things up with the introduction of Alisson Santos for Fresneda.

Suárez again couldn’t keep an opportunity on target when Gabriel Batista was caught out of position, and the goalkeeper shone minutes later by denying a persistent Ioannidis a goal with an impressive instinctive save.

The Greek striker – in an excellent position in the area – had the clearest chance to find the net in regular time, but also failed to finish.

It was then that chaos took over. CD Santa Clara’s Brenner Lucas, after threatening on a counter-attack, was fouled as he prepared to go through on Rui Silva, and Maxi Araújo was shown a straight red card.

Saving the day was captain Morten Hjulmand, who had the composure to turn things around and grab victory in the Azores at the last minute. From a corner on the right, the Dane met the ball at the near post, and with a powerful header finally made it 1-2 in the 94th minute.

Before the final whistle, the home team had Adriano sent off for protesting and Sidney Lima for a foul on Matheus Reis.

Sporting CP left with three points, continuing a perfect away record in the league before the international break – six wins in six games.

Sporting CP next play on November 22nd in the Taça de Portugal against AC Marinhense – the first of three consecutive home games to close out the month of November.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda (Alisson Santos, 76’), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Fotis Ioannidis, 46’), Geny Catamo (Geovany Quenda, 57’), Pedro Gonçalves (Hidemasa Morita, 57’), Francisco Trincão (Matheus Reis, 90+4’), Luis Suárez.

The coach looks at Saturday's Liga Portugal game

Sporting Clube de Portugal travels to the Azores this Saturday to face CD Santa Clara, on Matchday 11 of the Liga Portugal season. Before departing for São Miguel, coach Rui Borges held a press conference to preview the contest.

Analysis of CD Santa Clara
“They’re a mature team that know who they are very well, because most of their players and the coach have been together for the last two seasons. They’re a very well-organised, well coached team. Vasco [Matos] is doing a great job. At home, they’re a very competitive team that make life tough for any opponents; last season we had quite a few difficulties in all our matches against them. Some dynamics in their formation have changed. Although they don’t seem to be as well-placed [in eighth place with 11 points], they have even conceded one goal fewer than at this point last season.”

The call-ups for Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves and Francisco Trincão by Portugal
“I think it’s natural, even considering their current form. ‘Pote’ and Trincão are doing very well, Rui just had a great game in the Champions League and Inácio has been very consistent. He has grown immensely and I think he is more mature and more of a leader now. It was expected that these four would be on the list. I'm not looking at the issue of whether they rest or not. I'm looking more at the fact that Quenda could also be there, and Simões, who is in very good form, has shown maturity and quality. I believe they are 'knocking on the door' of the national team and their day will come.”

Iván Fresneda's injury
“He is undergoing rehabilitation and we will see what the expected time on the sidelines will be for him.”

Morita's future at the end of his contract
“We knew about this, but we wanted to use him because we believe he will be a very important player throughout the season, both for what he gives to the team as an athlete and as a person. Simões has always been a solution that we can use, regardless of what happens with Morita. Now, he is in good form -like the team are- and this rise is natural. But last year he already played quite a few games with the first team. It’s down  to his ability.”

The current form
“The team have responded very well in terms of quality of play, but also physically. We have grown in that sense as well. All the players have to be prepared and are very motivated, because they know the demands of tomorrow's game in the Azores. We have to be focused only on that. We know that at the end of the season there is the World Cup and the players may turn their focus to their national teams, but for that to happen they have to give their best here. I believe that the team will give a good response, as they have in recent games.”

Nuno Santos' recovery and potential implications for the squad
“Nuno plays as a full-back and winger, I hope he will be at 100% in January, and I also hope nobody will leave. You can look at the resilience he has shown in the face of a difficult injury; he has had that capacity to do that because he is a true warrior. He is an example for all of us and has improved immensely. He is getting closer and closer, but there are parameters to meet and he is on that path. I hope that in January I can have him available to give me that 'headache', but above all, I would be happy to have him back available."

Ousmane Diomande not receiving a callup for the Ivory Coast
"If he stays here instead of going to the AFCON, all the better for us, but these competitions affect the players. I believe he also wants to represent his national team, but I haven't spoken to him about it. If he doesn't go, he may be sad, but if he stays, all the better for us, because he is an important player. Above all, I want to see the players happy."

The coach reflects on the draw with Juventus FC

Following the 1-1 draw between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Juventus FC in the UEFA Champions League, Rui Borges gave a press conference to review the game.

Analysis of the game
"I think in the first half we had ability, inspiration and quality in terms of positional play in attack. Defensively, we managed to neutralise Juventus -sometimes with greater difficulty, but we were playing against a great side. In the second half, we lacked a little more inspiration to better control the game when we had the ball, but we had commitment and a competitive attitude. The game was difficult, against a very high-quality opponent, at a difficult ground. It was a very competitive and intense game -a big UEFA Champions League match. It had a bit of everything. The team gave a great response and if we want to be among the best we have to have this ability, humility and courage, both with and without the ball."

Georgios Vagiannidis and Geovany Quenda’s substitutions
"In the first half they were having some difficulty. We were letting the opposition move and face our defensive line, which forced us to run much more. In the second half they improved a little, but they lacked some freshness. To be honest, I was tempted to make a change earlier because of the difficulty we were having in that area, which was actually Juventus FC's strongest point. We had some difficulty, but we were having a great game regardless."

João Simões
"He was a doubt until the start of the game. He had a small setback in training, but he felt very good today and had a great showing. When he came off, he was at the limit of his effort, and was removed due to fatigue."

Luis Suárez
"Him starting on the bench was a tactical choice. He also had a slight discomfort in his knee from the last game, but it wasn't an impediment."

The team’s performance
"We weren't playing against just any team. They're a great side, playing at their home ground, in front of their fans, at a place where no away side has won yet this season. We had a lot of quality in the first half. We made it 1-0, and Francisco Trincão hit the post later on. We didn't have as many shots as we usually do in our league, but the demands are much higher. They had two shots, both saved by Rui Silva, in the first half. In the second half, they had some superiority, and we had some possession, but little purpose. We lost some of our edge, and it was noticeable in our decision-making. We were on the counter-attack more often, and we didn't want to enter into that game. Juventus FC showed more freshness, but they only managed to create danger in the final minutes."

The team return from Turin with a point in the Champions League

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 1-1 away to Juventus FC on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League’s league phase, taking them to seven points in the European competition Maxi Araújo scored the goal for the team.

At a packed stadium in Turin that hosted a significant travelling support from Sporting CP fans, coach Rui Borges made three changes to the starting lineup from the previous game, with Iván Fresneda, Geny Catamo and Luis Suárez making way for Giorgos Vagiannidis, Geovany Quenda and Fotis Ioannidis.

The Portuguese champions started well. After an even first few minutes and a shot by Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović that was saved by Rui Silva, the scoring was opened in the 12th minute off a great team move. Francisco Trincão assisted for Maxi Araújo, who fired a powerful shot across goal, off the crossbar into the back of the net.

Sporting CP immediately went in search of a second goal. Two minutes later, Trincão hit the post, coming very close to doubling the lead and sending the Italian opposition into a panic.

Juventus reacted, and did so through Vlahović. The powerful centre forward began to engage in duels with Rui Silva, with the goalkeeper in great form. He made a fantastic save in the 17th minute, when he responded to a header from the Serbian.

Shortly after, another attempt by Vlahović -this time from outside the area- required another great intervention by Rui Silva. At the half-hour mark, it was Manuel Locatelli who tried his luck, but missed the target.

However, Vlahović got his goal on 34 minutes. He appeared in a dangerous position and took his chance to make it 1-1. Before halftime, Luciano Spalletti's team could have taken the lead through Francisco Conceição, but Gonçalo Inácio managed to deflect the ball out for a corner.

The pace of the match slowed down after the break. Vlahović and Khephren Thuram had attempts from long range in the opening minutes, but Rui Silva made saves that were relatively simple.

Sporting CP were struggling to get close to the opposition box, and their crosses were lacking in quality. On 56 and 59 minutes, respectively, Quenda and Trincão sent good balls into the area, forcing goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio to intervene.

Juventus FC weren't giving Rui Silva much trouble, and tried to attack from distance, including Khephren Thuram's two shots that ended up flying into the stands.

Just past the hour mark, Rui Borges made his first substitution, taking off Giorgos Vagiannidis and Quenda to bring on Eduardo Quaresma and Geny Catamo.

Gradually, the visitors gained a degree of control and began to move the ball around better in the attacking areas of the midfield, even though they still lacked effective decision-making in the final third. To address this, the centre forward position was switched up on 71 minutes: Fotis Ioannidis came off, and Luis Suárez came on.

Borges soon introduced Hidemasa Morita and Alisson Santos (replacing João Simões and Pedro Gonçalves) for the final ten minutes. In the 85th minute, Geny Catamo – expertly set up by Suárez – who shot just wide of the post. At the other end, Filip Kostić could only threaten with an effort that required another easy save for Rui Silva.

In the final moments, Juventus FC pressed and threatened more. The peak of this impetus came in the 92nd minute, when Jonathan David headed towards goal, forcing yet another great save from Rui Silva.

The 1-1 score remained unchanged, and the team returned to Portugal with a point.

Sporting CP will now travel to the Azores to face CD Santa Clara in Liga Portugal on Saturday.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GR], Giorgos Vagiannidis (Eduardo Quaresma, 66'), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 82'), Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 66'), Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 82') and Fotis Ioannidis (Luis Suárez, 71').