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."

​Strikes in the closing moments give Sporting CP a 2-2 draw with FC Porto

Two late goals from Viktor Gyökeres earned Sporting Clube de Portugal a 2-2 draw against FC Porto on Liga Portugal Matchday 31, in a game held away from home at the Estádio do Dragão. The stalemate extends the team's unbeaten run in the league to 18 games, although their lead over SL Benfica in the table is now reduced to 5 points with three matches remaining.

The gap between Sporting CP and FC Porto at the start of play was 18 points, with the team from Oporto unable to finish higher than third this season. The home side were on a run of two consecutive victories, although they had not won at home for two fixtures.

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim made two changes too the lineup fielded in the 3-0 win over Vitória SC: Defender Ousmane Diomande at centre back and striker Paulinho were included, at the expense of Nuno Santos and Gyökeres (it was in doubt). Antonio Adán and Matheus Reis remained out of action due to injury.

The start was a tough one for Sporting CP, who conceded for the first time in three games at an early stage in the contest. After just eight minutes, a mistake in the buildup left the ball on the edge of the area, and a pass from Pepê put Evanilson through on Franco Israel to open the scoring.

Despite this, an immediate shot by Pedro Gonçalves that went slightly wide started the reaction. After a quarter of an hour of play, a header from Paulinho went just over the crossbar.

From the outset, it became evident that Sporting CP would look to take the initiative with the ball, but they experienced several difficulties dealing with FC Porto's more direct strategy.

A Francisco Trincão effort ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Diogo Costa, whilst at the other end Evanilson shot into the side netting.

In the 40th minute, the home team increased the scoreline to 2-0, as Martim Fernandes sprinted off following a throw-in and, benefiting from a slip by Morten Hjulmand, found Pepê in the area to finish off.

Shortly afterwards, another Sporting CP player slipped in the vicinity of the area and only Franco Israel prevented Francisco Conceição from making it 3-0.

For the second half, Amorim took a risk with the introduction of Viktor Gyökeres -still not fully fit after an injury- for the final 45 minutes at the Estádio do Dragão. He came on for Daniel Bragança, whilst five minutes later, Jeremiah St. Juste made way for Eduardo Quaresma.

It would be FC Porto who provided the first threat, from the feet of Francisco Conceição. In contrast, Sporting CP were looking for their fresh striker, but without success.

Amorim made another change and Hidemasa Morita and Nuno Santos came on at the hour mark, meaning Pedro Gonçalves returned to the frontline and Inácio moved into the midfield trio.

Off a sequence of Sporting CP set pieces, Morita had his header blocked by an opposition player. Then, Gonçalves had a look from distance that Diogo Costa saved.

With the clock ticking down, FC Porto began to defend deeper. That, combined with Sporting CP's pressure and relentless attacking, would provide the opening for a way back into the game.

In the 87th minute, a beautiful cross from Nuno Santos found Gyökeres for a precision header, taking the score to 2-1.

Neither Sporting CP nor Gyökeres stopped there. Galvanised, they attacked again and in less than a minute they pulled level. Geny Catamo recovered the ball in the opposition midfield, the team streamed forward towards Diogo Costa's goal and, inside the area, second half substitute Marcus Edwards provided a gorgeous assist for Gyökeres, who only had to tap the ball into the net. His 26th goal in the league brought Sporting CP level, 2-2.

Before the end, Edwards was shown a straight red card, but FC Porto were unable to capitalise and O Clássico ended in a 2-2 draw.

The two teams will face each other again this season, in the Taça de Portugal final at Jamor. Before that, the final stretch of the league season continues next Saturday at home to Portimonense SC.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Jeremiah St. Juste (Eduardo Quaresma, 50’), Ousmane Diomande (Nuno Santos, 60’), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo, Morten Hjulmand, Daniel Bragança (Viktor Gyökeres, 46’), Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Marcus Edwards, 86’), Paulinho (Hidemasa Morita, 60’).

​The Sporting CP coach looks at the game against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Estádio do Dragão this Sunday, for an 8:30pm local time 'Clássico' against FC Porto.

Ahead of the game, which could see Sporting CP clinch the title if SL Benfica lose on Saturday against SC Braga, coach Rúben Amorim stressed that he is not expecting an easy game.

“Regardless of the league table, a game between Sporting CP and FC Porto always has great meaning. I think it will be the most difficult game of the season, due to all the conditions surrounding it. We know the club we are going to face, their coach and the pride they have. They are not in the fight for the title and we are, and we want to win, but we still have to take at least six points to become champions. It’s about getting them quickly, and that’s the focus," he began by telling journalists at the press conference.

Amorim also reflected on the differences between this game and the first of the season, which his side won 2-0.

“FC Porto have been playing 4-3-3, but they could change their characteristics because perhaps Pepê will have to return to right-back. Taremi could come in and play alongside Evanilson, or Baró could come in. Zaidu is completely different to Wendell, who has a different way of finishing in the final third, plays more inside and isn't as fast. Francisco Conceição has improved the team a lot, made them more dangerous, more aggressive and very strong in one-on-ones. It's a different FC Porto, but they are still strong. In the first game we had the same points coming into it, but now it’s different.”

The coach also considered that the 18-point gap in the standings does not reflect the difference between the two teams.

“We experienced this last year. We played better than in our first season when we won the title, but as time went by we started to create a gap and, for teams that are used to winning, it is much more difficult to turn things around. The table does not reflect the quality of the teams, neither how close nor far away they are. FC Porto will be very strong and aggressive, there should be a full house and the fans will support their club. Sérgio Conceição is very proud, so I know it will be a very difficult game."

In terms of his squad, Amorim revealed that "Matheus Reis is not fit, Antonio [Adán] is not fit and Viktor [Gyökeres] will be called up to the squad but it is still a doubt, because he has a small problem."

Amidst interest in his trip to England earlier in the week, the coach wished to clarify that "Sporting CP were aware of this, which is important and changes the context, but obviously it was a mistake and the timing was completely wrong. It didn't seem like it to me at the time. It was inappropriate, even more so when I am so demanding with my players and always the first to say that each person's problems cannot come ahead of the team. I have withdrawn players from the squad for much less. It was my mistake, and I have to accept it and live with it. It didn’t seem that serious to me at the time, but thinking more coldly, of course it was,” he said, before continuing.

“I gave explanations to the players and staff, but now it’s time to move on. I want to apologise to Sportinguistas, the staff and, above all, the players for the mistake I made. I also want to talk about the part where I broke my word that there would be no meeting. Things are not always black and white. In the same way that I broke my promise at home, because I said I would coach for another year and then stop to spend time with them, I will always disappoint someone. It happened, but now we have to focus on the game”, he reinforced.

​With Gil Vicente FC between coaches, Sporting CP are up against an unknown quantity this Friday

"We have one player who is a doubt. There was a player who felt some pain during training. I'm not going to say which one it is, and we're still going to evaluate him. Otherwise, everything is fine. Antonio Adán is already back training on the pitch, and he is much better than he was last week, but we still don't have a firm date for his return."

The coach looks forward to the Friday fixture against CF Estrela da Amadora

After the international break, Sporting Clube de Portugal are back in action on Friday, to face Estrela da Amadora on Liga Portugal Matchday 27.

Coach Rúben Amorim held a press conference on Thursday and assured journalists that the break “enabled us to recover some players, to rest up, whilst others went away with their national teams.”

“[Gonçalo] Inácio played 90 minutes in the last game and, due to the recovery period and the injury to his hamstring he had recently, we may have to take precautions there. The rest of the squad are ready for the game. We had a mishap with Sebastián Coates, but he has recovered, Marcus Edwards has already done more or less two days of training, and at the last minute we have Francisco Trincão back from injury. At this moment we have to take everyone, because we know it will be a difficult game."

He also confirmed that Pedro Gonçalves will miss out due to injury, saying that "We are going to do our best so that he can be with us next week."

Regarding coach Sérgio Vieira's CF Estrela da Amadora, currently 13th in the table with 26 points, Amorim highlighted that they are a team with “very fast players up front” and recalled the “problems” experienced in the first meeting this season, in Alvalade.

“I think we will improve. We have to be cautious and as strong as we were, for example, against Moreirense FC with stopping the transitions. We need to be very focused. On set pieces there is a specific player from CF Estrela da Amadora who, when he is playing, makes this aspect even more important."

“We have to get back to the mentality of knowing that we can't drop points, we have to win, we know that the season is coming to an end. We are ready for the game," he stressed.

With a game in hand, Sporting CP are the outright leaders with 65 points, one ahead of SL Benfica. They play their local rivals in consecutive derbies, beginning in the Taca de Portugal semifinals on Tuesday.

Before next weekend's league derby, the squad have a total of six players one yellow card away from serving a suspension: Morten Hjulmand, Ousmane Diomande, Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards, Luís Neto and Ricardo Esgaio. Despite this, Amorim highlighted that the “only squad management that will be done is tactical and physical, as always."

“It's not because there are two derbies coming up, but because there are many players who could be left out of the next game and we don't know which will be the most important game of the season. We have to play every game at 100%," he highlighted, before reinforcing that transfer rumours are not affecting his players.

“Right now, everything is focused on the league. We really want to win trophies and we know the importance of these upcoming games. Anything can happen until the end of the season. We experienced this with our last title, and when we least expected it we dropped six points in four games. I think this game with CF Estrela da Amadora is even more important. It’s about preparing for a different kind of game."

“It was harder to get the message across last year when we were in fourth place. In those stages of the season it is more difficult to make the players believe in the idea and the project, and they always have done. That's not the case this time. We are nine games away from being champions at a club that doesn't win that many titles in a row, so the message is always there."

The comprehensive result keeps the team top

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Boavista FC 6-1 in a Sunday night home fixture on Liga Portugal Matchday 26, thanks to a hat trick from Viktor Gyökeres, a brace from Paulinho and a goal from Nuno Santos. The win maintains the team's perfect home record in the league after 13 games at the Estádio José Alvalade.

To face Boavista FC, who started the game in tenth place (28 points), coach Rúben Amorim made five changes to the starting eleven from the match against Atalanta BC. The injured Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards were out, with Sebastián Coates and Hidemasa Morita returning directly to the starting lineup and Nuno Santos, Geny Catamo and Paulinho also selected.

Although the away team had gone two games without losing (1-1 with FC Famalicão and 1-0 against Moreirense FC), as visitors they were on a run of four games without a victory (2D 2L).

Before the action got underway, Matheus Reis was honoured for reaching the milestone of 150 games for Sporting CP.

The game had a difficult start, as after the third minute, at the edge of the area, Gaius Makouta took advantage of a ball cleared by Franco Israel to make it 0-1 to Boavista FC.

A few moments later, Sporting CP had a goal flagged offside to deny Francisco Trincão. Soon after, Paulinho and Matheus Reis both called goalkeeper João Gonçalves into action with crosses that swerved towards goal, and Viktor Gyökeres struck an effort over the crossbar.

Little by little, Sporting CP pushed Boavista FC back and began to impose their game. In the best opportunity of this spell, Ousmane Diomande and Paulinho combined and Gyökeres' shot failed to find the target.

In turn, the visitors from the city of Porto started to waste time, and also did not shy away from accumulating fouls and breaking, whenever possible, the rhythm of the match.

After half an hour, referee António Nobre decided to show a yellow card to each side – for Salvador Agra and Morten Hjulmand – which provoked strong protests from the hosts.

After much insistence, Sporting CP equalised just before halftime. After Paulinho narrowly missed a cross from Gyökeres and Trincão shot from distance to produces a good save from João Gonçalves, the deserved goal to make it 1-1 finally came.

The roles were reversed and this time it was Paulinho, on the left, setting up his Swedish teammate, who sent the ball into the net.

Amorim immediately brought on midfielder Daniel Bragança in the second half in place of Hjulmand, and Sporting CP went out in search of completing the turnaround, maintaining the total dominance with which they ended the first half. In the 49th minute a double opportunity came their way, but Coates' header was saved and on the rebound Diomande hit the ball badly and missed the target.

The goal to take the score to 2-1 didn't take much longer in coming, and in the 54th minute, Geny Catamo sent a perfect, arcing cross into the area and found Paulinho for the finish.

Gonçalo Inácio replaced Matheus Reis after the goal, as the home side pushed for more.

In the area, Gyökeres pulled inside and shot low into the back of the net in the 68th minute and, around ten minutes later, sealed his hat trick by converting a penalty for his 22nd league goal.

Between Gyökeres' two goals, Paulinho had also had an attempt with a header, but was denied by João Gonçalves.

With Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Esgaio and Koba Koindredi on the pitch, the action continued with further goals.

It was Nuno Santos' opportunism inside the area, pushing a ball across the line, which made it 5-1, then Paulinho rounded off the night with the final strike.

With the final score at 6-1, league leaders Sporting CP reinforced their status as the most successful attack in the league, with 75 goals scored.

After the international break, they travel to take on CF Estrela da Amadora.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Geny Catamo, Ousmane Diomande (Eduardo Quaresma, 72’), Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis (Gonçalo Inácio, 55’), Morten Hjulmand (Daniel Bragança, 46’), Hidemasa Morita (Koba Koindredi, 84’), Francisco Trincão (Ricardo Esgaio, 84’), Paulinho e Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach laments the elimination from the Europa League

After a 2-1 defeat for Sporting Clube de Portugal to Atalanta BC, which led to their elimination from the UEFA Europa League, coach Rúben Amorim held a press conference and began by explaining what motivated the substitution of Pedro Gonçalves shortly after scoring in the first half.

“Pedro felt some pain in his leg. He is in pain now, even when he is walking, it is likely a muscle injury. We will evaluate him and see how long he will be out. He knows that we are nine games away from the end of the season and one away from reaching the final of the Taça de Portugal. But given the form he is in, he knew he could be called up for the national team as well”, he told journalists in Bergamo, before analysing the loss.

“It's a night that didn’t go well for us. We had chances to score and we matched Atalanta's physicality. There was a lack of precision to reach the last third in the first half, but not in the second. We pushed up on the opponents. The moments in which the goals were scored made the difference. We conceded the second in our best phase of the game. We will be strong in the next match”, he promised.

Asked if anxiety had been the biggest reason for not taking advantage of their opportunities, the coach rejected the idea.

 “It can't be anxiety. Marcus [Edwards] perhaps even thought too much. Paulinho wanted to chip the ball, then Marcus struck it badly. We couldn't score and that's one of the big reasons why we were eliminated, as well as the timing of the goals. We can't concede the goal to make it 1-1 like that. The game would be totally different if they were at a disadvantage. We paid dearly for it. It wasn’t pressure, because we deal with that every day”.

Finally, the coach assured that “there is always something to take away from every game”.

“We have to grow in key moments of games. We are growing, but in a tie where we were ahead and comfortable, we cannot concede goals at the beginning of the second half. (…) We had the ability to progress and we couldn’t”.

A 2-1 loss in Italy ends the Europa League hopes

Sporting Clube de Portugal were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League after losing 2-1 away to Atalanta BC in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie. The aggregate score ended up 3-2 to the Italian side.

On a slightly cold night in northern Italy, with the Stadio di Bergamo under renovation but practically full, hundreds of Sportinguistas could be heard offering their support.

Rubén Amorim made four changes to the starters, bringing in Jeremiah St. Juste, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio and Marcus Edwards in place of Eduardo Quaresma, Sebastián Coates, Geny Catamo and Hidemasa Morita.

After three minutes, Atalanta BC could have scored when Gianluca Scamacca went through on Franco Israel, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Despite that scare, Sporting CP performed well in several aspects and managed to move the ball around with great quality in the midfield, making life difficult for their opponents.

Nevertheless, Atalanta BC continued to create more danger, including headers from Berat Djimsiti -which hit the post- and from Sead Kolašinac, who was centimetres away off a cross from Emil Holm.

At the other end, Francisco Trincão could have had an attempt in the 23rd minute, when he recovered the ball in a dangerous area and was in a good position to shoot, but the defence ended up clearing the ball away. Viktor Gyökeres had a somewhat different task than usual, trying to help the team break through the strong press of Isak Hien, his compatriot. In the 32nd minute, Atalanta BC approached goal again with a well-taken cross from Ademola Lookman, but Scamacca was unable to reach it to get a shot off.

Sporting CP got the opening goal in the 33rd minute with a move through the middle. Pedro Gonçalves combined very well with Viktor Gyökeres, who returned the ball to the Portuguese. The finish past goalkeeper Juan Musso was perfectly placed to make it 0-1 on the night.

A negative followed, however, as Gonçalves was injured shortly after and ended up going off in tears, replaced by Daniel Bragança.

Before half-time, the highlight was Atalanta BC's chance for Holm, shooting straight at Franco Israel. The Uruguayan was called upon again in the 45th minute, spectacularly saving  Scamacca's shot.

The second half began with an equaliser for the Italians, when Éderson crossed from the right and the ball went through the crowd, before Ademola Lookman turned it in at the far post.

Marcus Edwards tried a similar move in the 54th minute, sending a cross into the Atalanta BC area, but no one managed the vital deflection. Shortly afterwards, Gyökeres looked for the Englishman with a backheeled pass, but Juan Musso was quick to smother it.

Atalanta BC managed to turn the scoreline around in the 59th minute, when Aleksei Miranchuk set up Scamacca to make it 2-1.

Amorim brought on Geny Catamo and Nuno Santos shortly after the goal, in place of Ricardo Esgaio and Matheus Reis, respectively.

Sporting CP tried to react and Bragança, with a strong shot from distance, forced Juan Musso to make a spectacular save.

St. Juste and Trincão made way for Eduardo Quaresma and Paulinho for the final quarter hour. Catamo tried his luck with a shot over the top and then provided a setup for Edwards, who suffered an inopportune slip.

Bragança put Paulinho through with a great long pass, but the striker's attempted chip over the goalkeeper was unsuccessful.  tried to hit the opposing goalkeeper without success.

Edwards crossed perfectly for Paulinho, who headed wide, then the Englishman also ha a shot go over off the rebound after an attack by Nuno Santos.

The score remained 2-1 and Sporting CP's European journey for 2023/24 ended in Bergamo. The team will play again on Sunday, hosting Boavista FC in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Jeremiah St. Juste (Eduardo Quaresma, 74’), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Ricardo Esgaio (Geny Catamo, 61’), Morten Hjulmand, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 36’), Matheus Reis (Nuno Santos, 61’), Marcus Edwards, Francisco Trincão (Paulinho, 74’) e Viktor Gyökeres.

​The Dutchman previews the meeting with Atalanta BC