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."
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."
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.
Following the victory against FC Alverca, Rui Borges talked about both the positive result and the upcoming away game against Juventus.
Iván Fresneda's injury
"Iván suffered a sprain. We will see the severity of the injury in the coming days."
Analysis of the game
"We created scoring opportunities, but today we lacked some inspiration in our finishing. We had 26 or 27 shots throughout the game, which shows our ability to get into the final third, but Pedro Gonçalves was the player who was the most inspired and ended up making it 2-0 with a great shot. We were quite competent and managed to neutralise FC Alverca, who didn't cause us any problems. Ousmane Diomande and Gonçalo Inácio were very switched on, without any lapses in concentration.
In the second half we wanted to start well. We didn't score in the first ten minutes as we wanted, but with the substitutions we tried to put more men into the area, especially since FC Alverca defended with a line of five -sometimes six. The team didn't give up, we brought Pote back deeper, despite Simões' excellent work, and we were rewarded."
Pedro Gonçalves returning to his best
"A few days ago they were saying that Pote wasn't at his best. He has better stats in fewer games than last year. For me, he's in his best form, I already said that last week. Sometimes he misses a pass or whatever, but that's part of the game. I'd say the same about [Francisco] Trincão: I think he's in the best stage of his career. It doesn't surprise me. The biggest challenge for both of them – who have already won everything and have been here for many years – is not to fall into monotony or complacency, but neither of them settles for anything. They are players who always want themselves and the team to be at their best."
The absence of Ricardo Mangas
"[Ricardo] Mangas had a great game on Tuesday, but unfortunately I can only bring twenty players into the squad. It was a tactical decision."
The team's performance
"The changes were made to try and shake things up. Geny [Catamo] was having some difficulties in one-on-one situations, but he performed well in the first half. The idea was to bring on players with different characteristics. [Geovany] Quenda was able to give us more balls into the box. These are strategies we thought could work, and so we tried to change them. It was strategic, not due to a lack of performance.
Here and there we could have had more energy; we let the game settle into a tepid spell, but even so, we created chances and didn't let the opponents break through. Even for me, as a coach, it's difficult to face the same opponents three days after a first game against them. We tried our best to work on that aspect, because we knew that Alverca would want to leave a different impression this time. They were committed, and it was difficult. I'm happy as long as there is attitude, and the players had it. I am very confident after seeing the team's ability throughout the game and the very large offensive flow we created."
Finishing
"Over time, we've been trying to improve and enhance individual characteristics in the creative process, so as not to be predictable and to create difficulties for the opposition. If we finished every chance we created, we'd always win 8-0. It's a matter of moments: We might be more or less inspired and score more or fewer goals. In Tuesday's game, we finished better, but perhaps we had fewer opportunities. I would be worried if we weren't able to create chances, but we've been doing that in every game. We've been consistent, and that makes us happy.
Now we need to gain better defensive skills, and be more prepared to stop transitions. We've been improving in that respect too. We're working harder and harder to be more consistent."
Fotis Ioannidis and Luis Suárez
"I like them both. They are both in very good form. They always deliver, playing separately or together. We are much stronger in that sense and it's a big headache for me, I have no doubt about that. I'm happy because they are two very competitive players, who don't give an inch, and I'm happy to have both of them in my team. I want them to keep delivering and scoring goals, as that's what we and the fans expect.
Fotis gives us more attacking depth, Luis provides support and aggression. They are two great strikers that we have, who will make their mark at Sporting CP."
Effort Management
"Honestly, this is the part that worries me the least. Regardless of what we are capable of doing in Turin, these are games where the players will be highly motivated and engaged. It's about recovering well and then, within the context of the game, making the best decisions for the starting eleven and during the match.
What makes it most difficult for us is the Juventus FC game; a new coach has arrived for them, with different ideas, and we will only have one match to analyse Luciano Spaletti's style. This makes things very difficult for us strategically. When there's a change of coach, there's also a change in mindset. They're playing at home, they're a great team, but my players will all be fine, I'm sure."
The team win 2-0 in a dominant display against FC Alverca
Facing FC Alverca for the second time in a week, Sporting Clube de Portugal won 2-0 at home on Matchday 10 of the Liga Portugal season. Second half goals from Fotis Ioannidis and Pedro Gonçalves earned the victory at the Estádio José Alvalade on a rainy night.
Before kickoff Geny Catamo was honoured for reaching 100 games for Sporting CP, with club president Frederico Varandas presenting the Mozambican with a commemorative shirt and trophy.
Sporting CP had won 5-1 against the visitors in the Taça da Liga just three days prior, but it was the opponents who provided an early chance in this league encounter. Rui Silva caught Nabil Touaizi's cross-shot, in what was the only opportunity for FC Alverca in the first half.
At the other end, Luis Suárez also came close to scoring, finding himself free in the area after two minutes following an excellent run by Gonçalves, André Gomes, but didn't connect well with the ball. Five minutes later, Francisco Trincão attempted an acrobatic shot from João Simões’ sprint down the left, but saw his shot deflected by a defender.
After fifteen minutes, an injury to Iván Fresneda meant he would be replaced by Georgios Vagiannidis.
A minute later, Simões appeared in the middle of the area to head the ball from Geny Catamo's cross, albeit unable to keep his effort on target. In the next move, it was the number 10 himself who tried for a goal; the winger's shot from the right side of the area hit the post with a resounding thud and went out of play.
Sporting CP were completely dominating possession and creating good opportunities to score. On 25 minutes, the FC Alverca goalkeeper parried a shot from Suárez out for a corner, as the onslaught continued.
Almost half an hour into the game, Suárez had the best chance of the entire first half. The Colombian was quick to recover a loose ball in the area and shot towards goal, but defender Bastien Meupiyou managed to block the ball twice on the goalline with his head.
Gonçalves, Ousmane Diomande and Simões also had good chances to break the deadlock, but none of the three managed to capitalise on the consecutive moves created by Sporting CP.
During the break, an intense downpour at the Estádio José Alvalade made it a wet second half. But the rain didn't dampen Sporting CP's momentum, and they won a corner after just twenty seconds.
Accumulating a series of such set pieces at the start of the second half, they finally put the ball into the net in the 49th minute, but Suárez's goal was disallowed for offside.
Just before the hour, Rui Borges brought on Fotis Ioannidis and Geovany Quenda to switch things up for his side. It proved to be a wise choice, as the former would take only eight minutes to score: Following another corner, the striker jumped above the defence to open the scoring. It was the Greek's second goal against FC Alverca in three days.
The second goal for Sporting CP was not long in coming. In the 74th minute, Gonçalves received a precise pass from Morten Hjulmand and, from distance, unleashed a powerful shot to score a fantastic goal.
Alisson Santos was brought on for Sporting CP, and just before the final whistle it was his turn to try his luck on two occasions: the Brazilian's shot, from a cut inside, grazed André Gomes' post. Then the virtuoso again aimed for goal, this time after a run down the left from midfield, but missed by centimetres.
A 2-0 scoreline was enough to earn all three points, and now the team switch focus to their next fixture. On Tuesday night they travel to Turin, where they face Juventus FC in the Champions League.
Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Pedro Gonçalves (Hidemasa Morita, 78’), Geny Catamo (Geovany Quenda, 59’), Francisco Trincão, Maxi Araújo, Iván Fresneda (Georgios Vagiannidis, 15’), Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Fotis Ioannidis, 59’) and Luis Suárez (Alisson Santos, 78’).
The coach expects a new challenge when Sporting CP play FC Alverca for the second time in a week
Sporting Clube de Portugal will host FC Alverca on Friday in Liga Portugal, and Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.
The match
"It will be a different game from Tuesday's, when we met them in the Taça da Liga. There will be changes for both sides, with different players and characteristics, and different dynamics. The motivation and focus will be different. I believe it will be a more difficult game - I have no doubt about that - but the team that I field tomorrow will have the same energy as that which played on Tuesday. I am very confident about the response the team will give."
His starting lineup
"Everyone has been a starter at some point, so I don't know what the starting lineup is. We had to manage the Taça da Liga game differently, but for tomorrow we'll field whoever is best prepared to start. Those who have come on during the games have given a fantastic response. Regarding the choices for the XI, I'm comfortable with whoever plays. Of course, there will be changes. I have confidence in any player who comes in tomorrow."
Forwards
"Fotis [Ioannidis] arrived at the club late on and joined at a time when we were already at the beginning of the competitions. He has adapted to the team and his teammates, he has grown a lot and the group recognises his quality, as well as that of Luis Suárez. Luis has been responding well, as has Fotis, who is very focused. He is happy, he knows he is growing and that he will have his opportunities. Luis knows that there is someone there who can also play. They have both been responding well. They are different in one or two aspects. Fotis gives us more depth, Luis gives us more build-up play.”
Salvador Blopa
"Today he trained with the B team. He is a player with enormous potential and who will have a bright future. He is growing, he has managed to evolve with the B team. Maybe I didn't expect it, but suddenly he's become a starter for the B team and played for the first team. Everything has happened very quickly. I look at him and he seems very balanced and very focused. He has to continue responding at his level to have more opportunities with the first team. He seized this last opportunity and responded when he didn't even think he was going to play and only dreamed of coming into the team."
The January transfer window
"It isn’t even crossing my mind. The best response was Tuesday's game. The youngsters are there to help and respond. It's no coincidence that Sporting CP are one of the best clubs in the world for youth development."
Integration of young players into the first team
"The context on Tuesday] was favourable. It's important that the youngsters are supported by mature players who have been here for some time. Despite everything, we had a team with international players in it. Even Geovany Quenda, who is a youngster, is mature and has enjoyed many games with the first team. The youngsters were surrounded by maturity and status at national and international level, which was important. Youth development has been going on for a long time, not just with me, and it has borne fruit. It doesn't mean that ten Cristiano Ronaldos will come out of here, but we will identify the players with the greatest potential, to develop them and prepare them for the demands of the first team. We have to have the courage to give opportunities. In this case, they responded and we have to continue like this.”
Squad management
"There will always be unhappiness from those who don't play, and it's part of the game. It's normal, but they have to channel it so that when they play, they leave the coach thinking about different things that he can do. I'm lucky to have a group that recognises a lot of quality in others. There isn't the ego that exists at many clubs, which makes the coaches' job difficult. At Sporting CP, everyone respects each other. It helps me a lot to control resentment. They understand that it's important to give a response and I also have to understand how to best rotate players. Nobody expects to be a guaranteed starter. I believe that tomorrow's team will be focused, because those who played on Tuesday gave a great response and they don't want to fall short of that."
Rayan Lucas
"He's been fantastic. He's a player from the B team, but he trains with us every day. He's a Brazilian Under-20 international, which says a lot about his quality. He has very good potential to be a great player. He's still adapting and has some bad habits from Brazilian youth football, but he's improving little by little. When he manages to fully adapt to the demands and the way of playing in Europe and Portugal, he has technical, physical, and athletic ability. He can have a very bright future, which could come at Sporting CP. He's a good kid, very humble, calm, and likes to listen, accepts things, and greatly respects his teammates. He understands that he will improve little by little."
The coach reflects on a 5-1 win for a much-changed side
After his side secured their place in the Taça da Liga Final Four with a 5-1 win over FC Alverca, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges spoke at a press conference to review the game.
The response from a reshuffled side
“These are youngsters who have been developing in the B team, and I want to emphasise the excellent work done by their coach João Gião. Their position in Liga 2 is illustrative of their ability. These are youngsters who have followed the path set out for them, have worked with humility, and have received opportunities because they deserved them. Now they have to come back down to earth. They responded very well to the opportunity, but tomorrow they have to work the same way with the B team. I’m happy to give them opportunities and very happy that [Salvador] Blopa repaid the decision to put him in the starting XI.”
The performance
“I’m very happy with everyone’s response, not just the result. The team kept ‘switched on’, competitive and focused on the task. The collective functioned very well and showed good energy, which made me very happy. I was calm and confident in this sense, because I work with them daily. The day-to-day work at the Academy is excellent and I knew they would respond. I’m happy for the players who needed minutes and that gained this energy to respond in the games to come.”
Keeping cautious for the ‘rematch’ on Friday
“These are two totally different games, because FC Alverca also made some changes for this one. Today’s result was achieved because we were ‘switched on’ from beginning to end and didn’t lose our balance. The two games will be different stories. This was just one victory and Friday is a different story. We have to return with the same energy and rigour to defeat FC Alverca.”
Using Quenda in the position that has been Trincão's this season
“He has those characteristics required: A good left foot, good decision-making, acceleration, and he can hold onto the ball. He's a kid who will occupy this position very well, and it was something I had already been thinking about. He has to be able to bring out different things; it's part of his growth. Honestly, I think in the future he will be more of an inside player than a wide player. He has enormous quality and humility. He will be very successful if he stays true to himself.”
The packed calendar due to the Taça da Liga
“We have to pay attention to this. We have to protect and value our football. I understand the importance of the Taça da Liga, but we have to think better about how to improve, above all, the issue of the fixture list. I am in favour of this trophy existing and giving access to a European spot, otherwise it is devalued. It's up to those in charge, so I won't go into too much detail about it.”
Ambition in the competition
“Sporting CP will always fight for trophies. Because of our quality and history, we are always contenders.”
Flávio Gonçalves
“He’s a young player, just like Blopa. He’s had very good growth in the B team and is improving in terms of his maturity. You could say he’s ‘cheeky’ with the ball, that he likes to have it and doesn’t shy away from the game. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
The impact of Fotis Ioannidis and his competition with Luis Suárez for a starting position
“It’s a big ‘headache’ because they are two great strikers. I’m very happy to be able to use both of them and I know that when one is missing, the other will respond. He gave a fantastic response, he’s happy at Sporting CP and it shows every day. I’m also happy that he scored a goal, because he worked hard and deserved it.”
The various debuts
“Salvador Blopa understood the tasks, the team dynamics, and his relationship with the other players. He gave a great response. He has his own characteristics and will still grow a lot physically. He has to continue with his work. In tactical terms, today he fulfilled his role, but now he will have to continue in the B team to wait for more opportunities here. All the debutants came in and did very well. Rayan trains daily with us, has personality with the ball, and still has to improve in other aspects. Chris [Grombahi] is 17 years old, I've been following him and I liked him; he's very similar to Quenda. He has to realise that he still has a lot of work to do to be a player for the first team, but he had an opportunity. Muniz even contained the FC Alverca striker very well, but credit to the opponents: They scored a great goal. I'm happy with the response these players have shown in the B team, to have given them these opportunities and, even more so, for them living up to expectations."
The team best FC Alverca 5-1 to advance in the competition
Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Alverca 5-1 in the quarter final of the Taça da Liga, securing their place in the Final Four in January.
The team took to the field just 48 hours after their 0-3 away win against CD Tondela, leading to Rui Borges fielding a completely revamped team that included five debutants. Geovany Quenda and newcomer Salvador Blopa scored twice each, and Fotis Ioannidis added the fifth with a beautiful long range shot.
João Virgínia, Georgios Vagiannidis, Eduardo Quaresma, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Mangas, Hidemasa Morita, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Blopa, Alisson Santos, Quenda and Ioannidis made up the starting XI.
Sporting CP started out dominating possession, although they were patient in circulating the ball and initially lacked a little attacking flair, only attempting to create chances from runs down the wings. However, they needed only one opportunity, in the 21st minute, to score and change the game. A long pass from Matheus Reis found Vagiannidis, and the Greek fullback headed the ball on for Quenda. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he kept his cool and made it 1-0.
A 2-0 lead was quickly established by Blopa, as the 18-year-old was fed through by Ioannidis, then took a defender out of the equation and finished off.
Ricardo Mangas was denied by goalkeeper Matheus Mendes towards the end of the first half, which concluded with a healthy lead for Sporting CP.
In the second half, the approach by both teams remained the same, with Sporting CP taking the initiative. They were 3-0 up before the hour, as a well-executed quick attack ended at Quenda's feet, and the No. 7 cut inside and hit a shot low into the back of the net.
Borges brought on another debutant, the creative Flávio Gonçalves, who has been shining in the B team and the UEFA Youth League this term.
Even playing at a slower pace, the chances arrived steadily. A header from Ioannidis saved by Matheus Mendes, then the goal to make it 4-0 came: Off a pass from Flávio Gonçalves, Blopa found space to unleash a shot inside the back post and score his second goal of the night.
Rodrigo Ribeiro, Rayan Lucas and Chris Grombahi came on -the latter two making their official debuts – and the scoring was subsequently rounded off: From outside the area, Ioannidis didn't hesitate to take a shot with his left foot. His arcing strike flew in to increase the scoreline to 5-0.
Before the final whistle, defender João Muniz also came on to make his first appearance.
FC Alverca scored a consolation goal off a quick counterattack by Sandro Lima, but the game ended with a comprehensive win for Sporting CP. A game played in December between FC Porto and Vitória SC will decide their opponents in January’s Final Four.
Sporting CP's next game is another meeting with FC Alverca at home, this time in Liga Portugal. It takes place on Friday night at 8:15pm.
