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 squad stay sharp against Clube Oriental de Lisboa

Sporting Clube de Portugal played a friendly match during the international break this past Saturday, defeating Clube Oriental de Lisboa 5-1.

The match, held at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, went into halftime with a 2-0 lead. The Sporting CP goals were scored by Hidemasa Morita (x2), Alisson Santos and Samuel Justo, in addition to an own goal.

Rui Borges selected João Virgínia, Matheus Reis, Hidemasa Morita, Maxi Araújo, Ousmane Diomande, Alisson Santos, Rayan Lucas, Eduardo Quaresma, Rafael Nel, Ricardo Mangas, and Samuel Justo for his starting XI, with several youngsters from the academy also being used.

The squad will return to training on Wednesday morning.

The Sporting CP player expresses his pride with the extension

Sporting Clube de Portugal and Pedro Gonçalves have agreed a contract renewal which will keep the player at the club until 2030, maintaining his €80 million buyout clause.

The Portuguese international arrived in Lisbon in 2020 from FC Famalicão, and is now in his sixth season at Sporting CP. He has made 209 appearances, scored 87 goals, won three Liga Portugal titles, one Taça de Portugal, one Supertaça, and two Taça da Liga honours, having played a key role in these achievements.

In his first words after signing the new contract, alongside Frederico Varandas, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gonçalves expressed his delight with the renewal.

"It's always a proud moment to renew my contract with a club that has a place in my heart, and continue playing for Sporting CP," he began by saying.

"I’ve felt that the club, the president, and everyone involved are happy for me to be part of this story. I'm very proud; it's a club I love," he added.

For ‘Pote,’ his success has been "a dream come true.”

"I didn't even expect to get to play for a club as big as Sporting CP. I'm happy to make my own history and follow my own path. The most important thing is to bring trophies to the club and, one day, go to the Sporting Museum and see my name there."

"Since I arrived in 2020, I’ve changed a lot mentally, but I remain the same fun guy who gives his all for the club. Especially because I have a lot of gratitude. Sporting CP have given me everything. I try to repay that as much as possible."

"We feel that it's a stable club now. There have been changes at the Estádio José Alvalade and renovations at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo. A lot has changed, I'm seeing the club grow, and that's the most important thing, especially because Sporting CP have to be one of the best clubs in Portugal and Europe," he stated.

On the current season and the title chase, he commented that "We'll give it our all. (...) Individually, it's been a good season so far, and one of my best starts. I'll do my best to keep it up. The team go into every game to win, and we'll continue like this until the end of the season.”

Finally, he sent a message for Sporting CP fans.

"Please continue supporting us as you have done until now. Believe in the team, because your help will be very important throughout the season. We need everyone with us. The fans are the club's strongest asset."

The coach rues imperfections against SC Braga

Following the 1-1 draw with SC Braga, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges analysed the match in his press conference.

Analysis
"It was a competitive game. We struggled to open up the play in our favour and we misplaced some passes. We gradually lost composure and individual confidence as a result. In the second half, we tried to improve how we went at SC Braga's points of reference, not let them think too much and gain confidence -something we lacked at the end of the first half. We were better in this regard, but we lacked clarity, energy, and proactivity to anticipate attacking behaviours. We were losing a lot of balls, and this creates a lack of individual confidence, which causes the team to lose some energy as well. At the end of the game, we were punished."

The result
"It ended up being fair. SC Braga had some chances, and so did we. Alisson [Santos] gave us what we wanted: more aggression in our search to reach the second third, and we created some chances. But we lacked the ability to finish off the various chances we had, even after the equaliser. Before that, we had three or four chances we could have finished off better.

In the second half, SC Braga only had one chance, in which Rui [Silva] made a good save, and also [Rodrigo] Zalazar's shot, but considering everything the opposition contributed to the game, it ended up being a fair result."

The battle for the top spot
"I’m only concerned about Sporting CP. I'm looking at what I have to do to improve my team, because in the last two league games, we fell a little short of what we wanted."

The team’s attitude
"It wasn't just today; it happened at Estoril as well, although not in the past few games. Our team have their own characteristics, and at times, it seems we're a little out of sync. We had some difficulty combating SC Braga's man-to-man marking, which made us a little cautious.

Francisco Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves struggled to find spaces. They are players who make a difference, and when they're not at full strength, we lose some aggression in the final third. That's why I moved Alisson [Santos] to the wing, because he gives us acceleration and aggression."

A lack of energy
"To be competitive, we need to have the right energy. It's that simple. I made the substitutions when I thought it best. It was my decision, that's all."

Using multiple players
"João Simões was left out for tactical reasons. Ousmane Diomande is coming off a long-term injury, he's trying to get on the pace, and it wouldn't make sense to use him only as a last resort. We'll try to use some time for him to catch up during this break."

Difficulty beating more competitive opponents
"I look at the game and at who the opponents are, not whether they're considered stronger or weaker. All games are difficult, and this is becoming increasingly evident. Whether we're strong or weak is subjective. The games we’ve lost this season were all competitive, and today we drew, punished by a very specific move. Therefore, in my attempt to improve, I only look at each game and see what I can improve to try to win it."

The team’s lowest possession of the season
"SC Braga dropped many players back in the first stage of the build-up, leaving our midfielders with some doubts. The three attackers also came up against the three defenders, and we were a bit lost trying to figure out the timing to shut that down.

More than that, it was important to understand the distance we were leaving to the reference players, and this led to us losing more passes and not keeping the ball as long as we desired. We had a lot of difficulty getting through their man-to-man marking. We weren't very proactive, we let the defenders anticipate play, and we lost a lot of balls. The team were losing confidence, and it's a snowball effect."

Absences for internationals
"The national team managers are the ones who make decisions, and we have to deal with that. I'd rather not have just five or six players, but we have to adapt. I'll meet the players a day or two before the Taça de Portugal match, but I have to find ways to make Sporting CP stronger and the players, individually, more available and fresh.

It's up to me to focus only on what I can control, because in these last two league matches, our quality of play was very inconsistent. In some ways, this result is more difficult to handle, because I would like to work on the next game with everyone now. That's what drives me."

The team draw 1-1 with SC Braga

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by SC Braga in their latest Liga Portugal fixture, as a late equaliser from their opponents denied them all three points. Luis Suárez scored the Sporting CP goal in the game.

Before kickoff, several initiatives were made for Breast Cancer Awareness day, and Sporting CP wore a new white and pink kit to mark the occasion.

Rui Borges maintained the starting XI from the last match in the competition, against GD Estoril Praia. Just three minutes in, his side were already creating danger. On the left, Maxi Araújo combined with Francisco Trincão, and he in turn passed to Geovany Quenda. The young winger cut in from outside the box and unleashed a rocket from the perimeter, forcing goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek to make his first significant save of the match.

Sporting CP took control of possession, relying on speed on the wings and quick movements in position to try to surprise the opposition defence.

In the 19th minute, they found their breakthrough: Pedro Gonçalves received the ball on the left, near the halfway line, and raced wide, leaving defender Gustaf Lagerbielke behind. Once inside the box, the midfielder set up Luis Suárez, who fired in the opener -and his sixth goal in the competition.

Sporting CP could have doubled their lead shortly after with a swift counterattack that SC Braga's defence managed to stop. At the other end, João Moutinho responded with a mid-range shot, without troubling goalkeeper Rui Silva.

From there, the hosts only threatened Luka Hornicek again in stoppage time, when Gonçalves failed to finish off an excellent team move.

After the break, SC Braga came back out more aggressive, determined to turn the tide. In the 47th minute, Vítor Carvalho threatened after a free kick from Leonardo Lelo. In turn, Sporting CP’s Georgios Vagiannidis headed just wide, although SC Braga were in the ascendancy at that stage.

Lelo took control in the 54th minute, finding himself free in the six-yard box and forcing Rui Silva to make a monumental save.

Two minutes later, Sporting CP’s Hidemasa Morita appeared to be in a prime position to make it 2-0, but his shot failed to find the target.

Rui Borges reacted in the 64th minute with the introductions of Alisson Santos and Giorgi Kochorashvili. The changes had an immediate effect: the Georgian brought energy and, three minutes later, latched onto a loose ball to set up a shot, but the move ended up smothered in a crowd of bodies.

Twenty minutes from time, the game was being played at a high pace in both boxes. In this period, Rui Silva was once again decisive, tipping away a powerful shot from outside the box by Rodrigo Zalazar and keeping the narrow lead alive.

In the 74th minute, the Sporting CP coach made another change, bringing on Fotis Ioannidis. His team tried to hold the ball up and regain control in the box, with Kochorashvili becoming increasingly involved, but SC Braga maintained a tight block and reduced the chances to a minimum.

Shortly thereafter, Alisson Santos burst down the left, left an opposition player behind, and unleashed a long-range shot inches wide of the target.

Ioannidis emerged unmarked after a good run by Alisson Santos on the left, but he didn't arrive in time to turn a shot past Luka Hornicek.

With the game drawing to a close, Borges sought to breathe new life into the team, introducing Iván Fresneda and Geny Catamo. The Spanish fullback immediately made a strong run down the right, but his cross went straight into the hands of the SC Braga goalkeeper.

A cruel twist occurred deep into stoppage time: The visitors won a free kick on the right, and Bright Arrey-Mbi, after some confusion in the box, shot on goal. Rui Silva deflected the ball, but the refereeing team ruled that Morten Hjulmand had fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke previously, awarding a penalty.

Rodrigo Zalazar converted from the spot to restore parity.

Alisson Santos, alone in the middle of the box, shot over before the end, and Fotis Ioannidis, in the final move of the match, headed the ball into Hornicek's hands. A frustrating evening concluded 1-1, earning Sporting CP a solitary point.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Hidemasa Morita (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 64’), Zeno Debast, Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 90’), Pedro Gonçalves, Giorgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 90’), Francisco Trincão (Alisson Santos, 64’), Maxi Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 73’).

The Champions League games ends 2-1 to the hosts

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 2-1 away to SSC Napoli on the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League campaign, coming back from Southern Italy empty handed despite their efforts.

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona boasted a great atmosphere in which Sporting CP fans also made their voices heard. Coach Rui Borges made several changes to the starting XI he had fielded against GD Estoril Praia: Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, and Luis Suárez were replaced by Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, João Simões, Geny Catamo, and Fotis Ioannidis – making his first start for the club.

The opening minutes, on a somewhat chilly autumn night, were tight and challenging. SSC Napoli had the first attack, with Kevin De Bruyne shooting over the bar, while at the other end, in the 12th minute, a good move ended with Geovany Quenda passing to Iván Fresneda. He placed the ball in a dangerous position, but the defence were able to clear.

The Italian champions began to take control of the match, and in the 22nd minute, after a combination move, Frank Anguissa missed the target with a shot. João Simões responded from long range for Sporting CP, but Vanja Milinković-Savić easily saved the effort.

Frank Anguissa took another shot around the half-hour mark; this time, the ball deflected off a defender and went out for a corner.

Sporting CP then began to go on the attack, dominating possession and moving the ball around well. Little by little, they closed in on the penalty area, but it was precisely at that moment that Antonio Conte's side managed to score from a deadly counterattack. Rasmus Højlund finished off the chance to make it 1-0.

Quenda sent a free kick directly into the goalkeeper's hands and Matteo Politana had an attempt skillfully saved by Rui Silva, heading into the halftime break.

Freshening up the attack in the second half, Pedro Gonçalves and Luis Suárez replaced Francisco Trincão and Geny Catamo. Opportunities, however, remained elusive for both sides. Aside from shots by Politano and De Bruyne that failed to go in, and a Suárez shot that was blocked, there was little to report in the early stages.

Then, in the 61st minute, after a Gonçalves shot, Maxi Araújo was brought down in the box, and referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty.

Suárez stepped up and converted the spot kick, bringing Sporting CP back on terms.

The introductions of Zeno Debast and Alisson Santos followed, in place of Eduardo Quaresma and Alisson Santos had left. Motivated by the goal and facing a team on the ropes, Sporting CP once again attacked SSC Napoli.

After Vanja Milinković-Savić's initial save of a Geovany Quenda shot, panic once again reigned in the SSC Napoli box: Luis Suárez, fed by Alisson Santos, set up Gonçalves, who shot just over the crossbar. It was the Alvalade club's second goal.

Hidemasa Morita came on for João Simões in another change from Rui Borges.

Soon after, SSC Napoli scored again, through Rasmus Højlund, this time with a header, and Sporting CP were back behind.

With ten minutes remaining, they fought hard to salvage at least a point, and came close to doing so in the 90+4 minute, when Morten Hjulmand's header forced Vanja Milinković-Savić into a superb save.

The game ended 2-1 to SSC Napoli. Sporting CP will now host SC Braga on Sunday in Liga Portugal. The return to the UEFA Champions League is scheduled for October 22nd, with a match against French side Olympique de Marseille at the Estadio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma (Zeno Debast, 66’), Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 78’), Geovany Quenda, Geny Catamo (Luis Suárez, 45’), Francisco Trincão (Pedro Gonçalves, 45’) and Fotis Ioannidis (Alisson Santos, 66’).

The coach look back at the 0-1 win away to GD Estoril Praia

After Sporting CP's 0-1 victory at GD Estoril Praia, coach Rui Borges reviewed the match in a press conference.

The result being better than the performance
"It was, without a doubt. The first 25 minutes were good for us. We were intense, competitive, and settled into the attacking midfield, with long passes and more width. Then, we became too comfortable, with a lot of play on the inside and many turnovers, leaving GD Estoril Praia able to engage in quick attacks. It's true that throughout the 90 minutes they had one dangerous move, which saw a loss of possession by us and a great save by Rui [Silva]. At halftime, we drew attention to that, because I didn't like the last 15 minutes of the first half at all."

Luis Suárez helping Sporting CP to forget about Gyökeres
"Luis is Luis. He's been responding well, as has Fotis [Ioannidis], who gave the team energy. We're looking at the present, not the past. Luis was very good and had another great game, which helped the team a lot."

Reasons for the slower pace in the second half
"It's hard to justify it. I could make excuses about a lack of energy and fatigue... I also don't want to think that we were already thinking ahead to Wednesday's game. This can't happen again. We won, but we did just enough to win, even if GD Estoril Praia didn't create anything extraordinary. However, in the future it could cost us dearly. More than the reasons for the dip in pace, we need to look back on the game and realise that it has to serve as an example."

Alisson Santos's arrival
"I'm not surprised with him, because it's something we recognised in him. He needed some time to adapt, to understand the level of demand Sporting CP will place on him, and over the last few weeks he's been growing a lot in his understanding of the game. I have no doubt he has a very good future here at Sporting CP."

Lack of freshness being a concern
"It should serve as an example for everyone to be available and ready to play. If someone lacks energy, others will play in their place. I have confidence in everyone, and if I have to change nine or ten players, I'll do so without a problem. We have to be available and at our best. Today what we did was enough, but in the future it may not be."

Expecting a better showing against SC Braga
"I promise to work hard. We won't always play well, but the attitude has to be there. Even if we're well organised, we won't always have the same quality. The competitive attitude was important today; it should have been great, but we lacked it. When we don't play well, if we can win like we did today, then that's what's important."

Maxi Araújo's Performance
"For me, he was Sporting CP's best player. He's competitive, with a unique energy that's contagious. He had a great game, at the level he's demonstrated before. He's a great player. He has us accustomed to a high standard, and he's reached it again."

Thanks to the Fans
"Thanks to all the Sporting CP fans who made us feel at home. I looked everywhere and all I could see was Sporting CP supporters. It's good to know we're all striving for the same thing. A huge thank you to them."

The forward scores the only goal in a 0-1 victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal claimed a 0-1 away win at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota against GD Estoril Praia 0-1, on Liga Portugal Matchday 7. It marked their best run of results so far this season, with a fourth consecutive victory and a second in a row without conceding, as Luis Suárez struck an early winner.

They were up against an inconsistent GD Estoril Praia side, who had started the weekend in 13th place, with only one win and five points overall. Rui Borges' Sporting CP made three changes to the starting XI that had beaten Moreirense FC 3-0 the previous matchday: Rui Silva – returning from injury – regained the goalkeeping spot from João Virgínia. Hidemasa Morita was also in, replacing Giorgi Kochorashvili, and Maxi Araújo was chosen ahead of Ricardo Mangas. Geny Catamo returned to the squad on the bench.

Pre-match rain stopped in time for kickoff, and the opposition immediately showed they were going to press and seek to take the game to Sporting CP. However, the first dangerous opportunity fell to Os Leões, setting the tone for what was to come. Before the tenth minute, a corner kick into the box ended with a powerful shot from Morita, who came very close to scoring with a volley.

Sporting CP began to camp out in the Estoril box, and in the 12th minute they took the lead. With a superb long pass, captain Morten Hjulmand found Araújo on the left, and the Uruguayan, with a first-time effort, sent a low cross towards Luis Suárez. The Colombian finished off as goalkeeper Joel Robles remained rooted to the spot.

The goal was Suárez’ fifth in the league, and he has now scored in three consecutive matches.

Estoril Praia GD responded with two shots from outside the box by Jordan Holsgrove – one narrowly saved by Rui Silva and the other that flew into the side netting – but Sporting CP quickly tightened their grip and kept the ball in the opponent's half, firmly controlling the game.

The score could have been increased to 0-2 before the half-hour mark, but it wasn't to be. Suárez dived for a header that he was inches away from converting, and later Pedro Gonçalves tried to turn in a loose ball that he put off target.

Towards the end of the first half, Estoril tried to capitalise on a mistake by Sporting CP.  Thanks to Rui Silva's sharp reflexes, he denied striker Alejandro Marqués off a dangerous one-on-one situation. Shortly after, in another foray forward by the home team, full-back Pedro Amaral attempted a stunning strike that lacked precision.

For the second half, Giorgi Kochorashvili was immediately brought on to replace Morita.

Sporting CP once again dominated, patiently maintaining possession and applying effective pressure.

It was during a lull in play that Borges made another change, in the form of a triple substitution: Iván Fresneda, Geny Catamo -back a month after his last appearance- and Fotis Ioannidis were chosen to replace Vagiannidis, Quenda, and Suárez.

Shots wide by 'Pote' and Pedro Carvalho at either end were rare opportunities for the two teams during this period.

Sporting CP remained in complete control, but with the introduction of Alisson Santos – replacing Pedro Gonçalves – they gained a little more spark. The young Brazilian winger, with two impressive runs, put GD Estoril Praia on the back foot.

There were no more goals before the end, but for the fifth consecutive visit to Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, Sporting CP returned to Alvalade with all three points and no goals conceded.

Before their next league game at home to SC Braga, the team are in action on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, when they travel to Italy to play SSC Napoli.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 73’), Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 46’), Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 73’), Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 84’), Francisco Trincão and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 73’).

The coach looks ahead to the Liga Portugal game

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face SC Braga this Sunday (7:15 pm local time) on Liga Portugal Matchday 8. The day before the game, coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.

What he expects from the opposition
"I expect a strong SC Braga. Regardless of their less positive results in the league [five matches without a win], they're always a great side. Despite everything, they haven't lost away from home yet, and that's where they score the most and concede the least. They're a team that want to dominate -I think they have the most possession in Liga Portugal- they get a lot of crosses and rely heavily on their wide men. They're a different team from last season and are buoyed by their result in European competition, when they won 0-2 against Celtic FC. In terms of us, we will also be a highly motivated team, in front of a packed crowd, who will do everything to win the match and continue our progress in the league."

Possible changes
"All players are available, and everyone has to be prepared to play. Whoever comes in will give a good response, and the coaching staff have the same confidence in everyone."

Focus on their game, despite the game between FC Porto and SL Benfica
"I want to win. I'm only worried about our game, which is against a great team who will pose a lot of difficulties for us. We're at the beginning of the season, so the other game won't decide anything."

The supporters
"Criticism is part of the game; it doesn't worry me. I know, above all, the affection I've always received from the vast majority of Sporting CP fans. On the street, it's been fantastic, and in the stadium, it's been absolutely incredible. What matters is that Sporting CP win. I believe that, little by little, more people will believe in our work. What drives me is to do my best for Sporting CP."

The 1-1 draw with SC Braga last season
"It was a game in which we were the better side in every way, and in a period when the game was completely under control, one incident completely ruined the result for us. It was from a cross, and this season, SC Braga are the team that create the most crosses, and [Leonardo] Lelo is the player who creates the most chances in the league. We have to be alert and prepared for the dynamics of this season’s SC Braga, which is completely different from last season."

The importance of defending crosses well
"I don't think it's our Achilles' heel. I even think that, in terms of our athleticism, and considering we are without Diomande, we've been very competent. We're a pressing team who go in for individual duels. SSC Napoli put in lots of crosses, and from the only one we couldn't stop, we ended up conceding the second goal. We have to find ways to neutralise that with small details and behaviour. It's a strength of SC Braga."

Defeats in the three toughest matches of the season (SL Benfica, FC Porto, and SSC Napoli)
"If I lose the 'big' league games but win all the others, we’ll win the title. They were very close games, and they ended up going the opponents’ way. We look at the past, but that means nothing to me. We didn't want to lose, but we're focused on things game by game."

The packed schedule
"The coaches are tired of complaining... The overload on the players is really getting worse. Looking at this specific match in the Taça da Liga that has been announced, it's also impossible to schedule it at another time. It's difficult to do. We have to hope the entire squad is available at that time."