A 3-1 win over CD Nacional moves the team into the Final Four

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat CD Nacional 3-1 and qualified for the Final Four in the Taça da Liga, as a rotated side scored a trio of goals in the second half. Morten Hjumland and Viktor Gyökeres -with a brace- got the strikes for Os Leões in their first game in the competition.

Coach Rúben Amorim made several changes from the side that had won in Liga Portugal the previous weekend, fielding  Vladan Kovačević, Ricardo Esgaio, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis, Geny Catamo, Morten Hjulmand, Hidemasa Morita, Iván Fresneda, Marcus Edwards, Conrad Harder and Maxi Araújo.

The most recent meeting between the two sides had taken place two months prior, with a resounding 1-6 win for Sporting CP in Madeira, and they were the favourites in this encounter. However, the visiting team tried a surprise with a shot on goal in the opening seconds, through Luís Esteves. Goalkeeper Kovačević was alert and saved in installments.

After that, for long spells, Sporting CP dominated possession and enjoyed frequent chances. CD Nacional goalkeeper Lucas França was called into action, as well as another effort from Iván Fresneda's being kept out by the post. Matheus Reis had sent an awkward ball towards goal that the stopper tipped out, and Geny Catamo had also shot wide.

CD Nacional were more concerned with defending and only reached the opposition area from quick attacks, usually after clearing the ball. They were the happier of the two sides going into the break, with the score still 0-0.

For the second half, it was necessary to be more daring and effective and, therefore, Amorim immediately made three changes at halftime, taking off Gonçalo Inácio, Iván Fresneda and Marcus Edwards and introducing Zeno Debast, Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres.

Maxi Araújo retreated and Harder switched to the left, with Gyökeres soon assuming his usual position and focusing on the goal. The Swede's first opportunity, after receiving the ball from the Uruguayan winger, was headed over Lucas França's goal.

Sporting CP managed to score their opening goal shortly after. Hidemasa Morita crossed from the right and a defender cleared, but captain Morten Hjulmand was there inside the box to meet the loose ball with a well-aimed shot, making it 1-0 before the hour.

Soon after, Gyökeres had the chance to make it 2-0, receiving from Harder on the left. However, he didn't quite connect with only Lucas França in front of him.

Geovany Quenda replaced Geny Catamo for the last half hour and provided significant problems for the opposition defence.

Nevertheless, it was from a penalty that Sporting CP took the score to 2-0, as Gyökeres was fouled in the box. He belted in the spot kick to double the lead.

CD Nacional reduced the deficit minutes later, as a deflection off the back of a CD Nacional player tricked Kovačević.

Gyökeres responded within the space of five minutes. He smashed in a free kick from just outside the box, finding the top corner.

The score remained 3-1 until the end, with Sporting CP advancing in the competition. Their next opponents will come from the meeting between SC Braga and Vitória SC.

Next on the agenda is a Liga Portugal match on Friday, against CF Estrela Amadora on Matchday 10.

The coach talks about the win over CD Nacional and addresses his own situation

Rúben Amorim reflected on the 3-1 triumph against CD Nacional that earned Sporting CP a place in the Final Four of the Taça da Liga, speaking in his post-match press conference.

“It was a strange game, in which we wanted to try to manage players' minutes and Pedro Gonçalves wasn't even called up for the squad. We put Iván on the wing, we rotated Inácio and Debast, Ousmane was left out and we gave more minutes to St. Juste. I still think we had a good game, despite lacking a bit of spark and speed. Even so, we created many chances. There were one or two transitions from CD Nacional, we scored from a free kick again and it was a fair victory” the coach said, adding: “We advanced in the competition and now our thoughts are already on CF Estrela Amadora”.

Amorim also spoke about Manchester United's interest in appointing him as coach, and the statement that Sporting CP made on the matter.

“There was a statement from the club, and that is what there is at the moment. There is interest from Manchester United, there is a buyout clause, and that's it. When there is something more concrete, I will come here and make my decision -because in the end it is my choice and at the moment I have nothing to say on the matter”.

The coach prepares the team's opening match in the competition

This Tuesday at the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting Clube de Portugal host CD Nacional in the quarter-finals of the Taça da Liga.

At the press conference before the game, coach Rúben Amorim first commented on the situation with Nuno Santos, who was seriously injured in the game against Famalicão at the weekend.

"Nuno will always be here with us. We will really miss him complaining, his screams in the corridor, but he will be there and the physiotherapists will have a hard time putting up with him. We will help him, he will recover and come back stronger. He's very resilient. Of the players I've coached and known as a player, he's one of those who always wants to play -even when in pain," he told journalists.

Regarding the match against CD Nacional, the coach reminded those present that it is "a knockout game" in which "there are penalties immediately" in the event of a draw, with no margin for error.

"We really want to win this competition, just like everyone else. We are going to make some rotations because we have games very close to each other -and because we want other players to have the opportunity. It will be a Sporting CP team with starters and we are prepared for the difficulties: a longer low block, transitions that are different from those of FC Famalicão, and a defensive line of five -or even more.

Asked about the new format of the competition, Rúben Amorim admitted that "it doesn't give as much opportunity to everyone."

"This competition had the brilliant thing of having other teams other than the big sides that have already won it, but I realise that you have to listen to the calendar. It isn't so beautiful now, but it helps us with the calendar. Liga Portugal are the ones who make these choices."

After highlighting that Iván Fresneda "returned to training more in the position of winger," following a conversation between the coach and the Spanish player in which it became clear "that the future does not involve him in a centre back or fullback position," Amorim mentioned João Simões, the 17 years old, who is another option.

"Nuno Santos has incredible numbers and has that spirit. That is difficult to replace. We'll look at the options we have," he added.

Another topic that came up was Sporting CP's lack of effectiveness from direct free kicks.

"We stopped taking direct shots because we weren't performing well. In training, they score a lot of goals - especially Trincão. Before this season, we gave Seba [Coates] a lot of free kicks. Besides that, I have no explanation. Of course, we would like to score from a free kick, but we are scoring in other ways," explained Rúben Amorim.

Stating that Maxi Araújo "is an option" to fill Nuno Santos's absence, Amorim mentioned that he has no doubt that the group really want to win this season "to give some joy to Nuno."

"He has already said he could be back for the last two games of the season," he reminded the journalists, before talking about the return to fitness of Marcus Edwards.

"He trained today and will be able to play  a few minutes tomorrow,  while Eduardo Quaresma is a little further behind in his recovery."

Sporting CP and CD Nacional have already faced each other in 2024/25, in Liga Portugal in August, and Sporting CP won at Choupana 1-6.

"There was a focus on this game because we care a lot about individual characteristics. There are differences, because we've seen CD Nacional playing differently since then, and their coach changes things a lot depending on the opponents. We're a better team now and we are playing at home."

Finally, Amorim spoke again about the format of the Taça da Liga.

"Since we are making the sacrifice [of making the players play many games], we should include everyone. If we start to narrow it down so that there is a Final Four... It would be good to have all the teams in the competition. However, it's easy to talk here and organising tournaments is very difficult, so I don't want to criticise. What we coaches will be missing most is time to train, think of new ideas and set out routines."

The coach reviews the win over FC Famalicão

At the end of Sporting Clube de Portugal's 0-3 victory away to FC Famalicão, Rúben Amorim spoke in the press conference about the game. He started by talking about Geovany Quenda, who became the youngest player to ever score for the club in Liga Portugal.

"He is a very talented kid. He is physically robust, focused, and with his feet firmly on the ground. We congratulate him on becoming the youngest ever scorer. He has to improve his finishing a lot. He had the opportunity and didn't give anyone a chance to take it away or have any doubts. I think he's going to be a great player," he stated, before moving on to analyse the match.

"We maintained consistency. We knew what to do and we didn't panic. We lacked some finishing, but, once again, we scored three goals, didn't concede and gave the opponents almost no opportunities. We almost always had the game under control. I really liked the way we started the second half and we completely blocked their moves upfield. Congratulations to the players and now we have to focus on the Taça da Liga."

The coach, who "prefers not to call this Sporting CP side unbeatable," highlighted "the consistency, the talented players who make the difference and the routine" as reasons for this good form from the league leaders.

"We know more or less how the game will develop. We can win or not win, but our way of playing remains consistent and that helps. However, we are on the ninth matchday and that changes a lot, not having even one negative result."

Asked about Nuno Santos, who was stretchered off at the end of the first half, the coach admitted that "it looks serious and is the bad news from the game. It was nasty. We will be here to help him. He is very important for us and tomorrow we will know more or less what injury he has."

Finally, Amorim spoke about Hidemasa Morita, Morten Hjulmand and Daniel Bragança.

"If there is a position at Sporting CP where I can rest assured that we have things covered, it is the midfield. It is very difficult to leave one of them on the bench. We take advantage of the moments, the context and the national team callups, in the case of Morita."

The team beat FC Famalicão 0-3 to remain leaders

Sporting Clube de Portugal earned a 0-3 away win against FC Famalicão, for their ninth win in as many games in Liga Portugal. The goals were scored in the second half, by Viktor Gyökeres, Geovany Quenda and Gonçalo Inácio.

Coach Rúben Amorim made four changes to the starting lineup, rotating out Ricardo Esgaio, Geny Catamo, Morten Hjulmand and Maxi Araújo and bringing in Ousmane Diomande, Geovany Quenda, Hidemasa Morita and Pedro Gonçalves. At a practically full Estádio Municipal de Famalicão, the conditions were misty and with a chill in the air.

Sporting CP began to create danger after just six minutes: Following a throw-in by Geovany Quenda, the ball fell to Daniel Bragança and he shot against an opposition defender. Shortly afterwards, Quenda himself appeared in the area but was unable to setup a teammate.

In the 11th minute, Gonçalves had the ball in the net off an assist from Viktor Gyökeres, but it was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

FC Famalicão reacted and started to try their luck with shots from Zaydou Youssouf and a disallowed goal for Aranda. At the other end, strikes from Gyökeres and Daniel Bragança were also unable to find the net.

Bragança, captaining the side with Hjulmand on the bench, put opposition goalkeeper Ivan Zlobin to the test in the 30th minute, when he appeared at the far post off a corner. Francisco Trincão then sent a shot just wide.

Ivan Zlobin went on to make more stops from Pedro Gonçalves and Trincão, with Enea Mihaj also having to head away from almost on the goal line.

For the second half, Geny Catamo replaced the injured Nuno Santos. Sporting CP kept pressing and forcing Ivan Zlobin into action. After 48 minutes, the goalkeeper denied Daniel Bragança with a tremendous intervention.

He also saved shots from Gonçalves and Trincão after the restart, before Sporting CP finally made it 0-1: In the 57th minute, Quenda found Morita with a phenomenal pass, and he in turn gave the ball to Gyökeres to score.

FC Famalicão's defense became more exposed and Sporting CP took advantage to double the lead shortly afterwards, when Trincão forced Zlobin into a save and, on the rebound,  Quenda was in the right place to grab his first goal in Liga Portugal.

In the 64th minute, Amorim replaced Gonçalves with Hjulmand. FC Famalicão began to move up the field in an attempt to change the game. Mirko Topić was the first to demonstrate this intention with a long shot, but Franco Israel saved well.

Jeremiah St. Juste and Maxi Araújo were brought on for Diomande and Quenda for Sporting CP, as the substitutions continued to freshen up the side.

Otso Liimatta had a huge chance to reduce the gap, but ended up kicking the ball against a teammate.

Conrad Harder came in for Morita for the final ten minutes, and Sporting CP once again created danger in the opposite area. Both Catamo and Trincão threatened before, in the 86th minute, Inácio got ahead of Zlobin and finished successfully to make it 0-3.

Outright leaders of Liga Portugal, Sporting CP will host CD Nacional on Tuesday (at 8:15 pm) in the quarter-finals of the Taça da Liga. They then host CF Estrela da Amadora in the league on Friday.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomane (Jeremiah St. Juste, 70'), Gonçalo Inácio, Geovany Quenda (Maxi Araújo, 70'), Hidemasa Morita (Conrad Harder, 82'), Daniel Bragança [ C], Nuno Santos (Geny Catamo, 46'), Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Morten Hjulmand, 64') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach talks about Saturday's Liga Portugal contest

Sporting Clube de Portugal return to domestic competitions this Saturday, away to FC Famalicão in Liga Portugal.

In his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim said that he envisions a match with a high degree of difficulty, against opponents seventh in the table.

“FC Famalicão do very well at their home stadium and it is very difficult to beat coach [Armando] Evangelista's teams. It took us a long time to beat FC Famalicão and last year that was a very important step towards us winning the title. This year we hope for the same," he said.

“They are a team that only have one defeat in the league, are always difficult to win against and have talented players. They like these big games, because a lot of them are in the formative stages of their careers and the talent is there, so they feel very comfortable in these matches. They defend well and make excellent transitions. This year they are playing differently and the characteristics of the players have changed. Sometimes they play with a false nine, which is very different from what happened with [Jhonder] Cádiz, who was stronger on headers than supporting teammates. At the moment, [Oscar] Aranda is in this position a lot. We expect a tough game.”

Amorim later admitted that the fact that FC Famalicão's defence, which has only conceded four goals so far, required tactical preparation.

“We spent a lot of time, especially today, on this specific aspect. They don't give you much space, they have a routine between the fullback and the centre back that is very interesting in how they mark our two players in the middle. We pay a lot of attention to this and to the positioning of the central midfielders as well. That was the focus today because we didn't have more time, but it's easier for us because the players already know the positions very well and know what we want on the pitch. Now is a time in which we have to win difficult games. That’s the goal.”

He revealed that Marcus Edwards and Eduardo Quaresma will be absent for this game and that Ousmane Diomande and Jeremiah St. Juste are back fit.

“We have more options and this helps us manage the games, especially because many competitions are coming up. Gonçalo Inácio has not been resting and, during the international break, he wasn't training. He hasn't maintained his fitness, so it's a difficult balance. He has sacrificed himself for the team. Matheus Reis will not be able to play the entire game. Diomande, as he is more physically robust, will be able to start. Let's see how he performs because he hasn't trained much with the team. But we have to look at each case individually and if he has recovered from the sprain, we’ll see what happens.”

Amorim was also pleased with the return of Pedro Gonçalves, who played minutes against SK Strum Graz after several weeks out injured.

“It will still take time to get him back up to speed, but it is excellent news. He could be on the bench or be a starter, he just can't play the whole game. If he starts, he will have to come off, that's guaranteed. Let's see if he plays from the start or if he comes on later."

He was then asked if he believes that the team are capable of making history, with the possible first Liga Portugal title defence in 70 years and reaching, for the first time in over 40 years, the quarter-finals of the Uefa Champions League.

“I already said that we are prepared and at a different level, but I don't want to increase the pressure on the team. That's the ambition. I think we have the capacity to do it. But we need luck, competence and good fortune with injuries too. I would say that is our ambition. Let's wait and not say anything about it now, because it only increases the pressure. We want to win the title, obviously. Everyone's efforts to maintain the squad was with the idea of becoming two-time champions, something that hasn't happened in 70 years. This takes us into the Champions League again and we can compensate for the financial outlay. We really want to make history, and will see how the games go.”

"We will now have a game against FC Famalicão. We had the Champions League game away, then we have the Taça da Liga game to go to the Final Four, then CD Estrela da Amadora, Manchester City FC in the Champions League and SC Braga away. We have a set of games in which, if we perform and win, it sends a message to us and to everyone outside. I would say it is a very important month," he highlighted.

The coach talks in his post-match press conference

Rúben Amorim was satisfied with Sporting CP’s 0-2 victory against SK Sturm Graz, as he explained in his post-match press conference.

“We had a very consistent game, we had very good possession, and we were strong in duels and set pieces, taking away the opponent's strengths and implementing our own. We should have scored more goals, especially in the final stretch, when the game broke down, but it was a very complete game on our part and an entirely fair victory,” he began by saying, before commenting on a lack of effectiveness in front of goal.

“Certainly in the next [Champions League] games we won't miss ten opportunities, because we won't have that many either, but we have to improve our finishing. Today it wasn’t so costly because we won.”

“We have to know how to read the play better, but every team has these moments. We have had phases in which we have scored more, but that happens and today I am satisfied with the game the players played, the quality they had and the fact that we implemented our game,” said Amorim.

“Our objective is to get to the playoffs for the knockout stage, but we aren't giving up on anything and we want to win every game. We are a more mature team, we have more quality, we will try everything, but still, our focus is on Liga Portugal. That is our main objective.”

The team triumph 0-2 over SK Sturm Graz

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat SK Sturm Graz 0-2 on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League league stage, taking them to two wins and one draw in the competition.

The triumph was achieved on a 'neutral ground', 140 km from Graz, as SK Sturm Graz’ stadium does not meet the requirements for hosting a Champions League game. The match had to be played at the Wörthersee Stadion, in Klagenfurt.

Sporting CP fielded an XI of Franco Israel, Ricardo Esgaio, Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança, Morten Hjulmand, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, Viktor Gyökeres and Maxi Araújo.

Favourites for the game, Sporting CP started well, keeping the ball well and being aggressive, as coach Rúben Amorim had requested.

For the first chance of the match, Francisco Trincão worked well in the centre and set up a shot from the edge of the area, but his effort went over; Subsequently, and after showing greater danger on the left, Viktor Gyökeres crossed from the right, drawing out the goalkeeper, but Maxi Araújo at the second post did not arrive in time to finish.

In the 16th minute, another opportunity went Sporting CP’s way, with Gyökeres striking and the SK Sturm Graz goalkeeper having to stretch to deny him.

Os Leões managed to find many more spaces and successively reach the final third. On 23 minutes, there was a goal that they richly deserved: Catamo crossed from the right, Gyökeres was not quite able to touch the ball, but just behind him Nuno Santos appeared to shoot into the net.

After establishing a 0-1 lead, soon a second goal was in sight, with Gyökeres receiving with his back to goal, turning and shooting. However, as he fell, his hit went wide.

After half an hour of play, SK Sturm Graz finally had their first chance and nearly scored, but Franco Israel pushed the shot away. He made another save from Jatta’s weak attempt a few moments later.

Before halftime, Os Leões still threatened, through Hjulmand -who had a shot intercepted-, then Trincão -whose header was saved by the Austrian goalkeeper.

The home team managed to create a threat in the first minutes of the second half, but Sporting CP managed to double their advantage through the usual suspect: Zeno Debast sent through Gyökeres from the left, the Swede went into the area, left an opponent in his path, drew out the goalkeeper, avoided another player and shot to make it 0-2 on 53 minutes.

Amorim made his first change right after, taking off Ricardo Esgaio and putting on Matheus Reis -returning from injury that had kept him out for almost a month.

A penalty was awarded to Sporting CP when Catamo went down in the box, although after pointing to the 11-metre mark, referee Giorgi Kruashvili reversed the decision upon consulting VAR.

Amorim made three substitutions with the introduction of Pedro Gonçalves and Jeremiah St. Juste, both also back after injury, and also Hidemasa Morita, who replaced Maxi Araújo, Zeno Debast and Daniel Bragança, respectively.

From there, it was only after the 80th minute that Sporting CP reached the opposition area again, with Trincão on the half-turn shooting and sending the ball wide.

In response, Israel had to stop another shot from SK Sturm Graz, and Amorim also wanted to be more daring. Therefore, he gave Geovany Quenda a late cameo, removing Nuno Santos, with Geny Catamo moving to the left hand side. Quenda immediately put SK Sturm Graz's goal in danger, but the goalkeeper made the save

Soon after, Sporting CP could, once again, have killed off the game: A quick transition in which Trincão released Gyökeres ended in a strike that went wide.

Jeremiah St. Juste, in one of the last moves of the game, headed away from a Sturm Graz shot, and Sporting CP kept another clean sheet en route to a 0-2 win.

Sporting CP travel to take on FC Famalicão on Saturday (8:30 p.m.) in Liga Portugal.

The defender looks at the visit to Austria

Zeno Debast was chosen to speak before the game against SK Sturm Graz, scheduled for this Tuesday, in Austria. He said that Sporting CP are prepared for their latest UEFA Champions League game.

“We have analysed SK Sturm Graz very well and we have looked a lot at what they do offensively. We know what we have to do, but in terms of what we have prepared to stop them, I can't say. They will have to wait and see tomorrow," said the Belgian defender.

"It's very important for the team not to concede goals and our objective is to concede fewer and fewer goals as the season goes on.”

Debast also noted that “the atmosphere around the team is very healthy and competitive among all the players," and that they play in whatever position coach Rúben Amorim sees fit.

“I feel good in any position, but as I'm a right-footed player, it's easier for me to play on the right side. Even so, I feel comfortable playing in all three positions and the boss knows that.”

The coach previews the Champions League encounter

Rúben Amorim previewed Tuesday's Champions League game against SK Sturm Graz, at the Wörthersee Stadion, in Klagenfurt, Austria, in a pre-match press conference. The Sporting CP coach noted that the opposition are in better shape than the last time they encountered them: In last season's Europa League.

“SK Sturm Graz have improved compared to last year. They have a stronger striker and a midfielder who gives them quality on the ball. By increasing the quality of the players, they have increased the quality of the team. They were already well organised and very aggressive, very competitive, with a lot of quality. Now they have become more complete," he noted.

"Last year I thought they would play with a higher press, but they played with a medium block and I think maybe they could do the same this time. Therefore, we have to not lose the ball in transitions and improve in some situations, such as set pieces and duels. This season we have lost our strength in duels because we have wanted to look for other characteristics, but tomorrow we have to be very aggressive, not lose the ball and be strong off second balls."

Amorim said he is not too focused on how SK Sturm will defend in Tuesday's game.

“Our idea doesn't change based on whether they play with three defenders or two full-backs. We know what we want, we know how they defend, what they do, and we have to be strong. We know it is very difficult to stop them, but we have everything planned. We know that we will suffer in the duels, off dead balls and with William Boving off second balls, but our way of playing won't change”.

Of his squad, the coach revealed that “Matheus Reis and Pedro Gonçalves are fit and could play a few minutes. I think the team have felt their absence, especially that of Pote, and we are very happy that they are back.”

Also returning is Franco Israel, and Amorim explains why the Uruguayan will be the starter in goal.

“The difference is not in their footwork, it is in luck and context. Vladan Kovačević was injured and Franco grabbed the spot. This already happened last year, when Adán was injured in the middle of the season and I changed things again, and I don't think I can do the same with him as I did last year. At the moment, I think he's prepared, he's won the place and I'm going to let him have that peace of mind, because the goalkeeper position is a very specific position. Vladan is growing, working a lot with Vital, but at the moment Franco is playing."

As for the midfield, Sporting CP coach did not say who will play out of Morten Hjulmand, Hidemasa Morita and Daniel Bragança.

“It's very difficult to choose. It has to be based on the moment, fatigue and what we want for the game," he said, admitting that the captain still has “things that are not tangible, like we had with Seba [Coates]."