The goalkeeper is back with the group after injury

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo after their victory over AVS SAD.

The players who started the match undertook recovery work, while the remainder of the squad trained normally on the pitch.

Goalkeeper Vladan Kovačević was back as part of the group following his injury.

After a day off, the squad will next train on Wednesday morning, behind closed doors.

The coach gives his verdict on the win over AVS SAD

Following the victory over AVS SAD in Liga Portugal, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim praised the performance of his players, while also stating that there is always room for improvement.

“We didn’t let AVS create any danger, we were strong in our reaction to losing the ball and once again had a competent showing. If we look at the numbers, it was an excellent game from our team, but I feel we can do better,” he began by saying in his press conference.

“Due to the tactical changes in the starting lineup, we lost some fluidity. Dani [Bragança] likes to play more inside and we lacked a right footed player to combine with Nuno [Santos]. Despite this, we gained some extra aggression going forward," he explained.

Amorim then assessed the contribution of Danish forward Conrad Harder, who scored and provided an assist on his starting debut.

“He had a good game," analysed the coach. “He is still at 50% of his potential, but that is normal. He hasn’t trained much with the team yet and it is difficult to guide him with his positioning. You can see that sometimes in the flow of the game. Obviously, scoring and providing an assist is always good and he felt that the atmosphere in the stadium was very good. The way they cheered him on… He lived a dream come true today, but tomorrow it will be over and we have to think about the next game."

With this result against AVS SAD, Sporting CP have made their best start in the competition this century. For Amorim, these numbers are positive, but there is still a long way to go.
“We are obviously happy and we understand from these results that it is difficult to start like this. (…) But it is only a 3-point lead, we have our rivals close to us and there will be many games to come. When you start playing several games in a week, that is when teams tend to lose points. It was important today, the first time we have had a game in the middle of the week beforehand, not to drop points, especially at home. It is another three points, but we want to continue to build on this good start,” he stressed.

Finally, Amorim explained the reasons that led him to calling up Miguel Alves, João Simões and Bruno Ramos for the first time, players who usually play for the B team.

“Miguel is a left-sided centre-back and we don’t have many centre-backs. Bruno is right-footed and didn’t play for any national team during the last international break, he was the central central player in our B team and he is a very fast player. Despite not being a starter in the B team, and still lacking something in the way he plays with the ball in an organised attack, I really liked him. He is very strong physically and difficult to get past in one-on-one situations. He often catches Viktor [Gyökeres] in training -and that is not easy. We are trying to work on his understanding of the game with the ball, because without the ball he has the perfect characteristics to be a central defender on this team. Simões has been playing on the wing, but he is a central midfielder. I watched the Under-17 European Championship and I liked him in that position. Although he is not very fast, he is resilient and has great physical ability. (…) He could play in the position of Morita or Dani [Bragança] because sometimes he has to play between the lines and he has spent his whole life doing that for the B team.”

A trio of goals make it six wins from as many games for Sporting CP

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat AVS SAD 3-0 on Liga Portugal Matchday 6, capping an exceptional week with victories both in Europe and domestic competition. In front of a sold-out Estádio José Alvalade, they dominated proceedings and took all three points.

Without Vladan Kovačević, Eduardo Quaresma, Jeremiah St. Juste, Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards through respective injuries, coach Rúben Amorim made four changes to the starting eleven. Matheus Reis, Daniel Bragança and Nuno Santos returned to the starting line-up, with a debut in the first XI for Danish forward Conrad Harder.

Three players from the B team were included in the squad, all of whom were called up for the first time. João Simões, a 17-year-old midfielder, Bruno Ramos, a 19-year-old Brazilian defender on loan from Académico de Viseu FC, and Miguel Alves, an 18-year-old central defender, were on the bench.

The match was preceded by a minute's silence in tribute to the victims of the recent fires in Portugal.

Sporting CP established their presence in the opposition half early on, and began to create the first attacking moves. Francisco Trincão forced goalkeeper Ochoa into a save from the opening chance of note.

After the initial threat, Sporting CP made it 1-0 after 15 minutes, with Harder scoring his first goal for the club with a low shot, capping a great move by the players in the middle of the park.

Shortly after, Viktor Gyökeres almost got a second with a header, but was denied by another outstanding save from Ochoa.

Newly promoted AVS SAD, coming into the game after two wins and one draw in five fixtures, only managed to have the ball in transition, although without causing any problems for Sporting CP.

Daniel Bragança struck close to the post and Trincão was denied again by Ochoa, and as half-time approached, the pace of the game slowed down. AVS SAD then took advantage of the opportunity to have the ball for longer periods for the first time, but they were unable to make it count.

To round off the first half, Sporting CP scored again in the fourth minute of added time, with Gyökeres going through one-on-one with Ochoa and making it 2-0 with a deft touch.

The second half followed almost the same script as the first. Sporting CP took control of the match in search of extending their lead, practically reducing their opponents to defensive duties, although this time they were not as incisive in attack. The first big chance came after the hour mark, with the recently introduced Maxi Araújo heading the ball slightly over the target.

Unsurprisingly, the goal to make it 3-0 eventually arrived. In the 71st minute, Trincão made his way down the right and knocked the ball to Gyökeres, who finished off for his brace.

Soon after, Maxi Araújo almost added his name to the list of scorers, but his low shot ended up hitting the woodwork.

Before the end, Diomande drew another save from Ochoa with a header, as the score remained 3-0 at the final whistle.

Sporting CP have the best attack in the division, with 22 goals scored, and the best defence with just two  conceded). Still with a perfect record, the league leaders next play on Friday, at Amoreira, against GD Estoril Praia.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis (Ricardo Esgaio, 75’), Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 69’), Morten Hjulmand [C], Daniel Bragança (Hidemasa Morita, 69’), Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão (Iván Fresneda, 75’), Conrad Harder (Maxi Araújo, 59’) and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach talks about the game against AVS Futebol SAD

Sporting Clube de Portugal will host AVS Futebol SAD this Sunday, on Liga Portugal Matchday 6. Coach Rúben Amorim began his pre-match press conference by announcing the players who will be unavailable for the game.

“Neither Gonçalo Inácio, nor Eduardo Quaresma, have recovered. Marcus Edwards has a minor muscle problem, Pote too. We have some absentees, but also a team clearly prepared to win the game,” he said on Saturday.

On the opponents, a team coached by Vítor Campelos that secured promotion to the top tier of Portuguese football last season, he gave the following analysis:

“We looked closely at AVS Futebol SAD's characteristics and style of play. We also looked at the Gil Vicente FC side from last year that was coached by Vítor Campelos, especially what they did at Alvalade -because Campelos was no longer there for the away game. We have some doubts about how they will line up defensively, but offensively we don't have so many doubts, because Campelos already played in a certain way that he has repeated and he doesn't usually change much on the attacking side. The defensive aspects in the last game against Gil Vicente FC changed, whilst against GD Chaves it didn't, so we went to do a reconnaissance to make it easier for our players. We looked at everything and tried not to transmit too many doubts to our players. We know how we will defend, and we know how we will attack in this game."

Regarding Conrad Harder's first weeks at Sporting CP and his relationship on the field with Viktor Gyökeres, the coach explained “They have more of a friendly relationship. Viktor is not much of an advice giver. Harder has done the job both as an attacking target man and playing with Viktor, in this case with the two up front, because we have to have different plans to attack against different teams. Sometimes there is a line of six, others a line of five, others a line of four, and he is trying to learn all of that in a short space of time, but he is progressing quite well. Above all, he is very ‘hungry.'"

Debast’s spectacular goal against LOSC Lille also warranted a question for Amorim, who told the media: “As for Debast, the important thing for me is that the goal was a good moment, but it is over now and I will forget that goal. What will help Zeno to be the player he can be, to fulfil his potential throughout his career, is to experience these good moments, and the bad ones, but then quickly forget about them. What I want is for Zeno to maintain his defensive style, his aggressiveness and his physical ability, as he is very fast. He has hardly misplaced a single pass in these last two games. I would say that Zeno needed this goal, but above all he needed to feel like the player he is."

On Morita’s performance, the coach explained the Japanese midfielder’s more specific role after the national team games for his country.

“Football moves so quickly these days that we go from a good moment to a bad moment. Morita was very, very good against FC Porto. Morita was the best player on the pitch against SC Farense and then he went away with the national team. We don’t even realise what it’s like for Morita to travel with the national team. His life completely changes, the time zone changes and then it’s not like he plays one game and then recovers in another. It seems like a normal thing, because it happens to many players, but for him it has a huge impact. We have to manage these aspects," said Amorim.

"He wouldn’t have been taken off against LOSC Lille if he hadn’t been on a booking, because I think Morita has a huge influence on our team. I still don’t feel he’s fresh, and he needs to be fresh. We’re managing that. I wouldn’t say Morita is in a bad moment. Morita’s situation is completely different to the rest of the team."

Regarding Jeremiah St. Juste’s injury, he commented: “We have to wait for St. Juste to come back and show the quality he has shown every time he has played. He lacks consistency. The conversation I have with him is the same as the conversation I have with every player. It's easier for me because I've been through these moments too as a player, and I'm trying to use strategies, this time to do treatment further away from us, closer to his family, to try to manage that psychological part. As long as he's the person he is and gives his all, we'll try strategy after strategy to repay this investment to the Members and our fans."

As for the initial options for the game on Sunday, and the possibilities of Maxi Araújo or Conrad Harder playing, the coach played his cards close to his chest.

"There are several options we can use. It also depends on the training sessions we've done over these past few weeks, and that has an impact. We can also put Morita further up front, because sometimes there are low blocks and there are no big sprints, so we would be putting a midfielder with Morita’s quality closer to the area. Let’s see what we can come up with," he concluded by saying.

The club sign the Danish striker on a 5-year deal

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed 19-year-old Danish forward Conrad Harder through to 2029, with a release clause worth 80 million euros.

He joins after playing at FC Nordsjælland in his home country, scoring seven goals in 32 games in 2023/2024. This season, he has played seven games and scored two goals in the Danish League.

Talking after the move, Harder stated that he was "very happy" with the move.

"This is a great club and I have big ambitions. I hope to win trophies and score lots of goals", he told the club’s journalists.

“As soon as I heard about the club’s interest, I was very honoured and had no difficulty in making the decision. It was what I wanted and it was an easy choice for me.”

Harder is the third Dane to turn out for the club, following Peter Schmeichel and Morten Hjulmand, and he acknowledged that “it would be great to win many trophies and follow in their footsteps.”

Compatriot Hjulmand is also the current captain of Sporting CP team, and was an extra help in Harder's arrival.

"I spoke to him a few days ago. He told me that it was a great opportunity for me, that this is a great club and that they were waiting for me. He explained to me that Liga Portugal is very strong, that it suits me, and that the atmosphere is very good. And also that the Estádio José Alvalade is fantastic," he revealed.

“I am a strong and very physical player. I hope to please the fans, who are incredible. I'm excited to meet them.”

The squad train ahead of their Friday night fixture

Sporting Clube de Portugal held a training session at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete this Wednesday.

The squad continued their preparations for their return to Liga Portugal action, scheduled for Friday at 8:15 pm away to FC Arouca.

Although some of the players who were on national team duty have already returned, coach Rúben Amorim once again called up several youngsters from the academy to train: Rafael Besugo, Luís Gomes, Bruno Ramos, Kauã Oliveira, Miguel Alves, Lucas Anjos, José Silva, Denilson Santos, Diogo Clara and Guilherme Pires.

The Thursday press conference to preview the match will start at 12:30 pm on Thursday.

The coach holds a press conference before the game against FC Arouca

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to FC Arouca this Friday for Matchday 5 of the Liga Portugal season. In his press conference ahead of the match, coach Rúben Amorim began by discussing the opposition's loss of their two main attacking players: Rafa Mujica and Cristo González.

“Cristo and Mujica had a huge impact on their attacking ability. I said last year that they were one of the best teams in terms of playing football, because they were very good at making decisions, using one or two touches. Cristo is, in my opinion, a player with great skill, he will be sorely missed and it’s a shame that coaches lose players like that -when they can no longer do anything in the transfer market. Mujica’s attacking up top was very good, but I think Henrique [Araújo] also has that and, therefore, that characteristic remains. Obviously, Mujica is a bit more wily, let's say, but I think Henrique has great potential and quality," he explained.

"Cristo is very difficult to replace and I think that is an advantage for us, but there will be another player there. Pedro Santos, who had a great season last year and can play in that position. There may be some changes and we will be prepared for that," continued the coach.

"FC Arouca are a team that maintain one characteristic: They like to have the ball and they like to press. They had a great season last year. David Simão cannot be given much space, because he launches the team forward and they attack well from deep. I am sure it will be a very difficult game and we will be prepared for it."

Regarding the closing of the transfer window, he made a final assessment of Sporting CP's movements over the summer.

"Clearly, we cannot complain. We have lowered the average age of the squad, we are already preparing for the future, we currently have players and, if we look at the positions as a whole, we have a more complete squad, with potential and prepared for the present and future of Sporting CP."

“This transfer market has just closed and Viktor Gyokeres is still with us. We had a plan for a player to come in already made and if we didn't manage it, that is part of our life. If we didn't manage to get that player, Conrad Harder, we had a plan and a list of potential players. We looked at him. We went for a player with potential. We don't want a second Viktor; that would be impossible and a mistake. What we wanted was a player with similar characteristics, so that if something happens to Viktor, the team don't have to change their characteristics. He's not just a supporting player with no depth, because that would confuse the team. We looked at the list of potential players we have here and who can guarantee the same way of playing, and Conrad was at the top of the list. There was an English Premier League club that offered more than us, so you can see the world of difference that exists. We looked at Conrad's potential, what he can give us now, and he does not change the characteristics of our way of playing”.

He said that the Danish forward could play as early as Friday, whilst Franco Israel should be the starting goalkeeper. The list of unavailable players is Kovačević, St. Juste, Rafael Nel and Diogo Pinto, whilst the internationals are back in Lisbon.

“I was happy that they were called up and were involved for their countries. As for whether they will be used, that depends on the coach and the games. I always hope that they come back without injuries, and that happened."

He also commented on the expectations for the club this year.

“Since last year I said that we wanted to be champions, and that is the objective this season too. In the first year we were underdogs, but from then on I always remember saying that we were candidates for the title. We really wanted to be two-time champions, because we hadn't been for 70 years and I think it was an important step for our club. We saw in this market: The fact that a club are in the UEFA Champions League completely changes the scenario, so we want to continue like this. We know that the work is not done, we want to be Champions again, we want to return to the UEFA Champions League to keep as many of our players as possible."

Regarding the statements made by club president Frederico Varandas at the Thinking Football Summit, an event organised by Liga Portugal, in which he said that the coach should be given a lot of credit for the appreciation of the footballers, Amorim gave credit to the entire structure. As for whether he would sign a new contract with Sporting CP right now, he commented that: “I have a contract with Sporting CP, I am very happy here, but it was the work of everyone and the president also said that. It is unfair to talk only about the coach, the director, the president... There is a group of people here who help the players to develop. I would say that the merit goes to everyone, as the president also said."

The homegrown star signs a new deal with Sporting CP

Geovany Quenda has renewed his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal through to 2027, with a buyout clause raised to 100 million euros.

The homegrown talent talked about his decision on Thursday, after putting pen to paper on the deal.

“Sporting CP are the club that are in my heart. It is always an honour to renew my contract with this great club and I will continue working hard,” said the 17-year-old footballer, admitting that the last few months have exceeded his expectations.

“I have always worked for this moment, but I never thought it would happen so quickly and now it is time to keep going. My teammates have always helped me. It is a fantastic group."

Brought up at the club in the youth system, he has established strong ties in his time at Sporting CP.

“I joined at the same time as Eduardo [Felicíssimo]. My teammates have been sending me messages today and I spoke to Gabi [Gabriel Silva]. We are together here. I can’t forget the people who helped me. I always try to help the younger players who have just joined the academy, I have given them advice on how to work, so that one day they can be here too.

“Edu called me before my debut against FC Porto in the Super Taça to tell me to stay calm, that I was going to score a goal. It was good to hear the fans shouting my name. When I scored the goal, I really can't explain what I felt. It's different in Alvalade as well, with a great atmosphere."

Waiting for his first international cap after a callup to the Portugal squad, Quenda also touched on the reality of being part of the group alongside the best Portuguese players -in particular, Cristiano Ronaldo.

"It was a good moment, they were always trying to help me and gave good advice. I have to keep working to try to be there more often."

"I can promise the Sporting CP fans that I will continue to give my best, to work and always try to help this club."

The team keep up their perfect start to the campaign

In the Liga Portugal Matchday 5 opener, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat FC Arouca 0-3, extending their perfect record at the start of the season. The attacking trident of Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyökeres and Francisco Trincão were all on the scoresheet.

Coach Rúben Amorim made five changes to his starting XI from the victory against FC Porto: addition to Franco Israel playing in goal due to Vladan Kovačević's injury, Zeno Debast, Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança were also used from the beginning, taking replacing Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Geny Catamo and Hidemasa Morita as they were rotated to the bench.

FC Arouca started the game in 14th place, with only one win at the start of the campaign, at home on the third matchday against CD Nacional.

The home team, coached by Gonzalo García, provided the first danger in the early stages of the match: Jason, who got in behind the defence, shot over the crossbar.

Soon after, Sporting CP had their opening chance, as Gyökeres' first shot was unsuccessful.

In the tenth minute, with the team increasingly settled in the opposition half, goalkeeper Nico Mantl got down to intercept a promising low cross from Bragança.

Sporting CP tried to create space in between the compact lines formed by FC Arouca, and started to find it on the left flank. A cross found Gonçalves alone in the area, but the No. 8 missed his shot and Quenda, on the follow-up, had his effort blocked. Likewise, Gyökeres' powerful individual move was also denied.

Second time around, Gonçalves was once again in position, and made no mistake to convert in the 24th minute. It began with a through ball to the striker, then Quenda and Trincão built the move on the right wing and found him in the six-yard box to make it 0-1.

His fifth goal of the season, the fourth in Liga Portugal, was followed up by another shot over the top.

Before halftime, FC Arouca goalkeeper Mantl made saves from Bragança and Gonçalo Inácio. Trincão also had a penalty appeal waved away, and the scoreline at the interval remained 0-1

Just like at the start of the first half, FC Arouca also had the first chance of the second half, this time with the newly introduced Trezza. Franco Israel made a comfortable first save of the game.

The response was not long in coming and Nuno Santos shot venomously, with a hit also caught by the opposition goalkeeper.

The home team tried get back into the game, although without Sporting CP always maintained a very high press. They made the most of the increasing space behind the defence, and nearly extended their lead through an own goal, eventually disallowed by VAR for offside.

A penalty kick was then given in favour of Sporting CP, due to a handball inside the area by midfielder Fukui. Gyökeres stepped up and converted the spot kick to make the lead more comfortable in the 73rd minute.

Amorim then made the first changes with two double substitutions separated by a few minutes: Geny, Diomande, Morita and new signing Maxi Araújo came on, the latter making his debut.

Sporting CP continued to create danger and, after two moves by Debast and Maxi Araújo that went astray, they made it 0-3 in style. Trincão cut in from the right, then finished low to kill off the game.

On Tuesday, Sporting CP will make their debut in the UEFA Champions League against French side Lille OSC, followed by a home game against newly promoted AVS in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Geovany Quenda (Maxi Araújo, 78’), Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis (Ousmane Diomande, 74’), Nuno Santos (Geny Catamo, 74’), Morten Hjulmand [C] (Hidemasa Morita, 78’), Daniel Braganca, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincao (Marcus Edwards, 83’), Viktor Gyökeres.

Coach highlights team's "very competent performance"

After the final whistle of the win away to FC Arouca, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to review the match.

"We didn't concede goals and didn't let the opposition create many opportunities, but I haven't forgotten about the dangerous situations in the first minutes of each half created by FC Arouca," he explained.

"These are crucial moments that can change games or make them more difficult, and we have to be better then. However, during the game we controlled the opponents' movements well and were brave in going at a team who pressed up on us."

Regarding the five changes made to his starting eleven, Amorim said that “this is part of the season, and there are solutions."

“There were players who arrived at the last minute. Ousmane [Diomande] didn’t even get to train since he came back, [Eduardo] Quaresma played a game for the Portugal Under-21s three days ago. [Matheus] Reis and Nuno [Santos] trained with us, Inácio came back earlier and trained in the middle. We thought Henrique Araújo would play and Inácio is perhaps the quickest in controlling the depth. Zeno [Debast] is very strong with the ball and is very fast; he has some problems in aerial duels, but he is mobile and intelligent."

"Those who are training with us are very important and everyone is focused, because we have to win every game and pick up every point. Tonight's game was a very competent performance."

Despite the perfect record for the team in Liga Portugal so far, Amorim did not hide the fact that there are still improvements to be made.

"There are different kinds of games during the season, but I think we are more confident. We have a different ability to keep the ball and, due to the characteristics of the defenders, pressing more, it helps us to dominate games," he explained.

"The team are older and our idea is maturing, but the great improvement comes from the quality of the players."

"In the Champions League we will be more exposed with our mistakes and we won't always have many chances. We can also play better and finish better in attack," he concluded.