Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim was naturally disappointed with the defeat to SL Benfica, in a game in which they were always on top of their rivals - even though they played practically the entire second half with a numerical inferiority.
“This is part of football, but it is hard to swallow. Even with ten men, we didn't let SL Benfica create big chances and that was felt in the stadium. With 11 players on the pitch, there is no doubt who was the best team. Therefore, based on what we did, we deserved to win, but it didn't happen", the coach began by saying in his press conference.
"It's a more painful defeat because, although it wasn't a decisive game, it was an important game and we were three minutes away from having a six-point advantage -and now we have the same points. We were the better side, we ended up not winning and it was painful, but I'm already thinking about the break and the next game".
“I'm not saying we're better than anyone else, but today we were the better team and I think that was very obvious. We were very safe at all times of the game, even with one player less, while SL Benfica had a lot of difficulties creating dangerous situations. If we look at the moments of the game, everything went against us. It's very frustrating to play with a man down and it limits us a lot. It was not a good day for Inácio and for us, because we ended up losing, but we are fine and we will continue to be fine”, said Amorim, stressing: “We have to move on. We are tied on points, we have been in the title race for a long time, we have to correct what we didn't do so well and get better".
The coach talks ahead of the derby against SL Benfica
Sporting Clube de Portugal travel across Lisbon this Sunday to play SL Benfica in the first derby of the season. Os Leões top the table with a three point lead, but coach Rúben Amorim knows well that there are no favourites in this fixture.
“It's difficult to see any favourite in these types of games, and when it comes to pressure we know that, whatever happens, at the end of this match no one will have more points than us, whilst if SL Benfica lose then they could be six points behind. Still, I don't want my players to feel comfortable knowing that, no matter what happens, no one will overtake us. This is a unique opportunity to establish a six-point lead. Although it is not decisive, we cannot waste this opportunity either,” said the coach.
“We know we have to win this game, because it is important. It's not decisive, but it would be comfortable to get into the international break with a six-point lead and we don't want to lose first place. We know the team we are up against, the quality of the players we are going to face and, therefore, we are not at all deluded by their form. We are very well prepared and we really want to win this game."
As for his squad, he revealed that Geny Catamo is out, but that Hidemasa Morita is available again and Viktor Gyökeres -who missed the last European game due to suspension- returns to the group. This will therefore be the first derby for the Swedish striker, who has scored 11 goals in 13 games for the club.
“I don't expect close monitoring on just Gyökeres, I expect it for Pote, Marcus, Trincão and all these players we have because, if they have a lot of space, it's the same as if we give a lot of space to Di María, Rafa or António Silva. I expect a game with a lot of duels and perhaps a lot of tension at the beginning, but then I think it will become a beautiful game and, yes, it will be difficult for Gyökeres."
Amorim disclosed that he was not motivating the players in any special way for this game.
“I usually use everything I can, but this time, as we had so little time to get ready, the focus was on not making them more nervous or more stressed. What I tried my best to do was make them comfortable and get them ready for the game. What matters, beyond words, is the six point lead. What matters is that we are celebrating in Marquês at the end of the season. Therefore, it is very important that we win this game. I feel like I don't need to be pushing them at the moment and, after such a bad season, we just have to make the most of every opportunity we have to achieve our objective -which is down to us."
If Sporting CP win, Amorim will reach his 100th victory in charge of the side, but the coach did not give much importance to the milestone.
“Will it be special because it can happen in the derby? For me, the most important thing is the six-point lead and I think this should be an obsession of ours every time we can take points from our opponents. We have to take advantage of this, and tomorrow we have another opportunity, which is what we will try to do."
The coach gives his assessment of the win against RKS Raków Częstochowa
At the end of the Sporting Clube de Portugal'S 2-1 victory over RKS Raków Częstochowa in the UEFA Europa League, Rúben Amorim spoke in a press conference. He began by commenting on Jeremiah St. Juste's performance.
"I really enjoyed all the interventions he had. He's agile, quick, doesn't take long to get into games and the way he came in for the last league game was also important. Today we confirmed that. He was there in the most decisive moment of the game," he told journalists, before analysing the game as a whole.
"We knew what we wanted; we wanted to win. Against ten men, with a goal right after the red card, we slowed down a little. Even so, sometimes we found spaces. We weren't careful enough in some situations and that made the difference. In the second half, it was my fault. I started thinking about the next game and it made things a little difficult. We had the game under control and then we conceded a goal from a dead ball. From then on, anything could happen and we made our lives a little more complicated. The result is what we'll take away and not so much the performance."
For the coach, the showing against the Poles will not influence the derby against SL Benfica in any way because "each game has its own story."
"A few days ago, we had the attacking capacity to create chances, and today we didn't have that much. We should have done much better, but we're going to fix what happened in this game and now we have a completely different one," he added.
Going back to the second half against RKS Raków Częstochowa, Amorim once again highlighted that the responsibility was his.
"The biggest culprit in the second half was me because I started thinking about the derby. We took a risk by making our last substitution in the 90th minute. I tried my best to save some players. More than the players, I was to blame because I started thinking about the next game. I never do that, but I took a risk this time and it could have gone wrong. We had the game under control and I felt it was a good time to start managing the squad," he admitted.
Asked about the importance of this victory for Sunday's derby, he explained that it is important for the consistency of a team that wants to win trophies.
"All the big teams have to do very well in the league. They have to be consistent on all fronts. Today's victory will have no influence. We have to win because the advantage in the league is only three points," he said, before commenting on what remains of the UEFA Europa League group stage.
"We have to do our part: Win the next two games."
Finally, he assured that having one day of rest fewer than SL Benfica is not an excuse in the derby on Sunday.
"We will be prepared for the game, without excuses and without any disadvantage. We're going to the Estádio da Luz to win."
Two penalties give a 2-1 win over KS Raków Częstochowa in the Europa League
Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Polish side RKS Raków Częstochowa 2-1 on the fourth matchday of the UEFA Europa League group stage, with Pedro Gonçalves scoring both goals from the penalty spot. Os Leões are now in second place in Group D with seven points, three behind leaders Atalanta BC.
At a well-attended Estádio José Alvalade, despite the cold conditions, coachRúben Amorim made four changes to his starting XI. Three were made by choice, as Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis and Morten Hjulmand made way for Jeremiah St. Juste, Gonçalo Inácio and Francisco Trincão, whilst the other was as a result of suspension for Viktor Gyökeres, with Paulinho chosen in his place.
On the substitutes' bench, the presence of youth players Afonso Moreira, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Tiago Ferreira stood out, with the latter going on to make his debut for the first team main team.
The match started at a good pace, with intensity a constant. Ricardo Esgaio was the first player to create danger with a cross into the heart of the area, but goalkeeper Vladan Kovačević gathered. The shot-stopper did the same soon after, when Paulinho struck towards goal.
Daniel Bragança shot wide from outside the area in the sixth minute and Trincão, twice, made clever moves in which he tried first to set up Gonçalves, then Esgaio.
Twelve minutes in, and after consulting VAR, referee Enea Jorgji signaled a penalty kick for Sporting CP, showing an additional red card to Bogdan Racovițan for his foul on Jeremiah St. Juste.
Gonçalves held firm from the spot, converting to open the scoring with his fourth goal of 2023/24.
Out in front and a man up -a reverse of what had occured in the first meeting between the two teams, Sporting CP dominated until halftime, with the only reaction from the visitors being a shot from Jean Carlos over the top in the 23rd minute.
Camped out in the opposition midfield, Sporting CP threatened again in the 36th minute, when Marcus Edwards finished a counterattack with a shot that Vladan Kovačević saved.
The Englishman gave the goalkeeper trouble again in the 42nd minute, after Trincão had missed the target. On the last move of the first half, Paulinho, meeting a free kick taken by Gonçalves, headed the ball into the side netting.
The first half ended 1-0, which seemed to be a scarce reward for the superiority that Sporting CP had shown.
The second half almost started perfectly, but Paulinho's goal in the opening minute was disallowed for offside.
However, Sporting CP did make it 2-0 in the 52nd minute, and once again the goal came from a penalty -this time due to a handball from Milan Rundić.
From the 11 metre mark, Gonçalves repeated the feat, sending Kovačević the wrong way to put the ball in the back of the net.
After a shot by Francisco Trincão into the side netting, Amorim made three changes, bringing Morten Hjulmand, Matheus Reis and Iván Fresneda on to replace Gonçalves, Inácio and Esgaio, respectively.
Trincão threatened again with a shot that was only kept out by a defender, then Hjulmand also missed the target.
With 20 minutes remaining, St. Juste and Edwards exited, with Ousmane Diomande and debutant Tiago Ferreira coming on.
However, the game opened up again when, in the 71st minute, RKS Raków Częstochowa made it 2-1 with a free kick that surprised the defence. Antonio Adán saved the first shot, but Milan Rundić turned in the rebound.
The goal did not change the run of play, and Sporting CP continued on top. Bragança and Tiago Ferreira had chances, and in the 83rd minute, at the end of an excellent move, Bragança forced a spectacular save from Kovačević.
In the final minutes, RKS Raków Częstochowa gained some momentum and tried to get an equaliser but were unable to create any danger and trouble Adán again. The game ended 2-1 to Sporting CP.
Next up is an away game in Liga Portugal, across town against rivals SL Benfica in one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Jeremiah St. Juste (Ousmane Diomande, 70'), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio (Matheus Reis, 56'), Ricardo Esgaio (Iván Fresneda, 56'), Daniel Bragança, Pedro Gonçalves (Morten Hjulmand, 56'), Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards (Tiago Ferreira, 70'), Francisco Trincão and Paulinho.
Sporting CP play RKS Raków in Europa League competition
Sporting Clube de Portugal host RKS Raków this Thursday night at 8pm, in a home game at the Estádio José Alvalade in the UEFA Europa League.
Before the Matchday 4 encounter in the Group Stage, Rúben Amorim stated that “this is a crucial game and there is no way to hide it," highlighting the importance of a win and of continuing the positive run of form.
"The team's good momentum is good for coming into games, but it has to be maintained week after week, or every three days in our case, because a negative result always changes things," he explained, before speaking about the first encounter between the two sides.
“In the first half, even after we went down to ten men, we didn't let RKS Raków create any big opportunities. In the second half I noticed that the team no longer had the same capacity to push through, and I tried to change things up. It was very difficult for us because they were very intelligent and created difficulties for us. Tomorrow I want the same dedication, attitude and concentration, but with eleven players on the pitch. It is important for us to fight not only for first place in the group, but also to go through."
Amorim believes a clean sheet would be a big boost.
“Our focus is to not concede goals, as we have conceded a lot, as well as scoring goals of our own. In that aspect we are doing well, as we have created many chances. It is also important to have eleven players on the pitch, and there have been many games in Europe where we have only had ten. We have to do better and I believe that tomorrow we will be better," he assured, refusing the suggestion from the media that RKS Raków are the team with the least quality in the group.
"Obviously I'm not going to say that. It wouldn't be very smart to say that they are the weakest team, 24 hours before the game. They play in a league that isn't watched by as many people, but their coach does an excellent job. The players may not have the individual talent of Atalanta BC, but all teams that don't have a big responsibility on their shoulderscan surprise you. We have to be aware that we can win any game, but also lose them. RKS Raków are very well organised and will be faced as if they were the best team in the world, because we have an objective and we want to win. It is crucial to win tomorrow's game so as not to make things complicated."
Unable to field Viktor Gyökeres after he was sent off in the last game, Amorum revealed that Antonio Adán will once again start in goal, after Franco Israel played 90 minutes in Poland.
“Adán will start tomorrow. The entire rotation we made was already pre-planned with the goalkeeping coach. We have a young goalkeeper who also needs to play, but tomorrow Antonio will start the game," he announced, then informing that Geny Catamo and Hidemasa Morita are out of the squad.
“Geny has not recovered and will not play, and he will only be fit after the international break. Morita is not fit; let's see if he's there for the next game because he is still a doubt. We also have some kids that we are going to take to these games, which is always important."
The coach reviews the latest Liga Portugal victory
Following the 3-2 win over CF Estrela da Amadora, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim praised the response of his team, who turned a 1-2 scoreline around to score the three points.
“It was a difficult game. CF Estrela da Amadora changed their construction of play a little and created difficulties for us. We had to adapt and we were always closer to their goal, but we suffered a lot with balls played over the top. Many times we had to press almost onto the goalkeeper and it became 3 against 3”, the coach began by saying in his analysis.
“The plan that the CF Estrela da Amadora coach drew up for them went well and made the task very difficult for us, but it ended up being a fair victory for the team that clearly had the most chances”.
Amorim rejected the accusation that his team had switched off at the start of the second half, in a spell in which they conceded twice.
“There have been second halves where we went to sleep and I said as much, but this time I don't think that was the case. We simply conceded two goals off transitions, but then we got the ball and turned the result around. The way the win came about could be beneficial for us, although I would have preferred a calmer win”.
“Before the game I would say that I like to win calmly, but after the game I don't mind having these types of emotions. It's much more difficult for everyone, but now we're at ease because we won the game and football is about much more than just having a quiet game”.
He also gave credit to the Sportinguistas, who pushed the team on when they needed it most.
“Their support makes a difference in these difficult times, when the team are tired from playing successive games. It is very important that the fans help and they helped a lot; after the second goal they stood up cheering for the team and clapping, and these positive things inspire comebacks. The players, even though they were losing, realised they had time to turn things around. From the second goal onwards, everyone in the stadium felt that we were going to achieve it”.
Sporting Clube de Portugal dug deep to beat CF Estrela da Amadora 3-2 on Matchday 10 of the Liga Portugal season, turning around a 1-2 deficit at the start of the second half.
Missing Hidemasa Morita and Geny Catamo through injury, coach Rúben Amorim made three changes to the starting XI from the last league encounter, with the additions of Nuno Santos, Daniel Bragança and Ricardo Esgaio. He also handed a debut appearance in the squad to Geovany Quenda, a 16-year-old winger who has shone in the Under-23s.
Sporting CP started the match in complete control, camped out in the opposition half. With the central defenders playing very high up, close to the midfield line, they tried to exert high pressure and steadily put attacking moves together.
The first big opportunity was from Marcus Edwards, with a shot that forced goalkeeper António Filipe to intervene, followed by Pedro Gonçalves trying his luck twice without success. At the other end, the visitors, coming off a run of three consecutive victories without any goals conceded, used long deliveries upfield whenever they had the ball.
The superiority would end up paying off in the 33rd minute, with Daniel Bragança opening the scoring. Following some excellent individual work on the left flank, Viktor Gyökeres made a delayed pass that found the midfielder on the edge of the area, and he shot first time to make it 1-0.
Soon after, the visitors had a first opportunity of note, but Antonio Adán came off his line and removed the danger with a good intervention.
Until half-time it was practically all Sporting CP, with Os Leões persistent in attack and making several dangerous approaches to the opposition goal, although without success.
The script was flipped as the second half began, with a surprising turnaround on the scoresheet by CF Estrela da Amadora. In the 50th minute, Léo Jabá converted a penalty to equalise, then in the 55th minute Kikas put the away team 1-2 up off a quick counterattack.
At a disadvantage, Sporting CP were forced to react, responding with a series of chances. After Bragança had already come very close to scoring twice, Diomande and Hjulmand also had efforts off target. Soon after, Rúben Amorim made his first substitutions, bringing on Gonçalo Inácio, Jeremiah St. Juste, Francisco Trincão and Paulinho.
The lines advanced and and the pressure intensified on the opposing area, with more men up front to try to convert chances. The dangerous attacks continued, but the final ball was still lacking until, in the 71st minute, Marcus Edwards zigzagged between three defenders with a wonderful run, then fired into the net.
Looking to complete the turnaround, supported by the frenetic atmosphere in the stands, they made it 3-2 shortly after: In the 79th minute Paulinho appeared in the area to head in a cross from Edwards.
Once again in front Sporting CP were now more comfortable, but that did not stop them from threatening further goals. Gonçalves almost increased the score with a great shot from outside the area, but António Filipe responded with a huge save. He would be a hero again shortly afterwards, knocking Trincão's effort off the line.
Until the end, the visitors, led by Sérgio Vieira, tested Adán with a header and had a shot wide, but Sporting CP took their ninth win from ten games thanks to their belief and persistence..
Os Leões, who with this result remain the only unbeaten team in the competition and outright leaders, play on Thursday against RKS Raków on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C] (Gonçalo Inácio, 59'), Matheus Reis (Jeremiah St. Juste, 59'), Ricardo Esgaio (Francisco Trincão, 59'), Daniel Bragança ( Paulinho, 64'), Morten Hjulmand, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves, Marcus Edwards e Viktor Gyökeres.
The coach runs the rule over the game with CF Estrela da Amadora
Sporting Clube de Portugal host CF Estrela da Amadora on Matchday 10 of the Liga Portugal season, and coach Rúben Amorim predicts a close contest against the visitors.
“They are a team that don't concede many goals, play in a very compact 5-4-1 defensively and always have three very strong players up front. I think they will play with Ronaldo [Tavares], who is very powerful, they will look for transitions and we have to be very intelligent with the ball and always prepared to sprint back”, he began by telling journalists in his pre-match press conference.
“We have to move the ball quickly and everyone needs to stay calm, because they will use a compact block that will try to create difficulties for us, especially at the beginning of the game. We have to continue to play well, creating situations and difficulties for the opponents. It will be a difficult game against a team that know what they want from the game, and we are prepared for the challenge”.
“Geny [Catamo] is injured, so he might be out until the return from the international break. [Hidemasa] Morita could recover, but he won't play yet, and Jeremiah St. Juste has a virus -[Ricardo] Esgaio too, but he seems to have recovered more. Otherwise, everyone is ready”, he said.
Asked about the proximity of the derby with SL Benfica - scheduled for the following matchday -, Amorim highlighted that the game with CF Estrela da Amadora “is the most important”.
“We always have the same approach, regardless of the opponents, but we just have to think that if we don't beat CF Estrela da Amadora, first place will be at stake at the Estádio da Luz. For me it's very clear: this game is just as important, if not more important. FC Porto dropped points and we have to win. This is the most important game, because after this we still have a decisive game to come in the Europa League. There is still a lot of time until the derby and the players are focused on CF Estrela da Amadora”.
“It's a much more pleasant feeling to be where we are than last year, but it is still very early. The concern is not to take steps backwards. It’s about earning points after points, maintaining the position. This year, more than ever, it's down to results. My commitment to Sporting CP is total. We want to create a standard here of winning trophies every year and I think this is good for the club and is a sign of our demanding nature”.
Striker Viktor Gyökeres returns to league action after scoring his first hat-trick for the club. Looking at the Swede's current form, Amotim considers him to have been a reinforcement who has “completed the team”.
“I would say that the team has helped Viktor more, because for him to score goals, players like Trincão need to do what they do and create chances. We are much stronger with someone with Viktor's characteristics and he is a much better player with the quality of the players he has around him. He confirmed everything I thought, but he has had a greater performance and impact than what I was expecting - and I had expected a lot”.
Rúben Amorim was satisfied with the result for his side against Boavista FC, and also with the attitude shown by his players. He talked about the 0-2 win in his post-match press conference.
“The pitch was difficult for us and for Boavista FC to play on, as they are a team that also like to move the ball around. The pitch made the game more difficult and a little more clumsy, but we were still able to adapt, we created chances and I think Boavista FC only had one opportunity in the first half -and in the second they had a goal disallowed for offside when we had control of the game. Above all, I think the players felt the responsibility of the moment, but they also felt free, and that's important because it was a big game. Without it being decisive, they approached it naturally, knowing that we had to win to go back to first place. Overall, it was a good game. I think the team can do better, but after the last game, on a difficult pitch and against a Boavista FC team that only had one defeat, I think it was a good game for us," he began by saying.
“After last Thursday, in a game where we were a man down after eight minutes, we didn't have to respond to anyone. We are already on a long run of games, counting last season, without losing in the league, and what the players have to do is continue with their work knowing that with rivals dropping points and FC Porto winning, we have to win our games to remain top. Therefore, I say again: The most positive point was the naturalness with which we faced the moment and that we were competent. That is an excellent sign."
“This victory was important for the points and for the lead, but mainly for the message it gives us. It helps us to get better, to grow with these games and these moments, but it's still nothing special. We are in the ninth matchday, so there is a lot to do still.”
“Are we title contenders? I said that we were from the first moment, and that's how it has to be. We are candidates for the title because we want it to be that way and for the players to feel that way," he concluded.
A 0-2 win on the road keeps the team outright leaders
Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Boavista FC 0-2 in a Monday night Liga Portugal fixture, as the team reestablished their spot as outright leaders of the division. They are three points ahead of the second and third placed teams – SL Benfica and FC Porto.
Coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting lineup, rotating out Franco Israel and Ricardo Esgaio. He went for Antonio Adán, Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo, Hidemasa Morita, Morten Hjulmand, Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards, Viktor Gyökeres and Pedro Gonçalves as his first XI for the league contest.
Looking for their 17th victory at Bessa, Sporting CP started the game well and provided the first warning off a set piece, with Pedro Gonçalves forcing Boavista FC goalkeeper João Gonçalves into a save.
Two minutes later, the stopper faced a shot from Geny Catamo that went into the side netting.
Boavista FC responded through Bozenik who, after breaking free on the left, sent a cross-shot towards Adán's goal, but without providing significant danger. Six minutes later, the Slovak provided a bigger threat, but struck wide.
With these opportunities, the home team began to grow into the match. Sporting CP, despite some difficulties, still controlled the game, however, frequently breaking into the opposition area and creating chances. Morten Hjulmand got involved on one of those occasions, receiving a ball from Geny Catamo, but a defender intercepted for a corner.
Finally, in the 37th minute, the opening goal arrived. Matheus Reis saw Catamo unmarked close to the back post and sent a precise ball his way, with a shot off the fullback's left foot flying into the net.
With the deadlock broken, Sporting CP gained confidence and went in search of a second goal, but were unable to increase their advantage before the interval.
A languid start to the second half was punctuated in the 55th minute with a Marcus Edwards effort off a Boavista mistake, but he lost out in the one-on-one.
A spell of minutes followed without any great opportunities, but with the home team believing they could find an equaliser. At around the 70th minute mark, Amorim started to make changes, taking off Sebastián Coates and bringing on Jeremiah St. Juste, then introducing Nuno Santos and Ricardo Esgaio.
Boavista FC had a goal disallowed for offside, then tested Adán with another chance, but Sporting CP then reached their most prolific point in the game.
After receiving the ball from Morten Hjulmand, Gonçalves shot against the post, Ricardo Esgaio recovered and set up the winger again, for him to score with a backheeled shot.
Geny Catamo and Viktor Gyökeres made way for Francisco Trincão and Paulinho after the second goal, and the latter immediately had the opportunity to make it 0-3, but João Gonçalves denied his strike.
The game concluded 0-2, with an eighth Liga Portugal win of the season going Sporting CP's way.
