The midfielder returns to action after an injury-hit year

Having been unable to compete for a year due to a serious injury suffered in the preseason for the 2022/2023 campaign, Daniel Bragança is back to full fitness and featured in the entire second half of the game against KRC Genk.

Speaking to journalists, he expressed his satisfaction with the way the preseason is going so far. “It has been a very good comeback. I was missing the adrenaline that you get in games a lot. I felt really good. Everyone knows what I went through, and it's about forgetting about that a little."

"Regardless of whether there are new dynamics in the team or not, we are absorbing everything the manager wants and trying to do things in the best way. We want to get to the start of the season in good form," he added, explaining that psychologically he has also overcome the most difficult part of his return.

"I feel that I came on and I didn't even remember the injury."

The midfielder had positive words for the fans present in the friendly which is yet another stimulus for hard work. 

“I felt this affection. In fact, I felt it many times during my time on the sidelines and I am grateful for that. I hope the fans are at maximum strength to help us this season. 

Bragança is motivated for the new season, and driven by the display of confidence in him conveyed by the coach and the club, since he recently renewed his contract. “The coach gave me motivation, after a difficult year that I went through. This gives me the courage to face the new season and I'm another player available to help," he concluded.

Sporting CP and KRC Genk meet in the Algarve

As part of their preseason training camp in the south of Portugal, Sporting CP drew 1-1 against Belgian team KRC Genk at the Estádio do Algarve in their first game in front of spectators this summer.

It took just ten minutes for the team to open the scoring, with Youssef Chermiti beating a defender for speed and technique down to the right, serving up a pass into the area for Francisco Trincão. The attacker skilfully rounded goalkeeper Maarten Vendervoodt and tucked the ball into the net.

In a highly mobile system, in which the defenders sought to build from the back and creative freedom was afforded for the players further upfield, Sporting CP moved the ball around safely and carefully and also played penetrating passes.

In a game that was picking up intensity, KRC Genk threatened an equaliser with a dangerous shot by captain Bryan Heyen, then levelled on 25 minutes through Alieu Federa.
The contest reverted to Sporting CP putting together good combinations and dangerous moves, with Afonso Moreira on the left shooting off-target from a narrow angle on the half-hour.

In the second half, Daniel Bragança came on early to replace Morita. The left-sided midfielder wasted little time in making an impact, with careful passing and the creation of chances.
Trincão had two good opportunities to put Sporting CP back in front, as well as Afonso Moreira striking over after a good connection with Pedro Gonçalves.

Trincão enjoyed a better opportunity just ahead of the hour, with a left-footed shot that required Vandervoordt to make his best save of the night. It was part of an excellent phase for Sporting CP, who only lacked finishing. Chances for Afonso Moreira and Chermiti followed, and Trincão managed to isolate himself after a pass through by Jovane, but struck wide.

A shot over Franco Israel but onto the crossbar was the only occasion of danger for KRC Genk in the second half, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

On July 25th there will be another friendly at the Estádio do Algarve, against Spanish side Real Sociedad.

The team will spend 12 days in Lagos

Sporting Clube de Portugal have begun a 12-day training camp in the Algarve, in the city of Lagos, where they will play a series of preseason friendlies as well as preparing for the 2023/24 campaign.

Rúben Amorim has taken the following players to the south of Portugal: Antonio Adán, Matheus Reis, Jeremiah St Juste, Sebastián Coates, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyokeres, Marcus Edwards, Nuno Santos, Franco Israel, Luís Neto, Dário Essugo, Francisco Trincão, Youssef Chermiti, Paulinho, Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança, Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande, Diego Calai, João Muniz, Ricardo Esgaio, Eduardo Quaresma, Chico Lamba, Jovane Cabral, Mateus Fernandes, Tiago Ferreira, Afonso Moreira and Francisco Silva.

The two friendlies will be played on Wednesday, July 19th, against KRC Genk from Belgium, and on July 25th against Spanish side Real Sociedad. Both matches will take place at the Estádio do Algarve.

Sporting CP play Estrela da Amadora and CS Marítimo

The preseason schedule continues apace at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, and on Friday the team played two preparation games at the training facility. Os Leões won both, beating CF Estrela da Amadora 4-1 and CS Marítimo 3-0. The matches featured two 35-minute halves.

In the morning, a strike from Jovane Cabral and a hat trick from Youssef Chermiti earned the first win. To take on Estrela da Amadora, coach Rubén Amorim fielded Antonio Adán, Matheus Reis, Sebastián Coates, Hidemasa Morita, Marcus Edwards, Nuno Santos, Dário Essugo, Youssef Chermiti, Ricardo Esgaio, Jovane Cabral and Mateus Fernandes, as well as giving minutes to Viktor Gyökeres and Chico Lamba.

In the afternoon, they bested the Madeirans thanks to two goals from Francisco Trincão and a goal from Geny Catamo. Diego Calai, Pedro Gonçalves, Luís Neto, Francisco Trincão, Paulinho, Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança, Gonçalo Inácio, João Muniz, Eduardo Quaresma and Afonso Moreira were starters, and Franco Israel and Tiago Ferreira would also come on.

The only absences were Jeremiah St. Juste, who undertook gym work, and Ousmane Diomande who, due to a fever, did not participate in the session.

The squad now move on to the Algarve, where they will carry out their preseason training camp. The first session in the south of Portugal is scheduled for Sunday morning.

The striker joins the club on a 5 year contract

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed Viktor Gyökeres on a contract through to 2028, with a €100m release clause set for the Swedish international.

The 25-year-old striker, who scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in 50 games last season for Coventry City as the English side reached the Championship playoff finals, expressed his delight with the move in his official presentation.

"It's a fantastic feeling. I've been waiting for this opportunity and it's great to have everything confirmed and to finally be here. I'm very happy", he told the club's official media.

"Lots of great players have played here and Sporting CP produce a lot of good players as well. The club has a lot of history and when I heard about their interest it was an easy choice to make. I had other options, but I felt that Sporting CP were the team that were most interested in me and when someone wants you, it means they like you a lot and will take care of you. This was the best option".

Previously of IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden, Brighton & Hove Albion FC in England, German side FC St. Pauli and Welsh team Swansea City, Gyökeres described himself as a "strong, fast striker who likes to score goals", explaining that "I try to attack and go towards goal as much as I can when I receive the ball. I also try to create chances for my teammates as well".

After his first training session with his new teammates, he praised the atmosphere in the dressing room and at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, adding that he had also enjoyed seeing the Estádio José Alvalade in person.

"It was good to be able to see the stadium, even though I had seen it before in photographs. It was good to be there and see what it's like, and I can't wait to play there".

"I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the stadium when we play, and I hope to see you very soon", he said in a message to fans.

The team train in their second week of preseason

Sporting Clube de Portugal began their work plan for the week on Monday morning, at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete.

At the beginning of this second week of preseason, Rúben Amorim welcomed back Hidemasa Morita, who arrived later than the rest of the squad due to his having been away with the Japan national team.

Tuesday is a rest day, followed by a return to work on Wednesday.

The players work on ball skills in a morning workout

This Sunday, Sporting Clube de Portugal continued their preseason work at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo with another training session.

As has been customary this summer, the players responded to what was asked of them by the coaching staff with focus, commitment and the utmost effort. The session centred around skills.

Called up by coach Rúben Amorim was 18-year-old fullback Leonardo Barroso.

The calendar for the first half of the season is decided

Sporting Clube de Portugal will start the 2023/24 Liga Portugal season at home to FC Vizela, on the weekend of August 12-13th.

The draw for the calendar was held this Wednesday, in Lisbon, and provided a repeat of the opening fixture of two seasons ago. Curiously FC Vizela were the final opponents for Rúben Amorim's side last season.

Sporting CP will travel to Estádio da Luz to face SL Benfica on Matchday 11 in the first derby of the campaign, whilst 'O Clássico' against FC Porto will be played at the Estádio José Alvalade on Matchday 14.
 
Liga Portugal Calendar - First Half Of 2023/24 Season
Matchday 1: SPORTING CP vs. FC Vizela (August 13)
Matchday 2: Casa Pia AC vs. SPORTING CP
Matchday 3: SPORTING CP vs. FC Famalicão
Matchday 4: SC Braga vs. SPORTING CP
Matchday 5: SPORTING CP vs. Moreirense FC
Matchday 6: SPORTING CP vs. Rio Ave FC
Matchday 7: SC Farense vs. SPORTING CP
Matchday 8: SPORTING CP vs. FC Arouca
Matchday 9: Boavista FC vs. SPORTING CP
Matchday 10: SPORTING CP vs. CF Estrela Amateur
Matchday 11: SL Benfica vs. SPORTING CP
Matchday 12: SPORTING CP vs. Gil Vicente FC
Matchday 13: Vitória SC vs. SPORTING CP
Matchday 14: SPORTING CP vs. FC Porto
Matchday 15: Portimonense SC vs. SPORTING CP
Matchday 16: SPORTING CP vs. GD Estoril Praia
Matchday 17: GD Chaves vs. SPORTING CP

Rúben Amorim oversees a workout at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo

This Monday, the Sporting Clube de Portugal squad held their second training session of the 2023/2024 preseason at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete.

The group have come back from their summer break with a demanding mindset and the utmost commitment, with the players improving their fitness and also undertaking drills with the ball -all under the watchful eyes of coach Rúben Amorim.

The squad will train again on Tuesday, behind closed doors.

The goal is selected by UEFA technical observers

Pedro Gonçalves' goal in the Europa League Round of 16 second leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London has been chosen as the best goal of the 2022/23 Europa League by the UEFA technical observer panel.

In the away tie, Paulinho recovered the ball in midfield and Gonçalves picked out a long range shot on goal, sending his effort over helpless Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and into the net from over 50 metres out. The 1-1 result allowed Sporting Clube de Portugal to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition.