The 20-year-old Brazilian central defender arrives from Leixões SC

Rafael Pontelo has been confirmed as a winter reinforcement for Sporting Clube de Portugal. The 20-year-old Brazilian central defender arrives from Leixões SC on a contract through to 2028, with a release clause of 45 million euros.

“I am very happy to be part of Sporting CP. It has, of course, been a dream since I was little to play for a big club like this. Thank you for giving me this opportunity,” Pontelo began by telling the media, adding that “I am very happy and motivated. My expectations are high and it involves working hard to be able to play and to help the team.”

Holding dual Brazilian and Italian nationality, Pontelo arrived in Portuguese football earlier this season, going on to play 14 games for Leixões SC.

“It was a short spell, but everything went well for me,” he said, adding that now the step up is much bigger.

“It’s the peak of my career to represent such a big club. I hope to respond in the best way possible on the pitch.”

Having come up from the youth system at AA Ponte Preta, he had a brief experience in European football in 2022 with Spanish team Real Valladolid, returning to Brazil to represent Cruzeiro EC's Under-20s side.

Pontelo describes himself as “a very fast central defender who likes to play with the ball at his feet," and explained that upon his arrival at Sporting CP he immediately received advice from central defenders and captains, Sebastián Coates and Luís Neto.

“There is a very united group who want to help me, and I am grateful for that. They [Coates and Neto] have helped me a lot, and I realised right away that Rúben Amorim is a rigorous coach."

“I promise grit and determination. I will always do my best for this club. I was at the last game, in Portimão, and I saw that the fans make a lot of noise. I can’t wait to get onto the pitch and be able to celebrate with them.”

The coach looks at the opening game of 2024

Sporting Clube de Portugal have their first game of 2024 on Friday against GD Estoril Praia, on Matchday 16 of the Liga Portugal season.

Previewing the match, coach Rúben Amorim talked about the excellent form the opponents are in, having turned around a bad start to the season and, now with Vasco Seabra in charge, having beat FC Porto twice, with six victories in their last eight games.

“GD Estoril Praia have scored four goals in several games and have not conceded, something we have had difficulties with. They are a team that haven't lost in four games, but it's not just their quality, results and confidence that we have to take into account. They are a young team and will feel comfortable at Alvalade because many of the players came up at big clubs. Furthermore, without the pressure of escaping the relegation zone, they will be breathing easier,” the coach began by saying at a press conference, continuing his analysis of the ninth-ranked side.

“They are a very well-organised  team, with a coach who has already demonstrated that he can do great work and win against big teams. We know all these details and that GD Estoril Praia have [Rafik] Guitane, who is one of the biggest difference makers. There are also kids in midfield with a lot of talent and the player with the most assists on the right flank [Rodrigo Gomes], who is playing as a winger in a formation similar to ours. All this information, the type of moves they like to make, how they play against the big sides and in other games and what difficulties and strengths they have, has all been given to the players. We will be prepared.”

He was then asked whether the unavailability of Hidemasa Morita and Ousmane Diomande, away on international duty, as well as the injured Sebastián Coates, Jeremiah St. Juste and Iván Fresneda.

“I don't worry, we can field a quality XI. We already knew about these absences and obviously we can't control injuries, but we are prepared and we have players able to win the game."

“St. Juste will be able to return to training this month, he is doing much better and is pain free. Seba is the closest to returning; he won't be there tomorrow but he could be in against CD Tondela. Fresneda will in theory return in February.”

Taking into account the needs of the squad, Rúben Amorim also discussed the possible use of 20-year-old central defender Rafael Pontelo, who was announced two days ago as a winter reinforcement.

“I'm not going to say who will start, but Rafael is in the squad and he's an option to play tomorrow. I'm not going to say what the lineup is because I'm not going to give anything away to Vasco Seabra," he stressed with a smile, adopting the same strategy in relation to Eduardo Quaresma.

“I'm not going to say if he's an option, but he's very strong in one-on-one duels. He has worked well and been kept fit, which is good,” he stated.

Rúben Amorim was also invited to comment on the evolution of Mateus Fernandes this season, a 19-year-old midfielder who is on loan to GD Estoril Praia from Sporting CP and has featured in 16 games.

“To start with, our idea was not to loan out Mateus, but as the preseason progressed I realized that he could only have a few minutes. I thought he had grown more than Dário [Essugo] and I had no doubts that he would go to a club and would impose himself with his personality. Either we could keep Mateus and protect ourselves from injuries, or we could take a bit of a risk and let him leave to grow and then return to Sporting CP. His growth is natural and, if he continues with this level of performance, I clearly see him staying at Sporting CP next year."

The coach reviews the final game of 2023

After the victory away to Portimonense SC, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match and expressed that his side were worthy of the win.

“Apart from the offensive transitions, of which Portimonense SC had two, we were the better side, with the most shots, playing in the final third and trying to find solutions,” he told journalists at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, before addressing the differences between the two halves of the game.

“The first half was more difficult, with Portimonense SC a fresher side, managing to fill all the gaps. We had to move the ball around and try to cross, but the opposition players were very tall. We also had two players in the area because we were expecting a very low block," he highlighted.

“In the second half, Portimonense SC had fatigue begin to set in. Marcus [Edwards] was able to turn on them and Paulinho made the breaks. We created chances, we scored and had the game under control, but we conceded an equaliser. We already knew about their danger from set pieces, and as we were without Seba and Inácio we also had Neto in the side for that reason… After that, we created chances again and could have scored more goals”, he said, before explaining the substitution of Pedro Gonçalves as being down to a foot problem and pain.

Reminded of the 2020/2021 season, in which the team also saw in the new year as outright leaders and became champions, Amorim emphasised that “they are different stories."

Sporting CP win 1-2 against Portimonense SC

In their last Liga Portugal game of 2023, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Portimonense SC 1-2 on Matchday 15, closing the year as outright leaders. Viktor Gyökeres and Paulinho were the team's two goalscorers.

Sporting CP came into the game off defeats in their last two away games, and were up against a Portimonense SC who, in their last three home matches in the league, had beaten GD Estoril Praia (1-0) and GD Chaves (2-1) and drew with FC Famalicão (1-1).

Coach Rúben Amorim made six changes - two forced due to an accumulation of yellow cards for Gonçalo Inácio and Morten Hjulmand - to the side that played away at CD Tondela (in the Taça da Liga. Antonio Adán, Ousmane Diomande, Geny Catamo, Hidemasa Morita, Marcus Edwards and Viktor Gyökeres returned to the starting XI, joining Luís Neto, Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho.

Furthermore, due to the absence of the injured Sebastián Coates, Jeremiah St. Juste and Iván Fresneda, youngsters Chico Lamba, Afonso Moreira and Diogo Travassos were included in the squad.

Sporting CP's desire to take the initiative with the ball became clear, while Portimonense SC closed their lines and played compactly in the middle.

Dominating possession, Os Leões only lacked creativity and finishing to transform the first approaches into the opposition area into goals. In turn, the first time that Paulo Sérgio's team managed to go on the attack, Adán was forced to come out to clear a dangerous cross, with the shot on the rebound going over. After half an hour, Carlinhos hit a free-kick that the Spanish goalkeeper saved.

With nine corner kicks and many cross attempts, Sporting CP were attacking from the wings and pushing Portimonense SC into their own area. A snap delivery in from Nuno Santos went across the face of goal and Edwards even tried an overhead kick after a scramble in the box, but his effort went slightly over the top and the first half ended goalless.

The coach made changes at halftime to combat a solid defence, introducing Eduardo Quaresma to replace Luís Neto. Equally dominant in possession, but now more incisive, Sporting CP had two opportunities that immediately presented their declaration of intentions.

Morita, first of all, threatened with a shot inside the area, then Paulinho rose above the defence but headed straight at Vinícius. Shortly afterwards, the striker Leonino also failed to finish off an Edwards run into the box.

The insistence and improvements would be rewarded thanks to Gyökeres, who reached a perfect cross from Pedro Gonçalves to open the scoring.

Os Leões continued to keep their foot on the accelerator and only failed to make it 0-2 because of a goalline clearance from a defender to deny Paulinho with goalkeeper Vinícius beaten.

Despite their clear superiority, the advantage only lasted for around ten minutes. Taking advantage of a set piece, Portimonense SC restored parity completely against the run of play, thanks to a well-aimed header from central defender Filipe Relvas.

Sporting CP reacted in a determined manner. Daniel Bragança came on for ‘Pote’ and Morita, from the edge of the area, immediately forced the goalkeeper into a save. Afterwards, Paulo Sérgio's team even had a very favourable counterattack, but Quaresma was quick to resolve the situation with a last-minute tackle on Hélio Varela.

Once the scare was over, at the start of the final ten minutes Morita crossed low into the area and Paulinho - who was once again decisive - made the deflection, backheeling into the net.

Now 1-2 up, Adán made a decisive smother of a one-on-one with the speedy Hélio Varela when there were five minutes left, and a series of fouls and yellow cards upped the intensity further.

Amorim brought on Ricardo Esgaio for his 150th game for the club, as well as Francisco Trincão, and Paulinho had the final opportunity for Sporting CP, missing a one-one-one after a great move by Gyökeres.

With this victory, Sporting CP closed 2023 in the best possible way, with 37 points, one ahead of SL Benfica and three clear of FC Porto. To start 2024, they play GD Estoril Praia at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Geny Catamo (Ricardo Esgaio, 83’), Luís Neto [C] (Eduardo Quaresma, 46’), Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 75’), Marcus Edwards (Francisco Trincão, 90+1’), Paulinho e Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach looks at the final game of 2023

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Algarve for their last game of 2023, which takes place this Saturday at 8:30pm against Portimonense SC.

Ahead of the match, coach Rúben Amorim predicted a difficult encounter against Paulo Sérgio's men, currently 13th in Liga Portugal, highlighting the different tactics and players at their disposal.

“Portimonense SC are always a very difficult team to play, as their coach is very experienced and has perhaps the most difficult job in our league. He has always managed to keep the team in the Primeira Liga, even with many players having been sold. When we try to study Portimonense SC and look at the difference in the squad from one season to the next, the number of players that come from the Under-23s makes it very difficult to get an idea of the way they play,” the coach began by stating.

“We don't really know what we're going to find. Two weeks ago they played with three central defenders, then with four defenders and then back to three central defenders in the middle of the game. It's a dangerous match in which set pieces will be important; we'll have to find a way to get around that aspect with Gonçalo Inácio and Coates unavailable [due to suspension and injury, respectively]. It will be another competitive game, but we are prepared," he stressed.

Sporting CP will also be without the suspended Morten Hjulmand, but Amorim revealed that Daniel Bragança “has been training, is fit and is another option for the game."
He also considers that Sporting CP have more to lose against Portimonense SC.

“Big teams always have much more to lose than to gain. They have an obligation to win and play well. If Portimonense SC manage to break away with the ball several times, have set pieces and grow in the game, the goals they have conceded and the way they have played won't matter at all. We have to be prepared for that; we want to maintain our position in the table and to do that we just need to win -there is no need to look at anyone else. The objective is to win, and we have the same responsibility as always," he highlighted.

To conclude, Amorim was asked whether he believes that the second half of the season will be more favourable for Sporting CP in terms of away games, given that they have already played at home to SL Benfica, Vitória SC and SC Braga.

“I don’t see it like that. There is a stage in these coming months in which we will play away to Moreirense FC, who are having a great season, and then to Rio Ave FC. We don't know when we will drop points and the home games have not been easy at all. There will still be many changes in the league and many teams will drop points. We have to maintain the way we play and improve every day, because we have a lot to improve on. At big clubs it doesn't matter where you play, anything can happen."

A 1-2 win sees the team past CD Tondela in the Group Stage

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat CD Tondela 1-2 in Group C of the Taça da Liga, earning a place in the Final Four of the competition. They will play SC Braga in the semifinals, in Leiria in January 2024.

For the penultimate match of the year, the last before Christmas, Rúben Amorim made some changes to the starting XI compared to that for O Clássico five days prior. Included were Franco Israel, Luís Neto – celebrating his 100th game for the club–, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, Morten Hjulmand, Daniel Bragança, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

Sporting CP knew that they would progress with any result besides a defeat by two or more goals, but were not speculating in the early going. After just five minutes, following a corner, Paulinho shot against the woodwork.

Then it was Daniel Bragança's turn to threaten, with a low shot saved by CD Tondela goalkeeper Ricardo Silva. He needed a second attempt, but found the net from it: After receiving a lofted ball from Nuno Santos, Bragança controlled with his chest and then shot straight in from close range in acrobatic style.

CD Tondela never forced Franco Israel into action in the second half, which meant that the Uruguayan international spent practically the entire first half warming up on a very cold night at the Joao Cardoso. He had to intervene just twice, as well as dealing with sporadic passes back from the defence during dominant spells of possession.

At the other end, Ricardo Silva had to be much more attentive and, in the 32nd minute, he was once again unable to do deal with a shot from Paulinho. A move between Pedro Gonçalves and Bragança ended with the midfielder serving up a backheel for the striker to smash the ball home, taking the score to 0-2.

Five minutes later, Paulinho had everything in his favour for a second goal, after a one-two with Pedro Gonçalves left him through on goal, although he struck off-target. Shortly afterwards, in another incursion into the opposition area, Francisco Trincão went down but no penalty was awarded.

With a 0-2 advantage for Sporting CP following a dominant first half, the second stanza began with just one change in the lineup: Marcus Edwards came on to replace Gonçalves.

Sporting CP continued to have more of the ball and reached the opposition area several times, but a CD Tondela side with nothing to lose managed to be more daring and called Franco Israel into action much earlier than in the first half. Luan Farías' shot, in the 58th minute, did not require excessive effort from the goalkeeper, however.

Marcus Edwards crossed from the left after getting to the line in another chance for the visitors, but Paulinho didn't arrive in time to meet the effort and Ricardo made the collection.

After the hour, Amorim took off Bragança and Neto and brought on Dário Essugo and Eduardo Quaresma, who in 2021/2022 had played for CD Tondela on loan.

Trincão and Paulinho both had chances, the latter forcing Ricardo into the best stop of the evening. However, it was the home team who, on a rare foray into the Sporting CP area, scored a goal to make it 1-2. Hélder Tavares, who had only just come on as a substitute, took advantage of a mistake in the defence to convert.

With the deficit reduced, CD Tondela believed they could get a draw for pride, but Sporting CP always had the game under control and threatened before the end through Trincão, Nuno Santos and Edwards.

After their second win in the Group, Sporting CP will face SC Braga, while in the other semifinal SL Benfica will play GD Estoril Praia.

Sporting CP and CD Tondela  meet again January 18th at Alvalade, in the Round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal. Before that, they play next Saturday away to Portimonense SC in Liga Portugal.

​The winger renews his deal

The coach speaks after the resounding win over FC Porto

After Sporting CP became outright leaders of Liga Portugal with their 2-0 win against FC Porto, coach Rúben Amorim praised the team's good performance and their ability to take the three points.

“Today we were very strong in the duels and second balls. We read the moments of the game, understood when to press and when not to, and it went well. We could have scored more goals, but we won and that is the most important thing," considered the coach, who addressed the importance of Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, whose strike took him up to 17 goals for the season.

“Gyökeres has improved our team and the fans like him a lot, but we need to look at it the other way too. In the same way that Sporting CP improved Viktor, Viktor also improved Sporting CP; the two things are linked. But obviously he brought a different energy and ability, like many other players."

Amorim was then invited to comment on the performance of Eduardo Quaresma, who replaced the injured Sebastián Coates in defence and was given a standing ovation after an hour of play.

“It didn't surprise me. He can play these games when he's focused. What concerns me is that he maintains this level. All players with talent can have a good game, but only those with a certain mentality can play for a big team that always have to win. I'm very happy for him, he played a good game and lasted 60 minutes with a lack of match pace, but tomorrow he has to recover and regain the same level of concentration," he highlighted, explaining the reason why he decided to opt for the 21-year-old centre back to replace the captain.

“We did two days of tactical work and Coates was injured at the last minute in training. Quaresma spent the whole time doing tactical work with Diomande, because he was the one who was going there to play, and he knew everything. If it were Matheus Reis coming in, we would have had to change several things, so we made a like-for-like switch. Diomande feels comfortable in the middle and I have no doubts about Quaresma's ability. One player was left out and another came in so as not to change everything we had trained," he clarified, informing that“ Coates has a muscle injury and will be out of action for some time."

Amorim later acknowledged that although the Sportinguistas were “happy” with the triumph, it was necessary to keep their feet on the ground as these were only a further three points in a long journey.

“The team had a good game, but it's another league match and should be seen as a normal day. We have to move forward, as this is a marathon and we have to keep going."

Os Leões beat FC Porto 2-0 at home in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal made a statement of intent in Liga Portugal on Matchday 14, winning 2-0 against FC Porto in O Clássico. Rúben Amorim's men dominated for most of the match and were always the more dangerous of the two sides, and got the goals through Viktor Gyökeres and Pedro Gonçalves.

The previous match for Sporting CP had been a Europa League dead rubber against SK Sturm Graz, and Amorim made eight changes from the starting XI used in that game. Absent was captain Sebastián Coates, due to myalgia in his left leg.

The thousands of Sportinguistas who sold out the Estádio José Alvalade welcomed their team with deafening support and a colourful green and white combination of a mosaic and fireworks. They also paid tribute to Pedro Gonçalves, who was honoured for having completed the milestone of 150 games with the club by receiving a trophy and a shirt from President Frederico Varandas.

The home side had more possession of the ball in the initial moments, trying to explore the flanks and find space behind the defence. From precisely one such movement, 11 minutes in, Sporting CP took the lead. Matheus Reis sent Gyökeres through, the Swede took on FC Porto defender Pepe and found space to shoot, placing the ball between the near post and goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the euphoria of the fans.

After making it 1-0, they kept up the frenetic pace, and it was practically all Sporting CP, with Os Leões creating a lot of danger whenever the ball went to either Marcus Edwards or Gyökeres. The best scoring opportunity in the remainder of the first half hour came from Diomande, who could have extended the lead with a header in a free kick but missed the 2-0.

In the final stretch of the first half, FC Porto began to have more of the ball, but always had serious difficulties breaking down Sporting CP's solid defensive organisation. Only a Galeno header, masterfully saved by Adán, presented any real problems. That was right after Gyökeres had put the ball in the net but had his goal disallowed due to an alleged foul by Eduardo Quaresma.

During the interval, another tribute to Sporting CP athletes was made, celebrating the handball team's fourth Supertaça win after beating FC Porto in the semi-final and SL Benfica in the final the previous weekend.

The second half was barely underway before Pepe was sent off, reducing FC Porto to ten men. Sporting CP continued to press and, after Edwards had forced Diogo Costa into a big save, Gyökeres found himself in space and set up an easy tap in for Pedro Gonçalves, who only had to knock the ball across the line to make it 2-0.

Amorim made a change on the hour, bringing on Nuno Santos in exchange for Eduardo Quaresma. Shortly afterwards, Gonçalves came close to extending the lead and, off the resulting counterattack, Evanilson almost reduced the advantage.

Even with their numerical inferiority, FC Porto still managed to threaten, and had a goal for Evanilson disallowed for offside against the Brazilian.

Sporting CP's response didn't take long in coming, with Gyökeres starting the move again and serving up for Gonçalves. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, 'Pote' shot off-target.

In the second minute of added time, Paulinho could have made it 3-0, off a pass from the recently introduced Daniel Bragança, but once again the goal was disallowed for a foul by the midfielder.

Sporting CP took a victory that puts them back as outright leaders in Liga Portugal. Next up, they take on CD Tondela away from home, on Saturday, December 23rd, in Group C of the Taça da Liga.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Eduardo Quaresma (Nuno Santos, 61’), Geny Catamo (Ricardo Esgaio, 75’), Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 84’), Morten Hjulmand, Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards (Paulinho, 75’), Pedro Gonçalves (Francisco Trincão, 84’) and Viktor Gyökeres.

The two teams will meet in February across two legs

Sporting Clube de Portugal will play BSC Young Boys in the playoff to decide which of the two sides gain access to the UEFA Europa League Last 16.

The draw, which took place in Nyon, Switzerland, pits Os Leões against a side who dropped out of the Champions League but finished in a position to enter the playoffs. Sporting CP finished second in their Europa League group.

The two legs will take place on February 15th and 22nd, respectively.