Sporting CP claim a 1-0 win against FC Famalicão

Sporting Clube de Portugal continued their perfect start to the Liga Portugal season with a 1-0 home win against FC Famalicão on Matchday 3. Os Leões now move to three victories in as many games, in what is already the best opening to a campaign since Rúben Amorim took charge.

With Jeremiah St. Juste the only player unavailable for the game due to injury, Amorim made just one change to the starting lineup that he had fielded against Casa Pia AC. Summer reinforcement Morten Hjulmand made his first start in midfield, alongside Morita, moving Pedro Gonçalves into the attacking trio alongside Paulinho and Gyökeres.

The night was also a debut for the team's new third kit, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Estádio José Alvalade was once again sold out. The fans saw their team take the reins right from the opening whistle. They settled in the opposing midfield and tried to find a way through, mostly through crosses which did not have the desired results.

However, it was only a matter of time before chances arrived. In the first, the ball fell to Paulinho and he dragged it towards goal, but goalkeeper Luiz Júnior prevented the opener with an instinctive save. Shortly afterwards, Paulinho met another cross, but this time a last-gasp intervention from the defence denied him.

At the same time there were sporadic attacks by FC Famalicão, with little danger. That could not be said about Sporting CP's chances:  Off a violent shot, Gyökeres forced a rebound and as the play continued Gonçalves also tried his luck, with Paulinho arriving slightly late for a final touch.

The end of the first half consisted mainly of stoppages that slowed down the play, but there was a close call from Gyökeres, who shot wide on the turn. The score remained unchanged at the interval, despite the dominance of the home side.

Sporting CP did not have to wait long after the restart for the opener, which came right at the beginning of the second half, in the 52nd minute. After Gonçalves had already threatened with a strike against the crossbar, Nuno Santos hit a free-kick into the area, Sebastián Coates headed on and Paulinho climbed higher than everyone else to score for the fourth time this season.

Even with a one-goal advantage, and with Geny Catamo and Matheus Reis brought on off the bench, Sporting CP continued to insist on attacking. Gyökeres came close to causing damage with a direct free kick, saved by Luiz Júnior, and shortly afterwards a move in the FC Famalicão area led the referee to consult VAR over possible handball, for which he did not award a penalty.

In the final minutes, Os Leões retreated and the away team had the ball for a longer period for the first time, but the best they managed was a long-range shot over the top. For Sporting CP, Daniel Bragança and Gonçalves were denied the team's second goal by excellent saves.

With this triumph, Sporting CP now have nine points, occupying the top of the table along with Vitória SC. Their next game is scheduled for Sunday, September 3rd, away to SC Braga.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio (Matheus Reis, 66'), Morten Hjulmand (Daniel Bragança, 84'), Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos (Geny Catamo, 60'), Pedro Gonçalves, Paulinho (Francisco Trincão, 84') and Gyökeres.

The coach looks at the fixture against FC Famalicão

Rúben Amorim has no doubts that Sporting Clube de Portugal will have a tough time against FC Famalicão this Sunday at the Estádio José Alvalade, on Matchday 3 of the Liga Portugal season.

In his press conference ahead of the match, he explained his expectations of the fans and the opposition.

"We expect a good atmosphere at a full stadium, so I also want to thank the fans for the way they have supported us, after a difficult season, as well as explain to them that this will be a game where many things will happen. We will have to be patient. I believe we will dominate the play, but we need the support of the fans in good times and in bad times, as the games now do not last 90 minutes, but, maybe, 100. We are looking for the victory, we are going to give everything and we really want to win", the coach began by saying.

 "FC Famalicão have an excellent coach and are always a team with very talented young players. They are the 'Portuguese Brighton' and we know that there will always be young people watching. The bigger the game, the smaller the responsibility for them and the more talent comes out, because they feel freer. In games with the big teams they always feel very comfortable. I expect a very difficult game, in which we will have to suffer, but I am convinced that we will win".

Questioned about who is going to feature, Amorim kept his cards close to his chest.

"In Midfield? I will not say who will play. Daniel Bragança has come back very well and Morten Hjulmand is also prepared to play".

Jeremiah St. Juste, meanwhile, is still not an option and Amorim does not want the centre-back's recovery to be rushed.

“St. Juste is on his way and we are preparing him. We're trying to get the best out of him. He is a world-class player and we want him to last for many years at Sporting CP, so we are doing our best for him".

He also spoke about the transfer market, which is still open, and stated that he is satisfied with the squad he has.

“We have several players for various positions. I don't know if our strategy will have an impact on the final standings. We were champions in a season with a lot of changes, but I think teams are champions more often when they keep their foundations for more years".

“When I arrived here, even with little investment, we always wanted to win trophies. That's in the club's DNA. I understand that greater investment increases the responsibility, but we have a way of working, we spend half of what we bring in from selling. The sales of Porro and Ugarte have allowed us to have a more peaceful transfer market than when there are no sales and no money. Therefore, I would say that the responsibility is the same, simply that more players being sold allows more players to come in, more security in what we do- So far it has gone well", he also said, before talking about the integration of Viktor Gyökeres and Morten Hjulmand.

“They are adapting very well and having a young group also helps them. They are two slightly different personalities, but we have invested a lot in team dinners (laughs) and that also helps them to find their place in the team. They've responded on the pitch and, even though people haven't seen much of Morten, he's more than just somebody adept at stealing the ball. He has a lot of quality on the ball and is different from the players we have. Viktor gives us a different dimension due to his characteristics. They live in a good country, they play in a big club, they are very well cared for and they are surrounded by excellent players, and I told them right away when we signed them not to look so much at the league table and to look more at the players we have. They couldn’t be happier and neither could we”.

Almost a full squad available in the session for Rúben Amorim

Sporting Clube de Portugal's players returned to work on Thursday morning at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete, with their Sunday meeting with FC Famalicão in mind.

The team play at home in an 8:30pm kickoff, and Rúben Amorim is preparing the Liga Portugal Matchday 3 contest determined to put another win on the board, in what has been a positive start to the campaign.

The only player unavailable for the session was Jeremiah St. Juste, who continues his treatment with the medical department.

A 10am session will take place on Friday.

The players work to keep their perfect record going

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training, with the focus on Sunday's home game against FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade on Liga Portugal Matchday 3. The squad are working hard to keep their perfect record in league action to date intact, following on from a 3-2 win against FC Vizela and 1-2 triumph away at Casa Pia AC.

In Monday's morning session, Daniel Bragança performed conditioning training and Jeremiah St. Juste underwent treatment with the medical department.

The coach reviews a 1-2 win away to Casa Pia AC

Sporting CP's second victory in Liga Portugal, 1-2 to Casa Pia AC, had coach Rúben Amorim happy with the result but also concerned at the condition of a fan who required medical attention during the first half.

"Everyone at Sporting CP wishes all the best to that fan and his family. We already know that he is in a stable condition and we hope to see him in Alvalade in a future game. We would be delighted to see him," he began by telling journalists at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior following the match.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult game, against a team that won well in their first match and that didn't have any pressure in this game. From the first minute, we showed that we have a lot of desire to win. We had several opportunities in the first half and many balls between the lines that we could have used to better effect. I think it was fair that we led at the break, and the second half was different from the game against FC Vizela. We conceded a goal, but we had the match under control and as soon as the ball went to the midfield, we accelerated a little more and scored the goal. Then it was about holding onto the result. We had some transitions and we ended up controlling things -a little deeper, but we controlled the game well until the end," he summarised.

When confronted with the statement from the League's Arbitration Council, which stated that due to a VAR error the opening goal "should not have been validated," Amorim considered that this "will always affect our team, without it being our fault, and brings problems for the whole league."

“These things cannot happen, but I liked the speed of the announcement. It should happen more often so that we understand what is happening. As Sporting CP coach, I don't like these situations. It is regrettable and has a great importance in the game."

"It was a very serious case, they have to put the lines on the VAR and we will wait as long as it takes. Someone made a mistake."

Questioned afterwards about the fact that the team were unable to hold onto their advantage without conceding an equaliser in the first two games, the coach stressed that "we must also give credit to the opposition. We have to develop our game, but above all we are managing to win and we are having more opportunities and more moves into the opposition area."

As for Paulinho, who was decisive again and has scored three goals at the start of the season, Amorim considered that the striker “perhaps is more comfortable, not being the target man in the area."

"He's doing well. Sometimes both he and Viktor Gyökeres will play, other times just the one of them. Paulinho worked hard, as always, and he scored two goals, which gives more effect to his game and means people are looking at him in a different way," he said, before explaining the substitutions to bring on Mateus Fernandes and new signing Morten Hjulmand.

"'Gonçalves was tired and our team still have a lot to improve -technically and physically. Mateus is a player similar to 'Pote' and in the future we may have a player with those characteristics there: He is a midfielder who can move the ball around, and that's what we tried to bring to the game, using a midfielder/forward to help with the pressure and to be strong in the transition."

“Morten brought a lot of quality to the game, in the sense of his positional play. He didn't make big moves, but he had the ball many times and is very strong in the tackle. His positioning is completely different at Sporting CP from what he did in Italy, playing further back."

Finally, the coach praised the strong Sportinguista presence in Rio Maior.

“They filled the stadium, they are following the team and we really need them in Alvalade. As it turned out, the team are not yet mature enough to dominate every moment in a home game. We need them to win the game against FC Famalicão, who are a team with a lot of talent and without any pressure on them."

Two Paulinho goals earn a 1-2 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal won away in their Friday night fixture, beating Casa Pia AC 1-2 in the game that opened Matchday 2 of the Liga Portugal season. Just like he did against FC Vizela, it was Paulinho who gave the three points to Rúben Amorim's Leões, scoring twice on his 100th appearance for the club.

The game was held at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior, the stadium used by Casa Pia AC for this season, and this Lisbon derby was transferred to a venue in the district of Santarém. Sportinguistas filled most of the approximately seven thousand seats at the ground.

Like Sporting CP, Casa Pia AC came into this match after a win in their opening game, having won 0-3 against SC Farense.

Amorim made four changes in relation to his previous starting XI: Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Santos – back after injury and making his first appearance this season - came onto the wings in place of Geny Catamo and Matheus Reis, while Marcus Edwards and Paulinho were included at the expense of Daniel Bragança - out due to a rib injury - and Francisco Trincão. Pedro Gonçalves dropped into midfield and Paulinho joined Edwards and Viktor Gyökeres in attack.

The first time Sporting CP ventured into the attack, they immediately opened the scoring: With three minutes on the clock, Esgaio crossed and Paulinho, inside the area, shot first time into the back of the net, giving the team the best possible start.

Later, the League's Arbitration Council would, in a statement, inform that there was “an error in the placement of the point that defines the offside line,” concluding that “the goal should not have been validated” due to Paulinho being offside "by nine centimetres."

Casa Pia AC started to show a reaction, managing to steal some balls high up the pitch but without causing any real danger. At the other end, Paulinho reappeared in the area, but headed way over the top when completing a quick attack.

The game was interrupted for nearly 15 minutes due to a medical emergency in the stands. The supporter was assisted on the spot by firefighters, with the help of the medical teams from both clubs, before leaving the stadium in an ambulance. During the second half, news came in that they were already stable, and transferred to Hospital San Jose.

Even before half an hour had expired, Sporting CP did not slow down and were very close to extending their lead twice. In the first, a shot by Gyökeres ended up hitting the crossbar and, then, from the corner kick that followed, Paulinho was close to scoring the second.

Minutes later, the No.20 tried his luck again, this time from outside the area, but the shot was saved by goalkeeper Ricardo Batista.

It was during the 12 minutes of injury time that Casa Pia AC had their first opportunity, but Antonio Adán shook off Godwin's strong shot and Sporting CP went into the break 0-1 up.

The second half started with Edwards missing in a promising position and, shortly afterwards, a strike well wide.

Goal number two arrived in the 58th minute, but it was for Casa Pia AC rather than the dominant Sporting CP: After he was played through, Clayton's shot beat Adán in the one-on-one.

The 1-1 scoreline would last less than three minutes, as Paulinho received a cross and won the ball in the area, striking on the turn for his third goal in two games.

Gyökeres' attempt to make it 1-3 attempt went slightly wide of the post and the opportunities kept on coming for Sporting CP, even after substitutions such as the additions of Geny Catamo and Matheus Reis and the debuting Hjulmand.

Chasing an equaliser, Casa Pia AC managed to have more ball and grew in the final stretch of the game, but did not provide more than a 'scare' off a corner. Minutes later, Sporting CP responded in kind and Ousmane Diomande also headed wide.

The score remained 1-2 at the final whistle, despite a Geny Catamo threat just before time, and Sporting CP took their points tally to 6. Next up, they play FC Famalicão on August 27th.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ricardo Esgaio (Geny Catamo 64’), Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Santos (Matheus Reis 64’), Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves (Mateus Fernandes 88’), Marcus Edwards (Morten Hjulmand 75’), Paulinho (Francisco Trincão 88’) and Viktor Gyökeres.

The renewal was made official this week

Nuno Santos has renewed his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal through to 2027, with a buyout clause of 60 million euros.

Speaking after the confirmation of the new deal, the Sporting CP player explained that he was satisfied to be continuing at the club.

 “It's a feeling of great happiness and pride and I will continue to do everything for this club, trying to win trophies. We will always give our all, because this is a huge club and we feel very happy here: I speak for myself and for the team”, he told the club's official media.

Nuno Santos sees the renewal as further proof of the confidence Sporting CP have shown in the qualities he possesses.

“Without a doubt, I really wanted to stay here at Sporting CP, but this is yet another reason for the club's confidence in me. I will continue to give everything, we'll try to achieve the club's objectives and I'm going to try to help, now in my fourth season. We're going to give it our all and continue at maximum strength”.

“It is a very big feeling of identification with the team. Since I arrived at Sporting CP I've been very much appreciated by everyone, both inside and outside the club and by the supporters, and it's a feeling of great happiness. When I arrived, I was very surprised by the club and its structure and I am very happy. It is a feeling of great pride and I will always give everything”.

In addition to winning more trophies at Sporting CP, he also has the ambition to be a full international for Portugal.

“This has been one of my biggest goals for a long time, but I have to work every day to achieve it and then it's up to the coach to decide whether to call me up or not. It's one of my dreams to represent the Portuguese national team”.

The coach's preview of the game against Casa Pia AC

This Thursday, Rúben Amorim previewed the Liga Portugal match against Casa Pia AC, which is scheduled for Friday at 8:15pm, at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior. The coach praised the opposing team, but believes that his side can take a good result away.

“Casa Pia AC are a very well organised team, with processes that have been used for some time and an excellent coach who has managed to bring quality and transmit stability to the team. They believe a lot in the process and you can see that, and that's why they concede few goals. Looking at their game against SC Farense, we realise that they are a team that, despite having only been in the top flight for a year, manage to control the moments well and do not feel anxious at all. Therefore, I foresee a very difficult game in which we will have to control their transitions well -which we had problems with last year and in the first game- but we are prepared. We know how Casa Pia AC play and we have studied all their movements in detail”, he began by saying.

“I expect a competitive game, but I also expect a victory for Sporting CP”, he underlined, commenting on what happened on Matchday 1 of Liga Portugal.

“The season will be quite difficult. We have already seen that how you start is very important, but there are no easy games and in the first round of matches there is always a lot of anxiety".

Without saying who will play this Friday, Amorim revealed that Morten Hjulmand has been called up and that "he is ready to be an option”.

“He was called up and tomorrow we'll see if he'll play. He has completely different characteristics from other midfielders and complements all the others very well. He's another option to help in a season that will be long and we couldn't be more satisfied with all the players we have for the midfield: Players with completely different characteristics, but all with their own quality”.

Amorim also spoke about the renewals of Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Gonçalo Inácio.

“There was so much talk that they were going to leave, but they are mainstays at Sporting CP. They like being here, the atmosphere is very good and we have given preference to the renewal of important players. I couldn't be more satisfied, but they have to keep working to remain an option for us”.

Asked about the enthusiasm that Sportinguistas have shown for this season, the coach commented that it does not bring greater pressure.

“I think this is what should be normality at Sporting CP. There was some division before, but we are bringing everyone together and good results are the best fuel for a club to unite. Despite the fact that last season was less successful, we can see that the club have a direction, are growing in training players and in our structure. Sportinguistas, when they see a path, manage to stick together. The fans are behind the team and we have to respond. What I feel, even after last season, is a lot of support from the fans and I think that happens because they see that there is a way that we are going”.

Together through to 2027

Pedro Gonçalves and Sporting Clube de Portugal will continue together through to 2027, with the extension of the midfielder/forward's contract with an €80 million buyout clause.

"It's a feeling of pride. I'm very happy to continue at the club", he began by saying in an event celebrating the new deal.

Currently playing in his fourth consecutive season at the club, he said that his expectations for 2023/2024 are "the same as always".

"We're going into every game to win, because we know our capabilities, in addition to training hard every day for the next game. We are here to work", Gonçalves stated.

For him, another of the crucial points when it came to renewing was the support shown by the fans.

"It is quite important to me. We feel their support a lot and even commented about it in the dressing room when the stadium was sold out for this first home game. For us, after a season that wasn't so good, having them giving us this support right away is very motivating. We are very grateful; now we have to perform well for them to be with us until the end. We are always together".

In the three seasons in which he has represented Sporting CP, Gonçalves has been the team's top scorer in two, something that he himself considers to be the result of hard work.

"I always had the characteristics of a goalscorer, even in the junior and youth teams. I played in midfield but ended the season with a lot of goals. Even so, the most important thing is that the team do well and win. I will always give everything for the team; that is the objective", he guaranteed.

One thing that will change for the 25-year-old is his shirt number, as he swaps no. 28 for no. 8. "I like the number eight, which is legendary at this club", he said.

The young defender extends his contract at the club

Gonçalo Inácio has renewed his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal through to 2027, with his buyout clause rising from 45 million euros to 60 million.

The academy product, who has been at the club since 2012, confirmed the extension in an event attended by Sporting CP president, Frederico Varandas.

“It is an enormous source of pride to carry on with the Leão on my chest, as it has been for many years. I am very happy to stay here. I hope that there is even more to come”, he told the media.

The 21-year-old Portuguese international has appeared at every youth level at the club, eventually making his first team debut in 2020/2021. He now has 123 appearances, 11 goals and four trophies to his name: Liga Portugal (2020/2021), the Taça da Liga (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) and a Supertaça (2021).

“The biggest dream come true has been making it to the first team and becoming a league champion, but now I have to keep the focus on hard work, as I always have, and get more trophies”.

“It's very good for me that younger players see me as an example to follow. Since I arrived at Sporting CP, it has been a lot of responsibility. I want to get better and better and I want to be an example for the younger players, in the same way that I looked up to the older players”.

As a result of his rapid development, Inácio has managed to achieve a spot in the Portugal  national team and worn the captain's armband at Sporting CP.

“I have to work here, at the club, to reach the objective of being on the national team. One of the players who has helped me most is my teammate, Sebastián Coates. He's a great example to follow as a captain: Always helping, on and off the field”.

“I have a great commitment to this great club. We always count on the support of Sportinguistas, in all games and every day. They help us to be better”.