Sporting CP keep sharp in a practice match

Sporting Clube de Portugal held a training game against UD Vilafranquense on Friday morning at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, which ended with the team winning 7-0.

Rúben Amorim lined up the following eleven players for the session: Franco Israel, Ricardo Esgaio, Ousmane Diomande, Luís Neto, Matheus Reis, Arthur Gomes, Mateo Tanlongo, Sotiris Alexandropoulos, Rochinha, Francisco Trincão and Paulinho. In addition to the starters, Jeremiah St. Juste, Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Marcus Edwards all played minutes.

The goals were scored by Sotiris Alexandropoulos, Paulinho, Francisco Trincão, Ricardo Esgaio, Rochinha, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos.

The next training session for Sporting CP is scheduled for Monday, in Alcochete, behind closed doors.

The coach speaks after a sensational night for Sporting CP

At the end of a glorious night for Sporting Clube de Portugal, as they eliminated Arsenal from the UEFA Europa League, coach Rúben Amorim analysed a performance that saw his team progress to the quarter finals.

"There was a lot of maturity on the part of the players. We started both games going behind, and we always managed to turn things around and remain very compact, understanding what the game required," he said.

"We had the physical, technical and tactical capacity to match a team with a different pace. We had to play very well in both games and the players did that. More than the result, it's about the way we played. Today was an important game for the visibility it had, but we have got through to the next round."

The coach also justified his decision to make his substitutions late on.

"The team were doing so well that I didn't want to change any position to change the game. Any player could have been in the starting lineup, but nobody seemed tired. The players were very motivated and I didn't want to change the dynamic. All the young players we have can reach the level of Arsenal players, but they have to grow," commented Amorim.

"I won't forget what we went through this year, which is something that can happen again. I don't deceive myself about anything. I'm very happy here and my objective is to win, at least, one more title for Sporting CP."

After describing Pedro Gonçalves' equalising strike from distance as "a special goal from a special player," he admitted that "extra time was very difficult" for Sporting CP.

Questioned about what this triumph could mean for the younger players, he explained that "it has the impact that they want to have and that the people around them want to have."

"We have to praise them and then get back to work. I'm not crazy and I know the impact this game had on the players, but everything can change. It's a good moment for them, they played well and they got through to the next round, but we can't forget what happened before," he stressed.

Regarding the future in the UEFA Europa League, the coach stated that Sporting CP can "win any game or lose against any team."

"If we go from this starting point, we are on the right path. Liga Portugal is our priority. Difficult games are coming, anything can happen and that is our focus. When the UEFA Europa League comes around, we will see what happens. Of course, this game helps the players to believe."

Finally, Amorim thanked the Sporting fans for their support in London.

"We're used to it. It was the same in Frankfurt and against Tottenham Hotspur. The fans believe because the team believe. It's contagious. The fans feel proud of their team."

'Os Leões' eliminate Arsenal on penalties in London

Sporting Clube de Portugal progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League in a thrilling game against Arsenal, which required penalties to decide who would make it out of the Last 16 after a 3-3 aggregate result.

After the 2-2 draw in Alvalade, Os Leões went to the Emirates Stadium, in London, with around 3000 Sportinguistas accompanying them in the English capital.

Five changes were made to the starting XI, as Antonio Adán, Jeremiah St. Juste, Gonçalo Inácio, Francisco Trincão and Paulinho all came in.

Sporting CP's began with authority demonstrating that they hadn't come to London with the intention of playing for a draw. On 13 minutes, the first sign of danger came when Francisco Trincão cut in from the right, shooting slightly wide. In response, Reiss Nelson of Arsenal crossed for Gabriel Jesus, with Antonio Adán blocking well.

Without doing much to deserve it, Arsenal made it 1-0 after 19 minutes. Adán had denied Gabriel Martinelli, but Granit Xhaka snatched the rebound to score.

The Gunners took advantage of the momentum to grow in strength, and could have scored a second shortly after, when Gabriel Jesus' shot forced a tremendous save by Adán.

Closing in on halftime, Sporting CP had two chances: First, Jeremiah St. Juste went on a long solo run and shot wide. Then in stoppage time, Manuel Ugarte tried his luck from afar and was centimeters away from Aaron Ramsdale's goal.

In the second half, Sporting CP started even better, and converted this into attempts by Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho, the latter off a very dangerous cross by Ricardo Esgaio.

A much deserved equaliser came in the 62nd minute, in spectacular style. Sporting CP recovered the ball in midfield and Pedro Gonçalves, close to 52.5-metres out, shot past the Arsenal goalkeeper to level the game and the tie.

Right after the historic goal, Paulinho headed the ball over the crossbar, then Esgaio set up Marcus Edwards perfectly for a shot saved by Ramsdale.

A free kick by Arsenal's Fábio Vieira, kept out by Adán, and Youssef Chermiti coming in for Paulinho, made no change to the scoreline at the end of regulation time, and the game went into extra time.

In the opening moments of the additional half-hour, Gonçalves and Matheus Reis made way for Dário Essugo and Nuno Santos, respectively.

Adán was again the protagonist in the 97th minute, when a mistake by Sporting CP left Trossard with the ball right in front of the Spanish goalkeeper, who made a quality stop.

Arthur Gomes came in for Trincão as the first half of extra time ended. In the second period, Arsenal pressed harder and in the 117th minute it was only an outstanding response to Gabriel Magalhães' header by Adán that prevented a goal.

Soon after, Ugarte saw his second yellow card, reducing Sporting CP to ten men, but with no goals in extra time, penalties would decide who would go through to the next stage.

The coin toss dictated that the goal to be used was the one closest to the Sporting CP supporters. The first seven penalties were all converted: Jeremiah St. Juste, Ricardo Esgaio, Gonçalo Inácio and Arthur Gomes all dispatched for Sporting CP; Ødegaard, Saka and Trossard for the Gunners.

Everything changed on the eighth spot kick. Gabriel Martinelli struck and Adán guessed correctly, leaving the responsibility to put Sporting CP through to Nuno Santos. He kept his cool, sent the ball into the net and sent his team into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

The draw for the next stage, semi-finals and final of the UEFA Europa League is scheduled for this Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [C] [GR], Jeremiah St. Juste, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Manuel Ugarte, Pedro Gonçalves (Dário Essugo, 93'), Matheus Reis (Nuno Santos, 93'), Marcus Edwards (Mateo Tanlongo, 119'), Francisco Trincão (Arthur Gomes, 105') and Paulinho (Youssef Chermiti, 79').

April 13th in Italy, April 20th at the Estádio José Alvalade

After progressing from the Round of 16 stage in the UEFA Europa League at the expense of Arsenal, Sporting Clube de Portugal were entered into the quarter final draw that took place on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland:

The team will face Italian giants Juventus. The first leg, in Turin, Italy, is scheduled for April 13th, with the second leg taking place exactly a week later, on April 20th, at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The team who go through will play the winners of the tie between Manchester United and Sevilla.

The striker is looking for a winning performance against Arsenal

Paulinho was present at the Emirates Stadium upon Sporting Clube de Portugal's arrival in London, on the eve of the UEFA Europa League tie against Arsenal.

The striker, who scored in the first leg against the Gunners, spoke about the 2-2 result and his recent good form.

"It's important to play well and score, but confidence also comes from what we do every day -individually and collectively. We have to focus on that, on what we can control," he said.

"We ended the first leg feeling that we could have won, because we played to win and that was shown in the game. Now we have a second game to try to do more and better," he added.

Questioned about the great season that Premier League leaders Arsenal have had, Paulinho assured that he had no fear about this.

"We have to think that if we want to get better, we have to fight against the best teams. We can't look at it any other way. That's what we did last week and this is how we're going to do it tomorrow."

Paulinho also has no doubts that the large presence of Sporting CP supporters at the Emirates Stadium will make the team feel at home.

"We can hear them throughout the whole game. It was like that in Manchester last year against City and against Tottenham Hotspur this season, and at many other stadiums. Even though we're playing away, we'll feel like we have part of our home here," he concluded.

Arsenal vs. Sporting CP is scheduled for 8pm local time this Thursday, at the Emirates Stadium in London.

The coach talks about the Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg in London

A decisive game for Sporting CP takes place this Thursday at 8pm, as the team play Arsenal in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg. After a 2-2 draw in Portugal last week, the tie remains wide open, and coach Rúben Amorim previewed the match at the Emirates Stadium on the eve of the match.

"We have already played against Arsenal and, therefore, they are not an unknown quantity," he said. "This gives us confidence because we know what we want from the game, what we want to do and why we are in good form. We have conceded fewer goals and scored more."

"We gave almost everything that we had in the first leg, but I believe that players can always do better and if Arsenal speed things up even more, we will have another gear for defending and attacking. We are capable of that. Maybe they are more used to doing it because their league is different , but we also have that capability," he explained.

Regarding the preparations made in training before the trip to England, Amorim commented that "our homework had already been done in the first game. The focus before this game was seeing where it is possible to improve -and where Arsenal might also improve. We'll be prepared for the game."

Asked about Antonio Adán, who did not play against Boavista FC, Rúben Amorim revealed that the Spanish goalkeeper "had already done everything to be available to play" this past weekend, and that he will be between the sticks for the Europa League game.

Approximately 3,000 Sporting CP fans will be present in London, and the coach recalled what he had experienced against Tottenham Hotspur and against Manchester City in previous visits to England.

"It always gets easier with the fans there. They are part of our club and we really need them, at home or away, for what we are buildingm" he stated.

The coach reflects on the win at home against Boavista FC

Rúben Amorim talked about the 3-0 triumph over Boavista FC in a post-match press conference at the Estádio José Alvalade.

“Was it the display we needed? Above all it was the result we needed. I think we could and should have scored more goals, but we controlled the game well and all of Boavista FC's moves upfield," he began by saying.

"It was a perfect game because the team remained focused. The team's main priority and responsibility is to win our league games, but it's better to prepare for Arsenal after a victory and it was an excellent way to start preparing for that game."

“All the feelings that come with winning and not conceding a goal, like we did today, as well as playing well against a team like Arsenal, give us confidence. We cannot be under any illusions: Arsenal will have a different gear at home and we will have to be smart, but we will be prepared and very confident,” he said, looking ahead to Thursday's game.

Asked if, with this kind of performances more consistently, Sporting CP would be better placed in Liga Portugal, the coach said: “We have players who have come in who show a different quality, and now we are more compact, but I would say that yes, we have found form late. That's down to all of us. Looking at the second half of the season, with eight more points we would be in second. It's a very big difference, but the players are learning from it."

Amorim also commented on Nuno Santos’ spectacular goal.

“What upsets me is that we missed easier chances and then he scores a goal like that. For me, the most important thing is that Nuno Santos can do much better. Everyone gets annoyed when they don't play, but he gets too affected and that sometimes takes his focus away. It's difficult for Nuno Santos sometimes to accept that he isn't playing. Today he scored a great goal, he can score many more and I also think he can be a much better player."

A dominant display earns three points for Os Leões

Sporting Clube de Portugal warmed up for a big week ahead with a 3-0 win over Boavista FC 3-0 on Liga Portugal Matchday 24.

Rúben Amorim made five changes from the midweek match against Arsenal in the Europa League, including handing a league debut for goalkeeper Franco Israel. Sporting CP started with the Uruguayan goalkeeper, Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards, Youssef Chermiti and Pedro Gonçalves.

The hosts enjoyed the first chance in the opening minute, when Morita crossed from the left and Chermiti headed with his back to goal, the ball hitting the post and falling in front of goal. Gonçalves was waiting to finish, but Onyemaechi got there first to clear. Edwards followed up with an effort soon after, but his shot went wide of goal.

Enjoying more of the ball, controlling the pace and pressing high, Sporting CP were not letting Boavista FC play and created a series of opportunities, only kept out by the defence and goalkeeper Bracali.

On 13 minutes, Chermiti had a low shot go wide, building up to an incredible opening goal under five minutes later: A one-two between Edwards and Chermiti down the right hand side saw the former cut back for the striker, who could not get a shot off, but Nuno Santos came in from the second line to finish off with a fantastic rabona strike to make it 1-0.

It was only after half an hour of play that Franco Israel had to intervene for the first time, from a Yusupha header which he saved comfortably.

Just before the end of the first half, Morita put through Nuno Santos who, after getting into the area, set up Gonçalves. Defender Salvador Agra came in to cut out the pass and ended up deflecting into his own net.

Leading 2-0 at the start of the second period, Sporting CP again started well and looked to increase their advantage immediately, as Nuno Santos, off a corner by Edwards, swiped twice at the ball and put it wide.

Boavista FC responded with a set piece of their own, with a free kick from the left that Onyemaechi went for, but Franco Israel immediately grabbed the ball.

Ricardo Esgaio had a chance to score a terrific goal when he received the ball from the right and progressed towards the area, only for his strike to bounce back off the woodwork.

Then it was Edwards, through the middle, who shot, with Bracali clutching his effort.

Amorim made the first changes by taking off Matheus Reis and Pedro Gonçalves and bringing in Gonçalo Inácio and Francisco Trincão.

In the 66th minute, off another quick move by Sporting CP, Nuno Santos got a pass from Edwards, but his connection went well over the bar. Soon after, another shot from the winger, set up by Trincão, was also hit high.

In the 72nd minute, another double substitution withdrew Chermiti and Edwards for Paulinho and Arthur Gomes.

Despite creating less danger, Sporting CP remained the better side and were looking for their third goal. In the 83rd minute, Gomes nearly got it, but struck wide.

Consecutive chances for Trincão and Morita also went outside the post, and it would not be until stoppage time that Sporting CP made it 3-0. Paulinho finished off in the 93rd minute, after a cross from Ricardo Esgaio.

The goal rounded off a comprehensive performance, earning three points for Sporting CP in Liga Portugal. They now return their focus to the Europa League and a trip to London, where Arsenal await with a 2-2 result from the first leg.

The coach reacts to the 2-2 first leg draw with Arsenal

In the aftermath of the 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim reflected on the game, stating that he believed his side could have come away with the victory.

“Arsenal controlled the game with the ball, but we defended well. We had the first opportunity and, even when we conceded the first goal, the team didn't let their heads drop, which is a very good sign," he told the media in his post-match press conference.

"If we look at the incidents in the game, it was very similar to what has happened this season. There's always a detail that cancels out other moments, and that's what happened. We could have gone 3-1 up, but we didn't manage to and then they made it 2-2."

“After that, we tried to defend and the players gave everything they had with a different pace. The team were very smart in their understanding of the game, seeing where the spaces were, overloading the wings and bringing the ball out with quality. We had our chances against a team who have another level of power to them, and we adapted well. Looking at the game, we could have won.”

Amorim was then asked if the draw was a bittersweet result, taking into account the way the Arsenal goals were scored and the chances not finished off by Sporting CP.

“Before the game, all Sportinguistas would have taken this result. But looking at what happened, it's hard to accept and nobody can be satisfied. We didn't manage to score a goal and in key moments we suffered, first from a dead ball and then off a rebound. Still, we had a very competent game. We should have scored one or two more goals, but it's good that there's a bittersweet feeling because we're here to win and not just to take part," he stated.

The coach also stressed that the tie is open and that the team will "try everything" in the second leg.

“We are going to London with the aim of going through. We know that Arsenal will have their crowd there, but if we were a goal or two ahead it would be completely different. We're going to play our game and try to make the opposition nervous, because we have the ability to have the ball. We know we're going to suffer a lot and if we have to defend with everyone in front of the goal, then that's what we'll do. We strongly believe that we can go through."

The Europa League tie will be settled in England

Sporting Clube de Portugal's UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie with Arsenal remains wide open, after Os Leões drew 2-2 with the English side at the Estádio José Alvalade in the first leg.

Without the suspended Manuel Ugarte or former Arsenal player Hector Bellerín, injured in yesterday's training session, Rúben Amorim made four changes to his starting lineup, with Jeremiah St. Juste, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão and Paulinho returning to the initial eleven.

It was the Gunners who enjoyed more possession in the opening minutes, although the first close call belonged to Sporting CP. On the left wing, Pedro Gonçalves entered the area, got past a defender and unleashed a shot just off the target.

Although Sporting CP had been holding up well, it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, off a corner headed in by Saliba.

Oleksander Zinchenko forced Adán into a save off a shot from distance, but Os Leões responded with the equaliser. After a first threat from Gonçalo Inácio, kept out by goalkeeper Matt Turner, the resulting corner was converted by the centre back to make it 1-1.

Marcus Edwards was denied by Turner and Adán made another block from a Granit Xhaka header as the goalkeepers gained protagonism, and it was Edwards who enjoyed the last chance of the first half: Breaking away after Arsenal conceded a turnover in the middle of the park, he took too long to move upfield and the referee blew for halftime.

The intensity remained in the second half. Sporting CP tried to score through Morita, who shot wide after an excellent buildup by Trincão leading the counterattack, and the English side fought back with an effort from Martinelli that was saved and a Fábio Vieira strike wide.

Sporting CP were increasingly comfortable and confident, and transferred this to their attack. In the 55th minute their work paid off, as Paulinho scored on the rebound from an initial shot by Pedro Gonçalves, with the fans at the Estádio José Alvalade exploding for the second time and pushing the team on for more.

St. Juste blocked a Martinelli shot after rushing back and Paulinho clipped over when through on the goalkeeper, and in the 62nd minute Sporting CP received some bad luck when a strike took a deflection off Morita to beat Adán and took the score to 2-2.

Amorim decided to make his first substitutions, with Nuno Santos, Ousmane Diomande and Youssef Chermiti coming on in a phase of the match played at a slower pace.

Arsenal appeared content to maintain the scoreline, whilst Sporting CP attempted to go forward whenever the chance presented itself.

A few tame shots from either side rounded off the game, and the final score of 2-2 leaves everything at stake for the second leg in London next Thursday.

Before the return fixture, Sporting CP host Boavista FC in Liga Portugal action.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Jeremiah St. Juste, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio (Ousmane Diomandé, 77’), Pedro Gonçalves, Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards (Fatawu Issahaku, 89’), Francisco Trincão (Nuno Santos, 71’) and Paulinho (Youssef Chermiti, 77’).