Sporting CP lose 1-0 to Everton in a preseason friendly

The preparation for Sporting CP's 2023/24 season came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, in what was the team's final preseason friendly. Os Leões were the better side for much of the match, but failed to finish their chances in front of goal.

They travelled to England without the injured Sebastián Coates, Nuno Santos and Jeremiah St. Juste, and Rúben Amorim fielded a starting XI composed of Antonio Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança, Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves and new signing Viktor Gyökeres.

On a cold afternoon with some rain falling on Merseyside, Sporting CP took control practically from the start of the match, and it didn't take long before they created danger. On a slick individual move on the right, Geny Catamo played the ball to Gyökeres and he crossed in, but Pedro Gonçalves' shot went just over the top. Soon after, it was Catamo himself who tried his luck, but without success.

The dominance was consistent throughout almost the entirety of the first half, even though the clear goalscoring opportunities were scarce. Everton -also playing their final game before the Premier League gets underway- rarely managed to get close to goal, with Antonio Adán little more than a mere spectator.

In the final 15 minutes, the duel gained more intensity and opportunities emerged. Gonçalves went through on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but shot weakly, and then Gyökeres, with a header in the six yard box, forced the England international into a save. Adán followed up with a stop from a long distance shot at the other end to deny Doucouré.

Unfortunately, a Calvert-Lewin penalty in stoppage time made it 1-0 to Everton before the break.

The only change at halftime was the introduction of Franco Israel in goal, and the first 25 minutes offered little in the way of chances. On 69 minutes, Rúben Amorim brought on Afonso Moreira, Marcus Edwards, Mateus Fernandes and Ricardo Esgaio to shake up the game.

Soon after, Everton FC almost doubled their lead when Amadou Onana hit the post. However, Os Leões were again more daring in their search for an equaliser  and almost managed to find it on two occasions. First, Afonso Moreira worked well in the area and shot very close to the target, and then Gonçalves hit the woodwork.

In the final stretch, Sporting CP had Everton on the ropes. Gonçalves was only denied by a lick of paint on the crossbar, and the home team hung on for victory.

The official start of the 2023/24 season is scheduled for next Saturday, August 12th, with the Sporting CP hosting FC Vizela on the opening day of the Liga Portugal campaign.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [C] [GK] (Franco Israel, 45'), Eduardo Quaresma (Ricardo Esgaio, 69'), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo (Afonso Moreira, 69'), Daniel Bragança (Mateus Fernandes , 69'), Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão (Marcus Edwards, 69'), Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres.

Sporting CP train before their friendly with Everton

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training on Wednesday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

The squad began their preparations for the friendly against Everton FC at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, England, which takes place on Saturday afternoon. Thus far, the team have enjoyed a positive preseason with ever-increasing intensity.

Sporting CP will train again on Thursday morning.

The coach speaks after the win in the Troféu Cinco Violinos

Rúben Amorim was satisfied with his team's showing against Villarreal CF in the Troféu Cinco Violinos, as well as their efforts throughout the preseason. However, as he explained in his post-match interview, his focus is firmly on the start of the Liga Portugal season.

“The team have grown, we have a connection and a good atmosphere amongst ourselves. If we look at today's game, we can see that we had some moments of difficulty, but even so, we felt good, we were able to withstand pressure and we did what the game asked for, until the moment when we got on top of things and decided the contest. This is due to the growth of the team, which has increased maturity and consistency," he began by saying to Sporting TV.

"So far, the summer has been good, but what matters is the game against FC Vizela; that is our focus. Last year we didn't start out with wins, and this year we have to win the opening game."

“We really want to please the fans. I don't like to talk about the past, but our fourth place last season doesn't matter anymore -just like when we were champions it didn't matter the next season. We're going into the first matchday to win and to go straight to the top of the table," he continued.

"Starting the season with a victory is the only thing that interests us and for that we need the fans on our side. Without them, we have no chance, but with them we are candidates to win. I believe that we have the ability to beat every side in Portugal, and that is what we are going to try to do. We know that if the fans are behind us, like last year, for example against SL Benfica and Juventus FC, it will be very difficult for our opponents to beat us."

The coach also spoke of some individual players, in particular Geny Catamo and Eduardo Quaresma, saying that both "gained confidence in all of the training sessions."
“The coach doesn't pick the team. They themselves choose to play and I am here to do my job, which is to make them grow."

Amorim also commented on Viktor Gyökeres' adaptation, saying: “We already knew his characteristics, the adaptation was very quick and the understanding with his teammates has been very good. The season will be very long. He played two games against teams that gave him a lot of space, but he will experience other difficulties in the league. We are working on that."

Os Leões impress with a 3-0 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal won their presentation game at the Estádio José Alvalade, beating Villarreal CF 3-0 in the Troféu Cinco Violinos.

Before kickoff, the players were introduced one by one and “O Mundo Sabe Que” was played by five violinists in the centre circle, while the Sportinguistas gathered at the stadium sang along.

Coach Rúben Amorim opted for Antonio Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards, Viktor Gyökeres and Francisco Trincão in his starting lineup.

Despite Villarreal CF starting out with more of the ball, Sporting CP grew into the contest quickly, pressing high and creating dangerous moves.

The first chance came from Trincão's run, when he was stopped just outside the area. Gonçalves took over the possession sent a shot just over the goal occupied by Filip Jorgensen.

Viktor Gyökeres, in his first game at Alvalade, forced the Villarreal CF goalkeeper into a great save off an individual move by the Swedish striker, who ran down the right and then placed the ball towards goal. Off the resulting corner, Morita headed wide.

At the other end of the pitch, Villarreal CF, through captain Gerard Moreno, were also giving Adán a hard time, especially in the 24th minute, in which the goalkeeper prevented an opener with an excellent stop.

In response, Sporting CP were close to taking the lead: First when Matheus Reis fired into the side netting, then through Edwards after receiving from Gyökeres.

Villarreal CF had the ball in the net on 34 minutes, through Moreno, but the offside flag was promptly raised and a VAR review confirmed the decision. The striker would also hit the woodwork a few minutes later.

Finally, on the stroke of halftime, Edwards muscled his way past several opposition players and belted the ball with his left foot to make it 1-0 in style.

Gonçalves took a pass from Ricardo Esgaio and only needed a finish, but Aissa Mandi cut out his effort. This was followed by José Luis Morales having a goal for Villarreal CF ruled out for a clear offside.

For the second half, Amorim and opposition coach Quique Setién had contrasting approaches, with 'The Yellow Submarine' experiencing a series of substitutions and Sporting CP unchanged. Amorim would eventually make adjustments on the hour, taking off Edwards and Esgaio and bringing on Geny Catamo and Paulinho. Both started well, with the former heading wide almost immediately.

In the 64th minute, Amorim decided to freshen things up, introducing Franco Israel, Ousmane Diomande and Daniel Bragança in place of Adán, Coates and Trincão.

High pressure from Sporting CP paid off with the second goal in the 72nd minute. Pedro Gonçalves collected the ball on the edge of the area, rounded two defenders and placed the ball past Pepe Reina.

Not five minutes later, they made it 3-0, this time through Paulinho. Good work by Geny Catamo on the right, a cross into the six yard box and a subtle shot from the striker increased the advantage.

Gyökeres had a pair of shots, and Gonçalves a back-heeled effort, but the Villarreal CF goalkeeper got the upper hand. Paulinho was then denied by the upright, as the Sporting CP pressure continued.

The game ended 3-0 as Os Leões made a statement against Champions League-level opposition. Sporting CP will be back at the Estádio José Alvalade on August 12th, in the first match of the Liga Portugal season against FC Vizela. Before that, there is still one final preseason game, in England, on August 5th against Everton.

The team make their way back to Alcochete

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to work at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete on Friday morning, after a week and a half at their training camp in Lagos.

Rúben Amorim, who ran another demanding training session, continues to prepare his side for the new season, but the focus is currently on the annual Troféu Cinco Violinos presentation game, which will be played on Sunday at 8pm against Spanish side Villarreal CF, at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The squad will hold another session on Saturday morning.

A 3-0 triumph over the Spanish side is spearheaded by Pedro Gonçalves

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Real Sociedad 3-0 at the Estádio do Algarve in the final friendly of their preseason training camp.

Before the opening whistle, a tribute was made to former Sporting CP and Real Sociedad players Carlos Xavier and Oceano (for professional reasons, Sá Pinto could not be present).

The game was a good test against a side who will play in the Champions League next season. The main interest for Sporting CP was whether Gyokares would play for the first time since signing for the club, and his debut proved that he was strong, fast and instantly on the same wavelength as his teammates. The icing on the cake was the goal that he scored on 20 minutes, after a great move by Sporting CP that started with a ball from Pedro Gonçalves to Ricardo Esgaio, a cross from the right winger and a deflection that was met by Gyokeres in the box to finish.

Sporting CP were playing with three defensive players (Gonçalo Inácio, Coates and Matheus Reis), with the wingers (Esgaio and Nuno Santos) high up the pitch and two central midfielders handling the ball (Morita and Pedro Gonçalves). Marcus Edwards operated on the right side and up front, Gyokeres and Paulinho formed the strike partnership.

Esgaio would come inside on several occasions, and from one of these situations he was perfectly assisted by Pedro Gonçalves to provide a two-goal advantage before half an hour had elapsed.

They would come close to a third goal before the break, as Edwards had a shot in the area intercepted by a Real Sociedad defender, but ended the first half 2-0 to the good.

In the second half, Sporting CP's superiority continued to be well established, and in a great move by Nuno Santos on the left, a shot by Pedro Gonçalves made it 3-0.

A harsh decision by the referee led to Leonado Barroso being sent off, and Real Sociedad tried to use the numerical advantage, but were denied three times by Antonio Adán.

There was no change in the scoreline and Sporting CP's 3-0 victory over Real Sociedad had some magnificent individual and collective lessons to take away. This Sunday they play against Villarreal CF at the Estádio José Alvalade in the Trofeu 5 Violinos.

The countdown to the start of the campaign continues

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training on Wednesday morning, preparing for the game against FC Vizela which will mark the first step in the 2023/2024 Liga Portugal season. 

The squad are scheduled for another session at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday, under coach Rúben Amorim, behind closed doors.

The team work on fitness and skills in a hot session in Lagos

In their Sunday morning training session, Sporting Clube de Portugal continued their work ahead of the match against Real Sociedad, scheduled for 8:30pm local time this Tuesday.

Ball work took centre stage, with goalkeepers Antonio Adán, Franco Israel, Diego Callai and Francisco Silva working with coaches Jorge Vital and Tiago Ferreira,and the remaining players in the squad training fitness and skills under an intense heat.

The friendly against Real Sociedad precedes the last day of the training camp in Lagos, where the squad will be put through their paces on Monday.

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.