Sporting CP take on FC Midtjylland

This Thursday, Sporting Clube de Portugal's UEFA Europa League quest gets underway with a meeting with FC Midtjylland, in the first leg of the playoffs for the Round of 16. Coach Rúben Amorim talked about the game in his pre-match press conference.

"These games are always dangerous. The fact that our opponents have been out of action for several months could give Sporting CP an advantage," he said.

"We've had less time to prepare for the game, but competing with teams around us makes us grow. FC Midtjylland have a coach who always plays 4-3-3, and we won't be surprised by the way they play, but I see this as just another game. We gave a lot of tactical information to the players, but no extra motivation is needed - we're going to be prepared," he told journalists.

Regarding the objectives for the competition, the coach stated that "there are very strong teams in the UEFA Europa League and the Portuguese sides are never the main favourites."

"What we want is to win the next game. If I have this philosophy in the league, imagine what it's like in the UEFA Europa League. What I want is for the players to feel comfortable and play good football," he added.

Admitting "that this season has fallen short of our objectives and not even winning the UEFA Europa League will make up for Liga Portugal," Amorim went on to talk about young talent Youssef Chermiti.

"We've been renewing the young kids and we're working on that with Youssef. I'm not worried because we still have one more year left on our contract with him, and because players like Youssef or Mateus Fernandes know they'll have an opportunity here at Sporting CP. They grew up here and want to play here."

After revealing that Hidemasa Morita will remain sidelined, Amorim spoke about Ousmane Diomande.

"I believe that soon Diomande will have the opportunity to play in the starting lineup because he is doing very well and has adapted. It is not easy to come on when he did against FC Porto and use ball like he did. He's more than ready to play, he's very grown up."

In response to a question from a Danish journalist, the coach showed he was aware of the dangers of this Thursday's opponent.

"We have the advantage of being in midseason in our league, and FC Midtjylland were at a standstill. But they're a team that won 5-1 against SS Lazio, so we can't say we're obviously going to win clearly. It's going to be a tough game against a motivated team in the UEFA Europa League. I am confident, as always, that we will win the game."

Invited to comment on the fact that Czech footballer Jakub Jankto has come out as homosexual, Amorim showed his support and said that he considers that the topic is still "taboo" in the world of football.

"I have two kids, I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow and it was something I wouldn't be ashamed of."

Sporting CP vs. FC Midtjylland is scheduled for 8pm this Thursday, February 16th, at Estádio José Alvalade.

The goalkeeper previews the meeting with FC Midtjylland

Before Sporting Clube de Portugal's game against Danish side FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League playoff, Antonio Adán chatted to the media.

The Spanish goalkeeper began by saying that "it's important to forget about the last defeat, which was tough, but for a big side like Sporting CP, every game is important. Tomorrow we have another big game, in a new and exciting competition for everyone. We are confident despite the negative results. We are playing good football and we want a positive result," he told reporters.

After admitting that "it's true that the season has been inconsistent for everyone," Adán assured that he felt "good in terms of fitness."

"We can identify two big mistakes that I made this season and I take full responsibility for them, but I have more than 110 games for Sporting CP to my name. You have to look at everything with a certain perspective and accept those occasional mistakes. I consider that I am performing at a great level and that I have the confidence and strength to continue playing."

Regarding the objectives for what remains of 2022/23, the shot stopper recalled that "there are many games ahead and many things to do."

"We have things to achieve and that's what we're looking for, like the consistency of results that we haven't found yet. As a Sporting CP player, I always look at myself as a favourite. We have a great team and I trust my teammates. I believe that tomorrow we will be able to give a good showing of ourselves."

After praising new signings Héctor Bellerín and Ousmane Diomande, Antonio Adán spoke again about the current form for the team.

"Both in life and in football, we lose more times than we win. Football changes from one moment to the next and we have to try to stay on the winning path for the team's growth. I'm sure we're on the right track and doing things well -despite the results," he concluded.

Sporting CP vs. FC Midtjylland is scheduled for 8pm on Thursday, February 16th, at Estádio José Alvalade.

The coach explains the loss to FC Porto

Rúben Amorim talked about the 1-2 defeat in O Clássico and expressed his opinion that Sporting Clube de Portugal were punished excessively for small details.

“Again, we were lacking some details. We should have gone into the break ahead and then, off a rebound, we conceded the goal, which made everything more difficult," he explained.

"After the opening goal we struggled to create chances, we tried to break through -but not always with care- and there were some stoppages. The game became a bit like the League Taça da Liga final. Then, at the end, we pushed FC Porto closer to their area, we tried to hit them with crosses with Paulinho and Youssef inside, but off a transition we conceded the second goal. We still scored and made it 1-2, but there was no time for an equaliser."

Amorim started to change the team early on in the game, and justified his adjustments and the reasons for them.

“I would make them again, because that was what the game required. Esgaio had to go off and I apologised to him, but I have to think about the team. Bellerín, having not had much game time, got tired, so we had to change him. Then we conceded the goal and, looking at everything, where we had to have more width was upfield instead of at the wing. Therefore, I would do everything again."

“That's not why we lost the game," he continued. "We lost because of the details, not because FC Porto played better than us or pushed us. I would make those substitutions again because when I looked at things that's what the game was telling me. Trincão wanted to play on, but he has had tonsillitis and I felt he wasn't at his best. I do what the game tells me to do."

“As for my starting lineup: The best players in training, play. I'd rather lose one game or another, but win the rest. I have so much confidence in my players and in myself that I put in those I think should play and who are in the best form. What gives me confidence is the players being at their best and ready to play, knowing that I won't get everything from Youssef and Fatawu now, but it's part of their process and I thought they should play."

Focused on what lies ahead, Rúben Amorim said that he knows what is needed.

“We have to have a better second half of the season and see what happens in the end. Our aim is to win every game. That's always our aim, regardless of our position in the table. On Thursday we will be back here to win in the Europa League. In football, there has never been anyone who has been successful without going through difficult times, and so it is up to us to approach this with a clear conscience and face the challenges. That is what we are going to do once again," he concluded by saying.

Sporting CP lose 1-2 at home to FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal were beaten 1-2 by FC Porto in 'O Clássico' on Sunday, on Liga Portugal Matchday 20 at the Estádio José Alvalade. Deserving of a better result, Os Leões put in a strong showing but lost out due to two FC Porto goals against the run of play.

Rúben Amorim made changes to his starting XI, including handing a first start to Héctor Bellerín. Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Bellerín, Manuel Ugarte, Pedro Gonçalves, Abdul Fatawu, Francisco Trincão, Youssef Chermiti and Marcus Edwards made up the initial lineup.

The game began intensely and with a pair of opportunities for both sides. In the sixth minute, Sporting CP's Trincão was denied by Marcano, who cut across to clear. From a corner emanating from the chance, Bellerín hit a full-force shot that caught a deflection to go out.

When Reis was fouled on the left side of the area, a dangerous free kick by Gonçalves went wide of goal.

In response, FC Porto forced Adán to make two saves: The first off a cross-shot from the left, which the goalkeeper tipped towards the back post, and the second from straight on that he punched clear.

A recovery from Bellerín kickstarted a move for Fatawu, and his cross from left was hit wide by the incoming Edwards.

Trincão's weak right-footed shot was held by Diogo Costa thereafter, as Sporting CP remained focused on scoring. Edwards, off a quick move by the team, sent a ball fizzing over the FC Porto goal.

Shortly after, on 28 minutes, Chermiti went down and required treatment after Pepe stepped on him -an incident for which not even a foul was called.

After half an hour of play, FC Porto also came close to opening the scoring, but their first shot hit the post and the rebound was struck over.

Amorim adjusted the team in the 35th minute, with Trincão having felt unwell before the game, and brought Paulinho into the game.

In the last five minutes of the first half, two more opportunities went Sporting CP's way. First Chermiti got a ball in from Bellerín, but Marcano cut out the danger. Then Edwards fired off a free kick that Costa needed to send away.

The score remained 0-0 at the interval and Amorim made more adjustments for the beginning of the second half. Nuno Santos came on to replace Fatawu, and under ten minutes later there was another change: Bellerín was withdrawn for Ricardo Esgaio.

The second half also began at a good pace, but without much danger in either area. That proved to be the calm before the storm, however, as off a rebound, FC Porto opened the scoring with a goal by Uribe.

Ousmane Diamonde and Arthur Gomes came on for Esgaio and Reis on 70 minutes, as the coach used up all his available substitutions.

Now in front, FC Porto slowed the rhythm of the game with fouls and stoppages.

Sporting CP were always looking for a response, and in the 88th minute Chermiti was close to scoring with a shot at the back post, but Costa managed to save it.

A minute and a half later, a shot by Arthur Gomes was saved and Chermiti had the ball in the net, but VAR ruled the goal out.

With another seven minutes to play in Alvalade and Sporting CP putting pressure on the opposition area, a cruel twist saw FC Porto get their second with a quick move finished by Pepê.

A consolation goal went Sporting CP's way when Gomes crossed from the right and Chermiti headed in, but there was to be no equaliser -even when Adán went upfield and headed wide.

Os Leões play again on Thursday, hosting FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League playoff.

The coach anticipates what will happen against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal play FC Porto at home on Matchday 20 of the Liga Portugal season, and coach Rúben Amorim spoke in a press conference on the eve of 'O Clássico.'

After confirming that Paulinho will be available for the game, the coach gave his thoughts on the opposition.

"We know FC Porto and they know us. We can make both changes, but the way the two teams play is very present in the minds of the coaches, who will have prepared this game in the same way we prepared the Taça da Liga final. It will be a very competitive game, as always, and we hope to win this time around," he began by telling journalists.

Regarding Otávio's likely absence for FC Porto, Rúben Amorim guaranteed that "this will be a strong FC Porto in the same way that Sporting CP are always strong, with whichever players feature. FC Porto are a team as a whole."

"I've not enjoyed the results, but I've enjoyed the way Sporting CP face the big teams," continued Amorim.

"We have evolved year after year and that is what I look at. We haven't won our last few games against FC Porto, but we've played well in them. Now we have to add results to the performances."

"The two teams will want to win, but they will respect each other. A draw is no use to either side and we both need to win. We are going to field an 11 to be the better side and to take three more points," he stressed.

"Both Héctor Bellerín and Ousmane Diomande will be fit. The only doubt is Jeremiah St. Juste, who had a bad night last night," he said of the players available to him.

"Everyone knows the importance of this match, but we only go game-by-game. The players only have to think that they have to win and that if they don't, it's the end of the world. It's a way of thinking that the game is everything for us. It's the same way that we will approach the next game, and the same way it was against Rio Ave FC."

The coach's view of the win over Rio Ave FC

After the hard-fought 0-1 win away to Rio Ave FC, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim began his post-match press conference by addressing the performance of goalscorer Youssef Chermiti, emphasising that “he is a player who works very hard."

“The goal gave us victory and is what stands out most, but in the first half he was perhaps the best player for holding the ball up and getting his teammates involved. He did his job, was very good and then decided the game with a chance that he had," he began by telling journalists at the Estádio dos Arcos, before analysing the match as a whole.

“It was a very even game, with many duels. In the second half we pressed Rio Ave FC, but without creating chances, because we couldn't unlock the game individually. It got more difficult, but in the end the team that wanted it more and had more responsibility to win, won," he considered.

Amorim then revealed what he had tried to convey to the players at halftime to change things around.

“We had to be better in one-on-one situations and hold the ball up with our backs to goal. Rio Ave FC packed together more and we lacked the ability to put the ball onto the flanks. We tried with wingers instead of fullbacks, but we ended up not creating many chances -although we controlled the opposition's transitions well. It was a very tight match, but whilst it was not a great performance, we were the team that looked for the victory the most."

In addition, he highlighted that “more than anything, winning consistently is what this team need. Right now, I am focusing on the growth and consistency of the team, and not on the league position we are in. Working off victories is always good and it's important when preparing for the next game."

Next up is a meeting with FC Porto, and Amorim considered that "you can't take much away from today's game for that match, because it's a completely different game."
The coach is not ruling out Chermiti starting in that game, and also praised debutant Ousmane Diomande.

“Chermiti is one of the options for the next game, but I don't know how we're going to play, as we still have to prepare for the match. It is increasingly clear that he is a valid option."

"Diomande is fast and I wanted a strong player for duels and with the ability to have the ball, and that was what he demonstrated today. We're going to need all the players for the rest of the season."

The striker opens his account in a 0-1 win over Rio Ave FC

A maiden goal from Youssef Chermiti earned Sporting Clube de Portugal a 0-1 win over Rio Ave FC on Liga Portugal Matchday 19, as the young talent struck in the 84th minute on a cold night in Vila do Conde.

Opponents Rio Ave FC started the game in 13th place and, although they came into the contest after five league games without a win, they already showed their capabilities by beating FC Porto by 3-1 on Matchday 4.

Sporting CP had beaten SC Braga 5-0 in their previous fixture, and coach Rúben Amorim made only one change from the starting lineup from that game. Matheus Reis was brought in to replace Sebastián Coates, who had picked up a fifth booking of the season and was suspended.

The 18 year old Chermiti continued as starting striker in place of the also suspended Paulinho – serving the second of a three-game ban– and winter reinforcements Ousmane Diomande and Héctor Bellerín were part of the squad for the first time. They joined the returning Jovane Cabral on the bench.

After an even initial ten minutes, in which Luís Freire's Rio Ave FC were able to press harder, Sporting CP started to feel more and more comfortable on a fast playing surface, and started to take control of the ball. They alternated between trying to either give width to their play or find Chermiti up front.

Pedro Gonçalves found himself in a good position for the first shot of the game, which was blocked, and Hidemasa Morita, on the edge of the area, struck hard and wide after twenty minutes. However, despite Sporting CP's ascendancy, the home team remained organised and also tried to attack from transitions and corners.

A first half of few chances ended 0-0, but right after the restart it was Rio Ave FC who threatened for the first time: Boateng ran towards the area and only a huge stop by captain Antonio Adán prevented a goal.

In the 55th minute, Amorim brought on Francisco Trincão and Arthur Gomes, taking off Marcus Edwards and Nuno Santos -who was at risk of a sending off after picking up a yellow card. Around ten minutes later, Gonçalves came very close to scoring with a shot from outside the area that hit the crossbar.

Cabral's introduction for Ricardo Esgaio moved Trincão to the right wing, and there was a steady stream of approaches into the opponent's area, but Sporting CP found it hard to get through the organised Rio Ave FC defence.

Finally, in the 84th minute, an excellent diagonal pass by Gonçalo Inácio found Chermiti in space, and the young striker showed the necessary efficiency, lashing the ball into the net. It was the teenager's first goal for the Sporting CP first team, and was effusively celebrated by the players and by the approximately one thousand Sportinguistas in the stands.

Diomande and Bellerín both came on to make their debuts in a final stretch in which, despite the home team's efforts, Sporting CP held out for a second consecutive victory and a clean sheet.

Sporting CP remain in fourth place in the table, with 38 points. Next up, they play FC Porto in 'O Clássico.'

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK] [C], Ricardo Esgaio (Jovane Cabral, 75'), Jeremiah St. Juste, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis (Ousmane Diomande, 87'), Nuno Santos (Arthur Gomes, 55'), Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita, Marcus Edwards (Francisco Trincão, 55'), Pedro Gonçalves (Héctor Bellerín, 87') and Youssef Chermiti.

The Sporting CP coach looks ahead to the Monday night fixture

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to Vila do Conde, home of Rio Ave FC, for a Monday night fixture on Matchday 19 of the Liga Portugal season.

Ahead of the game, coach Rúben Amorim warned of the quality that the opposition have been showing, recalling that in the last meeting between the two teams Os Leões did not have an easy task despite a 0-2 win.

“We are up against a team who play very well, who like to have the ball and who made life very difficult for us in the first 30 minutes of the Taça da Liga game. We used that game to prepare for this latest challenge, knowing that we have to put together a run of consecutive victories. It is important to keep going off the back of the victory over SC Braga," he began by saying in the press conference, before analysing 11th-placed Rio Ave FC.

“Sometimes they lose the ball because they always want to play out from the goalkeeper. They can play with Boateng and Aziz, who are very strong players. It is difficult to catch the two midfielders when they are very open, and we had difficulties there because it is difficult to cover all the spaces. It's going to be a tough game against a team that play good football."

“We have to be very intense and tire Rio Ave FC out, otherwise they will tire us out -despite the fact that we are in very good shape physically. One-on-one situations will be important, because we use two similar formations, and then we have to have an advantage because we are Sporting CP and we have the responsibility to win the game. It will be a very difficult match, against an excellent team and a coach who has won at all levels."

Amorim was asked about a possible starting role for winter reinforcements Ousmane Diomande and Héctor Bellerín.

“Bellerín is very intelligent, we know him and he has adapted well. He is used to tactical work and understands the game very well. As for Diomande, I am more and more confident that we made an excellent deal by bringing him in. He adapted very well from the first training session and is very strong with and without the ball, so I wouldn't choose anyone else. So much has been said about the price we paid, but I am very confident that we have a great player there. I will only give the starting XI tomorrow, but those two will be in the squad."

As for Youssef Chermiti, the 18-year-old striker who was in the starting lineup and performed well against SC Braga, the coach declined to reveal whether he will be back in from the beginning.

“Chermiti or another player could play. We are leaving it open," he replied coyly.

Even though Nuno Santos is at risk of missing O Clássico with FC Porto if he receives a yellow card, Amorim said that he will keep nothing in reserve.

"We will give everything, obviously. It's important not to say who the striker will be, but Nuno Santos will play. This is the most important game, and Nuno Santos will start. Taking into account what we want for this game, he will play and there will be no holding back."

The new signing speaks to the media

Héctor Bellerín gave his first statements as a Sporting Clube de Portugal player this Thursday, having joined the club through to the end of the 2022/23 season. The 27-year-old arrives from FC Barcelona to provide another option at right back for coach Rúben Amorim.

“Above all, coming to Sporting CP means a lot of happiness. From the moment I received the news that they were interested in me, I had a good intuition and felt a good energy from the club. I'm very happy to be here, and I really want to enjoy my football. Coming to the biggest club in Portugal is a very good option", he began by telling Sporting TV.

The defender, whose resume includes spells at Arsenal and Watford in the UK, as well as at Real Betis Balompié and FC Barcelona in Spain, revealed that he had spoken with Paulo Barreira, a physiotherapist for the team, before making his decision.

“I was with him at Arsenal FC and he was a bit of an intermediary between me, the coach and Hugo Viana. From the start I knew it was going to be a good thing, but he told me about how the club works and how it has changed in recent years. This, in addition to the good atmosphere that there is here and the desire to work. This had a big impact and I am very happy to be here".

“I had already played at the stadium with Arsenal, five years ago, but when you get to know the Estádio José Alvalade and the city you see how Lisbon breathes Sporting CP. I still have a lot to discover about the club, but I come here with a lot of desire to get involved in what it means to be a Sportinguista and enjoy it with the fans and the team".

The new No.19 has won several trophies already, including the Spanish Copa del Rey, three Cups in England and three English Community Shields, however he showed enormous desire to succeed in Portugal as well.

“I want to tell Sportinguistas that I have come to give everything and put in effort every day. I want to give a lot of joy to the members and supporters".

The coach talks about the 5-0 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal's 5-0 win over SC Braga had coach Rúben Amorim pleased with the showing from his men, as he explained in his post-match press conference.

"It was a game against a difficult team that played with three centre-backs, which was different to what we had prepared for, but it is a formation we are used to playing against. Scoring first helped us, as well as the crowd. We started the second half well, scored the goal and everything became easier with the sending off of their player. We controlled SC Braga well, created several chances and won fairly," he began by telling journalists at the Auditório Artur Agostinho.

Speaking about Youssef Chermiti, who made his first start for the club, the coach said that the striker "showed the characteristics he possesses."

"He hasn't been playing because he was injured, but he showed a lot tonight. He's going to improve a lot, as he's still very young. I'm very happy with him. He's a very confident kid, but he works hard. When those two things come together, you can only get a player with a bright future."

Commenting on Héctor Bellerín, a winter signing for the club who did not feature in the game, Amorim stated "he is an experienced player who has already played for big clubs. There is the prospect of him being able to stay and that is important. We have someone on the coaching staff who knows him well, and that's a help," he added, before talking about the experience that Sporting CP have been gaining.

"Big clubs have to win big games, but the most important thing is when we have to win every week. It's a difficult thing that players sometimes don't have. We have players with a lot of talent, but some don't grow with this."

On the subject of Ricardo Esgaio, who received applause in Alvalade for his performance, Amorim analysed that: "Esgaio needs to play. He has already shown quality at SC Braga and in his first season at Sporting CP. Pedro Porro being here made everything more difficult for him. There's no way to hide that he has had some games that weren't as good, which didn't help, as well as the results for the team. Today he played as he always does. Half of his performance is down to the fans. When a player feels supported, it's much better. Sportinguistas realized that they had to help Esgaio, because in doing so they are helping Sporting CP."

Finally, the coach also addressed the performance of Jeremiah St. Juste.

"In every moment of the game he shows a lot of quality. He needs several games. He didn't have a preseason and it was hard for him to get on the pace, but he is perfect for that position. He has offensive and defensive ability and is very fast, which is a determining factor. I hope not only for this from him, but also that he improves," he concluded.