Sporting CP impress with a 5-0 win at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal put in a stellar showing to beat SC Braga 5-0 at home, on Matchday 18 of the Liga Portugal season.

The team experienced three changes in the starting lineup for the midweek match, with Ricardo Esgaio chosen to replace Pedro Porro after the Spaniard's move to Tottenham.  Jeremiah St. Juste and Youssef Chermiti came in for Matheus Reis and Paulinho, respectively, on a cold night at the Estádio José Alvalade.

After a Banza shot saved by goalkeeper Antonio Adán, Sporting CP enjoyed their first chance through Manuel Ugarte, who shot wide off a deflection from a defender. Soon after, Marcus Edwards shot into the side netting, again with a touch from an opposition player.

From the resulting corner kick, Nuno Santos played the ball into the area, Jeremiah St. Juste headed on and the ball fell to Hidemasa Morita, who, on the turn, shot into the back of the net. It was the fourth goal for the Japanese player since joining the club, and put the team into an early lead.

Sporting CP continued well, threatening with attacks from Marcus Edwards and Youssef Chermiti -the latter reaching an excellent cross by Ricardo Esgaio with a header that Matheus saved.

Shortly after, it was Pedro Gonçalves who shot wide with another deflection. On the following corner, he created even more danger, and came close to scoring with a header.

Despite the high press from SC Braga, Sporting CP were calm in their buildup and dominated through to the end of the first half. The game went into the interval with Os Leoes 1-0 to the good.

The second half could scarcely have started better: In the first minute, Sporting CP made it 2-0. After a shot by Gonçalves that Matheus saved, Chermiti backheeled to Hidemasa Morita for the Japanese to complete his brace.

Life got even more difficult for SC Braga in the 49th minute, when Niakaté was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Sporting CP took advantage of the momentum to go in search of the third goal. Hidemasa Morita had two shots go just wide before, half an hour from time, Marcus Edwards found the net.

The Englishman advanced down the right and danced through the opposition defence, capping off a brilliant run with a confident finish past the goalkeeper. He now has ten goals to his name in 2022/23.

Coach Rúben Amorim started to change things, and Morita and  Ugarte were both withdrawn to be replaced by Mateo Tanlongo and Francisco Trincao. Another great opportunity followed, but Nuno Santos' shot missed the target by a question of centimetres..

Arthur Gomes, Matheu Reis and Fatawu came on, 15 minutes from time, for  Santos, Sebastián Coates and Edwards.

Adán prevented a consolation for SC Braga with an excellent save, and in the 86th minute, Sporting CP made it 4-0. Off a perfect short corner, Matheus Reis appeared outside the area to shoot into the top corner and bag his first goal of the season.

In stoppage time, Fatawu was brought down in the area, Gonçalves converting with the final kick of the game to complete a 5-0 triumph.

Sporting CP will next play on Monday, visiting Rio Ave FC.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Jeremiah St. Juste, Sebastián Coates [C] (Matheus Reis, 76'), Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Manuel Ugarte (Francisco Trincão, 63'), Hidemasa Morita (Mateo Tanlongo, 63'), Nuno Santos (Arthur Gomes, 76') , Marcus Edwards (Fatawu, 76'), Pedro Gonçalves and Youssef Chermiti.

The Spaniard will form part of the squad until the end of 2022/23

Sporting CP have completed the signing of Héctor Bellerín through to the end of the 2022/23 season. The 27-year-old fullback is a full international for Spain, and has experience both in his homeland and abroad.

After moving up through the youth system at FC Barcelona, the Spaniard moved to England to join Arsenal in 2012, featuring for the first team and also going out on loan to Watford and Real Betis.

Last summer he returned to FC Barcelona, playing seven games this season.

The defender joins on a full-time deal

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed Ousmane Diomande to a first team contract. The 19-year-old central defender joins the club through to 2027, with a buyout clause of 80 million euros.

A native of the Ivory Coast, Diomande was on the books at Danish club FC Midtjylland, but had spent this season in Liga Portugal on loan at CD Mafra.

In 2022/2023, he played 17 games for CD Mafra, scoring one goal.

The coach previews the crunch clash with SC Braga on Wednesday night

This Wednesday, Sporting Clube de Portugal host SC Braga on Matchday 18 of the Liga Portugal season. Ahead of the game, Rúben Amorim gave a pre-match press conference at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We are expecting a very difficult game, and a different game to the one in the Taça da Liga, which had an abnormal result bearing in mind the difference between the teams," he told journalists.

"SC Braga are doing better than us in the league and they have more points. We are not satisfied with the results, but we are satisfied with the team's growth. I think we are playing better and better and the expectation is always to be the best. We are at home and we know that we will have the support of our fans. We have to impose our game and continue to play well, because things will change. It will be a tough game, but I hope that Sporting CP win."

Asked about Pedro Porro, whose transfer to Tottenham Hotspur was being negotiated on Tuesday, Amorim stated that "more than the professional relationship between us, there is a personal relationship. Our relationship is very close and he will be missed, but we are used to change in football -it's part of our lives. We will remain friends and I wish Porro the best of luck."

Asked if this is going to be an "all or nothing" match, the coach said that "every game has been, almost since the beginning of the season."

"At the end of the season is when we'll do the maths. The important thing is to keep playing well and keep a clean sheet again. If that happens, things will change. I'm excited about the team's growth, despite the fact that we know that the results determine the success of teams," he added.

"SC Braga have the great advantage of not having even half the pressure that the big clubs in Portugal have," he commented, before mentioning the transfer market situation for Sporting CP.

"The transfer figure for our most expensive player ever is that of a normal day at other clubs. When we are asked to fight for the same goals we have the same responsibility, but when we spend a little more money, people say that we are big spenders. It's difficult to understand, sometimes, the financial state of the clubs depending on how they want to portray the situation," he stressed.

With the absence of Paulinho, the coach said that "Youssef [Chermiti] could play, or a player with different characteristics."

As for the current situation for the club, Amorim explained that "It's a matter of pride. It is hard for everyone. It is hard for me to see my team in fourth place and failing to reach our goals. My motivation is much greater than at the beginning of the season. We have to improve every day and have a better second half of the season. You never know what can happen in the UEFA Europa League. We are Sporting Clube de Portugal, and there is no greater motivation than that," he concluded.

Sporting CP vs. SC Braga is scheduled for 9:15pm this Wednesday, February 1st, at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The coach reacts to defeat in the Taça da Liga final

Rúben Amorim expressed his disappointment with the defeat against FC Porto in the Taça da Liga final in his post-match press conference, explaining his thoughts on a match that featured a series of controversial refereeing decisions.

“What decided the game were the two goals. We conceded an unfortunate goal, but we had an excellent first half: We dominated, we created several chances, we didn't let FC Porto create too much and it was unfair for us to go into halftime behind," he stated.

"In the second half, there was only half of the period. After the sending off, the players lost it and the game ended there. Then we conceded the second goal when we tried everything to equalise, but it was already very difficult to press with one man less. I have nothing to criticise about how the players performed today. We played well, I think we were the better team in terms of our football, but it is what it is."

Questioned about the refereeing, the coach maintained his usual stance.

“I will not be commenting on the refereeing. You analyse the decisions, this is much more important. If I speak, you will talk about other things."

Despite missing out on the cup, Amorim insisted that the season does not end here, and spoke of the importance of unity. “Our aim is to win every game. There are times that are more difficult, but the most important thing is that we are all united and not distracted by any wars between us. We have to focus on ourselves and on winning games."

“Football does not end in a day, nor in a season and my job is to look at the present and the future," he concluded.

The team are beaten 0-2 by FC Porto in Leiria

Sporting Clube de Portugal missed out on a third consecutive Taça da Liga, losing 0-2 in the final of the competition against FC Porto at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.

Coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting eleven from the semifinal against FC Arouca, fielding a lineup of Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards, Paulinho and Pedro Goncalves.

Os Leões started the match well, not letting the opposition into their area in the first few minutes, but steadily it turned into an even contest with both teams trying to attack.

It ended up being FC Porto who drew first blood, on ten minutes, in a move from the right in which a cutback fell to Eustáquio, who fired in to make it 0-1.

Sporting CP went looking for an equaliser soon after and even had the ball in the net, when Pedro Gonçalves fed Marcus Edwards, goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos came out and the Englishman sent his effort in, but the goal ended up being disallowed for offside.

Ten minutes later, Gonçalves had a shot blocked by the defence, with Hidemasa Morita trying to lob the goalkeeper off the follow-up before Cláudio Ramos clawed the ball away.

Sporting CP remained more dangerous and, half an hour in, Morita tried to enter the box when he got past Pepe, but Marcano appeared to thwart the Japanese international.

In the 35th minute, Pedro Porro ran towards the area, shooting from the central channel and seeing his effort deflected onto the crossbar. The ball fell to Gonçalves, who shot on goal, and a defender put it onto the bar again. From the resulting corner, Sporting CP again threatened, as Gonçalves dug a shot over.

In the last five minutes of the first half, Paulinho had his strike tipped over by Cláudio Ramos, and Marcus Edwards tried to surprise the goalkeeper off the corner, to no avail.

Two more chances before the break were also dealt with, as the game went into the interval with the scoreline at 0-1.

Amorim kept the same lineup for the second half and the match resumed as it ended: With Sporting CP focused on attacking FC Porto's goal. Edwards was the first to provide a warning with a shot from distance, which went off target.

A first substitution was made before 60 minutes, as Nuno Santos was replaced by Abdul Fatawu.

The pace and quality of the match dropped thereafter, with many fouls, and the referee began handing out cards. A red for Paulinho, in the 72nd minute, for two rapid bookings, made things more difficult for Sporting CP.

Os Leões responded well and again attacked the opposition box, but Cláudio Ramos blocked another shot by Pedro Porro.

Against the run of play, from a move on the right, FC Porto made it 0-2, after Pepê's cross was met by Marcano at the far post.

In the remaining six minutes, Sporting CP continued with the same desire to level, and substitute Francisco Trincão nearly made it 1-2 after a Gonçalves cross, but the ball went wide and there would be no change in the scoreline.

The coach previews the Taça da Liga final against FC Porto

The fate of the Taça da Liga will be decided this Saturday at the Estádio Municipal de Leiria, as Sporting Clube de Portugal take on FC Porto in the grand finale of the cup competition.

On the eve of the match, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to preview the game -in which he expects few surprises.

"Surprising the opposition is difficult, I think, but each game has its own story and it depends on how the teams adapt to the match. We have two coaches who have faced each other many times, the players also know each other well and there is a lot of observation involved. We are two teams with different styles and each of us will want to take the game into our favoured terrain," he told journalists.

In addition, the coach stressed that “increasing intensity and aggressiveness” are mandatory factors in a 'Clássico'.

"You cannot play against FC Porto, especially with Sérgio Conceição as coach, without being very aggressive, and that's what we're going to do tomorrow," he said.
Asked about the importance of the trophy, Amorim answered openly and considered that, depending on the season “going differently for the two teams”, a victory would possibly be more important for Sporting CP.

"We are out of the Taça de Portugal and the UEFA Champions League, and FC Porto didn't win the Taça da Liga last season - we did - but they won the Taça de Portugal and Liga Portugal, which were the last two trophies at stake. I think it's more important for us, but the will to win will be the same."

"We have a project and need trophies, which at the same time give the confidence we need to be more consistent. I am confident that we will win. It is a trophy that we want to win, it depends on us and, therefore, it's very important. There are many Sporting CP players who haven't won a trophy yet, and it's always good to not forget the taste of victory. It's addictive and we are already missing that taste, which helps teams grow."

FC Porto midfielder Marko Grujić is a confirmed absentee and Evanilson is doubtful through injury, whilst for Sporting CP Amorim assured that Paulinho "is fit."
"Obviously, he's not free from pain, but he's fit, he really wants to play and he's another option."

When asked about Pedro Porro and the winter transfer market, he preferred to keep the focus on the team.

"The main thing for me is that Porro is fit. Even more importantly, if he wasn't we'd have another player to step in for him. I'll always be calm, this game can't be decided by just one player, we have to do very well as a team and work very well. As long as we are very intense and have the courage to play our game, we have a chance."

Focusing on this Saturday's opponents, he considered that FC Porto have special players.

"[Mehdi] Taremi scores a lot of goals, Otávio moves the ball around like no one else, then there's Pepe, who, in addition to football, gives something different to FC Porto, and also [Matheus] Uribe. It is the base that they've had for many years that gives the team a lot of stability."

Finally, Amorim recognised that the team had “looked a lot” at the clash between Sporting CP and FC Porto from the start of the season, and analysed the aspects to be improved.

"We had good moments with the ball, but we weren't very aggressive when we reached the area. We were missing a striker, Marcus Edwards connected the game very well, but we lacked aggression, something that FC Porto had a lot of. They scored a goal after the break, then Porro was sent off, which ended the game. We are a different team and if we have a good day we are capable of beating FC Porto," he concluded.

The coach's reaction to progress into the Taça da Liga final

In his post-match press conference following the triumph over FC Arouca in the Taça da Liga final, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim looked back on the 1-2 result.

"We controlled the game very well in the first half, moved the ball around well and created some goalscoring situations, but we just couldn't score. Nevertheless, I really liked the control that we had in the first half," he told journalists.

"We were very strong so as to not let FC Arouca break through the press, because we knew that they were very dangerous on transitions, but once again we didn't manage to score. Then, with the move at the end, we managed to react and scored from a set piece."

“We didn't start the second half well, FC Arouca changed the way they played and it took us a while to adapt, which was long enough for us to concede a goal. Then we took over the game again, although not with as many opportunities as in the first half. We got the goal deservedly though, as we were the team that were always closest to victory."

Amorim reflected that the greater difficulties felt at the beginning of the second half were due to the merit of the opponent, and not to any lapse on the part of Sporting CP.

“FC Arouca had a lot of merit. It was a semifinal against a team who are having an excellent season and are close to the European spots. However, we were deserved winners and I think that in the first half we had clear opportunities to score another goal."

The coach later explained his decision to leave Pedro Porro on the bench initially.

“Porro had already been experiencing a lot of difficulties against FC Vizela and in that game it was a risk leaving him on the pitch for so long. Even today, him playing the last 20 minutes was risky. He came in because we needed a player who could break things up more on the wing."

On Ricardo Esgaio's performance, Amorim commented “He was very good in the first half, but in the second he felt tired because he hasn't had minutes. Now he's going to recover. He is part of the team and I have a lot of confidence in him."

There was also concern about goalscorer Paulinho, who after scoring a brace left the field holding his arm.

“I don't think it's anything serious. We shall see. If he is not ready for the final, another player will be and we will come into the game with a strong eleven, even though we know that he is important -especially with his form right now in the Taça da Liga. We'll take care of him and see if he's fit."

Sporting CP beat FC Arouca 1-2 in Leiria

Sporting Clube de Portugal booked their place in the Taça da Liga final with a 1-2 win against FC Arouca, as their defence of the crown continues. Two goals from Paulinho helped the team through to the last stage of the competition.

Rúben Amorim decided to bring in Ricardo Esgaio on the right, replacing Pedro Porro, and returned Jeremiah St. Juste to the defensive axis in place of Gonçalo Inácio. In midfield, Morita partnered with Manuel Ugarte, with Pedro Gonçalves moved forward to complete the attack alongside Marcus Edwards and Paulinho. Francisco Trincao missed the game due to illness.

At the Estádio Municipal de Leiria, Sporting CP were up against a side in excellent form and sixth in the league table, but were in control of proceedings in the early stages. In a clever move, Edwards outwitted three defenders and laid the ball off to Nuno Santos, who crossed for Paulinho -his strike being stopped on the line.

Strong attacks, mainly down the left wing, created difficulties for the Arouquenses, who barely had the ball for more than a few moments. Sporting CP settled in the midfield and began to mount chances, including a strong shot from distance by Nuno Santos, tipped out by goalkeeper Thiago.

Shortly before the break, Nuno Santos had another attempt on goal parried away by Thiafo, off a direct free kick, followed by a goal for FC Arouca ruled out for handball after a VAR check.

In a frantic end to the first half, Sporting CP made it 0-1. Nuno Santos crossed behind the opposition defense, where Gonçalves played on to Paulinho. The striker forced the ball over the line to put the team ahead in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

In the second half, Matheus Reis believed he had doubled the lead in the 53rd minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. FC Arouca showed signs of mounting a fightback, and got their equaliser in the 58th minute, as Dabbagh made it 1-1.

On the hour, Gonçalo Inácio came in for St. Juste and Sporting CP went on the attack, trying to recover the dominance they had shown in the opening stages. The chances did not take long to emerge, with Santos crossing from the left to Paulinho and the latter having his effort blocked.

Antonio Adán was called into a rare save soon thereafter, and that was the signal for Amorim to make further adjustments: Pedro Porro and Arthur Gomes both came on for the last quarter of an hour, and the former did not take long to send a shot whistling past the post.

The winning goal finally arrived in the closing ten minutes, as Santos' cross was pushed into the net from close range by Paulinho. The eighth goal by the striker in the Taça da Liga this year -the highest in the competition so far- earned Sporting CP a 1-2 win and a place in Saturday's final against either Académico de Viseu FC or FC Porto.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Matheus Reis, Jeremiah St. Juste (Gonçalo Inácio, 64'), Sebastián Coates [C], Ricardo Esgaio (Pedro Porro, 77'), Hidemasa Morita (Arthur Gomes, 77'), Manuel Ugarte (Mateo Tanlongo, 85'), Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards (Youssef Chermiti, 85'), Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho.

Sporting CP best FC Vizela 2-1 at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal took a 2-1 win over FC Vizela on Liga Portugal Matchday 17, through goals from Pedro Gonçalves and Pedro Porro.

Rúben Amorim fielded an unchanged starting XI of Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte, Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards, Paulinho and Francisco Trincão.

The game started out with both teams creating opportunities to score, but none of these broke the deadlock. Sporting CP were the first to create danger, just five minutes into the game, through Paulinho, after a long ball by Sebastián Coates, but Buntic would block the strike. FC Vizela responded through Osmajic, but Adán also responded well to keep the effort out.

Sporting CP had the most promising chance of the initial spell, as Trincão was played through on goal, but the visiting goalkeeper got the better of the equation again.

Under ten minutes later, Trincão went close again, but slipped when lining up his shot and Buntic gathered without any problem.

A Paulinho header wide and a Nuno Santos strike over continued a series of attacks for Sporting CP, and just before the break Pedro Porro crossed from the right, Paulinho shooting wide. Porro's own effort shortly after was held by Buntic and the game reached halftime with the score still 0-0.

Hidemasa Morita replaced Marcus Edwards for the restart, accompanying Manuel Ugarte in midfield, and Gonçalves moved up into the place vacated by the Englishman.

Off a corner won by FC Vizela, Sporting CP went on the counterattack, ending with Gonçalves shooting over from inside the area.

Gonçalves had better luck on the hour, when Matheus Reis had a shot deflected by the goalkeeper. The rebound came to Porro, who knocked it to his teammate to score.

With the score at 1-0, Paulinho came close to scoring a second, as he beat a defender at the edge of the area and shot against the post. Minutes later, he had the ball in the net -the goal ruled out as he had taken it out of play beforehand.

In the 75th minute, FC Vizela equalised through Méndez, in a move which was controversial as the ball had hit the referee in the buildup.

Amorim made more changes, giving a full debut to Mateo Tanlongo and a first appearance at home for Youssef Chermiti, as Ugarte and Gonçalves made way.

In the 90th minute, with seven more of additional time awarded, VAR intervened in favour of Sporting CP: Paulinho was hit in the head by Igor Julião and a penalty was awarded.

Porro slotted home to make it 2-1 giving the three points to his side in a deserved win.

Sporting CP's next fixture is on Tuesday, in Leiria, in the Taça da Liga semi-final against FC Arouca.