The coach reacts to the 4-1 loss to Olympique Marseille

Rúben Amorim talked after Sporting Clube de Portugal's 4-1 defeat in Marseille, and gave his thoughts on the way the game unfolded.

“We started well and had everything in our favour, with the goal we scored and Pedro Gonçalves' opportunity to make it 0-2. We were controlling the game, but the first goal we conceded changed things a little and whenever we tried to recover, we suffered big setbacks. After the sending off, the game became very difficult", he explained.

“We did our best, they did our best, but it wasn't to be. It's part of our journey. We have to learn from these moments. These are difficult times, but we are going to turn it around".

“Was it down to us or Marseille's merit? These things are usually linked. Obviously, Marseille had their merits, but the game was under control. Every big moment of the game went against us, but we also have to say that we should have done more to prevent that. It was one of those nights in which everything was hard for us, but that also makes us grow. I guarantee that we will be much more competitive in the future”.

Amorim stressed that “The team are already competitive, but we will try to avoid these mistakes that we have also had in the past. Eleven against eleven, we would have been in the game more. With the sending off, the game was over. Today much of what happened was our fault and we could clearly have beaten Marseille”.

A ten-men side lose 4-1 to Olympique Marseille

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 4-1 to Olympique Marseille on Matchday 3 of Champions League Group D, playing with ten men for much of the game due to a sending off for Antonio Adán.

The match, which was played behind closed doors due to the UEFA ban imposed on the home team, started with a delay of 25 minutes, due to the Sporting CP bus having been delayed in traffic.

The starting lineup consisted of Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Jeremiah St. Juste, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, Marcus Edwards and Pedro Gonçalves.

Sporting CP started the match well and took the lead in the first minute with a goal from Trincão who, after receiving the ball from Marcus Edwards, worked his way down the right shot in a swooping effort to make it 0 -1.

Gonçalves had the opportunity to score a second, when the opposition made a save, and the reaction from Olympique Marseille was not long in coming.
The equaliser arrived in the 14th minute due to misfortune for Adán. The shot-stopper tried to recover a ball back, but Alexis Sánchez intercepted and scored.

The home team followed that up with a goal from Harit to take the score to 2-1.

Sporting CP tried to respond with the ball, while Olympique Marseille continued to press high. In the 23rd minute another setback occured: Adán attempted to take the ball away from Nuno Tavares in the air, but did so outside the area and was sent off for handball.

With his team reduced to ten men, coach Rúben Amorim took off Edwards for Franco Israel to come on as replacement goalkeeper. The home team then benefited from a corner, managing to make it 3-1 through Balerdi.

At halftime, Amorim made more changes, introducing Paulinho, Sotiris, José Marsà and Flávio Nazinho to replace Nuno Santos, Manuel Ugarte, Pedro Gonçalves and Jeremiah St. Just.

Sporting CP were organised, defending more solidly and also managing to build some moves near the opposition area. Sotiris, in the 51st minute, had a chance off a ball from Ricardo Esgaio, shooting wide from the edge of the area.

Sotiris shot again from the perimeter shortly afterwards, but this time the shot was blocked by the defence.

From there, no clear-cut opportunities followed, until Marseille took the score to 4-1 in the final five minutes.

Sporting CP suffered their first loss in the Champions League this term, after two consecutive victories, and will play Olympique Marseille again next Wednesday at Alvalade. 

Sporting CP face Olympique Marseille this Tuesday

Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim made clear the objective for his side in France, where this Tuesday they face Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League. 

“A draw is not a good result. We are Sporting CP, a big team in Portugal who are growing little-by-little in Europe. We always want to win. This group can change from one moment to the next and we don't know which game will make the difference in the end. Last year we had zero points at this stage and we managed to make it to the knockout stage, so anything is possible”, he told the media.

“We have to win this game, which is very important for us. This is a competition where we want to win and where we make money, and everyone knows that's important to us too. We want to be a club who are used to these competitions and, therefore, our objective is to take the three points. As the game progresses, we will see if a point would be good for us or not. I hope my players have a great game, that they are able to read it well, that they understand if we can win or if we can draw... but the idea is always to win”, he added.

The situation for both clubs is different in both their respective leagues and in the Champions League, but, according to Amorim, “there is a great similarity between the two teams. Olympique Marseille played two good games in the Champions League and they didn't deserve to lose at home against Frankfurt, and we also noticed that with Tottenham, if it weren't for the sending off, the game would be very difficult for Tottenham. Those were two games decided by details. For us, in the Portuguese league we have also played good games that, in my view, we didn't deserve to lose, but obviously we were to blame, as we made mistakes. That is the great similarity between the two teams: We maintain our identity, play well in both competitions and have had more or less luck in one or the other”.

“We have our identity, we like to play in a certain way and we always play the same way, whether in the Champions League or in Liga Portugal, and we always have to win. Whether we have six or zero points, are seventh or first in the league, our club forces us to always win”, underlined the coach.

“We play practically in the same formation as Marseille , but we play differently. Our concern is always with individual movements and collective dynamics, which are difficult to predict. It will be a battle of ideas and I think that tomorrow individual qualities will make a big difference”.

Amorim refused to reveal his starting lineup for the game, commenting that “Paulinho is coming off an injury, but he has recovered, had an excellent last game and is an option. I won't say which players will play because it changes our dynamics. Playing with Paulinho is not the same as playing with Marcus Edwards. Therefore, I will not help the coach of Olympique Marseille. One of the two will play in the middle is the only thing I can say”.

​The coach sets his sights on Gil Vicente FC

Upon the return from the international break, Sporting Clube de Portugal host Gil Vicente FC at the Estádio José Alvalade this Friday in Liga Portugal action. On the eve of the match, coach Rúben Amorim held a press conference at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo to preview the challenge ahead.

"Some players went away with their national teams, when we really needed them to be here to integrate them more into the dynamics of the team, as well as several young players who were also called up for youth competition. We didn't really have the opportunity to take advantage of this good period to work with them, since they are clearly the future of our club. However, we worked with other players, like [José] Marsà and Arthur, and we used every minute to improve the players we have," he told the media.

"Morita played for Japan but then he rested, which was good for us, and Ugarte was not given many minutes. There were also good things that were done, and we are prepared for the game this Friday."

A defeat to Boavista last time out ended a run of four wins in a row, without conceding a goal – two games in Liga Portugal and two in the UEFA Champions League.

"We managed to improve in the last games, but the loss against Boavista set everything back a little bit to the beginning of the season. We big clubs really feel the international break, which you take more calmly with a victory. We are not being consistent in our results, but in terms of our performances we have maintained a good level."

Opponents Gil Vicente FC are currently tenth in the table and have lost only one of their last five games, making Amorim wary of the task ahead. Sporting CP have several confirmed absences due to injury, namely Sebastián Coates, Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Jovane Cabral and Daniel Bragança, whilst Jeremiah St. Juste "will be in the squad but will not play from the start."

"Marsà could be a starter, and we have to remember that he had an excellent preseason," commented the coach. "That's why the players from the B team are here: He's here to earn a spot in the first team and he's ready for it."

"In terms of strikers, all of our front line stayed here during the international break, which made it possible to take a better look at them and their movements.

As for his side's position in the table, Amorim said that "we can't be nervous about it, but we have to be aware of standings. If for two years we were so demanding, we have to be aware of the situation we are in: We have to face it with normality, but with the urgency of winning games and scoring points."

"Sporting CP are always a candidate for trophies, but now it's not worth thinking about the maths. This is not over yet, as there are many points and trophies to play for. Our aim is to win all the games until the end of the season."

Sporting CP play CS Marítimo, Rio Ave FC and SC Farense in Group B

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face CS Marítimo, Rio Ave FC and SC Farense in Group B of the 2022/2023 Taça da Liga.

The first phase of the competition is scheduled for the period between November 18th and December 17th, with the quarter-finals - involving the top finishers in each group - set for December 20th to 23rd. The final four will be held in Leiria, between January 21st and 28th, 2023.

Sporting CP have won the Taça da Liga for the last two seasons, and a total of four times in their history.

GROUP STAGE GAMES
Matchday 1 – Sporting CP vs. SC Farense
Matchday 2 – Rio Ave FC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 3 – Sporting CP vs. CS Marítimo

A late penalty sees the game end 2-1

On their return to Liga Portugal action, Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 2-1 away to Boavista FC on Matchday 7. A late penalty kick by the home team put an end to the reaction from Rúben Amorim's side, who came away empty handed from the game.

Up against a side who began the weekend in fourth place and off two consecutive victories in the league, Amorim repeated the same starting XI that had beaten Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League in midweek.

Sporting CP dominated the first ten minutes, and a first warning was fired wide by Nuno Santos, as well as Pedro Gonçalves having two attempts blocked by opposition defenders.

Shortly after, Boavista also threatened, but forward Bozeník's shot was sent away by Antonio Adán.

Mobility and talent in the frontline provided chances for Sporting CP, as well as Santos' runs up the left flank. Os Leões had the ball in the net, through Gonçalves, but it would be disallowed by VAR for an offside by Marcus Edwards.

The match levelled out before the interval, as Boavista FC enjoyed another chance for Bozeník, who hit the post in the 29th minute. Francisco Trincao responded, with his shot clanging against the crossbar.

Just when it seemed that the game would go into halftime 0-0, Bruno Lourenço gave Boavista the lead, as Sporting CP conceded for the first time in five games.

Sporting CP were forced to react, and that was the case from the first minute of the second half. Nuno Santos was again very active and dangerous, especially with his crosses. On the other flank, Pedro Porro also got into the opposition area and shot hard, but not even a slight deflection could catch out goalkeeper César.

The equaliser arrived ten minutes after the restart, as Santos crossed perfectly for a well-placed header from Edwards – the Englishman's third goal in the league this term.

In the 70th minute, however, the team suffered another setback, with Amorim forced to replace Coates with Ricardo Esgaio due to an injury. The home side became more solid defensively, while Sporting CP accumulated mistakes in attack. Their coach decided to refresh the frontline: Paulinho and Arthur Gomes came in to replace Trincão and Nuno Santos.

However, off one of Boavista's  rare attacks in the second half, Martim Tavares fell in the area and Bruno Lourenço converted the penalty to make it 2-1. The 83rd minute goal, against the run of play, ended Sporting CP's response and condemned them to defeat.

After the international break, Sporting CP host Gil Vicente FC at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Pedro Porro, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C] (Ricardo Esgaio 71'), Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos (Arthur Gomes 75'), Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita (Rochinha 87'), Francisco Trincao (Paulinho 75'), Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards.

Two stoppage time goals earn a 2-0 win in the Champions League

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Tottenham Hotspur FC 2-0 in their second game of the UEFA Champions League group stage. Paulinho and Arthur Gomes scored the goals, both of which came towards the end of the match.

Coach Rúben Amorim made three changes to his starting XI, bringing in Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro and Manuel Ugarte in place of Luís Neto, Ricardo Esgaio and Rochinha.

The first opportunity fell to Sporting CP in the seventh minute, as a counterattack saw Marcus Edwards beat the Spurs defence for pace and set up Pedro Gonçalves, whose shot with his left foot was saved by Hugo Lloris.

Os Leões were comfortable on the ball, withstanding Tottenham Hotspur's high press. However, the visitors came closer to scoring in the 25th minute, when Richarlison headed straight at Antonio Adán.

The Brazilian striker also had a goal ruled out for offside, but it was Sporting CP who had the best chance of the first half. Off a spectacular move, Edwards stormed through the opposition defence before exchanging passes with Francisco Trincao and shooting, but Lloris made a save to keep the score 0-0 at the interval.

Tottenham Hotspur changed plans for the second half, pushing hard. This desire was clearly visible in attacks by Emerson and Harry Kane, who forced Adán into saves, and Richarlison -who shot wide.

In the 67th minute, Gonçalves combined again with Marcus Edwards, on the counterattack, and a spectacular shot resulted in another save by Lloris.

Amorim started to switch things up with 20 minutes left, introducing Sotiris Alexandropoulos for Hidemasa Morita and, shortly after, Paulinho for Trincao.

Just before the 90 minutes were up, Pedro Porro's arching drive pulled a huge save from Lloriz, and it seemed as if the game was going to end goalless. However, whilst the goals were late in coming, they finally arrived in stoppage time: In the corner kick that followed Porro's chance, Gonçalves put the ball into the area and Paulinho headed into the net.

Shortly after, Nuno Santos and Marcus Edwards made way for Ricardo Esgaio and Arthur Gomes, who made his debut for Sporting CP in magnificent style: In the 93rd minute, he danced through the opposition defence and finished past Lloris.

The 2-0 result leaves Sporting CP top of Group D, with six points from two games. Next up for them is a visit to Boavista in Liga Portugal on Saturday.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita (Sotiris Alexandropoulos, 71'), Nuno Santos (Ricardo Esgaio, 90+2'), Francisco Trincão (Paulinho, 75'), Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards (Arthur Gomes, 90+2').

A proud Sporting CP coach comments on the showing against Tottenham

After the 2-0 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal over Tottenham Hotspur FC, Rúben Amorim analysed the match in his post-match press conference.

"What made the difference was the individual quality of our players. We believed until the end. Even against a great team, we were more cautious than we normally are. We couldn't afford to break up the game all the time and the players were fantastic. In the first half, we were more cautious, and in the second we had more difficulty in keeping the ball. The game was evenly matched, with two teams having the ball but wary of the transitions from the opposition. In the end, we were the happier side. We had several opportunities to score and we were happy in the end," he began by saying.

For the coach, Tottenham Hotspur FC remain the favourites in Group D, not least because "there are still many games to play."

"Last year we had two defeats to start the group stage, and we went through to the knockout stages. This year it could be the other way around," he added.

"Out there were two mature teams who knew that, off a transition, they could win or lose the game. Congratulations to the players because, with the fatigue and short preparation time they had, and against outstanding players, they were very mature. They were heroes."

"The win was down to the players, who believed until the end and played a very mature game," he continued, before noting that the strategy at Sporting CP has remained the same since the defeat at home to GD Chaves.

"We always believe. When we lost against GD Chaves, we looked at our team, our project and path with the same clarity as today. We just had to manage things differently," he considered.

"We have grown in the way we approach games and we are more used to these moments. We have a lot to do. We lost balls in the buildup, and we had difficulty bringing the ball out to play. We ended up happy, but we deserved it."

About Arthur Gomes, who made an immediate impact on his debut for Sporting CP with a goal shortly after coming on, Amorim explained that the Brazilian "is very strong and aggressive in one-on-one situations. That's what we looked for from him. He's already paid for himself, which always comes in handy!"

The player talks in the post-match mixed zone

In the mixed zone after Sporting Clube de Portugal's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur FC, Nuno Santos spoke to journalists.

"All victories in the UEFA Champions League are very important. We have six points now, but we have to keep calm because there is still a lot to do and at the weekend we have a very important game at Bessa. If we don't win that, then it cancels everything that we have done and we take a step backwards. The fans want victories and we are going to be strong at Bessa. This victory gives us confidence," he began by saying.

"We are confident and today was proof of that. In a game against a very strong team, we gave an incredible response, with a spirit of enormous sacrifice, and were focused until the end. The goals came from the 85th minute onwards. We believed until the end."

The player previews the UEFA Champions League game

In the press conference ahead of the match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Tottenham Hotspur, scheduled for Tuesday at 5:45 at the Estádio José Alvalade, player Francisco Trincao spoke on behalf of the club.

The winger started by talking about his own recent form, which has included an impressive series of recent displays.

"I've done the same as always: Given my best and helped the team, whether with goals or playing well. I always want to help the team win," he said.

Asked about a possible increased level of confidence after his goal in Germany against Eintracht Frankfurt, Trincao explained that it is his daily work that motivates him.

"What gives me confidence is what I do during the week, all my preparation. The goal is something natural in football. We knew what we had to do, we worked well during the week and did what the coach asked us to do. We won the game and that was what mattered," he commented, before analysing opponents Tottenham.

"They are a very strong team. We know their strengths and weaknesses and we have studied them well. They are a team that, perhaps, will let us have the ball, but we have to be prepared for when they have it."

On whether he has his sights set on a call-up for the Portuguese national team, Trincao  guaranteed that his full concentration is on Sporting CP.

"I try to do my job and it's up to the coach whether he calls me up or not. The focus is on what I control. I'm here to help Sporting CP to be the best possible. I'm just another person looking to contribute," he concluded.