The team bounce back against GD Estoril Praia

Sporting Clube de Portugal won a Friday night fixture 0-2 against GD Estoril Praia, on Liga Portugal Matchday 5. Coming into the game off the back of two negative results, the team returned to winning ways with a great response, as Jeremiah St. Juste and Marcus Edwards got the goals for Os Leões.

GD Estoril Praia started the weekend fifth in the table, and Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim adjusted his side with four changes to the starting XI: Matheus Reis, Hidemasa Morita, Jeremiah St. Juste (making his first start) and Pedro Porro (returning from suspension) were brought in, with Luís Neto, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio and Rochinha moving to the bench. Pedro Gonçalves was brought upfield into the attack and summer signing Sotiris Alexandropoulos was called up for the first time.

Sporting CP monopolised possession of the ball in the first ten minutes, and opportunities arose as a result. From the first corner of the game, Matheus Reis headed against the crossbar. Soon after, St. Juste burst into the heart of the area to open the scoring in Estoril, with his maiden goal for the club.

The home team's Rodrigo Martins almost took advantage of a defensive lapse to level, but failed to score into an empty net. After that scare, Sporting CP immediately increased their advantage: Porro played long to Gonçalves, and he masterfully set up Marcus Edwards. The Englishman rounded goalkeeper Dani Figueira and made it 0-2 shortly after the 20-minute mark.

Once again, GD Estoril Praia tried a response, with an effort from João Carlos that failed to hit the target.

In the 35th minute, Porro broke into the area and shot over, Gonçalves and Nuno Santos saw their dangerous shots blocked, and Edwards was denied by Figueira.

An excellent first part came to an end with Sporting CP 0-2 up and looking strong.

After the restart, GD Estoril Praia advanced their lines and had more of the ball, with ex-Leão Francisco Geraldes the protagonist. Benchimol missed a shot in a one-on-one with Adán, in the closest chance of the early going.

In the 57th minute, Amorim replaced Edwards with Rochinha in the centre of the attack, and little by little the first offensive approaches appeared. The best of them came in the 70th minute, when Porro, from a direct free-kick, came very close to extending the lead.

Sporting CP recovered possession and control, whilst a series of eight yellow cards were shown in the final stages as the intensity increased.

Amorim brought in Esgaio, Fatawu and the debuting Sotiris, with Porro, Pedro Gonçalves and Ugarte making way, for the closing minutes, taking the team through to the final whistle.

After their 0-2 triumph in Liga Portugal action, Sporting CP debut in the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League with a trip to Germany on Wednesday, facing Eintracht Frankfurt in Group D.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Pedro Porro (Ricardo Esgaio, 89’), Jeremiah St. Juste (Luís Neto, 77'), Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos, Manuel Ugarte (Sotiris Alexandropoulos, 89'), Hidemasa Morita, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Fatawu, 89') and Marcus Edwards (Rochinha, 57').

The coach believes a win against GD Estoril Praia can spark a turnaround

Sporting Clube de Portugal play a Friday fixture away to GD Estoril Praia on Liga Portugal Matchday 4, and whilst coach Rúben Amorim had praise for the opposition, he stated in his pre-match press conference that the only intention is to win.

“This past week wasn't the happiest we've had, but we kept doing the same things. We looked at the game with GD Chaves and saw what we did well and what we need to improve on. We worked on things from there. When the week is focused on specific tasks, it goes by faster. This week's game has been moved to a day earlier and, for me, it's very good because I think there's a lot that is being done well. There are other aspects where we have to improve and, of course, we want to win games. I hope that Sporting CP win. We have to remember that GD Estoril Praia have an excellent team, with very talented young players, and that they have nothing to lose,” he said.

Jovane Cabral, Paulinho and Daniel Bragança will be unavailable, but Amorim welcomes back Pedro Porro and will have summer signing Sotiris at his disposal.

"He will be called up because we have a small number of players and because I want Matheus Fernandes to play, because he has not played for a long time and we have to think about tomorrow - for now he will play for the B team," revealed the coach, explaining the signing of the Greek international.

"He's a player with potential, but we didn't think he'd arrive here and take on an important role immediately. We believe a lot in him, and we don't know what might happen with Manuel Ugarte. I'm not only concerned about the present, I'm also concerned about the future and our project. Sotiris is a player for the present, but essentially for the future."

Asked about the aims for the team, Amorim stated that he wants “To win all the games. We will do the maths at the end of the season. Most competitions haven't started yet and therefore we have a lot to win, albeit we are aware of the points difference in the league. The only way to get around this is to win games. There is no other way. What we clearly have to do is improve in some aspects. I try to come up with solutions and that's what we did this week. By winning the games, we get around the 'crisis.' It's normal, as we are at a very big and very demanding club that has already been through these moments. We've won trophies, we've sold players and now we're going to try to turn around a bad moment. The way to turn it around is to win games and beat GD Estoril Praia."

"We're not going to take steps back. We will play the same way as we have been playing because we are a big club. In our first season I said that we had to play better, that we defended well, but that we had to play better and, therefore, we are not going to take steps backwards. We want to play, be dominant and win. We have to score goals and when that's the case, the games are better controlled. We have to score goals to gain even more confidence."

“My players are always the best in the world," he continued. "We have a team good enough to have beaten GD Chaves, we could have played better at the Estádio do Dragão and we could clearly have won against SC Braga. We have solutions, I'm satisfied with my players and in terms of dynamics we change them a lot. We will do the same as always and we will field the XI that I think is strongest."

Commenting on the compliments that club president Frederico Varandas gave him on Wednesday, at the 18th anniversary celebration of the Sporting CP Museum, Amorim expressed that “I have to prove it every day. Right now , I think I'm the 13th best coach in the league. These words are from a president who believes in the coach. Our relationship is normal, and the same as we have always had. We argue because we have to. I have to do my part and the president has to guide all the departments and guide an organisation that is much bigger than football. Everything is fine between us."

“As for the fans, they've always been good to me. Right now, the Sportinguistas look at the team and realise that they give their all on the pitch, that they make some mistakes and that they need support. The board don't need to support me. I feel quite comfortable here. As I said, the only way to get through this is to win games, and I believe I can win every game because I'm backed by my players. I always feel very well supported at Sporting CP," he underlined.

The club sign the Greek talent through to 2027

Sotiris Alexandropoulos has signed for Sporting Clube de Portugal, through to 2027. The Greek international joins from Panathinaikos FC on a contract through to 2027, with a buyout clause of 60 million euros.

“Sporting CP are a great club, I could sense that from the first moment I arrived here. I spoke with several players in Greece and some former teammates who played here, and all said very good things about the club. I'm very happy to be here,” he began by saying at his unveiling.

“It's my first experience abroad, but I feel prepared and proud. This was a step I wanted to take and Sporting CP are the ideal club because they work with young players. I'm looking forward to starting training with my teammates and showing what I can do on the pitch. I'm fast, good at one-on-one situations and I play with passion. I will try to help the players and the team."

As for his first impressions of the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, Alexandropoulos said that “from the first time I came to the Academia I knew that there were the perfect tools to work with here. I was given a very good welcome by everyone and the team are incredible, as is the stadium. Now I'm looking forward to meeting the fans at the ground and giving them happiness and victories."

The midfielder acknowledged that Andraž Šporar was one of the players who advised him to come to Alvalade.

“When I heard about Sporting CP's interest, Šporar told me to come here. He told me about the club, the people and the way they work here. He told me it would be a big step for me and that helped me, as he is a great player and also a friend."

The chance to play in the UEFA Champions League was another reason Alexandropoulos chose Sporting CP.

“I have dreamed of playing in the UEFA Champions League since I was a child. Without Sporting CP I would not have been able to achieve this, so I'm very happy and looking forward to playing my first game in that beautiful competition. I promise I will always do my best,” the 20-year old promised.

Regarding coach Rúben Amorim, the new no.6 said he had not yet had the opportunity to meet him, but that he was highly rated.

“'I've heard very good things about the coach. He likes to work hard and improve young players like me. I haven't had the chance to meet him in person yet, but we've talked a little and I'm aware of his general idea for the team. I look forward to starting working with him on the pitch.”

“I can promise passion and that I will give 100 percent. I like to win and I will give everything for the team to achieve our goals."

A youth product at Panathinaikos FC, Sotiris Alexandropoulos made his debut for the first team on October 20th, 2019, aged 17, away to Atromitos FC. In total, he made 77 appearances for the club, scoring two goals and winning a Greek Cup.

​The coach laments a lack of effectiveness in front of goal

In his post-match press conference after the defeat against GD Chaves, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim put the loss down to a lack of effectiveness in front of goal.

“The main mistake was failing to score goals. In the first half we didn't let GD Chaves create any dangerous situation and we had several chances. Even with the ones that weren't clear chances, there were several crosses where we just couldn't get the ball into the net. In the second half we conceded two goals in quick succession, and from then on the team didn't have the same cool heads. We made changes to widen play and we put Coates up front to take advantage of the crosses we were delivering, but from then on we didn't create the clear chances that we had in the first half,” he began by saying.

“Time was running out and we were losing confidence. There was a lot of anxiety, which is natural, but the players gave everything. They ran to the fullest, but things didn't work out. We conceded two goals: One from a free kick with a header almost from outside the area, and the other from a quick transition. If we had scored half the chances we had today, we would have won the game, and that's what I will focus on. The game is over, we lost and now we will turn our thoughts to the next one."

Amorim refused the suggestion that the players did not interpret the message from the coaching staff well.

“The players are playing well, but they are not scoring goals. We created a lot of chances; it would be worrying if we didn't create them. Of course, when we lose and concede eight goals in four games, in addition to already being at a considerable distance behind our rivals, everything is seen as a problem: From the message that it is not getting through, or this or that. Obviously we have to improve a lot, create even more chances and score goals,” he stressed.

The coach also commented on the performance of Pedro Gonçalves, who retreated to midfield to partner Manuel Ugarte.

“If he scored from his first shot, which hit the post and the goalkeeper's back, maybe it would have opened up the game. Even playing further back, he had several shots."

Next up, Sporting CP take on GD Estoril Praia away from home.

“We are at the beginning of the season and it is obviously a very difficult time, but we have to face things naturally because this is the life of coaches and footballers. Tomorrow we will come back to work, and if we win GD Estoril Praia everything will be a little better," he stated.

"Of course there is a problem, but there is no need to make a drama out of it. We have to turn around and from now on we can't concede goals, that's my idea and it has to be the players' idea."

​Despite dominating play, the team fall 0-2 at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal suffered a surprise 0-2 defeat to GD Chaves by 0-2 at the Estádio José Alvalade, on Matchday 4 of the Liga Portugal season. Two goals in quick succession in the second half meant that the team emerged empty handed.

Without the injured Jovane Cabral and Paulinho for the game, coach Rúben Amorim also made three changes to his starting XI. Ricardo Esgaio replaced the suspended Pedro Porro on the right wing, Nuno Santos took the place of Matheus Reis on the left and debutant Rochinha joined Francisco Trincão and Marcus Edwards in attack. Pedro Gonçalves dropped back to team up with Manuel Ugarte in the midfield.

GD Chaves, recently promoted to the top flight and coached by Vítor Campelos, were missing captain João Teixeira through suspension.

In the opening moments, Nuno Santos took advantage of a loose ball on the edge of the area and shot powerfully, with the drive flying just wide

Os Leões started with an offensive dynamic, looking to find spaces in the opposition half, and shortly after they came close to scoring again: First, from long distance, Gonçalves shot hard and hit the post; soon after, Rochinha appeared in a good position in the box, but his header went off target.

Opportunities followed one another for the home team, with Pedro Gonçalves testing the goalkeeper's reflexes once again, before the pace dropped.

In the minutes before halftime, Sporting CP struck wide from distance through Rochinha, Gonçalo Inácio hit the post with a header, Trincão almost took advantage of a ball that goalkeeper Paulo Vítor couldn't catch and, finally, Rochinha tried his luck again, with the stopper holding onto the effort.

For the second half, Amorim changed his defence and switched Luís Neto for Matheus Reis. The chances continued, as Inácio headed wide and, soon after, Edwards forced Paulo Vítor into an excellent stop. In response, the Trás-os-Montes created their first noteworthy move in the match, but Antonio Adán was solid in response.

Before the hour, Hidemasa Morita came in for Ugarte, who had picked up a yellow card. On the next move, GD Chaves made it 0-1 through Steven Vitória, off a free kick into the area. That lead was increased to 0-2 moments later, with a goal from Juninho Vieira.

In response, Jeremiah St. Juste was introduced in place of Esgaio, and Sebastián Coates was moved up into the attack as a makeshift forward. Rodrigo Ribeiro was subbed on for Rochinha, and Sporting CP went on the hunt for goals with frequent crosses into the area.

In the final minutes, the clearest chance went to Ribeiro, who shot into the hands of Paulo Vítor. Just before the full time whistle, Patrick Fernandes was sent off for GD Chaves, who held on to take all three points.

Os Leões will play on Saturday, September 3rd, away to GD Estoril Praia on Matchday 5.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Luís Neto (Matheus Reis, 45'), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio (Jeremiah St. Juste, 65'), Manuel Ugarte (Hidemasa Morita, 60'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincao, Rochinha (Rodrigo Ribeiro, 74') and Marcus Edwards.

The coach turns his focus to Liga Portugal Matchday 4 action

Sporting Clube de Portugal host GD Chaves at the Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday (8:30pm local time), and coach Rúben Amorim talked about the Liga Portugal Matchday 4 game in his pre-match press conference.

"It was a good, long week. We tried to show players the game that we lost against FC Porto almost move-by-move. We did a lot well. There are people who probably have a different opinion and who look at the result a lot. I try to look at how many chances FC Porto created and how many we created, how the goals came about and why we conceded them," he explained of the defeat in O Clássico.

"Then we looked at GD Chaves. We want to get back to winning ways and start putting a run together, taking one game at a time. We know the strengths of GD Chaves and all the small details involved. We are treating this one like a Champions League game and we will be prepared and focused."

Of the Champions League itself, Amorim remarked on the draw that took place on Thursday evening.

"I didn't see the draw. There are teams that are difficult to face because of the way they play, and I look more at these details than at the names of the teams. Everyone looked at Pot 3 and wanted Sporting CP. Let's see if that is the case at the end of the group stage, but our 'Champions League' right now is GD Chaves," he warned.

Analysing his team's current form, Amorim was positive.

"Sportinguistas have to look at the overall plan and see that Sporting CP have a very young squad with quality players. The club sold players for a big fees and we're at the beginning of the season, having played in Porto and Braga. We wanted to win all of the games, and we could not do it, but we have played these games now. Sporting CP are OK,contrary to what everyone says. All clubs go through good times and bad times, but there is value in the first team, players have been sold and the club is being restructured. What Sporting CP are experiencing are bad results, but overall, as a club, we are going through a good time. We have dropped five points, but that cannot change the view that Sportinguistas have about the club. We have to all stick together. We can discuss which way is better, and I think that is healthy, but tomorrow we have to all be united. The big added value is not the coach, but the atmosphere created by supporters. We have to be as we have always been since I arrived here: United and very attentive to everything that happens at the club. Getting back to winning ways is the responsibility of the coach and the players."

Amorim also promised that the team will "go back to taking things game-by-game" and reminded journalists that Sporting CP are "five points behind our rivals and many points behind overall, but we have to be aware of it and it doesn't take any ambition away from us."

Of his squad, he revealed that "Jovane [Cabral] took a knock yesterday in training, and will be out. [Jeremiah] St. Juste is another option. He's still growing. Training is completely different to games, and he has been inactive for a long time. He may be an option from the start, or off the bench."

Sporting CP will play Eintracht Frankfurt, Spurs and Olympique Marseille

Sporting CP's opponents for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League Group Stage were drawn on Thursday, at a ceremony held in Istanbul, Turkey - city that will host the final of the competition at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium.

Part of Pot 3, Os Leões were drawn in Group D, where they will face German side Eintracht Frankfurt, current holders of the UEFA Europa League, English team Tottenham Hotspur and French Ligue 1 outfit Olympique de Marseille.

Starting on the week of September 6th and 7th, the UEFA Champions League Group Stage will run for eight weeks, ending on November 2nd. A fixture list will be released by UEFA on Friday.

GROUP STAGE DATES:
Matchday 1: September 6/7, 2022
Matchday 2: September 13/14, 2022
Matchday 3: October 4/5, 2022
Matchday 4: October 11/12, 2022
Matchday 5: October 25/26, 2022
Matchday 6: November 1/2, 2022

The winger signs a new deal through to 2025

Jovane Cabral has signed a contract extension at Sporting Clube de Portugal, through to 2025 and with a buyout clause of 60 million euros. The winger will continue at the club he has been a part of since 2014.

"I am really happy. It's always good to be where you feel good. This is my home and this is where I feel good,” he began by telling the media after the new deal was announced.

“I'm treated very well here. I had an experience abroad, but I always wanted to come back and I'm very happy to be here."

In the second half of last season, Cabral played for Italian side SS Lazio on loan, but returns to Lisbon with well-defined goals.

“I grew a lot as a player and as a man last year. Sometimes we need to take that step to see other realities and learn from other coaches. I'm very happy with my time there, because I learned a lot, and now I'm back to help Sporting CP."

“I bring the desire to score goals, provide assists and help the team wherever the coach asks me to play. I'm completely focused and ready to work," he continued, before praising coach Rúben Amorim.

"He was always very fond of me and helped me a lot. I am very grateful to be able to work with him, and I look forward to continuing to evolve and learning more from him.”

The 24 year old from Cape Verde has played 97 games and scored 21 goals for the first team, winning Liga Portugal, the Taça de Portugal, Supertaça and three Taças da Liga.

“To the Sportinguistas: I am very happy to be here. Thank you for all of your love over these past few years. I will try to continue to bring more joy to the fans."

The coach gives his assessment of the loss in O Clássico

Following the 3-0 defeat for Sporting Clube de Portugal against FC Porto, Rúben Amorim analysed the match at the Estádio do Dragão.

"We played our game and FC Porto played theirs. They scored three goals and we didn't score from any of the many opportunities we had. We suffered close to halftime, which is difficult, and our best moment was when we came back after the break and dominated. We didn't score or take advantage of our opportunities, and FC Porto were very mature," he explained.

"Conceding three goals in two different games concerns any coach, but we have to analyse it. FC Porto didn't create many opportunities and took all the ones they had. We didn't. There are things we have to improve, but there were very good things as well. There have been games at the Dragão in which we have played much worse. We had shots come back off Diogo Costa's face and we couldn't score. There were phases in which everything went wrong. In football, everything changes suddenly," he stressed.

For Amorim, the absence of the departed Matheus Nunes did not influence the result.

"I really liked [Hidemasa] Morita. The coach is the only one responsible for defeats. The change in midfield had no influence on the result. What we didn't manage to do was kill off FC Porto once and for all, to make them feel uncomfortable."

Admitting that he would be "happier if we had more points", the coach also said he has seen the team grow. "We know the points gap that we have now, but it's not worth thinking about it. It's part of our race and our focus has to be on winning against GD Chaves."

Asked about a possible lack of reaction to losing possession, Amorim explained that "when we win the ball we always want to play forward, and the FC Porto players are closer. We play differently. We were on top of FC Porto many times and we had several opportunities that we didn't bring to fruition."

After praising the entries of Fatawu and Rochinha in the second half and ensuring that he is "very satisfied with the players," Amorim concluded by recalling that "this is football" and that his team "have to be able to deal with the situation and take away the positive and negative aspects."

Two penalties and a goal from open play result in defeat to FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 3-0 in their away game against FC Porto on Matchday 3 of the Liga Portugal season.

The first 'Clássico' of the season saw only one change by Rúben Amorim in his starting XI: Hidemasa Morita came in to replace Matheus Nunes, who left the club earlier in the week.

With thousands of Sportinguistas in the away section at the Estádio do Dragão, the derby started with the usual equality in the midfield, but it was Sporting CP who created the first goalscoring opportunity: In the 11th minute, Pedro Gonçalves accelerated to leave Pepe behind and placed the ball in the heart of the area. After a scramble, Morita hit the post with a forceful shot.

Shortly after, Pedro Porro set up Pedro Gonçalves with a good pass, but the Portuguese international was unable to control well in a favourable position.

FC Porto responded and began to have more ball, also making it increasingly difficult for Sporting CP to play out from the back. Gradually, the home team began building up some dangerous moves close to Sporting CP's area, although clear goalscoring opportunities were scarce.

Close to the break, in the 42nd minute, FC Porto made it 1-0. After a clash between Antonio Adán and Taremi, the ball fell to Evanilson, who only had to tap it into the empty net.

Sporting CP went very close to an equaliser on two occasions before the end of the first half, but Diogo Costa, the home team's goalkeeper, would fend off the chances for Francisco Trincão and Gonçalo Inácio.

In the first minute of the second half, a quick attack by Sporting CP resulted in a cross-shot from Porro going wide. Possession was working in the team's favour, but shots on goal were scarce for both sides.

With 20 minutes remaining, Amorim made his first change, replacing Morita and Luís Neto with Rochinha and Nuno Santos.

FC Porto benefited from a penalty kick due to a handball by Porro - who was also shown a straight red card. Uribe converted to make it 2-0.

With Sporting CP down to ten men, Matheus Reis and Marcus Edwards withdrawn and Jeremiah St. Juste and Fatawu brought in. The latter came very close to reducing the deficit in the 83rd minute, but was denied by Diogo Costa when through on goal.

Cruelly, this was followed by another penalty. After being brought down by Antonio Adán, Galeno converted from the 11-metre mark and rounded off a 3-0 win for FC Porto.

Sporting CP host GD Chaves on Matchday 4

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto (Nuno Santos, 70'), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita (Rochinha, 70'), Matheus Reis (Jeremiah St. Juste , 79'), Francisco Trincao, Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards (Fatawu, 79').