A 1-2 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt means the team will now play in the Europa League

Sporting Clube de Portugal bowed out of the UEFA Champions League with a 1-2 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 6 of the Group Stage. With this result, they now drop into the UEFA Europa League, finishing third in the standings with seven points.

Rúben Amorim made six changes to the side that lost against FC Arouca in Liga Portugal the previous Saturday, with several returns to the starting lineup. Jeremiah St. Juste entered the defence and Pedro Porro and Nuno Santos returned to the wings, Manuel Ugarte came back into central midfield, partnering with Pedro Gonçalves, and Paulinho and Marcus Edwards were used in the attack alongside Arthur.

Sporting CP had previously beaten Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 in Germany, and came into the game at the Estádio José Alvalade needing only a draw to progress in the competition.

Several attacks from the wings opened the contest, and Edwards was the first to create danger, taking advantage of a loose ball in the area following a free-kick, but opposition goalkeeper Kevin Trapp made the save. At the other end, Evan N'Dicka's header required a huge stop by Antonio Adán.

More proactive than their opponents, Sporting CP lacked the final ball on several promising moves. 

In the 33rd minute, Amorim was forced to make a change, bringing on Matheus Reis to replace Nuno Santos due to injury.

In the 39th minute, Os Leões opened the scoring. Following a move from the right by Edwards, Ugarte received the ball and crossed into the area, where Arthur struck first time into the net. It was the winger's second goal in the UEFA Champions League, having also scored against Tottenham Hotspur.

After the interval, Sporting CP didn't take their foot off the accelerator and went in search of a second goal, but would suffer a harsh setback in the 59th minute, when a penalty was given against Coates for handball in the area. Daichi Kamada converted the spot kick to make it 1-1.

Soon after, Dário Essugo (making his first appearance in the competition this season) and Francisco Trincão came in for Ugarte and Edwards.

Eintracht Frankfurt gained motivation and created several moves that provided danger. With 72 minutes gone, Kolo Muani consummated the comeback with a goal that took the score to 1-2.

St. Juste went off for Jovane Cabral, with Matheus Reis dropping back into the defense and Arthur moving to the wing, and Sporting CP spent the following moments on the attack, although without being able to test Trapp.

In the last two moves of the game, Adán went upfield for two corners that could have led to an equaliser, but Os Leões were unable to find the goal that they needed and lost 1-2.

Sporting CP will now have to wait for a draw to find out their opponents in the UEFA Europa League, but first they will host Vitória SC this Saturday, November 5th, at home.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adan, [GK], Jeremiah St. Juste (Jovane Cabral, 78'), Sebastián Coates, [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte (Dário Essugo, 63'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos (Matheus Reis, 33'), Arthur, Marcus Edwards ( Francisco Trincao, 63') and Paulinho.

The defender addresses the media ahead of the Champions League match

Pedro Porro spoke in the press conference ahead of Sporting CP's game against Eintracht Frankfurt, scheduled for this Tuesday at the Estádio José Alvalade, and said he did not expect an easy game, but is confident.

“It will be a difficult game, like all of them are. I don't see any difference compared to the game in Germany. They are a great team and they have shown why they are in the Champions League. As for us, we are focused on winning and that's what we're going to do," he stated.

The Spanish international also spoke about the green defence and the amount of goals conceded by Sporting CP this season, commenting that “the opposition also have their merits. We've had good games at this level and we're focused on improving the defensive line, but there are games in which things don't go so well. Tomorrow we want them to go well and we are focused on that.”

“The team are doing well. We are focused on what we have to do and on winning tomorrow, as well as being confident. That's what we're going to try to show," he underlined.

The coach looks at the game against Eintracht Frankfurt

Sporting Clube de Portugal play their sixth and final game of the Champions League group stage against Eintracht Frankfurt this Tuesday, needing only a point to advance in the competition. However, in his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim explained that he wants more than a draw.

“We haven't even talked about a draw. We have to win and be aware of the moment we are in, in which any ball that goes near our goal goes in. It's about scoring and not suffering. It's true that we can depend on two results, and in the end we can adapt accordingly, but at the beginning of the game it would be a mistake to think about just taking a point,” he began by saying.

“There is no advantage for us, and we know that needing just a point will not have an impact. Eintracht have changed their formation since the last game against us, and went back to what they did mostly last year - waiting more for the opposition - and they've done well with that return to their roots. In Germany they put a lot of pressure on us, but we had the ball and we were able to take advantage of that space in the second half. It's a completely different team, and they are scoring a lot of goals in the German league. At the beginning of the game the requirements won't have any influence, but at the end we'll see if we have to adapt or not."

"I'm confident of a good result and trust the team a lot. I don't think there is a lack of confidence in our team . What we lack is conviction, not the technical side. The year we were champions, you felt something was going to happen, and now it's the other way around and it's hard to explain that to the players. Everything changes and we have everything needed to win," he explained.

“I think this year the opponents are actually having more difficulties in stopping us because we have created more opportunities, but we have not been able to score. It's easier for us to create, and we control our opponents' attacks better, but from one distraction or another we concede goals," Amorim lamented.

"The ability to react to bad times is lacking and that wears out the team. We have to seek strength, as that's football. There are good things in bad times, and we learn in bad times, but there is not much to take away from all this. I'm not much of an advocate of us having to suffer a lot to grow. The good thing about this is that we've already been like this and we were able to turn it around."

The coach's thoughts on the 1-0 loss to FC Arouca

Rúben Amorim reacted after Sporting CP's defeat in Arouca, saying that Sporting CP were deserving of all three in Liga Portugal due to their dominance in the game.

“A lack of effectiveness explains the result today and in other games. We couldn't score and in the few opportunities we had against us, we suffered. We were always on top of the game and we couldn't score, then off a set piece we conceded. Now it's time to think about the next game," the coach began by saying, adding: “What matters is winning and winning consecutive games, but we haven't been able to do that. We lack consistency, especially in away games, which is not normal for our team. We have to improve."
Asked about the six changes he made to the starting eleven, Amorim praised the players' response.

“We had more than enough opportunities to win the game. Those who played did well. I trust everyone, we just didn't score. They had commitment and quality."

“This defeat has the same weight as ever. At Sporting CP we have to win, otherwise we go back to the problems that all big clubs have when they don't win. We've turned things around once, twice, and now we're falling into the same situation. It is becoming a difficult time, but we can always turn it around," he stated.

"I am very frustrated, I was not used to it either and we cannot have this inconsistency. I'm demanding. I'm sad because we couldn't win and it's my responsibility. I feel frustration, a very big frustration. I know the fans are not happy, but at the end of the season is when we will do the maths and make our assessment," he concluded.

Sporting CP leave empty handed despite dominant display

Sporting Clube de Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat against FC Arouca on Matchday 11 of the Liga Portugal season, conceding at the start of the second half.

For this match, coach Rúben Amorim made six changes to his starting eleven from the fame against Tottenham, fielding Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, Dário Essugo, Pedro Gonçalves, Flávio Nazinho, Rochinha, Arthur and Francisco Trincao.

Sporting CP started the game well and dominated throughout the first half, and wasted no time in creating goalscoring opportunities. The first saw Francisco Trincao denied by the goalkeeper, with Arthur's follow-up also kept out.

Next up was Pedro Gonçalves, whose effort was blocked by the FC Arouca defence, after he had broken into the area. Under five minutes later, a free kick for Sporting CP was played by Flávio Nazinho to Gonçalves, who sent it into the box, Gonçalo Inácio heading wide.

Rochinha put in plenty of work on the right channel, and one of his runs to the near post was only prevented from finding the net by Arruabarrena. He then crossed to the far stick, where Trincao failed to hit the target.

In the 40th minute, Antonio Adán was also put to the test, off a quick counterattack by FC Arouca. The goalkeeper Leonino was able to smother Antony's effort.

With five minutes to play until the end of the first half, Sporting CP had two more chances: First for Dário Essugo shooting wide, then for Ricardo Esgaio, whose strike was saved by the goalkeeper.

After the interval, FC Arouca opened the scoring from a corner, as Basso beat the defence and headed in to make it 1-0.

In the 54th minute, Amorim made a triple change, as Jeremiah St. Juste, Pedro Porro and Manuel Ugarte replaced Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio and Dário Essugo. Not five minutes later, Nuno Santos and Marcus Edwards also entered, with Flávio Nazinho and Rochinha making way.

Sporting CP continued to dominate, camped out by the FC Arouca area, but were not able to carve out chances. Porro had the best opportunity, in the 66th minute, but his low shot went just outside the post.

Ugarte then tried to make it 1-1 with two shots that went off target, before Nuno Santos broke into the box and set up Gonçalves -a home defender appearing to cut out the chance.

Sporting CP continued to look for a goal and sent a lot of balls into the area, but Arruabarrena was able to stave off the attacks and provided a huge save from Sebastián Coates on 90 minutes.

In stoppage time, Gonçalves and Arthur both shot off target, as Sporting CP experienced a 1-0 defeat on the road.

Os Leões will be in action again on Tuesday, at the Estádio José Alvalade, against Eintracht Frankfurt in the sixth and final matchday of the Champions League group stage.

The coach previews the game against FC Arouca

Sporting Clube de Portugal play FC Arouca away from home on Saturday (8:30pm local time), on Matchday 11 of the Liga Portugal season.

At the press conference ahead of the game, played three days after the fixture against Tottenham Hotspur and three days before the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt, coach Rúben Amorim addressed his squad management and confirmed the absences of Hidemasa Morita and Paulinho.

“Squad management is done according to the best players we have available to beat FC Arouca, and this is the only management we do. Morita is out -I don't know for how long because he still has to do some tests- and so is Paulinho. Luís Neto is still unavailable and Ricardo Esgaio is back. Jeremiah St. Juste remains limited in terms of game time, but the rest of the squad are ready to play,” he began by telling the journalists present.

“We have to be very fresh physically against FC Arouca due to the characteristics of the opposition. They have very skilled midfielders, like David Simão and Alan Ruiz, and three players up front who, if we don't press well, will cause us a lot of problems. We will field the best team without thinking about Eintracht Frankfurt, because our objective and priority is the league. Energy and physical freshness will be important factors,” he emphasised.

FC Arouca are a side in form, having not lost in five games and occupying 11th in the table.

“FC Arouca are very dangerous on transitions, which is an important characteristic in the league. Antony is very strong in that respect, and the other two strikers are too. Then there's David Simão and Alan Ruiz, who came up at big clubs and play very well with the ball. In addition, they are in a steady position in the table. The more teams free themselves from the pressure of earning points, the better they play. They have no responsibility against Sporting CP and that is an advantage for them,” he said.

Amorim also stressed the importance of winning this weekend's game. 

“The best thing to do is to beat FC Arouca, as that is the best way to prepare for the match against Eintracht Frankfurt. It would be an extra source of energy taking into account the preparation of this match”, he said.

“If we beat FC Arouca, the way the fans see the next game and the team will be different. We can't drop points before the break for the World Cup, and it's important that we get that run of victories."

In closing, he stated his confidence in the squad regarding the fight for the Liga Portugal title. 

“We are still in with a chance, because we are still going to face all the teams and we want to win every game. As long as it is possible, we will fight for every match and trophy."

​The coach highlights Sporting CP's performance in the first half against Tottenham Hotspur

After the draw away to Tottenham Hotspur on Matchday 5 of Group D in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach, Rúben Amorim, reviewed the action in London.

“Everyone had an extraordinary first half. Bearing in mind the importance of the game, which was decisive, we started with a lot of personality and that was noticeable while we were fresh. We had a big slump in the second half thanks to the opposition, who have great players. They came out from the break with different movements because they have a very good coach who changed the way they play. We suffered due to the merits of Tottenham Hotspur and their coach. We tried to change things up, but we couldn't," he said at the press conference, but refuted that the decision to bring in Mateus Fernandes, Flávio Nazinho, Fatawu and Arthur had not paid off.

“If Nazinho had converted the two chances he had, it would have been a great substitution. As for Mateus Fernandes, we had the choice between him and Sotiris, but due to the progress that Mateus has made, and because he has spent more time working with us, he is prepared for these games. If he's not, he has to be, because this is the project and these are our solutions. Fatawu came in because we were under pressure, he is the best winger from set pieces and the strongest when making runs alone. Arthur came in and assisted in reeing up Nazinho," he explained.

“We suffered a lot in the second half, but those substitutions were not decisive in that happening. Of course, they had more difficulties than some other players, but that was because we were very tired and we didn't have the ball. When we don't have the ball, we suffer a lot," continued Amorim, who considered a draw to have been a fair result.

“We deserved the point because we were playing a very powerful team. We deserved it for that and for the first half that we had. In the second half they were clearly superior, and we have to accept that. Even so, the way we suffered as a team and how the players -many of whom were tired- adapted, also helps us to grow. It would have been very unfair not to have left here with a draw," he said.

“The group is very balanced and anything can happen, but it is very important for us as a club to reach the last game of the group stage fighting for qualification. It has been hard, because we gifted two games to Olympique Marseille and we were not competitive against them, but in the matches where we ended up with eleven men and were always very focused, we responded and that is an important sign. We have a chance, but before Tuesday we still have to face FC Arouca in Liga Portugal."

​The team draw 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur in London

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur FC in a dramatic Matchday 5 game in Group D of the UEFA Champions League. With this result, the team continue to have their fate in their own hands, as they occupy second place in the group with the same seven points as third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

Almost a month and a half after Sporting CP's 2-0 win against Spurs at Alvalade, they met in North London with the English side missing important players Richarlison and Kulusevski, albeit with stars such as Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son.

Without the suspended Pedro Gonçalves and Ricardo Esgaio, coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting eleven, welcoming back Sebastián Coates to the defence and Paulinho to the attack, forming a trio with Francisco Trincão and former Tottenham youth player Marcus Edwards.

Even playing away from home, Sporting CP were the team who took the initiative in the opening moments, trying various combinations with the front line. Despite that, the first dangerous shot came through Coates, who headed just wide from a corner. Later, Paulinho was within inches of making it 0-1, off a shot from a cross by Pedro Porro.

Sporting CP were rewarded with a goal after 22 minutes of play. Edwards brough the ball out from the midfield, off an excellent delivery from Ugarte, and pulled the trigger to beat Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

With the exception of a Son shot that Antonio Adán easily saved, almost on the 40th minute, it was a quiet first half in defence. Sporting CP even had the ball in the net again before the interval, but the goal was disallowed for handball by Coates.

Starting off the second half, for the first time in the match the English side provided several successive attacks, but Adán always responded when called upon to intervene. In the response, following a counterattack, Trincao appeared in a good position in the area, but his shot went slightly over.

On the hour mark, Amorim made his first substitutions with the introduction of Flávio Nazinho and Mateus Fernandes, the latter making his debut in the UEFA Champions League at just 18 years old.

In the final 20 minutes, the match became more even. The Londoners forced Adán into saves from Son and ex-Sporting CP player Eric Dier, then second half substitute Fatawu struck with an effort saved by Lloris, and Porro and Nazinho were also denied by the Frenchman.

In the 80th minute, the home team equalised from a Rodrigo Bentancur header from a corner.

After that, Spurs continued to circle Adán's goal, creating some dangerous shots, but Fatawu could also have scored had it not been for a Lloris save.

Just before the final whistle, in the fifth minute of added time, Tottenham Hotspur found the net through Harry Kane, but a VAR check disallowed the goal for offside and the score remained all square in London.

The sixth and final matchday of the Champions League group stage will take place next Tuesday, with Sporting CP at home against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, Hidemasa Morita (Mateus Fernandes, 61'), Manuel Ugarte, Nuno Santos (Flávio Nazinho, 61'), Francisco Trincão ( Arthur, 71'), Paulinho (Jeremiah St. Juste, 75') and Marcus Edwards (Fatawu Issahaku, 71').

The Sporting CP coach gives his thoughts before the meeting with Tottenham Hotspur FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal face Tottenham Hotspur FC in London on Matchday 5 of Group D of the UEFA Champions League this Wednesday.

On the eve of the contest, coach Rúben Amorim stated that the team have to win the game, recalling the first duel between the two teams which ended with a 2-0 victory in Alvalade.

"The two teams had a lot of respect for each other in the first game and they already know each other better, despite Tottenham Hotspur having changed their formation due to injuries up front. We will have to see how we deal with them, with three midfielders and three forwards. The big difference is that tomorrow's result is more decisive," he began by saying in the pre-match press conference.

Regarding his squad, Amorim stated that "Sebastián Coates will be able to play from the beginning. Jeremiah St. Juste will be on the bench, but as always we will pay special attention to him in terms of playing time, because he didn't have a preseason. We have to keep him healthy at least until the World Cup, so he can have his preseason then."

Asked if Paulinho, who scored in the first game against Spurs, could start the match, he responded that: “In our team there are no starters, but there is a group of players who usually start the game. Whether Pedro Gonçalves were available or not, Paulinho would always be an option to come in. He is growing after suffering an injury and we have to make a natural rotation. But I'm not going to reveal whether he's going to play or not."

There was also, inevitably, interest in English forward Marcus Edwards, who has history at Tottenham Hotspur.

"He is a player with a lot of talent. A former coach of his said that he had something Messi-like about him. He went to a good club in Portugal, he developed, he reached a big club, he is growing a lot and playing in the Champions League, and he is mature. The talent is there, but he can improve a lot. He is happy at our club and I wish him a very bright future," he concluded.

Advice for Sporting CP fans attending the game against Tottenham Hotspur FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal inform Members and supporters that, by imposition of the London authorities, no meeting point will be defined for the game against Tottenham Hotspur.

However, we recommend the transport indicated below:
- White Hart Lane (London Overground) – 5 minute walk to the stadium
- Seven Sisters (Victoria Line and London Overground) – 30 minute walk to the stadium
- Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line and Abellio Greater Anglia services) – 25 minute walk to the stadium
- Northumberland Park (Abelllio Greater Anglia services) – 10 minute walk to the stadium
 
Sporting CP members and supporters should arrive at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 6:00 pm, when the turnstiles open.

Useful information:
- Gate 11: The Sporting CP supporters' section is located next to the access tunnel to the stadium, where our members and supporters will be able to see the arrival of our team up close.
- The search process is carried out using a magnetometer arc, similar to the security check carried out at the airport, and by a canine team from the Greater London Police.
- The stadium's bars are cashless, which means that payments can only be made by card or digital means.
- Smoking is prohibited inside the stadium.
- The sale of alcoholic beverages is allowed inside the stadium, but these must only be consumed inside the stadium corridors.
- Luggage storage is available at King’s Cross Railway Station at a cost of 10 pounds, and bags with a maximum size of 21cm (w) x 30cm (h) will be allowed. We ask that you avoid bringing oversized suitcases, bearing in mind that the storage room is not located in the vicinity of the stadium.

We ask all fans to arrive early at the stadium so that they can support our team.