The players are joined by two youth team members for training

With this Sunday's away trip to play FC Famalicão on the horizon, Sporting Clube de Portugal held a training session this Wednesday, in preparation for the Liga Portugal Matchday 13 game.

The workout, which took place at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete, saw coach Rúben Amorim call up youngsters Diogo Travassos and Renato Veiga to participate. Daniel Bragança, Luís Neto and Nuno Santos continue to work alongside the medical department to recover from their respective injuries.

The squad return to training on Friday at 10:30am, behind closed doors.

The two teams will square off across a two-legged tie in February 2023

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League playoffs, with a place in the Round of 16 at stake.

The draw was held this Monday in Nyon, Switzerland. Sporting CP will play the first leg at home on February 16th, 2023, then travel to Denmark on February 23rd for the reverse fixture.

Sporting CP and FC Midtjylland have met twice in official competition, both in the first round of the UEFA Cup in 2001/2002. Os Leões won the first leg 0-3 in Denmark, and also won at the Estádio José Alvalade, 3-2.

The coach reviews a 3-0 win over Vitória SC

Rúben Amorim expressed his satisfaction with the 3-0 triumph over Vitória SC, saying that Sporting CP could even have established a more comprehensive scoreline.

“We started well, with confidence and had chances, but without scoring. When they went down to ten men, we were sharper and the goal came. Then we became more confident and could have scored even more goals," he said in his post-match press conference.

"It was a fair victory, with no goals conceded this time. At other times we didn't let our opponents create many opportunities either, but we suffered. We picked up three points and now we must continue."

On the fans, he commented that “There was no anxiety in the stadium; there was support. After a defeat that was tough to swallow, having this support from the fans made it feel like we weren't in sixth place in the table. This was very important for the players. The fans felt the team's dip in form, the players felt it and I myself felt at the beginning of the game that there weren't many anxious fans, but rather people wanting to help the team."

“The importance of winning is always big. Everyone wanted to win, we knew the importance that a win would have and our place in the table, but that doesn't change anything. We've had these victories in the league and been comfortable at home, and this has to be our reality: Winning games. This doesn't change anything totally. We won, but we need consecutive wins to have that change of joy and relief in the dressing room that we need. We have to keep going and get the second consecutive victory," he emphasised, also noting the role of clean sheets.

“It's a positive because it's been a part of our image before, but not in the recent past. We have to go several games without conceding because one goal is enough and we are always closer to taking the three points."

Rúben Amorim also spoke about Luís Neto, who was recently operated on for a spontaneous pneumothorax.

“That was also something that gave us a lot of strength. I went to see him yesterday and, with two tubes in his chest, the first thing he asked me was what the starting XI was and how the team were doing. This shows how players feel about the competition. We wanted to give this joy to Neto, knowing that he will come back stronger and we are waiting for him."

The team get back on track with a 3-0 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways by besting Vitória SC 3-0 on Liga Portugal Matchday 12, with goals from Pedro Porro, Hidemasa Morita and Marcus Edwards.

Coach Rúben Amorim made changes to the starting lineup from the Tuesday night game against Eintracht Frankfurt, fielding Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemasa Morita, Flávio Nazinho, Arthur Gomes, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

Sporting CP came out with the intention of controlling the match, and dominated proceedings right from the start. Gonçalves enjoyed the first goalscoring opportunity, but a deflection took the ball over the top.

Paulinho, Gonçalves and Hidemasa Morita all had chances, the latter forcing Bruno Varela into a reflex save. Porro went on to head over the crossbar.

In the 26th minute, Afonso fouled Gonçalo Inácio, receiving a second yellow card and reducing Vitória SC to ten men.

To take advantage of the numerical superiority, Amorim brought in Edwards in place of Nazinho in the 33rd minute, adding extra firepower in the attack.

The first goal came soon after: Arthur Gomes played in Matheus Reis, the fullback entered the area and held the ball up for Porro to arrive, then delivered it in for a header into the net, deflected by Edwards.

Sporting CP went looking for the second, which wasn't long in coming. Edwards got into the box and crossed to the back post, where Morita finished off to make it 2-0.

At half time, Amorim subbed on a former Vitória SC player, as Morita made way for Rochinha.

The second half started as the first half ended, with Sporting CP dominating and laying siege to the area. They took the score to 3-0 in the 56th minute, as Edwards shot from the edge of the area past a static opposition goalkeeper.

With the game all but won, Coates, Ugarte and Porro all came off, as Jeremiah St. Juste, Sotiris and Francisco Trincao were introduced. Despite the changes, the pace of the game dropped and there was only one more close chance before the end: Paulinho's strike in the 89th minute that was disallowed by VAR for offside.

Victorious in front of 27,324 fans at the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting CP will play next Sunday away to FC Famalicão, in what will be the last game before the break for the World Cup.

The coach analyses the 1-2 loss against Eintracht Frankfurt

In his post-match press conference following the defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim analysed a loss that means his side will now play in the Europa League.

"The match was divided and not very well played by us," he lamented. 

“Sometimes there was a lack of confidence in the team with the ball, but Eintracht Frankfurt weren't the better side. We had more chances and controlled the game better, but we didn't take advantage of some passes when the opposition opened up the central midfield. They barely had a shot on goal. The penalty didn't improve the game because they didn't put any more pressure on us, but then with a long ball they scored their second goal. That's the story of the game. It was very evenly matched and went the other team's way."

“It has been a difficult season so far, and what the coach can do is the same as always: Work hard every day and defend the players, because they give their best. It's okay to admit  that it hasn't been enough. When we look at our play, something is missing, especially at a time in which we have less confidence. The only way to turn this around is to work hard, win games, score goals and not suffer. There is no magic formula.”

Amorim then explained his choice to start Pedro Gonçalves in midfield. 

“We looked at where we have more players and  Gonçalves has experience there, as he was a central midfielder before. I thought it gave us more stability, and the first half showed that. It's an option we have, because he carried the ball forward. The player who scored our goal was the one who played in his position, Arthur Gomes."

To close, he justified bringing in Dário Essugo and Francisco Trincão off the bench.

“They were ready to come on before the penalty. Marcus Edwards was not doing well in the game and Manuel Ugarte was very tired from the first half. We looked at the players we had for those positions. Trincão usually plays there and Dário, who is the only one who can act as a defensive midfielder, did very well. There was no management of fatigue, as this game was decisive and a final," he said.

"They gave everything. We wanted to have fresh players and keep our idea going. It was a forced substitution, as I wasn't going to take Ugarte off because even though he was tired, he was a player who always fought a lot -with and without the ball."

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.