The coach reflects on elimination from the Taça de Portugal

After the defeat against FC Porto (1-0) that confirmed Sporting Clube de Portugal's elimination from the Taça de Portugal, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match in his press conference.

"We started the game well, with more ball and employing our style of play. We didn't have many chances, but we had control and from certain balls we could have been better. FC Porto were having more success from second balls and waiting for our mistakes. Up until the 60th minute, we had the opportunity for Matheus [Nunes], but from then on the game became stagnant and FC Porto managed to make things difficult for us. When you have difficulties putting the ball upfield, it doesn't matter what characteristics the players have," he began by telling journalists at the Estádio do Dragão.

"Looking at both legs, FC Porto were the better side". Focusing on a week he considered "difficult", the coach looked back on his journey at the club so far: "Everyone has to be prepared at Sporting CP and we all have to pull in the same direction, because we know that we came here at a low point and what we did was take decisions. What happened today was football, and I can handle that better; not being competitive is what makes things difficult for me to handle."

Now, the objective that is on the horizon is "to guarantee second place in the league".

"Without that, we will have taken two steps back. Obviously, the fans are not happy and neither are we, but now I have my mind on the next trophy," he said, before reinforcing: "We know what we have to do. We have the clear objective to maintain this project."

Finally, Amorim highlighted that the team "still have a lot to improve," although he considers that Sporting CP "are much more of a team than last year."

"If there's a team in Portugal that has an idea of how they play, it's Sporting CP, and the players give everything. Today we lacked quality. I took a lot from this and the last game; we had a lot to learn and so did I," he concluded.

The team lose 1-0 to FC Porto, missing out on a trip to the final

After their 1-2 set back at Alvalade in the first leg, Sporting Clube de Portugal went to the Estádio do Dragão for the decisive second leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-finals, eventually falling 1-0 to FC Porto and going out of the competition.

Coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting XI from the derby against SL Benfica: João Palhinha and Nuno Santos were rotated out, with Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Reis (back from suspension) replacing them.

Despite the punishments related to the last Clássico played at the Dragão being decided just 48 hours before this game, all the players sanctioned were able to be part of the game: Bruno Tabata and Matheus Reis thanks to the appeal to the Disciplinary Board, and Pepe for the opposing side in a decision made two hours before kickoff.

With a sold out crowd in the stands and rain falling on pitch, Sporting CP took the initiative in the first half (43%-57% in possession) and had the first opportunity within the opening five minutes. Off a corner, the ball flew out of the area, where Ugarte shot wide of Marchesín's goal. A well organised FC Porto responded with several moves upfield, but without creating real danger for goalkeeper Antonio Adán.

Sporting CP would continue to attack, and Pablo Sarabia produced a delightful chip -albeit in an illegal position. Shortly after, from a recovery Pedro Porro shot wide and then Marchesín stifled another attempt by Sarabia. The number of fouls increased, as well as the number of protests, breaking up the flow of the game.

In the final minutes of the first half, FC Porto improved and Zaidu had the best opportunity for the hosts, shooting wide off a quick offensive transition. Sporting CP would have to go looking to score the two goals needed to make it through.

Matheus Nunes, in the 50th minute, came very close to cutting the deficit, but could not beat the keeper when through on goal.

Ricardo Esgaio came on in place of Luís Neto for Sporting CP, but the midfield continued to struggle with several turnovers. FC Porto's Fábio Vieira shot from distance, forcing Adán's first save of the second half, and it was followed by two more shots by Vitinha: One over and the other into the hands of the Spanish goalkeeper.

With Sporting CP having more difficulties going forward and looking to break the deadlock, Amorim introduced Marcus Edwards, removing Sarabia in the 70th minute.

The stalemate remained until the 83rd minute, when second half substitute Toni Martínez hunted a ball inside the area. The goal was only given after a VAR check, but put FC Porto further ahead on aggregate.

Amorim moved Sebastián Coates to centre forward for a last push, but it was in vain for Sporting CP. The team completed the game with ten men after Porro was shown a straight red card, and were eliminated from the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Luís Neto (Ricardo Esgaio 56'), Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte (João Palhinha 84'), Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos 84'), Pablo Sarabia (Marcus Edwards 71') and Paulinho.

​The coach speaks on the eve of the Clássico against FC Porto

This Thursday, at 8:15pm local time, Sporting CP visit the Estádio do Dragão for a Taça de Portugal semifinal second leg against FC Porto. After their 1-2 defeat in Alvalade, the team are looking to turn around the tie, as explained by coach Rúben Amorim in his pre-match press conference.

"The fact that we have won trophies does not take away any responsibility from us. We had a difficult defeat against SL Benfica this past week that cost us, but we now have the same responsibility as if we had won. What we want is to get through the tie. We are at a disadvantage and we need to score at least two goals. That's what we're going to try to do," he told journalists.

"We have to score more goals than FC Porto. We haven't been able to do that before, because we've had draws against them. The two teams are evenly matched," he added.

"The day after the derby we felt better, and I can see the team thinking about a tie that will decide who goes through to the final. They seemed ok today; active, prepared and focused to face a great team."

"Whatever people say, Sporting CP are playing much better this year than last year."

"FC Porto are dangerous in all phases of the game: Counterattacks, organised attacks, second balls, set pieces... We have to focus on what FC Porto do well, but mainly on what we do well, trying to find spaces. In the last two games against FC Porto, their way of attacking was different. We studied that and we have a gameplan."

Asked about expectations for the remainder of the season, Amorim recalled that the team have already won two trophies (the Super Taça and Taça da Liga) and that the existing pressure is a consequence of success.

"There were seasons in which Sporting CP came in second and it was considered a successful campaign in terms of objectives".

He assured that "FC Porto will not play for a draw. We have to have a lot of conviction and play well, create opportunities, score goals and not concede."

​The coach reflects on the derby defeat to SL Benfica

At the end of the derby between Sporting Clube de Portugal and SL Benfica, which ended with a 0-2 defeat, coach Rúben Amorim attended a press conference to analyse the game.

Speaking to journalists, he explained that "the result is what made me least satisfied."

"The game started with Sporting CP taking the initiative and SL Benfica scored. Then they defended with a very low block and took a lot of space in which for us to play away. We were uninspired throughout the game. We got through many times and they sent the ball for a corner. As the game progressed, it created some anxiety. We risked everything because we had to score two goals, and that doesn't always go well. Crosses didn't end well. One team was defending further back and waiting for the transition, and we had more possession, but our final ball and shot were without inspiration. Two transitions decided the result."

According to Amorim, the team "perhaps got worse after the substitutions, because, perhaps, the coach took players off in the wrong positions."

"João Palhinha didn't work out very well at centre back and we put in Ricardo Esgaio. It isn't the players' responsibility."

"We lost a derby and, more than that, we stopped being able to fight for the title. That's hard for us, and it's not worth hiding it. We should be fighting for the title, but tomorrow I'll be back. We've been through tougher times and we have the Taça de Portugal to prepare," he added.

He also guaranteed that, for the near future, "there is no greater motivation than being in the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal."

 "We are going to the stadium of a team that are about to be crowned champions and have an advantage in the tie. We've done more difficult things before, and that's how we're going to face the game, because we're a team who can turn the tie around."

"The team need to be better in the key moments of the match, whether that be attacking or defending, and hope for a more inspired day. FC Porto and SL Benfica are different teams, so you have to prepare the game indifferently."

Finally, Amorim denied that any substitution or rotation had been made with the Taça de Portugal in mind.

"We were fighting for the title and I only wanted to know about that. The Taça de Portugal did not enter my head. We wanted to win the game and we had to score two goals. We wanted to be fighting for the title."

​An attacking setup ends in a 0-2 loss at the Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Clube de Portugal hosted SL Benfica in the Lisbon derby on Liga Portugal Matchday 30, losing 0-2 to their cross-town rivals as an attacking strategy failed to pay off.

Before kickoff, Jérémy Mathieu was honoured at the Estádio José Alvalade for the years he played at Sporting CP (from 2017/2018 to 2019/2020), receiving a shirt and a commemorative plaque from club president Frederico Varandas in front of the fans.

Sporting CP made three changes to the starting lineup, with João Palhinha, Nuno Santos and Paulinho brought in.

The first opportunity to score came in the ninth minute, when Pedro Gonçalves served up a ball to Paulinho that the striker shot wide, with only Odysseas to beat.
Against the run of play, Benfica scored the opener, as a long pass from Vertonghen found Darwin, who struck past Antonio Adán.

Sporting CP went in search of an equaliser, and In the 21st minute Gonçalo Inácio appeared in an excellent position to finish off a chance, but preferred to try to set up a teammate.

Benfica rarely left their own half and instead waited on any error from Os Leões, who were more adventurous in their approach.

In the 30th minute, Gonçalves shot wide. At the opposite end, Diogo Gonçalves shot hard to force Adán into a stop. Sporting CP reacted with their best chance so far: Pablo Sarabia picked out Gonçalves, whose attempt to beat Odysseas was stopped by the Greek goalkeeper.

SL Benfica had a goal disallowed for offside in the 38th minute, in a rare attack. Shortly after, Sarabia hit a free kick that Odysseas tipped out for a corner. The Spanish international again tried for an equaliser close to half-time, but shot over the top and Sporting CP trailed going into the break.

The second half started with the visitors causing danger - Everton shooting wide- but the response didn't take long in coming. A minute later, Nuno Santos crossed perfectly for Sarabia, who headed onto the crossbar. Off the rebound, Pedro Porro tried his luck, but Odysseas produced the block.

After two timid attempts from Porro and Paulinho, Rúben Amorim began to change things up, taking off Luís Neto and Gonçalves for Manuel Ugarte and Islam Slimani, respectively.

The game dropped in intensity as the second period progressed, and with just over 20 minutes to go, Ricardo Esgaio and Marcus Edwards replaced João Palhinha and Sarabia.
The play was more to SL Benfica, however, as they closed off their midfield and looked for the counter. That limited Sporting CP's chances to long range efforts from Paulinho and Edwards, without success.

SL Benfica made it 0-2 in added time through Gil Dias, for a result that hinders Os Leões' title defence.

Sporting CP will now turn their attention to the second leg of the Taça de Portugal semifinal, which takes place against FC Porto on Thursday.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Luís Neto (Manuel Ugarte, 58'), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha (Ricardo Esgaio, 69'), Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos (Daniel Bragança, 88'), Pablo Sarabia (Marcus Edwards, 69'), Pedro Gonçalves (Islam Slimani, 58') and Paulinho.

The coach talks about the Sunday derby against SL Benfica

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the derby against SL Benfica on the Liga Portugal Matchday 30 in his pre-match press conference, as the season reaches a decisive point.

He said that he did not expect an easy contest, but was confident that his side will take the win.

“Our focus is on winning the next game, as we have always said. We don't have to do the maths for second place if we win, but even if we don't think about that, it's the objective, knowing that Benfica can do at Alvalade what we did at the Estádio da Luz [where Sporting CP won 1-3] and that they come here motivated from the last game. It's going to be a derby, a great game and we have an obligation to win it, just like they do -because that's part of the culture of both clubs," he began by saying.

"We have seen a very strong SL Benfica, especially in the Champions League, and in Liga Portugal they have had some mishaps. I don't know what to expect, but there are players who can be decisive. I expect a SL Benfica with great quality. We enjoy these games."

“Our team grows with these games and we have an obligation to win,” underlined Amorim, adding that "My prediction is to bet on Sporting CP. A derby is always 50-50, but I would bet on my team to win the game."

“I think that we are favourites due to the natural growth of the team. We are more dominant, are in a better position than SL Benfica and come from a good run in the league. Sporting CP are in good form. When I was young, it was said that the worst team won the derby, but I don't believe that. I believe that Sporting CP will win. I have great conviction in our players. Last season I didn't have the certainty that I have now, because of the way we played. I know that we can always drop points, but I am fully convinced that we can beat SL Benfica."

Asked about the title challenge, Amorim responded that “The only way to be champions is to win every game. Motivation is high, and the players have been fighting with this season and next season in mind. It's a great motivation because, by guaranteeing Champions League football, we can plan for next season with greater certainty. This is essential for us. We fight for our lives, for the project and so as not to take steps back."

The Sporting CP player is chosen by Liga Portugal coaches

Islam Slimani was named Liga Portugal's Striker of the Month for March, recieving 21.48% of the votes from the competition's head coaches.

The Sporting Clube de Portugal forward played three games and scored three goals in March, two of them against FC Arouca in the opening matchday of the month.

The striker finished ahead of Evanilson (18.52%) and Mehdi Taremi (13.33%) of FC Porto in the voting.

The coach gives credit to the team for their showing against CD Tondela

Following the triumph over CD Tondela, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim analysed the 1-3 away result, stating that the success came largely from an attack without an out-and-out striker.

“The idea was to take away any references for CD Tondela, who have three central defenders who are very strong in the air and field two very close lines: One defensive and one for midfield. We wanted to have strong players between the lines and arriving from behind, because they attack the area well and are used to playing high up the pitch. It had an effect,” he began by saying in his post-match press conference.

“We had a very complete first half, but the second half was not so good because we lost the ball in areas where we didn't have to. Without applying a high press, we gave the ball to the opposition and they had some transitions. It was one-way traffic, apart from a few breaks. We ended up winning fairly,” he stressed.

The coach then addressed the situation involving Islam Slimani, the striker having not been in the team's last training session and left out of the squad for the game.

“Slimani didn't know if he was going to play and he didn't participate in the last training session because, according to how the week went, we understood that he wasn't up to the standard of what is required of a Sporting CP player. There are basic things that are important, but there is no issue. I am sure that Hugo Viana and the president trust me and the way I lead the group. I'm sure that none of my players are bad people and, therefore, everyone can have bad weeks. Tomorrow he will have a new opportunity, he will be in training and he will be at his best. With a new week, comes a new life. He was not at the required level to play, but next time he will be,” he assured.

Finally, Amorim admitted that he was “irritated” by the fact that Matheus Reis picked up a yellow card, which rules him out of the derby against SL Benfica.

“He allowed himself to be pressured by an opposing player, and then when he wanted to go for the ball there was contact. I was irritated by the yellow card and the way we lost the ball. It takes away an option because he is a player with different characteristics and we don't have him to play left back now. But we have Vinagre, who started very well, and Nuno Santos, who was suspended this week. It’s one less option for us, but we’re going to go into the game with a lot of desire to win,” he concluded.

​The coach previews Saturday night's league game

In a Friday press conference, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the match against CD Tondela on Matchday 29 of the Liga Portugal season. He had praise for the opposition, stressing that his side must play better than last weekend in order to get the victory.

“I expect the usual game against a team fighting for survival, with talented players and a 5-4-1 formation, which takes away a lot of space in our play. We will have to be creative, mobile and aggressive in the way we attack all the small spaces that CD Tondela might leave," he told the media.

"On the last matchday they played without a forward, with a lot of mobility and they are very strong not only in terms of speed, but also in the way they link up. They are very dangerous. They are very motivated because they won last time out, and they don't have any pressure on them this weekend, so I am predicting a difficult game. As for us, we have to win and play better than last week. That's what we have focused on during the week,” stated the coach.

CD Tondela recently changed coaches, with Nuno Campos now in the dugout. Amorim says he knows what to expect.

“He has specific characteristics and knows the league very well. For me, Pako [Ayestarán] had an excellent season, bringing together very talented kids with a good way of playing. I think they maintain that same shape, but a Portuguese coach adapts better to what the game asks for."

Sporting CP side will be without João Palhinha and Nuno Santos through suspension, as well as the injured Zouhair Feddal.

“Feddal felt some discomfort  in training and will be out. We are going to include José Marsà in the squad and everybody else is ready to be called up. We had periods in the last game that weren't good and we tried to work on that, and there is internal competition for places. We want to get back to having great performances and, above all, win the game."

“We have a lot of belief that we can win every game. Winning all the games would give us a very high points tally, and then we shall see what might happen. We have to believe until the last moment. By winning our games, we get closer to something happening. If we lose or draw, everything becomes much more difficult in terms of the title chase."

In Tondela, Amorim will take charge of his 100th game with Sporting CP. He commented on this, saying that “I hope to be here for 100 more. My goal is to stay at Sporting CP for many years, but it all depends on the results and the most immediate match is that against CD Tondela."

The squad are put through their paces on Thursday morning

Sporting Clube de Portugal trained this morning at the Academia Sporting, in Alcochete, in order to prepare for Saturday's game at the Estádio João Cardoso against CD Tondela.

Coach Rúben Amorim once again had the entire squad available for the session.

The team will have another session on Friday at 10:30am local time, held behind closed doors. The pre-match press conference will take place at 12:30pm.