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With Sporting CP down to ten men, Matheus Reis and Marcus Edwards withdrawn and Jeremiah St. Juste and Fatawu brought in.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').

The coach looks ahead to O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim held a pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, previewing the first edition of 'O Clássico' this season against FC Porto. The Saturday 8:30pm kickoff at the Estádio do Dragão is expected to be a tough game, the coach says, but the focus is on taking all three points back to Lisbon.

“This week was strange and different for reasons that we all know, but we have reorganised ourselves, started to focus on the game and prepared for it in the best way possible. We know the importance of this game, because we have already had a draw this season and we are going to play at the home of the champions, but we had the normal preparation required for a club that want to win at every ground. In that aspect, it was a normal week," he said.

“FC Porto have many strengths. They are a team who are scoring a lot of goals, conceding few and are very competent in all aspects of the game, especially when they win the ball. We know what we're going to encounter and that we're going to be playing in a full stadium, but we like these types of challenges."

With a draw and a victory from the first two matchdays, Sporting CP are looking for three more points for their tally. Amorim said that he is not worried about the points gap compared to direct rivals, because he believes his side will get the win.

"It doesn't worry me at all. We know from the beginning that life as a coach is like this: When you win and when you lose, we are always under pressure. We will see. Our idea is to win and the idea is to get ahead of FC Porto and catch the top sides. If that doesn't happen, we'll be going for the win in the next game”.

The coach will be without Paulinho, who remains injured, but Sporting CP will also now be without Matheus Nunes, who has left the club.

“I will not say who will play in his place. Of course, that doesn't change much in terms of FC Porto's approach, but we'll keep the characteristics of the player who will play in Matheus Nunes' role for game time. We have several players who can play there: Pote, Morita and Mateus Fernandes. We have an idea: Someone will play there and will be prepared to help the team win the game”, said coach Leonino.

As for the departure of Matheus Nunes and possible movements in the transfer market, Amorim admitted that “it is difficult to sign at this time, because clubs don't want to lose their best players. We do not want players who are below our level at the moment. We have some players with potential that we have already identified and we might speed up their signing, but for now I have no idea and I'm trusting in those who are here already."

“The offer for Nunes was an attractive proposal and it is a great comfort for the club in financial terms, for all departments and for everything, and we will find solutions for his departure."

Asked if Mateus Fernandes could be the natural replacement, Amorim commented: “I don't know, it's still early. It would be a mistake to try to find another Matheus Nunes. We're going to look at the players. Mateus Fernandes is a player in our project and we believe in him a lot. We have to be careful not to push players beyond the stages they have to go through. He is still young, and Matheus Nunes was older when he moved up. There are different situations and we will see who will adapt there. There are also other players from the B team who can move up. What we want is for them to have competition among themselves."

The Sporting CP coach also spoke of the reintegration of Jovane Cabral, saying that “it was a matter of clarifying the situation with him."

"We were left with one less player and I always look at which players we have. I decided to talk with Jovane. I understood his idea, he understood mine and he is another player to help us. It's better to go get the players we have here to make up for some absences."

Sporting CP play on Saturday at the Estádio do Dragão

Sporting Clube de Portugal trained on Thursday morning at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete preparing for O Clássico against FC Porto. The game takes place at 8:30pm local time on Saturday at the Estádio do Dragão.

Coach Rúben Amorim was again without the services of Paulinho, who continues to undergo treatment on his injury.

Os Leões will return to training on Friday, with their coach speaking at 4:30pm at the Auditorio Artur Agostinho at the Estádio José Alvalade in his pre-match press conference.

​The coach talks about the 3-0 triumph over Rio Ave FC

In his post-match press conference following the 3-0 win over Rio Ave FC (3-0), Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim expressed his satisfaction with the performance.

“We improved in our buildup, which was much faster, and our reaction to losing the ball was much stronger. Even with set pieces, we went over much earlier to prepare them, we took care of the details of things, and when that is the case we are a difficult team to beat and even to create problems against. I want to highlight the important role that Luís Neto played in this. In a team with so many young players, sometimes we get a little distracted and we pay for it. He raises the level of aggression and concentration, with his experience,” he began by saying.

“I liked everything: The way we reacted to losing the ball, the way we played, the way we attacked space... It was a very good victory for us, the feeling of winning is good and we are used to it, which is important. Now it's over, and it's on to the next one.”

Amorim also hailed the form of Pedro Gonçalves, who was decisive by scoring two goals.

“Last year he had a more difficult time, but now he is in good form and he feels better physically. He had a problem with his foot but he treated it well during the holidays, and the medical department were important for that. After a few days off, he came back early and he knows he has to perform at the best level. He's very important for us but now he has keep it going; he can give much more because he missed two goals that he could have scored."

On Matheus Nunes' performance, he said “I'm satisfied with his game, and he scored a great goal."

“We'll see next week about how we have developed. We have to think that this game is over, the feeling is good but now we have to prepare for the next one. Regardless of the result and the performance, we would have been prepared to play at the Estádio do Dragão against a great team. Today everyone played well, we were intense and focused."

“It is also worth mentioning the fans. The atmosphere they created at Alvalade was as good as always, and the way they supported Ricardo Esgaio when he came on was very intelligent. When any of the players need extra support, Sportinguistas are aware of it."

Amorim also spoke about the absence of the injured Paulinho, who could also miss O Clássico against FC Porto.

“We can play differently with and without him. I feel more relaxed when I see the players' attitude, concentration and the way they were on the pitch. Obviously I feel more relaxed because we won, but I am aware of the differences that we will find at O Dragão. I will prepare the game in the same way as always, knowing that the only area poacher forward is not available and we will play in another way."

​Os Leões overcome Rio Ave FC 3-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Clube de Portugal were victorious on their home debut in the 2022/2023 season, beating Rio Ave FC 3-0 on Liga Portugal Matchday 2.

Coach Rúben Amorim made three changes to the starting XI: Luís Neto joined the centre back trio alongside Sebastián Coates and Gonçalo Inácio, moving Matheus Reis to the left wing, whilst Manuel Ugarte took the place of Hidemasa Morita and Marcus Edwards replaced the injured Paulinho, accompanying Pedro Gonçalves and Francisco Trincão in the attack.

Before kickoff, Matheus Nunes' 100th appearance for Sporting CP received an ovation around the stadium, which then fell silent in memory of Fernando Chalana.

Os Leões dominated possession and were very patient in their buildup, but the first chances near the Rio Ave area did not take long in coming. First, Marcus Edwards hit a low shot, held by goalkeeper Jhonatan, then Ugarte tried his luck without success.

From the middle of the first half, the team intensified the pressure and came close to scoring on three consecutive occasions. In the first, Edwards beat two defenders and shot over, then Pedro Porro struck from the middle and missed the target. Finally Trincao, in the most obvious opportunity of all, rattled the crossbar.

The first goal of the night came from Pedro Gonçalves, who was free in the six-yard-box and had only to tap in Edwards' cross on 36 minutes.

At the start of the second half, Gonçalves almost got a second goal on the turn, shooting wide of the post, but Rio Ave regrouped and employed a counterattacking strategy whenever possible.

In the 65th minute, Amorim refreshed the midfield with the introduction of Morita to replace Ugarte. The next minute, Matheus Nunes scored a great goal from distance that increased the score to 2-0 and brought the bench to its feet.

With 20 minutes to play, Jeremiah St. Juste and Rochinha came on. Once again, Sporting CP scored swiftly afterwards. In the 75th minute, following a combination with Trincão, Gonçalves went through on Jhonatan and lifted the ball coolly over the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.

Gonçalves hit the bar to be denied his hat trick, Coates came close with a header, and debutant Fatawu Issahaku nearly rounded off the scoring with a shot over, but the score remained 3-0 and Os Leões took their first win of the campaign.

Sporting CP will be back in action on Saturday, August 20th, away to FC Porto in O Clássico.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto (Jeremiah St. Juste, 71’), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Porro (Ricardo Esgaio, 80’), Manuel Ugarte (Hidemasa Morita, 65’), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão (Fatawu Issahaku, 80’), Marcus Edwards (Rochinha, 71’) and Pedro Gonçalves.  

Sporting CP host Rio Ave FC this Saturday (8:30pm)

Sporting Clube de Portugal play Rio Ave FC in their second match of the Liga Portugal season. Coach Rúben Amorim previewed the match in his Friday press conference, and underlined the team's objective for their first game at the Estádio José Alvalade in 2022/2023.

“Our objective is simple: Get back to winning ways. There were things that we did well in Braga and other things that we didn't do so well, but as I said after the game, for me it was so obvious that it was very easy to work on things this week. We are very motivated. This is a marathon and now we want to get back on track, because that is the feeling we are used to,” he began by saying, before revealing that Paulinho was injured in training and that the severity of his condition is unknown.

Amorim was once again asked about the defensive solidity of the team, and stated that "We are very consistent. We have only conceded three goals three times in almost 100 games, so that is the rule and this was the exception. What we're looking for is to find out why these things happen. Generally, they are down to a lack of concentration and aggression, which can happen in certain games. As we saw last year, and two years ago, few points are dropped in the league. Therefore, we always have to be at our best and fully focused, because that is our identity. I have confidence in all the defenders and defensive consistency comes from the whole team. We know where we went wrong. The rule is that we are very strong defensively and that we are disciplined, and that is what we will go back to being."
“Flaws are always there. Players are not machines and they make mistakes during the game. What we are going to change is our paying attention to detail. The ball is never stationary, we have to pay attention even when there is a foul or a throw."

Amorim continues to be confident about the start of the season: “It can always be excellent. If we win the next game and then prepare the next game well enough to win, it can always be excellent. If not, we'll be here to face things. Any kind of start to a season no longer frightens us. We have our ideas. We got a draw and the focus is to understand why we drew. Preparing for the next game, and winning, we don't have to think about anything else. It's about taking this game by game and not thinking about whether we drew the last one or not. We will be better at things that we failed to do in Braga, and keep doing what we did well. I'm always optimistic and I think the start will do us good."
With the summer transfer market still open, the coach also talked about possible departures.

“If Matheus Nunes leaves, in the next minute, I'll be ready for that. We always find a solution for everything. The only thing that there is no solution for is death. We will always be strong.”

Insisting that Sporting CP will not deviate from the project that has been established, he stressed that he is satisfied with the squad he has.

“This year we are more of a team than at this time last year. We have different characteristics, something that we lacked last year, especially at the end. My conviction is that if the players stay one more year they will be better. It would be bad if, maintaining the same base, the team were worse. We will always improve from year to year. What we have to do is win games because I think it's clear that we are a stronger, more dominant team,” he said.
In the runup to the match against Rio Ave FC, the Sporting CP boss also spoke about the fans and some criticisms that have been levelled at the team: “Both the critics and the fans have always been very correct. I have had a lot of support and all the criticism has been correct and fair and, sometimes, they even give me credit for things that are not mine alone. It's harder for players. They have always had great support from the fans, but they have to understand that there is another side, which is very difficult. So, either you have to give up the good side to not have the bad side, or when you have the good side you have to take the bad side as well."

"If it were up to me, they would close all social networks, because, in my view, it's a very big freedom, but however much I tell them, it's not worth it. They have to manage things in the best way, realising that it is increasingly difficult to deal with these situations. I am happy to feel that I have a responsibility for the fact that everyone is much more demanding with Sporting CP now. This is football. What matters is the end, and if we win then nothing else matters."

Matchday 2 sees the team play on Saturday night

Sporting Clube de Portugal trained on Thursday morning at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, in Alcochete, ahead of their first home game of the season against Rio Ave FC. The team play on Saturday on Matchday 2 of the Liga Portugal campaign.

Rúben Amorim had the entire squad available, with the exception of Daniel Bragança. The players were given a surprise with a visit from the children who are attending the Férias Academia Sporting summer camp, going on to greet them one by one.

The squad will train again on Friday, at 10am. Amorim will hold a press conference to preview the game at 12:30pm.

The coach gives his verdict on the draw with SC Braga

Rúben Amorim analysed the 3-3 draw against SC Braga on the opening matchday of the Liga Portugal season, stating that the result could easily have been different.

“We took the lead three times and we suffered at times when you can't suffer: At the end of the first half and at the end of the game. It changes everything. We had a lot of problems with second balls. We are good at holding onto leads, especially at the end of games, but today we couldn't do it. We also had opportunities to kill off the game, especially after it was 1-2. We needed to be better with our finishing to put the game beyond doubt and not let SC Braga come back into it,” the coach began by saying.

“Conceding three goals on the first matchday, the way they happened and the moments in which they happened, is a warning for everyone , but our team defend well. Obviously we have to improve in every aspect, but in this case, we have to get back to our normal level, because then we wouldn't concede these goals and we wouldn't let SC Braga fight back. Credit to SC Braga, who have their merits, but it is also our fault."

Amorim played down Sporting CP's early schedule in Liga Portugal, saying that “Every game is important. How you start doesn't really matter. We will have to play against everyone and we are prepared for that. Today we needed to be better and we had everything in our favour to win and to extend our lead, but it didn't happen. That's my concern and it doesn't matter what the third match is. We have the second one to come first and it will be a long season. What's frustrating is that we could clearly have won the game. The good thing is that we have a lot of things to analyse and work on. The players are smart and we will improve.”

“We drew with SC Braga. Now it's about trying not to make mistakes from the past and not creating anxiety, because the season is going to be long. We have to win the next game, and focus only on the next game,” he underlined.

"There will be moments of the season that we think are bad, because we drew, but sometimes they are good to go back to that feeling that we can't make things easier for a minute. The players know that and I noticed it in the dressing room; I don't need to tell them much. At the moment, the demand is very high at Sporting CP. We have to win every game, they know that and we will do it."

"That's football. Tomorrow we will prepare for the next game and nothing is lost yet. I don't want my players to think this is the end of the world. There is frustration with the draw, but we have a lot to win."

A 3-3 away stalemate starts the Liga Portugal campaign

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 3-3 in their Liga Portugal season opener against SC Braga, claiming a point from their visit to the Estadio Municipal de Braga.

Coach Rúben Amorim fielded a starting lineup of Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

Os Leões began well and put opposition goalkeeper Matheus under threat, with Pedro Porro giving the first warning just two minutes into the game with a free kick.

Seven minutes later,  Sporting CP opened the scoring. Matheus Nunes recovered the ball in midfield and handed it off to Porro, who entered the area from the right and crossed to the back post. Three players waited for the delivery, and Pedro Gonçalves was the man to get to it and convert.

However, Sporting CP's advantage did not last long. Five minutes later, SC Braga made it 1-1 with a low shot by Simon Banza.

The team re-established their advantage, as Nunes picked out Nuno Santos alone on the left. The winger, on the edge of the area, shot into the ground and past the goalkeeper.

In the 32nd minute, SC Braga put the ball into the net again, but the referee and VAR ruled out the strike.

On his Liga Portugal debut for Sporting CP, Francisco Trincão nearly marked the occasion with a goal, but his shot against Matheus went over the crossbar. SC Braga responded and during extra time, made it 2-2 through Niakaté, following a free-kick by André Horta.

The match remained level at halftime, after an intense 45 minutes and four goals.

Amorim kept the same lineup for the second half, and it was again Porro who enjoyed a first chance, fended off by Matheus.

On the hour, the coach made three changes: Nuno Santos, Hidemasa Morita and Paulinho went off, and Jeremiah St. Juste, Manuel Ugarte and Marcus Edwards were brought in.

Soon after, when Trincão passed to Gonçalves in the box and he was brought down by Sequeira, an initial penalty call was reversed by the official.

Porro had a shot hit Niakaté and the post in the 65th minute, off a solo move, followed by SC Braga forcing a pair of saves by Adán. Sporting CP had more of the ball, but SC Braga were looking more dangerous and were benefiting from free kicks near the area.

At the start of the last 10 minutes, Porro was replaced by Rochinha, who almost immediately contributed. Under pressure in the box, he sent the ball to the right post -where Marcus Edwards appeared to finish.

However, before the end Alvaro Djaló broke through on the left and set Abel Ruiz for the SC Braga equaliser, and the game concluded 3-3.

Next up, Sporting CP will make their first appearance at the Estádio José Alvalade against the recently promoted Rio Ave FC, on Saturday, August 13th, at 8:30pm.

The coach previews the season opener away to SC Braga

Rúben Amorim gave his first press conference of the 2022/2023 season on Saturday, ahead of the Liga Portugal opener against SC Braga. The Sporting CP coach made clear that the goal for this term is “to fight in a way that befits the greatness of the club."

“We've been here for three years now. We want to be very competitive and fight for trophies, and in Portugal and in the Champions League we want to get past the Group Stage again. We will fight in national competitions, knowing that this has to be taken game-by- game and that we are going to start with a difficult match, but our preseason was also tough, so we start the season in the best way and I feel that the team are ready,”  he began by stating.

Sporting CP will kick off the campaign at Pedreira and on Matchday 3 will travel to the Estadio do Dragão, where they will face FC Porto. There is talk of it being a demanding fixture list, but Amorim sees it differently.

“For now we are only thinking about SC Braga, which is the first game and the most important. Obviously it's a difficult start to the season, but it could also be very good for us. That's how we are thinking about it, and we know that we have the capability to beat any opposition in Portugal. What I thought when I saw the calendar was that it could be a great start to the season."

In Braga, Amorim will be without Luís Neto through suspension, but he will have Manuel Ugarte and Antonio Adán available. The latter will battle for a place with Franco Israel, the new signing in goal.

“From what I saw in preseason, I think we made a good decision with him. He only has one month of work with us under his belt, but if he is already demonstrating his quality then, for sure, with a year of work he will be even better. He is our future," said the coach.

The coach also talked about the possible departure of Bruno Tabata, praising the attitude that the Brazilian player has always had and acknowledging that departures are part of the game.

"To keep some players, we have to lose others and give up squad depth. It's a big effort and we know we can't have the best of both worlds. In the event of injuries we will have to use players from the B team, but it is an option for the coaching staff."

"We have players at the Academy with great talent, like Afonso Moreira: He played in the European Championships, played in the youth team and has trained with us several times. Those players have to suffer, but we have to accelerate their development. We are living more and more off our youth setup, because to keep some players we have to give up others and gamble on young talents."

“The door is open and we have several players who can debut as long as they work and behave well, but they have to know that the demand is greater and that it is more difficult to get into the squad now than when Nuno Mendes or Matheus Nunes came through. In my opinion, currently the squad is better and has more quality and, therefore, it is more difficult to break through now."

In this first press conference of the new season, Amorim was also asked about the candidates for the league title, and responded that “FC Porto, as champions, are the ones who start a little further ahead. But there are three contenders for the title.”