The squad prepare for their latest league contest

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to work this Thursday at the Academia in Alcochete, in order to prepare for Saturday's match against Vitória SC. The 8:30pm local time kickoff takes place away at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.

Gonçalo Inácio took part in the training run by coach Rúben Amorim.

The preparation work for the Liga Portugal Matchday 27 contest continues on Friday. The pre-match press conference will be held at 3:00pm at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The coach's verdict on the 0-2 win against Moreirense FC

At the end of Sporting Clube de Portugal's 0-2 triumph over Moreirense FC, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the and noted the shift in mentality following elimination from the Champions League.

"We know that we have to win our games and play better and better. We were better in the first half. We scored two goals and could have scored more. In the second half, three passes were enough for us to reach Moreirense FC's goal. Our reading of the game was better in the first half. The team were a little tired, we took a while to push our lines higher up, and we weren't so agile when going back. Overall, however, it was a good performance", he told reporters.

For the coach, winter arrival Marcus Edwards has been a useful addition to his squad.

"He's better adapted now. All the details point to him feeling more free to play. He's showing why we brought him in. Edwards is on the right path, but knows that he has to keep working", he stressed.

Explaining his decision to play with Paulinho and Islam Slimani up front, Amorim commented that "it takes the game into different terrain, because Paulinho has different characteristics to players like Nuno Santos or Pedro Gonçalves. We left Slimani in more for the long balls upfield, and they are those nuances that we are looking for. We want to squeeze as much as possible out of the team, but I think we have a lot to improve still".

After revealing that Gonçalo Inácio was not an option to play because of his feeling under the weather the previous night, Amorim reviewed the showings by João Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves - who both returned from injury.

"The fact that we didn't move higher up the field and the construction of play wasn't so clean hurts the players that come on. We could see their lack of match rhythm, but we have to get them going, as they are very important for us. They felt more difficulties, but it's normal. They will get on the pace and return to their normal level", he assured.

Slimani and Paulinho earn the victory on Matchday 26

Sporting Clube de Portugal won their Monday night fixture against Moreirense FC 0-2 on the road, claiming the three points on Matchday 26 through goals from Islam Slimani and Paulinho.

The starting XI underwent three changes from that which faced Manchester City the previous week: Zouhair Feddal, Matheus Nunes and Marcus Edwards came in to replace Gonçalo Inácio, Bruno Tabata and Pablo Sarabia, respectively.

Pre-match rainfall stopped shortly before kickoff at the Parque Desportivo Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, improving conditions for the game. 

Sporting CP created the first dangerous opportunity, just four minutes in, when Feddal met Pedro Porro's corner with a header into the side netting.

Moreirense FC responded with two shots in a row: For the first, by André Luís, Antonio Adán made the save for a corner. For the second, Walterson's effort went wide. At the other end, a free kick by Porro found Luís Neto at the far post, with the central defender nudging the ball for goalkeeper Pasinato to keep out.

In the 28th minute, Sporting CP created a strong chance, as Matheus Nunes took a long shot with his left foot that forced Pasinato into another save.

Off the resulting corner kick, the deadlock was broken. From the second ball, Marcus Edwards crossed perfectly for Islam Slimani to head in from close range. It was the Algerian's fourth goal in the last three Liga Portugal games.

Sporting CP continued to push for a second. In the 33rd minute, Manuel Ugarte stole the ball in midfield and served it up for Marcus Edwards, who shot dangerously with a deflection coming off a defender for a corner. Soon after, Porro crossed to Paulinho, who was also not far off.

Before the break, the second goal arrived. Edwards played to Porro, the latter moved down the right, and the cross was perfect for Paulinho to finish off at the back post.
The pace slowed slightly in the second half, and the chances were also reduced. One of the exceptions was Porro's cross to Slimani, who connected poorly and shot wide.

Moreirense FC tried their luck with a few shots, but never managed to trouble Adán.

In the 64th minute, Rúben Amorim subbed on Pablo Sarabia, Pedro Gonçalves and João Palhinha to replace Paulinho, Marcus Edwards and Manuel Ugarte, respectively. Sarabia could have scored shortly after his introduction, but Pasinato saved and prevented the score from increasing in Sporting CP's favour.

Gonçalves had one of the final chances, intercepted by a defender, and the game ended 0-2 with another three points for Os Leões. On the next matchday, Sporting CP visit Vitória SC.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Nuno Santos, 71'), Pedro Porro, Matheus Nunes (Bruno Tabata, 89'), Manuel Ugarte (João Palhinha, 64') , Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards (Pedro Gonçalves, 64'), Paulinho (Pablo Sarabia, 64') and Islam Slimani.

The team are put through their paces in a morning session

The Sporting Clube de Portugal first team squad trained this Saturday morning at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete, in order to prepare for their Liga Portugal Matchday 26 game against Moreirense FC.

The contest takes place on Monday at 8:15pm local time.

Daniel Bragança and João Palhinha underwent rehabilitation work during the session.

The team will have another workout on Sunday at 10:30am, behind closed doors, whilst the pre-match press conference will take place at 12:30pm.

The team are eliminated by Manchester City, holding them to a 0-0 draw away

Sporting Clube de Portugal's UEFA Champions League campaign came to an end in England, with a 0-0 draw against Manchester City in the Round of 16. The first leg result, a 0-5 loss at the Estádio José Alvalade, decided the tie.

Some 2,000 Sportinguistas made the trip to Manchester for the occasion, and coach Rúben Amorim fielded a strong lineup for the game, albeit with five changes to the starting XI that played against FC Arouca. Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Tabata and Paulinho were all included, whilst issing were the suspended Matheus Nunes and the injured Daniel Bragança, João Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves.

With a practically impossible mission ahead, but with the will to give a different more positive showing, Sporting CP played compactly and did not allow many chances to the opposition, despite their superior possession. After an initial twenty minutes at a slower pace – marked by the patience of Manchester City's buildup play– Sporting CP went forward through a pass by Porro, which Islam Slimani was unable to finish off.

At the other end, Luis Neto had to cut out a chance for Raheem Sterling, and Antonio Adán kept out the first well-aimed shot of the match, coming from Phil Foden.

Defensively, the team remained solid. With the ball, they grew in confidence as the minutes went by and sought to exploit either the counterattack or the large space left behind the opposing defensive line. In one of those opportunities, a pass from Pablo Sarabia found Paulinho, but again there was no end product.

Before the break, in what was the most dangerous chance of the first half, Adán got the better of a one-on-one with Sterling.

Right at the start of the second half, Gabriel Jesus put the ball into the net, but after a check by VAR, the goal would be disallowed. 

In response, Tabata had the first shot on target for Sporting CP, and Marcus Edwards was brought on in place of Sarabia – the English winger also striking immediately into the hands of Ederson. 

Coates cut out a move by Riyad Mahrez, and several transitions put Manchester City FC on the back foot. After Matheus Reis and Porro's misplaced shots, Edwards ran upfield and set up Paulinho perfectly, but he could not beat Scott Carson -the substitute goalkeeper who had just entered the match for his first appearance of the season.

The forward was taken off injured from the resulting clash, and Nuno Santos replaced him at the same time that Ricardo Esgaio came on for Porro. 

Both sides lacked effectiveness in front of goal, and Amorim brought on forward Rodrigo Ribeiro for his debut for Sporting CP, aged just 16.

The game remained 0-0 at the final whistle, and Sporting CP would be eliminated from the competition. It was their second time in the knockout stages, and had come thanks to a second place finish in Group C, just behind AFC Ajax and ahead of Borussia Dortmund and Beşiktaş JK.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Luís Neto (Zouhair Feddal, 89'), Pedro Porro (Ricardo Esgaio, 78'), Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Tabata, Paulinho (Nuno Santos, 78' '), Pablo Sarabia (Marcus Edwards 58') and Islam Slimani (Rodrigo Ribeiro, 89').

The coach reflects on elimination from the Champions League

At the end of the 0-0 draw for Sporting Clube de Portugal with Manchester City, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the performance of his side in the UEFA Champions League, which they bow out of at the Round of 16 stage.

"There's a lot to learn. We understand the level, but the team learn fast and every detail counts: Luck in the draw and experience -which was especially important in the beginning, like in the game against AFC Ajax. That's why it's very important for us to get into the UEFA Champions League again. We are sure to be better next year", he began by telling journalists at the Etihad Stadium.

"I'm always proud of the team, even in the 0-5 defeat at Alvalade. This doesn't taste like victory, because we were eliminated. We have to be aware of the differences between the teams, but of course it's always better that way for the future. We've been eliminated, the important thing now is the league, and I will say it again: The important thing is also to be back here again", he stressed.

About the tactics used against the Premier League champions, Amorim explained that Sporting CP have evolved a lot since the first leg.

"We were better in one against one situations on the wings. The full-backs were good, we controlled their breaks and did well in terms of our defence. We didn't concede goals from set pieces and it must be remembered that, in Lisbon, they had five shots and five goals. We were competent, we defended deeper and didn't go forward with enough quality in the first half. In the second half we did that, and [Marcus] Edwards helped us; he had a huge impact on the team. He's going to grow a lot and he has to realise that he has to do this regularly. Keeping it up is what he is lacking, as the talent is there".

The coach assured that the experience will help the team to grow. "We spent a lot of time defending and we don't do that in the league. We have learned and grown a lot. We know what it means to play against these teams. We have to take away what was good, come back in a year and show that we have got better", he said.

Asked about Rodrigo Ribeiro, the 16-year-old forward who made his maiden appearance against Manchester City, Amorim said that he "didn't say anything special" to the player, wishing him "a good debut". He also commented on Bruno Tabata's performance.

"I always like his performances. He doesn't get the minutes that he deserves. He has to train well and he is an example for everyone, so I'm very satisfied with the whole team and especially [Bruno] Tabata, the way he works and waits for his opportunity. I'm very satisfied with his game, even playing out of position. He is not a midfielder, but he has to play in the midfield, in my opinion".

Finally, Amorim revealed the content of the exchange of words he had with Pep Guardiola after the final whistle.

"He wished me all the best and I did the same to him".

The player speaks before the second leg against Manchester City

Upon arrival in England for Sporting Clube de Portugal's Champions League fixture against Manchester City, player Ricardo Esgaio was the team's representative in the pre-match press conference. 

“We are going to enjoy the game to the fullest”, he said. “We know that the tie is practically over, but it is a game that we want to win -despite the result of the first leg. We are going to make the most of the fact that we are still in the Champions League and enjoy ourselves”.

“We have our ideas and that doesn't change; we always play to win. We will have to have a good game and give a different response to get a positive result”.

Being one of the players with the most experience at Sporting CP, the versatile player assured that, despite the absentees for the game, “the team are doing well”, adding that he is “available to help” in any position on the field.

Asked about the competition for places provided by Pedro Porro and Gonçalo Esteves on the right wing, he praised that the squad are “like a family”, because “we know that everyone can play”.

The squad for the European contest includes several youth team products, including Renato Veiga and Rodrigo Ribeiro. Esgaio commented that “this is already starting to be a normal thing, and the Sporting CP project goes through that”.

Amorim previews the second leg of the Champions League tie against Manchester City​

Sporting CP are back in UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday night, taking on Manchester City in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie. Whilst the first encounter ended 0-5 in the English champions' favour, coach Rúben Amorim is not expecting a let-up for the rematch.

The squad have a Sunday workout at the Academia

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad trained on Sunday morning at the Academia, in Alcochete.

The starters from the previous night's 2-0 win against FC Arouca undertook the usual post-match recovery work, whilst the rest of the group worked under the orders of Rúben Amorim.

Pedro Gonçalves, João Palhinha and Daniel Bragança underwent treatment at the facility.

'Os Leões', who will play on Wednesday against Manchester City, in England, have another session scheduled for Monday at 10:30am.

The coach reflects on another victory in Liga Portugal

Rúben Amorim was pleased with the victory for Sporting CP over FC Arouca and explained that the opening goal had been key to the 2-0 triumph.

“What changed from the first to the second half was that we scored on the first move after the break, and that loosened up the players. We started the game well and if Pablo [Sarabia]'s goal had counted, then the game would have been different. After that move, we rushed things a bit. In the second match we scored right away, and then we had more space, the energy changed and it ended up being natural,” he began by saying.

“The changes that I made had nothing to do with the game against Manchester City, but rather with this game and the next one in the league in mind. Our priority is the Liga Portugal and the Taça de Portugal."

He added that the game in Manchester will be important, above all for the growth of the team.

“It's another opportunity to grow. This tie is practically over, but we want to come back next year. We are outsiders in the Champions League, but we are a big club and we will do our best. The tie is over, but the game is not.”

With his sights set on the future, Amorim also spoke about Dário Essugo, who became the youngest Sporting CP player to make a start in the league.

“He is a 16-year-old boy, he has very good characteristics and will get even better. He has a lot to work on and it's another sign that this is our project. Our central midfielders were injured and he came into the game having been training very well."