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.”

The reaction from the Sporting CP player after the draw with Wolves

Following the 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Estádio Algarve, Nuno Santos said that he was satisfied with the performance by Sporting Clube de Portugal.

"We have positive feelings after a game against a strong team. We are going to encounter teams like them this season and we are confident ahead of the first game, next weekend, against SC Braga. We want to start the season winning, which is our objective and the objective of Sporting CP," the Portuguese told Sporting TV.

"I'm always prepared to play. We have a team with excellent quality, in which everyone can play. Today I played 90 minutes, and others also played the full game. We are going to work this week to begin the campaign in the best way and to win against SC Braga," he added.

"We have to look at the opponents, but we have our way of playing and we always go in to win. Our preseason was positive, with games against very strong teams. We showed our quality, as we will do in the league."

Finally, Nuno Santos thanked the thousands of Sporting CP members and supporters who were present at the Estádio Algarve: "I thank the Sportinguistas, who are fantastic. We hope to have support like today on Sunday".

Sporting CP play a competitive friendly in the Algarve

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew their final preseason friendly 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Estádio Algarve. Pedro Gonçalves scored the equaliser for Os Leões, on a hot evening in the south of Portugal.

Thousands of Sportinguistas (as well as a number of Wolves fans), took in the team's last summer fixture before the Liga Portugal opener against SC Braga.

Rúben Amorim made few changes to the starting lineup that began the Troféu Cinco Violinos game, with the only novelties being Franco Israel's presence in goal and Hidemasa Morita coming into the midfield, replacing the unavailable Antonio Adán and Manuel Ugarte, respectively.

Sporting CP provided the first danger after just five minutes. Francisco Trincão recovered the ball in the opposing midfield and, from outside the area, shot over. Wolves responded shortly after, with Dendoncker's effort put out by Franco Israel for a corner.

Soon after, Wolves won a controversial penalty kick when referee Bruno Vieira called a foul by Gonçalo Inácio on Pedro Neto inside the area. Rúben Neves converted to put the English side 0-1 up.

Several more attacks from Wolves followed, such as a shot over by João Moutinho and a counterattack finished by Pedro Neto, with Hidemasa Morita blocking for a corner.

At the other end, Gonçalves and Trincão were always very mobile, even switching flanks on occasions. Paulinho was a standout and, in the 33rd minute, he went down in the box. A penalty was appealed for vehemently, but not given.

Shortly after, a counterattack ended with Paulinho cushioning down for Francisco Trincão to shoot, but the ball deflected off a defender and out of play. Pedro Porro also struck a powerful shot, again blocked by an opposing player.

Just before the break, Sporting CP got their equaliser. Paulinho again fell in the box, this time off a foul by Nathan Collins, and a penalty kick was awarded. Gonçalves shot firmly past José Sá, levelling the game.

With no changes for either side, the second half started with more intense duels, resulting in yellow cards for Porro, Paulinho and Morita.

It was Amorim's men who created the first chances: In the 56th minute, Porro fired a strong shot that was kept out by José Sá, who also had to deny Gonçalves when he ran through several defenders and drove on target.

Sporting CP came close to making it 2-1 in the 73rd minute. On a counter, Gonçalves set up  Trincão and he conjured up a shot, but the ball went just centimetres wide. Wolves also threatened late on, when Hwang Hee-chan rounded Franco Israel, shot and had Matheus Reis clear off the line.

Fatawu and Sebastián Coates both knocked efforts off target in the dying moments, as the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Sporting CP will now visit SC Braga on August 7th, in their first Liga Portugal contest of the new season.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro (Ricardo Esgaio, 78'), Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Francisco Trincão (Rochinha, 83'), Pedro Gonçalves (Fatawu, 83') and Paulinho (Marcus Edwards, 68').

The starters run through recovery work

The morning after the Troféu Cinco Violinos game, Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to work on Monday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete.

The starters in the match against Sevilla FC undertook recovery work, while the rest trained normally on the pitch in a session that featured several youth team players.

Jeremiah St. Juste was given conditioning training on the pitch, and Manuel Ugarte was absent due to low back pain.

The group next train on Wednesday morning.

Sporting CP fall 5-6 in a shootout with Sevilla FC

Sporting CP appeared at the Estádio José Alvalade for the first time this summer in the traditional Troféu Cinco Violinos game, drawing 1-1 with Sevilla FC and losing 5-6 on penalties.

The day began with the General Assembly at the Pavilhao João Rocha, moving on to the presentation of the Sporting CP squad for the 2022/23 season.

The starting XI was made up of several frequently featured players from last season, with the addition of new signing Francisco Trincão the big news. For Sevilla, Marcos Acuña started against his former club.

After a special version of 'O Mundo Sabe Que' was played by five violinists on the pitch, the match got underway, with Sevilla FC assuming the early possession. Despite the slow pace of the play, the Spanish side took the lead with their first chance, scored by Tecatito.

Sporting CP suffered a further blow when Manuel Ugarte went off injured, to be replaced by Hidemasa Morita. Nevertheless, the team grew in strength and sent several crosses into the Sevilla box,  whilst the visitors tried to take advantage of counterattacks and slow things down with long spells of possession

In the final stretch of the first half, the pace of the game increased and Sporting CP had their first opportunities. First, Matheus Nunes tried his luck from distance, striking wide. Just before the break, the ball was swiped away off a cutback to Pedro Gonçalves, with the following corner knocked just wide by Nuno Santos.

At halftime, Sporting CP presented their third kit for 2022/2023, and the team took to the pitch for the second half wearing the new strip.

Upon the restart, Morita showed his quality with the ball and Paulinho enjoyed the best opportunities in front of goal: First, a deflection off a perfect cross by Pedro Porro, then a shot from straight on flew just wide.

Increasingly comfortable, the team imposed their game, pressing high and aggressively. Gonçalves and Matheus Reis enjoyed chances, but could not convert.

In the 72nd minute, coach Rúben Amorim brought on two more attacking players in the form of Rochinha and Marcus Edwards, pushing Gonçalves into the middle. The impact was almost immediate: Gonçalves recovered the ball high up the field, dribbled past an opposition defender and played to Edwards, who rounded the goalkeeper but struck just wide.

In the last ten minutes, Paulinho was sent through by Gonçalves, and smashed the ball into the net for the equaliser.

Before the end of regulation time, Edwards had a penalty appeal ruled out, and the game went to a shootout.

After five successful attempts for each side, in sudden death it was late substitute Fatawu who hit the woodwork, shot, giving Sevilla the win.

In the final game of their preseason calendar, Sporting CP will return to Estádio Algarve to play against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 6:45pm local time kickoff on Saturday.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos, Manuel Ugarte (Hidemasa Morita, 23’), Matheus Nunes (Marcus Edwards, 72‘), Francisco Trincão (Rochinha, 72‘), Pedro Gonçalves e Paulinho.

2022/2023 SQUAD PRESENTED:

1 - Antonio Adán [GK]

2 - Matheus Reis

3 - Jeremiah St. Juste

4 - Sebastián Coates

5 - Hidemasa Morita

7 - Bruno Tabata

8 - Matheus Nunes

10 - Marcus Edwards

11 - Nuno Santos

12 - Franco Israel [GK]

13 - Luís Neto

15 - Manuel Ugarte

16 - Rochinha

17 - Francisco Trincão

18 - Fatawu Issahaku

20 - Paulinho

22 - André Paulo [GK]

23 - Daniel Bragança

24 - Pedro Porro

25 - Gonçalo Inácio

28 - Pedro Gonçalves

41 - Diego Calai [GK]

47 - Ricardo Esgaio

63 - José Marsà

71 - Flávio Nazinho

79 - Youssef Chermiti

82 - Mateus Fernandes

84 - Dário Essugo

91 - Rodrigo Ribeiro

The team claim a 3-2 win over the Italian side

Back at Estádio Algarve for their third preseason friendly of the summer, Sporting Clube de Portugal won 3-2 against AS Roma this Tuesday.

Sporting CP were in control for practically the entire match. However the victory would only be confirmed in the 86th minute, with a goal by Bruno Tabata. Before that, Rúben Amorim's side had twice taken the lead, through goals from Pedro Gonçalves and Gonçalo Inácio, only to concede from isolated moves by the Italian team.

Amorim once again fielded a starting XI with many of the most frequently featured players, albeit bringing in Franco Israel in goal and forming a mobile frontline made up of Rochinha, Pedro Gonçalves and Marcus Edwards. AS Roma – winners of last season's inaugural UEFA Conference League – began with players such as Nicolò Zaniolo, Tammy Abraham, former Sporting CP goalkeeper Rui Patrício and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Just past the opening minute, Pedro Porro was the first to try his luck, shooting from far away into the hands of the opposing keeper. Sporting CP also enjoyed more possession of the ball, but without it they pressed intensely to force mistakes from AS Roma.

It would be from a long pass from Luís Neto, over the top of the Roma defense, that led to a first opportunity: After snaking into the area, Gonçalves shot and forced Rui Patrício into a save. From the corner kick that followed, only a final touch from Matheus Reis' near post header was lacking to open the scoring.

Sporting CP continued to be the most threatening side, and two long range shots from Manuel Ugarte and Rochinha would go off target.

The first goal of the match came when Edwards was fouled in the area, and Gonçalves converted the penalty.

Just two minutes later, AS Roma managed to make it 1-1 thanks to an own goal from Gonçalo Inácio. The always physical play of José Mourinho's team led to many stoppages and slowed the pace of the match down until halftime.

At the break, Antonio Adán came on for Franco Israel and Francisco Trincão  for Rochinha, in the only changes for the second half.

Sporting CP got things back underway brilliantly, as Inácio made amends by heading in a cross, taking the score to 2-1.

The Italians, who found it very difficult to reclaim the ball and stop the sprints of Ugarte and Matheus Nunes, began to get frustrated. Trincão left his marker behind and only Mile Svilar, the goalkeeper brought on at halftime, prevented another goal from 'Pote.'

However, when Sporting CP were looking more and more like the better side, AS Roma responded with another equaliser: Abraham did damage on the right flank and crossed late for Pellegrini's accurate shot on 70 minutes.

Edwards threatened with a shot that went just over the bar, and immediately made way for Bruno Tabata – and it would be the Brazilian forward who decided the match. In the 86th minute, the ball was won in the opposition half, reached Tabata, and he shook off the defence to shoot and score.

A 3-2 win came at the end of another positive display from Sporting CP, whose preseason continues apace.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK] (Antonio Adán, 46’), Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes, Marcus Edwards (Bruno Tabata, 72’), Rochinha (Francisco Trincão, 46’) e Pedro Gonçalves.