The team beat Leça FC 0-4 in the quarters

Sporting Clube de Portugal secured a spot in the semifinals of the Taça de Portugal by beating Leça FC by 0-4 at the Estádio Capital do Móvel.

The team welcomed back coach Rúben Amorim to the dugout after a period of isolation due to COVID-19, and he made seven changes to the starting XI that faced CD Santa Clara the previous weekend. Gonçalo Inácio, Rúben Vinagre and Tiago Tomás all got starts, whilst Pedro Porro was injured in the warmup and was replaced by Ricardo Esgaio.

The match started with Sporting CP dominating possession and patiently circling the ball looking for space. The patient approach paid off after only 12 minutes: After a solo move, Bruno Tabata struck a powerful shot and opened the scoring with the first attempt on target of the game.

Having taken the lead, the team continued to control play and, although Leça started to apply more pressure earning them their first offensive moves, it was Sporting CP who scored again on the half-hour. This time, it was Matheus Nunes who successfully finished an excellent collective move.

Before the break, several opportunities went Sporting CP's way, the most dangerous, by Bruno Tabata, forcing goalkeeper Gustavo Galil to make a huge save.

In the second half, Os Leões came close to a third when Nuno Santos appeared in the area to meet a cross, but his shot went over.

Play began to break up due to a series of fouls, until the game opened up again on 70 minutes. Feddal headed towards goal off a corner, but Joel Mateus deflected the ball onto the crossbar. The third goal eventually arrived in the 80th minute, with Bruno Tabata completing his brace from inside the area after a cross from Esgaio.

With the game practically decided, Sporting CP slowed down through to the final whistle, but still managed to get a fourth goal in added time. From the left, Rúben Vinagre sent a cross into the area, and Nuno Santos appeared to nod in an easy header.

Os Leões will now face the winners of the match between FC Vizela and FC Porto in the semifinals. Before then, they play FC Vizela in Liga Portugal away from home this Sunday.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Zouhair Feddal, Luís Neto [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio (Gonçalo Esteves, 83'), Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes (Paulinho, 83'), Rúben Vinagre, Bruno Tabata, Nuno Santos and Tiago Tomás.

The assistant coach previews the game in the Taça de Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face Leça FC this Tuesday at the Estádio Capital do Móvel, in Paços de Ferreira. The game is a quarter-final tie in the Taça de Portugal.
Carlos Fernandes, the club's assistant coach, spoke in place of the still-isolating Rúben Amorim in the pre-match press conference.

“The Taça de Portugal is a different competition that we want to win. We have prepared well for this match against Leça FC, and we have warned the players that this side have already eliminated two Liga Portugal teams from the competition. They have a squad which has many players who have competed in the league at youth level, and are on the threshold of entering professional football,” he began by saying.

“Leça FC are in first place in their division and have dominated Serie C of the Portuguese league. They are a good example of what it's like to be a professional club in an amateur division. Anyone who watches their league games can realise that they are a team who are always attacking, but in the Taça de Portugal they have shown that they have the ability to defend as well. In the league they play a 4-3-3 formation and in the cup they have changed to 5-4-1 or 5-3-2. We are prepared for all eventualities in a match that we want to win."

He stated that Amorim “will recover in time and will be in the dugout tomorrow," and indicated that both Gonçalo Inácio and Pedro Porro are also fit.

“Gonçalo Inácio is already 100 percent fit, and so is Pedro Porro, contrary to what occurred last week. He will be able to enter the starting lineup or come on during the game, because we have many options for the right, for the left and for the centre of the defence," he said.

Finally, Fernandes confirmed that, despite his having been called up to work with the first team squad earlier this week, 16-year-old forward Rodrigo Ribeiro “will not be part of the squad for the game."

“It is important to remember that Sporting CP have a long-term project in place. We took advantage of the fact that Rodrigo had not played minutes the day before to call him up to work on his finishing."

"Flávio Nazinho and Gonçalo Esteves, for example, worked on their crossing, and Daniel Bragança on shots from outside the area, making the most of the fact that they were not options for this match. We believe in Rodrigo and in our academy in general, so we have to keep in mind that at any moment an opportunity could arise -and the players have to be ready," he said.

​The team fall 3-2 against CD Santa Clara

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost in Liga Portugal for the first time this season, as they were beaten 3-2 by CD Santa Clara away from home. The game saw the side coached by assistant Carlos Fernandes, with Rúben Amorim unavailable due to COVID-19 protocol.

The first half was evenly matched and saw opportunities for both sides. The visitors had more of the ball, but CD Santa Clara didn't allow them to rest on their laurels.

Sporting CP managed to open the scoring after ten minutes. A good move on the right between Pablo Sarabia and Ricardo Esgaio, and a challenge by a defender, sent the ball over to João Palhinha, who in turn shot hard into the net.

A Nuno Santos rocket and a shot off target by Cryzan continued the back-and-forth battle, and Matheus Nunes also put CD Santa Clara under pressure, whilst the Azoreans were centimetres away from levelling when Jean Patric shot wide.

Second time around, Jean Patric would get his goal: On the half hour, Sagna crossed perfectly for him to head in the equaliser.

Before the break, Sporting CP had several opportunities to get back in front: Two from Gonçalves, with one hitting the side netting, and one from João Palhinha, who wasn't able to beat the goalkeeper. At halftime, it remained 1-1 in the Azores.

The start of the second half was played at a high tempo, and Sporting CP made it 1-2 after 50 minutes. A fantastic cross by Gonçalves found Sarabia, who provided the finish.

There was little time to relish the goal from the Spanish international, because CD Santa Clara levelled again soon after. Lincoln took the scoreline to 2-2.

Bruno Tabata was introduced in place of Luís Neto's on the hour mark, with Esgaio dropping back as a result. Shortly after the change, a Gonçalves free kick was deflected out by a defender, and the follow-up saw Sebastián Coates head into the hands of Marco Pereira.

With just over 20 minutes to go, from a move similar to that which resulted in Sporting CP's second goal, Gonçalves once again found Sarabia, who this time had his shot blocked.

In response, CD Santa Clara struck again to make it 3-2. On a clinical counterattack, Ricardinho appeared in a dangerous position and sent the ball past Antonio Adán, completing the turnaround.

In the final ten minutes, Daniel Bragança replaced Matheus Nunes and Sebastián Coates moved forward, as a big presence in the opposition box. However, the change would not last for long, as Bragança would be sent off by referee Rui Costa at the start of time added on.

Paulinho came very close to an equaliser late in stoppage time, but missed the target when in an excellent position. In the end, CD Santa Clara would hold on for a 3-2 win.

Sporting CP will now visit Leça FC for the quarter finals of the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto (Bruno Tabata, 58'), Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 83'), Nuno Santos, Pablo Sarabia, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho.

The assistant coach takes over on Matchday 17 in the absence of Rúben Amorim

Opening 2022 and closing the first half of the Liga Portugal season, Sporting Clube de Portugal take on CD Santa Clara this Friday on Matchday 17. The team remain unbeaten, and are joint leaders with 44 points.

With coach Rúben Amorim isolating, his assistant, Carlos Fernandes, took the press conference in the Auditório Artur Agostinho at the Estádio José Alvalade.

He began by analysing the opposition, warning that "they have more quality than their league position indicates".

"Let's remember that, at the beginning of the year, they only just missed out on European qualification and eliminated FC Porto from the Taça da Liga, so it shows that they have that ability", he stressed, adding that "they are a team with very specific characteristics: A goalkeeper who plays very well with his feet, a squad with solutions and very fast players up front and capable of hitting you on the break".

Fernandes singled out Lincoln, Anderson, Morita and Rui Costa among the top players for the Azorean side.

CD Santa Clara are going through an unpredictable period of the season, occupying 15th place and with a third incumbent in the dugout in the form of interim coach Tiago Sousa. Nevertheless, Fernandes wants to keep the team alert, saying that "We know that CD Santa Clara have the ability to beat any team in Portugal, they've already shown it and we have to be prepared".

Asked about the absence of Rúben Amorim in the Azores, the assistant coach talked about the "positive energy" that the head coach transmits to the group, but assured that the preparation for the match had not been affected.

"The most important thing is that he and his family are doing well. As soon as he tested positive for COVID-19, one of the first things he told me was that I could come to the press conference to practice, so his spirit is always very upbeat".

"With new technologies, even today he was watching training live and was able to help us to make some corrections in real time. During the game, he is a coach who gives the players space, so the only difference we will feel is we won't have his energy in the moment. In terms of tactical, technical and physical preparation, we are just the same as before".

"I'm lucky to work with someone who gives this opportunity to both players and coaches. Our coaching staff is a mix of people like Mister Vital, with decades of experience in the Primeira Liga, and me and Adélio Cândido, who have been here for two or three years", he said.

Fernandes guaranteed that Zouhair Feddal will be in the squad, whilst Pedro Porro has returned to training but is not at 100% and Bruno Tabata has completed his period of isolation.

Finally, when asked about Pedro Gonçalves' dry spell in front of goal, the assistant coach praised him for other aspects of his game.

"This is probably the period in which Pote provided the most assists. It is important that people look at the player as a whole, because if he hadn't scored so many goals a year ago, no one would be looking at that now. He continues to do what the coach asks of him and what matters is that he plays his game without worrying about whether he scores or not".

The session sees Zouhair Feddal back with the team

Sporting Clube de Portugal's first team squad returned to training at the Academia Sporting on Tuesday, with a trip to the Azores on the horizon. The team will play CD Santa Clara at the Estádio São Miguel on Matchday 17 of Liga Portugal, at 5:30pm local time.

Zouhair Feddal was back training with the rest of the squad, providing a boost for coach Rúben Amorim. Pedro Porro and Jovane Cabral continue to undergo treatment with the medical department.

Manuel Ugarte and Bruno Tabata remain in isolation.

Os Leões will return to training on Wednesday at 10:30am local time, behind closed doors.

The coach speaks after the 3-2 win over Portimonense

In his post-match press conference following a 3-2 win over Portimonense, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim discussed what was an eleventh league win in a row.

"It was a difficult game, in which we started well, but the two counterattacks by Portimonense SC left us a little uneasy. There was the goal situation. We are a team that is not used to being behind, especially in the second half, but that is the merit of the opposition. After half-time we came back stronger when it was 11 against 11, and the sending-off helped us; we put pressure on and the goals came with calm", he began by telling the media.

He also praised the star of the match, hat trick scorer Paulinho.

"It was his night because he scored three goals. He was decisive. It was a credit to Paulinho and the fans too, as when he wasn't in form they were always supporting him. But this doesn't end here. Now we move on to play CD Santa Clara".

Asked if 2021 was a perfect year, the coach commented that "I think 2022 is going to be the year, the continuation of our work. 2021 was a great year, but we have to do more and do better. We have to go game-by-game, that's how we think".

A game that takes place this Thursday between FC Porto and SL Benfica could change the situation at the top of the league table, and Amorim did not hide the fact that he would rather his club end the year as outright leaders.

"It's good to be in first place. Whatever happens is good, and I don't have a great preference for who wins that game. Many points will still be dropped. But I would like to have more of a lead in the table".

The forward leads a comeback in a 3-2 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal won 3-2 against Portimonense SC in their last game of 2021. A hat trick from Paulinho enabled the team to overcome an initial deficit, as they continued a run of domestic victories.

The game at the Estádio José Alvalade started with an early chance, as in the third minute Matheus Nunes made a drive towards goal -but allowed the ball to go just out of play. On seven minutes there was a strong shot by João Palhinha from outside the area, that goalkeeper Samuel Portugal was required to save.

It was 10 minutes into the match before Antonio Adán was called into action: Nakajima fired a hard shot goalwards, but the goalkeeper deflected the ball onto the crossbar. 

In the 20th minute, Pablo Sarabia had everything in his favour, but struck over the top with his first opportunity.

The deadlock would eventually be broken through an own goal by Matheus Reis, when the Sporting CP defender tried to intercept a cross and ended up turning it into his own net.

Paulinho and Pablo Sarabia led the charge in search of an immediate equaliser, but both would be denied.

Just past the half hour, Pedro Gonçalves called the goalkeeper into action again, and Portimonense SC held onto their lead into the interval -Sarabia and Nuno Santos coming close with their respective chances.

On their return from the dressing room, Sporting CP did not want to waste time and, in the first minute of the second half, Ricardo Esgaio shot just outside the right post. In minute 54, it was Paulinho who had an effort saved.

60 minutes in, coach Rúben Amorim brought on Geny Catamo, providing the 20-year-old with his debut for the first team. Shortly thereafter, Coates had a chance stifled by a last ditch challenge.

The equaliser would finally arrive, however, when Nuno Santos, on the left, crossed onto Paulinho's head - the striker making it 1-1.

What followed was a masterclass from Paulinho. With a quarter of an hour to go before the end of the game, the 29-year-old forward scored for a second time, following up on a Gonçalves shot.

In the lead for the first time, the team went looking for more. With five minutes to go, Paulinho scored the third from a Gonçalves cross from the right.

Lucas Possignolo got a late consolation goal for Portimonense SC, but the victory went to Sporting CP to round off 2021 top of the league.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio (Geny Catamo, 60'), João Palhinha (Daniel Bragança, 55'), Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves, Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 90').

The coach casts his eye over a Wednesday night fixture

In his last pre-match press conference of 2021, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the Liga Portugal game against Portimonense SC, scheduled for Wednesday at 9pm local time.

"It's going to be a difficult game against Portimonense SC. They are a team who play very well. They have taken more points away than they have at home, they defend well, they're good at set pieces and they have players up front who can create difficulties for the opposition", he told journalists ahead of the Matchday 16 contest.

"The Sporting CP players are prepared. We are used to the system that Portimonense SC play, and prepared for if they show up with three central defenders. Nakajima has been a very important player for them and can create problems, and we focused on that. We are treating the game against Portimonense SC as if it were a final: We have to win the game and play well. It's important to keep the fans behind the team, and they are always there for us. We have to be humble, be strong and have fun in the game".

The Sporting Clube de Portugal boss also revealed what he feels will be the keys to victory: "If we are strong in our buildup, we won't give them any chances or lose the ball in the first phase. I think we'll be able to push Portimonense SC back if we do that, and the team are used to doing that. We have to be strong in one against one situations. We have everything prepared and we are motivated. I think that we will win".

Regarding possible absentees, Amorim revealed that Tiago Tomás will come into the squad, but that any novelties may only be seen against CD Santa Clara next time out.

Asked also about the rotation of players in defensive positions, the coach praised the adaptability of his squad.

"It was important, when we had everyone available, to keep working on things. The players are getting more and more adapted to positions. We also have a goalkeeper, Antonio Adán, who has made some very important saves. But the team in general are defending very well, which is the reflection of a good team and the solidarity between the players. We have defended well as a team". he concluded.

Amorim reacted to the draw for the Taça de Portugal with a brief comment: "Playing against Leça FC will be a tough game. It's a cup game, and I still remember seeing them in the Primeira Liga. We'll be at full strength, very aware of the difficulties we may face, and we want to go through to the next round".

​The fixture will take place between January 11th-13th

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face Leça FC in the quarter finals of the Taça de Portugal. The draw for the competition was held on Monday at the Cidade do Futebol, in Oeiras.

The fixture pits the current Liga Portugal leaders against the team currently playing in the Campeonato de Portugal, the Fourth Division. It takes place at the Estádio do Leça FC between January 11th and 13th.

Should they win the game, Os Leões will play either FC Porto or FC Vizela in the semifinals. The first leg of that round will be played between March 1st and 3rd, with the return leg held between April 19th and 21st.

The final session before Christmas is held on Thursday