The coach talks to the press before Sporting CP vs. Boavista FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal host Boavista FC this Saturday in Liga Portugal action, and coach Rúben Amorim is not expecting it to be an easy contest. He spoke in a pre-game press conference on Friday in order to preview the game.

“The team are doing very well. There were players who didn't have that much rhythm and who had a good game against a good team in midweek. The team are confident and prepared for this match, against a coach who always gives us a lot of problems."

"(New Boavista coach) Petit knows what to do to counter our movements, but we also know what to do. We are prepared and we know them well. I know we will have a full house at the stadium and we have to keep up our pace and play well  to keep our fans excited -because they are very important to us."

Winning takes on added importance after the defeat to Ajax in the Champions League.

“We lost the last game and we're in a big hurry to win, because we haven't won for a week," said Amorim. "We have this urgency and it is a very important game for us."

“The team are already used to switching from European to domestic competition. The most important thing is how this game is going to be. This will be different from the game against SL Benfica and AFC Ajax; we cannot let the ball get away from us, nor be hasty."

Amorim confirmed that he will not have João Palhinha, Jovane Cabral, Rúben Vinagre or Paulinho available for the match, although the club captain will return.

"Coates is going to be given the all-clear tomorrow, and if he gets here and tells me he's ready to play, then he's going to play. He's more than a player for us."

The defender puts pen to paper on a one-year extension

Luís Neto has renewed his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal through to June 2023. The centre back, who joined in 2019/20, will be 35 at the end of the new deal.

Speaking after the signing of the agreement, Neto said that "I feel extremely happy. I was very happy with the willingness shown by the entire structure to keep me here, which matched my desire to continue to be part of this project. It's a good time to be part of Sporting CP and, therefore, I'm very happy to be able to extend this experience and adventure at the club for another year”.

Neto is one of the most experienced players in the squad, and has a firm belief in the project that has been developed.

“Sporting CP have solid principles, an idea and a project that goes hand-in-hand with everybody's view. This structure works very well, although without a doubt we can still improve. I believe that, with what we achieved last year and what we have been doing this year, we can augur a great future for Sporting CP and consolidate this project as much as possible".

“If we stay on the same path, this project can only improve. I'm an integral part of it, and one of the players here to make things go in the best way”, he said.

“This is the idea from the club: To always be able to improve. The idea is clear and I identify a lot with these values".

"Sporting CP has several leaders: The president, Hugo Viana and Rúben Amorim in the backroom; and in the dressing room, of course, we have the older players like Adán, Coates and Feddal. It's up to us to provide support and make sure the young kids can show their potential, teaching them that every day is a day in which we can do better and gain something. I've accepted that since I came here at age 30, and it's a joy to see that we're already at a higher level".

“I know I can continue to help a lot, on and off the pitch. I'm renewing for another year, knowing that I'm a Leão for life", explained the central defender, who in two and a half seasons has played 63 games and is one of the captains of the team.

Leaving a message to the fans, he said that "They will always have a team here to honour Sporting CP's values, whether at home or away. Taking things game-by-game, we will try as hard as possible in all competitions. We know that there are better phases and worse phases, but we are prepared to beat any team and we are not going to make it easy for the others".

“It is a source of pride to be part of this family. I identify a lot with the club and I know that, all together, we can improve even more”, he concluded.

​A 4-2 defeat defeat to Ajax allows several players to debut in the Champions League

A youthful Sporting Clube de Portugal side lost in the team's final Champions League group stage game, played against AFC Ajax in front of an empty Johan Cruijff Arena. The 4-2 result was of little consequence, with Sporting CP already through to the knockout stages of the competition.

Coach Rúben Amorim took the opportunity to give minutes to players who had featured less frequently so far this season, fielding the club's youngest ever Champions League starting lineup.  João Virgínia, Luís Neto, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Esteves, Daniel Bragança, Manuel Ugarte, Ricardo Esgaio, Nuno Santos, Tiago Tomás and Bruno Tabata had an average age of 23.95 years. Ajax, in contrast, made just two changes from the first game between the two teams.

AFC Ajax took the lead eight minutes into the game, from the penalty spot. Daniel Bragança fouled Sébastien Haller in the area, VAR intervened and Italian referee Davide Massa awarded the penalty, which Haller himself put past João Virgínia.

Sporting CP responded minutes later, as Gonçalo Esteves -the club's youngest ever Champions League starter, at 17 years and 283 days -, set up Bruno Tabata and the latter shot over the crossbar.

Opportunities followed for both sides, with AFC Ajax creating greater danger in the area, but Sporting CP would find an equaliser: Bruno Tabata spotted Nuno Santos on the edge of the area, crossed from the left and the No.11 struck out of the reach of goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.

At the start of the last five minutes of the first-half, João Virgínia made two saves, but was unable to keep out a shot that had fallen at the feet of Ajax's Antony.

With Ajax 2-1 up, the second half started with fewer chances. It was not until 60 minutes that the next goal was scored, and it went to the home team. Nuno Santos slipped up, Perr Schuurs recovered the ball and ran to the edge of the area, and crossed for David Neres to finish.

Amorim soon made two substitutions, with Nuno Santos and Tiago Tomás making way for Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho.

Sporting CP would concede a fourth goal when Steven Berghius received the ball on the right, taking Ricardo Esgaio out of the equation and shooting inside the far post.

The second half subs came back with a good opportunity: A combination between Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho, who shot low for a save by Remko Pasveer.

Pablo Sarabia and Flávio Nazinho were introduced in further changes, and on 78 minutes Sarabia began a goalscoring move, running up the right, laying off to Ricardo Esgaio for him to cross. Paulinho flicked on and Bruno Tabata made it 4-2.

Dário Essugo came on after 82 minutes, breaking Gonçalo Esteves' records for both the youngest ever Sporting CP player to feature in the Champions League and also the youngest Portuguese ever to do it - at 16 years and 268 days old.

A 4-2 defeat closed the Champions League Group Stage, with Sporting CP finishing with a total of three wins and three defeats, second in Group C with nine points, 14 goals scored (a club record) and 12 conceded.

The Sporting CP coach promises a revamped starting XI against Ajax

With a place in the Last 16 of the Champions League already secured, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim admitted in his pre-match press conference that he will use the game against AFC Ajax to field some less frequently used players.

“We are not going to change the way we play, but we are going to play with a few different players," he told the media.

"One of Gonçalo Esteves and Flávio Nazinho will start tomorrow, and João Virgínia will also be in there, because we have a decision to make at the end of the year and we have to watch him play right now,” said the coach.

“Our objective is much bigger than records and consecutive victories. We want to prepare our players for the Round of 16, bring everyone to the same level and give some young players the opportunity to start. We have a long-term project and we make use of every minute available. We know we have to honor the shirt that we wear, but there are certain moments that give us the opportunity to go further with the growth of everyone in our squad," he stressed.

“We are Sporting CP and the pressure on us is the same as always. The result in Alvalade affected us, but that also gave us strength,” he recalled.

“The only way for us to win the competitions we take part in is to prepare everyone and trust in everyone. I think we are going to have a great game tomorrow," he added.

"We have to win and should always be thinking about the future. Players who don't have that many minutes are hungry to play and deserve to play. Sometimes it's easy to say that the group is very united, but that's only because we believe in everyone a lot, and we're giving everyone the opportunity. When I say 'the opportunity,' I'm not taking responsibility away from them. Tomorrow the Sporting CP team will play to win."

The midfielder promises maximum focus against Ajax

Daniel Bragança addressed the media before a training session at the Johan Cruijff Arena, held on the eve of Sporting CP's game against Ajax.

The midfielder made clear his side's ambition for the match, saying that: “It will be a very difficult game because we are up against great teams in our group. There are no easy games in the Champions League, but we will do everything to win."

“We are a great club, and we represent Sporting CP. So we look at each game with the mentality of winning. Tomorrow will be no exception, and that is what we are going to try to do: Win, enjoy ourselves, evolve and grow in this competition," he stressed.

The young talent also spoke about what he considers he has to do to be a more regular starter: “Work harder and take every opportunity to be at my best level. Then it's up to the coach, and to us to prove, every day, that we are prepared to give our best."

The Sporting CP coach gives his verdict on the derby win

At the end of the 1-3 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal away to SL Benfica, coach Rúben Amorim attended the press conference to analyse the derby.

He began by explaining that the absences of João Palhinha and Sebastián Coates, among others, were well covered.

"We have a small squad, but a very united one. It has advantages and disadvantages, and today things went well. If the result was different, with [Zouhair] Feddal going off, then people would say that we have few central defenders. The players are prepared", he told the media.

"The players were perfect in the way they adapted to what SL Benfica did, playing between the lines with Rafa and up top with Darwin. Gonçalo Inácio had a brilliant game in the middle", he stated.

"We were able to suffer when we had to suffer and we killed when we had to kill. It was an excellent game, but we need to improve. Today, Sporting CP were better than SL Benfica. You could say that the game is worth more than three points, but for me, it's up to me to say that it's only three points. This can change from one moment to another if we're not intense. I don't want to say that it wasn't a great, special game for Sporting CP players, but it's up to me to say that it was only three points", he added.

Amorim considered that Sporting CP "were always comfortable in the game".

"When we scored our first, we managed to control the game. We were the better side because my players understood the game better than the SL Benfica players. We could have scored more goals, but we could also have suffered more. We were superior and deserved the victory".

"I demand maximum commitment and maximum personality. Today, we were inspired. Everything went well for us and we had a great game. What matters is the way we look at the games, our personality and our consistency".

The coach also revealed that João Palhinha and Rúben Vinagre accompanied the team to the Estádio da Luz, and that Jovane Cabral spent the day with the team. In addition, Sebastián Coates "made a video call with his teammates and sent a message to the coach".

"We made Coates proud and if there's anyone we want to make proud, it's Coates. This is for all Sportinguistas, but especially Coates".

Finally, Amorim praised Manuel Ugarte and Paulinho. "Due to the lack of playing time that he [Manuel Ugarte] has had, the personality and quality he showed with the ball surprised me a lot. (...) Paulinho is giving what the fans expected of him now. I've been expecting it since the first day he arrived", he concluded.

A 1-3 derby win against SL Benfica makes a statement in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal emerged victorious in their derby with SL Benfica on Liga Portugal Matchday 13, winning 1-3 thanks to goals from Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Matheus Nunes.

The reigning league champions had some early adversity to overcome, with captain Sebastián Coates unavailable for the encounter with their cross-town rivals. Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, Matheus Reis and Manuel Ugarte came into the starting lineup, with Ricardo Esgaio, Nuno Santos and João Palhinha dropping out.

In the stands, thousands of Sportinguistas filled the away section, and made themselves heard long before kickoff.

The first 45 minutes turned out to be a true masterclass by Rúben Amorim's side. Despite the two yellow cards shown to Zouhair Feddal and Paulinho a few seconds after the game got underway, it was Sporting CP who began better, with shots from Pedro Porro and Pablo Sarabia.

The opening goal came in the eighth minute, when an excellent move ended with a fantastic cross from Pedro Gonçalves to Pablo Sarabia, who struck first time past a static Odysseas to make it 0-1.

SL Benfica tried to attack with intensity, but the visitors soaked up the pressure and controlled the midfield. Grimaldo's header, saved by Antonio Adán, was the first and only shot by the home team in the first half.

Sporting CP then enjoyed several scoring opportunities. First, Gonçalves missed the target when in an excellent position -with the flag later raised for offside. Then, in the 37th minute, a counterattack concluded with an attempt that came back off the post.

A goal for Paulinho, disallowed by VAR for offside, took the game into the interval, with Sporting CP having had less possession (65% to 35%), but much more shots (1-6) and more corners (1-3), as well as taking the lead.

Zouhair Feddal made way for Ricardo Esgaio at the start of the second half and SL Benfica turned up the heat upon the restart, and hit the post through Darwin's header. Shortly thereafter, João Mário went through on Adán, but the Spanish keeper calmly sent the ball away.

On the counterattack that followed, Sporting CP took the score to 0-2. Matheus Nunes covered plenty of ground with the ball and set up Paulinho perfectly, with the striker providing a classy finish.

A Rafa Silva chance off the post was SL Benfica's response, but on 68 minutes the win was put beyond all doubt: Another tremendous sprint by Matheus Nunes sent him through to close in on Odysseas, beating him with a shot.

A Pizzi goal prevented a Sporting CP clean sheet, but the 1-3 result gave Os Leões the win, the league lead and a 12th consecutive victory in all competitions. They will now visit AFC Ajax for the sixth and final matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Zouhair Feddal (Ricardo Esgaio, 55'), Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte (Daniel Bragança, 90+2'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 90+2'), Pablo Sarabia (Pablo Sarabia, 83') and Paulinho.

The coach says he "believes in his team" ahead of the Lisbon derby

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit SL Benfica at the Estadio da Luz this Friday for a Lisbon derby on Liga Portugal Matchday 13, and coach Rúben Amorim previewed the game in his pre-match press conference.

He began by confirming that Jovane Cabral, Rúben Vinagre, Sebastián Coates and João Palhinha will all be out for the big game. Despite admitting that they are "players that are needed", Amorim assured that the side have the necessary talent to replace them.

"Everyone who is missing, due to the minutes and the characteristics they have, are difficult to replace. However, whoever comes in for them will be very capable. Everyone will have to lead the team in the game and we have to adapt to the characteristics of the players we have, which are different. Everybody is prepared", he added.

"The small details can change, but it won't be a big surprise. There were games without Coates or Palhinha that we won. In the last derby at Alvalade, we played without Palhinha and we won. The best Sporting CP will play, so let's look at the glass as half-full, for the project. There is nothing better than these games to blood these great players, who are young and have not been through these moments", he said.

He then analysed the game itself, and assured that the objective is the same as always: "It's a game against a great team with a very experienced coach, who have already had a year of work together. They have many solutions, and are very strong on second balls and between the lines. They can play with two forwards and Rafa Silva behind, or with Cebolinha between the lines. João has had a great season, Weigl has improved a lot... The defence doesn't concede many goals and the goalkeeper is having a great season. This will be a great team against another great team. We have our strengths and we obviously want to win".

On the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected several clubs and is what has prevented captain Coates from playing in the derby, he explained that the group have to "get used to living with this" and reinforced the importance of vaccination.

"We are vaccinated. Coates does not have any symptoms and that is the most important thing for us. We have seen that the vaccine works. It prevents serious symptoms and that is the main focus. For now, we have to safeguard ourselves and perform the tests. It provides more opportunities for others and more motivation for the squad".

Finally, the coach stated that he prefers not to be favourite to win.

"I really believe in my team, whoever plays. We are not favourites and this team likes it that way", he concluded.

The coach provides his assessment of a win over CD Tondela

Rúben Amorim was satisfied with an 11th consecutive win for Sporting Clube de Portugal in all competitions, but reflected on things that his side could have done better against CD Tondela.

“We grew during the game. We started off quickly and we scored the goal, but from there we switched off and let CD Tondela have some of the ball, meaning we had to accelerate to recover it. We lacked some energy in the first half, but in the second half we were different. We stepped up a gear again, as we knew we needed to score another goal because the game was always dangerous, and we got better. It was a fair result in a game that was always difficult. All games are, but we were deserved winners,” began the coach.

The goals were scored by Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho, but the coach explained that he looks more at the overall performance of each player -and not just the goals.

“I don't know if this is the best moment of form for this attacking trio, and even today I think they didn't have a great game. I'm happy that they scored, but they also know what they did in the first half and in the second," he said, speaking in particular about Paulinho: "Today he scored and we are grateful for it, but he also has to continue doing what he does very well."
Amorim also made mention of João Palhinha, who got injured during the game.

 “Palhinha was about to go off before. It's one of those unlucky things, but we have to wait for the results of his tests tomorrow. There is always the risk of him missing the game against SL Benfica, and everyone knows he is a very important player for us, but if he isn't there, Palhinha will be another member of the squad supporting us. We are going to play with eleven players and we are going to fight for the victory."

The Sporting CP coach was also asked about the match between Belenenses SAD and SL Benfica, which featured the home side being unable to field 11 players due to positive COVID-19 tests and the game eventually being abandoned.

 “It is a strange situation. Sporting CP have already said so in a statement. It cannot happen again, and we have to find a solution. We can't be having big European nights and then messing things up. Everyone saw it. It was all very strange.”

A 2-0 home win against CD Tondela prepares the team for the derby

Sporting Clube de Portugal bested CD Tondela 2-0 at home on Matchday 12 of the Liga Portugal season, making them the outright leaders in the league table.

Four days after the victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the team returned to the Estádio José Alvalade with a changed starting XI: Rúben Amorim made three adjustments, fielding Antonio Adán, Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates , Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

Gonçalo Inácio provided the first warning to the opposition, just two minutes into the game, with a shot from outside the area, but ended up not troubling goalkeeper Trigueira.

However, soon after, on 10 minutes, a clever team move led to a shot by Paulinho in the box. Luís Neto turned the intercepted ball over to Pablo Sarabia, and the Spanish international, beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. The goal would stand after a VAR check revealed that a CD Tondela defender has touched the ball after Luís Neto.

Sporting CP were in front and controlling the game, but a CD Tondela side weakened by absences due to positive COVID-19 tests showed that they were not going to make it easy. They responded with a shot by Dadashov and another by Rafael Barbosa -a former Sporting CP youth player.

In the second half, Os Leões regrouped and focused on getting a second goal. A first chance of the period fell to Sarabia, but it was Paulinho who made it 2-0; A combination between Sarabia and Nuno Santos saw the former shooting and Trigueira parrying, with Pedro Gonçalves collecting the rebound to set up Paulinho.

A first substitution led to Daniel Bragança replacing Matheus Nunes, before Pedro Gonçalves forced Trigueira to make a good save, as well as deny Sarabia on the follow-up.

In the 67th minute, Amorim made three changes at once, as João Palhinha, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos made way for Manuel Ugarte, Tiago Tomás and Flávio Nazinho -the latter having made his debut in the Champions League in midweek.

In the last twenty minutes, Antonio Adán was also called upon to intervene, denying the visiting team a consolation goal. He kept out an effort from Rafael Barbosa off a direct freekick.

The team took a comfortable win that sets them up well for the Derby da Capital, which takes place on Friday against SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.