The coach talks in the run-up to O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal plays FC Porto this Friday at the Estádio do Dragão, and coach Rúben Amorim is expecting a different game from the 1-1 draw in the first half of the Liga Portugal season. He spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference to preview O Clássico.

“It will be a somewhat different game. Both teams have improved in some aspects and the players have changed. FC Porto have lost some players, but they are in better form," he explained.

"We're also going to present a slightly different eleven. It will be a different game. The previous meeting was very early on in the season, and now we are six points behind them. That changes the characteristics of the game. We're also going to play away from home, so the circumstances are completely different. We have taken reference of how FC Porto play and what they have been doing. We have done normal preparation for an important game."

"I predict an excellent game and I know that our team are prepared," he told journalists, before confirming that neither Pedro Gonçalves nor Pedro Porro will be available for the game.

“We have solutions and we have already proved this. The other players are prepared to give a good response.”
Sporting CP are currently six points behind league leaders FC Porto, making victory imperative.

“It's an opportunity to take points away from FC Porto, and it's about much more than that as well. This is a direct clash that can make the difference between a gap of nine points or three points. We have to treat this game as a final, like how we faced the game with FC Famalicão. We cannot drop points. Sporting CP fans have sold out our section of the stadium and we will do our part," expressed Amorim.

“It is our obligation to win. A loss would take the gap to nine points, and a draw would keep it at six, but we can't forget that we still have another side behind us. We have to win, as we cannot reduce the advantage that we have over SL Benfica. If we want to fight for the title,  we have to win. Nothing is decided in this game, but I've been on the other side and I know it gets harder later on. The obligation for this club is always to win; we are not obliged not to lose, but rather to win."

The coach said he expected a Sporting CP showing at the Estádio do Dragão similar to what he saw at the Estádio da Luz against Benfica.

“It's our identity. We know that we will be up against an equally aggressive team. It will be a very competitive game. We will have to be very strong mentally, physically and tactically to respond to the requirements of the game, knowing that we have a responsibility to win because we are the ones who are at a disadvantage in the table."

"I can't say it's a beneficial pressure, but this pressure will make us grow, it's part of the players' lives and it's a good thing. Sporting CP are where we should be. We are fighting on all fronts."

Sarabia and Reis score in a 2-0 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Famalicão 2-0, at the Estádio José Alvalade on Liga Portugal Matchday 21, as Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Reis both found the net.

The victory came at the expense of the only side that coach Rúben Amorim had yet to beat as Sporting CP coach in the league, and he was wary of the threat posed by the visitors. With a full squad available, he returned Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis and João Palhinha to the starting XI.

After observing a minute's silence in honour of Eduardo Hilário, Sporting CP member season ticket holder no.1 who passed away last Thursday, the match got underway. It did not take long for Sporting CP to make it 1-0: Just three minutes in, Paulinho was fouled in the area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. For the third consecutive game, Sarabia took advantage of the opportunity to score.

Out in front, Sporting CP took control and showed patience to build from the back, looking to create space in the organised opposition defence. However, they were unable to finish off their chances in the final third when transitions did arise.

FC Famalicão registered only two shots on target -both of which were saved- before they were presented with a great chance when awarded a penalty of their own. Thankfully for Sporting CP, Antonio Adán flew across for a great save in response to Simon Banza's spot kick.

In the second half, Amorim brought Ricardo Esgaio on in place of Feddal, who had picked up a yellow card, and dropped Matheus Reis back into the defence. The left winger had the first two chances to score after the restart: First with a shot that went straight at goalkeeper Junior, then an attempt with a more difficult save required by the custodian between the sticks.

From the resulting corner, Os Leões made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute. A shot by Sarabia was deflected with a header by one of the opposition players, and fell to Matheus Reis, the defender loading up a piledriver into the net.

In the 74th minute, one of the most awaited moments of the night took place. A recent returnee to the club, Islam Slimani came on to replace Pedro Porro and received a huge ovation from the Sportinguistas in attendance, who saw the Algerian debut for the second time.

FC Famalicão enjoyed moves near the area, but the home team's defence was solid. Sporting CP claimed the three points, and set up O Clássico with FC Porto on Friday, February 11th, with the two teams separated by 6 points.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adan [Gk]; Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Ricardo Esgaio, 45'), Pedro Porro (Islam Slimani, 74'), João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 59'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata , 63'), Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 74') and Paulinho.

The coach comments on the win over FC Famalicão

Following the win over FC Famalicão in Liga Portugal, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim spoke to the media about the result, and rejected the idea that his players had gone onto the pitch thinking about Friday's Clássico against FC Porto.

“Just because we were less fluid with the ball, doesn't mean that the players were thinking about another game. We knew that FC Famalicão had been conceding few goals and they are a well put together team, with very talented youngsters who sometimes play even better in these games with the big clubs. We fielded the players we thought were the best for the game, and I didn't see anyone thinking about O Clássico. We could have played better, but we should be congratulated because the victory was a fair one,” he began by saying.

Asked about the debut of Islam Slimani, who came on in the 74th minute, Amorim stated that the Algerian's introduction was motivated by the way that the match was going, rather than sentimentality.

“We know that the fans are very fond of Slimani, but he came on because we lacked some energy due to our run of games, and he gave us that. With Slimani in the middle and Paulinho on the other side coming in for crosses, we were able to open up the game. FC Famalicão were putting pressure on us up top and, more than it being a case of giving Slimani minutes, it was what the game required. Slimani still has room to grow, and that is noticeable physically, but he works hard, he has adapted in the best way and is a great asset for us,” he said.

As for Pedro Porro, who picked up a yellow card and will miss the game against FC Porto, the coach stressed that he likes “that the players don't take it easy.”

“He was going racing for the ball against Ivo Rodrigues, who is a fast player, and we don't know if that would have ended up being a dangerous move or not. He stopped the move when he had to and didn't let the player go past him, because he's on the field to defend for the team and maintain the result."

Finally, Amorim justified the departure of Zouhair Feddal at half time, which brought Matheus Reis back into the defence.

“Feddal went off because he was on a yellow card and Matheus Reis is faster. We wanted to control the long shots that the opposition had two or three times from the left side in the first half, as that was the only way for FC Famalicão to reach our goal. Matheus did not play against Belenenses SAD and was fresher, so he could give us more during the second half,” explained the coach.

​The Sporting CP coach prepares for the game against FC Famalicão

Sporting Clube de Portugal host FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade on Sunday, on Matchday 21 of the Liga Portugal season.

In the lead-up to the match, coach Rúben Amorim warned that Os Leões have not yet managed to beat this weekend's opponents in the league with him in charge, and rejected the idea that the players are already thinking about the upcoming game against FC Porto.

“This is the most important game, not least because we haven't won against FC Famalicão yet and we know the quality of their players. They have a new coach, with whom they are conceding far fewer goals, and they play with a line of five that includes Ivo Rodrigues dropping in, which then moves to a line of four,” the coach began by saying in his pre-match press conference.

“As for the game against FC Porto, the best way to go to the Estádio do Dragão is off the back of a win over FC Famalicão. That's what we want to do, in a very difficult game. We want to maintain our way of playing and our dynamic, and improve compared to the game we played against them away from home. We will treat this game like another final."

Amorim will be able to use the entire group, including the returning Islam Slimani, who is part of the matchday squad.

“I didn't know him well, but he's better in his link-up play than I thought. He has to get back into the rhythm of things, because he has only played a few minutes recently, but he's already in the squad because he has different characteristics to our other forwards. I am very satisfied with him; he has integrated easily, and we are lucky in that regard, but at the same time we already had this information from everyone here at Sporting CP. I am very pleased to have Slimani in the group,” he assured, without clarifying whether the Algerian international would enjoy minutes on Sunday.

“It depends on the game. I don't know if we're going to need Slimani or another player, but he's an option. He won't be a starter."

Asked about possible rotations, due to the fact that Ricardo Esgaio, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, Pedro Gonçalves and Pablo Sarabia are all at risk of missing the Clássico with FC Porto if they receive a yellow card against FC Famalicão, Amorim stated that now it was not the time to be thinking ahead.

“We have solutions for every position. The most important thing is that we get to the game at the Estádio do Dragão with a maximum difference of six points. If a player can't play there, then he won't, because we have to win a very difficult game and we haven't been able to beat FC Famalicão. Therefore, we will not keep any player in reserve. We are able to win games with any starting XI,” he underlined.

​The forward rejoins the club for a second spell

Islam Slimani has returned to Sporting Clube de Portugal, six years on from the end of his first spell at the clib. The Algerian forward has put pen to paper on a contract through until 2023, and was presented officially on Thursday afternoon.

“I've come back because the fans like me and because the club like me. For me, that's the most important thing in football. I missed Sporting CP, the fans and Alvalade, so the decision was very easy. It feels very good to be home,” Slimani began by saying.

“It was at this club that I was happiest. Sporting CP is my home, I feel good here and I'm happy here."

He will once again be Sporting CP's No.9. Since leaving Alvalade the first time around, he has played for Leicester City FC, Newcastle UFC, Fenerbahçe SK , AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais.

Slimani will be reunited with some teammates with whom he has already played, such as Sebastián Coates and Ricardo Esgaio, and he commented that “It was great to see them and Paulinho again. I'm back to help the team and the club."

“Sporting CP play very good football. I know the club well and I also know the style of play used by the coach, Rúben Amorim."

At the age of 33, the forward, who scored 57 goals in his first spell at the club, says he is in top form.

“I hope to score many goals. I am a more experienced Slimani and, in my opinion, a better Slimani than the first time around."

​The coach responds to the 1-4 win against Belenenses SAD

After the 1-4 triumph over Belenenses SAD, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match and praised Sporting CP's performance.

"We had several chances and should have scored more goals. What makes me more satisfied is that the team didn't let up, even after the satisfaction of winning the Taça da Liga. The players know that every game is difficult, but we made the game easy."

"At 0-2 up, we conceded an unavoidable goal and then Adán stopped a one-on-one. Other than that, we had many opportunities, we controlled the game well, we went into the break 1-3 up and that goal gave us some peace of mind," he told journalists in his press conference.

"Afterwards, we killed the game off and maintained a good pace, but we could have scored more goals. It was a deserved victory, and the players knew how to interpret what needed to be done."

Asked about the possible effects of the competition up front between Islam Slimani and Paulinho, Amorim stressed that "it is good for the team", before heaping plaudits to the forward for his performance against Belenenses SAD.

"Paulinho has known that Slimani was a possibility for more than a month. He was the first person to know. He is very grown up and he knows the confidence I have in him. Slimani has come in because we need a different player and it is good for the team. Paulinho was very good in his link-up play, scored two goals and the fans are behind him."

Speaking about the debut of Marcus Edwards, he noted that "He will adapt to our team. He can play on the wings or closer inside, if we want more involvement there. We had a lot of possession and I decided to bring Edwards on. He's an intelligent player and he's got his debut out of the way now. He has felt the affection of the fans and now he has to work hard because the other players are in very good form."

Finally, Amorim  addressed the performance of Pedro Gonçalves. "I like that he feels pressure, because he plays better that way. Every time we say he's not involved, he scores. The way he plays and presses, he is a very important player even without scoring," he concluded.

​The team win a Wednesday night game in Jamor

Carrying over their momentum from the Taça da Liga, Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways in Liga Portugal by beating Belenenses SAD 1-4 on Wednesday night. In a display of offensive quality, goals from Paulinho (x2), Pedro Porro and Pablo Sarabia earned a third consecutive triumph for the team, this time at the expense of the league's basement side.

For the match at Estádio Nacional, in Jamor, coach Rúben Amorim introduced Porro, Nuno Santos and Manuel Ugarte into the starting XI, at the expense of Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Reis and João Palhinha, who had begun the Taça da Liga final. On the bench, new signing Marcus Edwards made his first appearance on the squad list and would go on to accumulate his first minutes for the club.

Sporting CP's right side showed a hint of what was to come with a pair of initial attacks, before the opening goal of the game arrived from that channel: A combination between Porro and Sarabia saw the winger, who was already inside the area, serving up a pass to Paulinho. He finished without difficulty for his seventh league goal of the season.

Moments later, Adán safely grabbed a dangerous low cross, in what was a half-opportunity for Belenenses. Before the first 20 minutes had elapsed, Porro received square on and, without hesitation, struck hard from distance for a great goal.

However, the dominant start from Sporting CP would be challenged immediately through a goal by Abel Camará, who got Belenenses back into the game. From there, the pace increased and the number of dangerous shots multiplied.

Sarabia couldn't quite finish off a masterful pass from Matheus Nunes and, at the other hand, Adán got the better of a sudden one-on-one with Abel Camará.

After the half hour, Pedro Gonçalves had two excellent opportunities, but shot off target from both, with Zouhair Feddal's subsequent header from a corner another opportunity that went unconverted.

Sporting CP's third goal would finally arrive in first half stoppage time: After having been denied by goalkeeper Álvaro Ramalho, Sarabia went on to drive in a cross from Nuno Santos.

The masterclass would continue in the second half, which began with Sporting CP's fourth goal. Free inside the box, Paulinho responded to a perfect cross by Porro and headed in for his second of the night.

Amorim decided to ring the changes to a team that had played two games in a short period of time, taking off Porro, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos, bringing on Gonçalo Esteves, Daniel Bragança, Bruno Tabata and Rúben Vinagre in their places.

Comfortably in front, Sporting CP held onto possession and were untroubled in defence. The coach saw fit to hand Edwards his debut in place of Sarabia on 71 minutes, allowing fans to see the new signing in action.

Whilst there was no change in the dynamic before the final whistle, Os Leões enjoyed several chances. However, the score remained 1-4 at full time, with the team reaching 50 points in Liga Portugal.

On Matchday 21, Sporting CP host FC Famalicão, in a game scheduled for 8:30pm local time on Sunday.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Nuno Santos (Rúben Vinagre, 58'), Zouhair Feddal, Gonçalo Inácio, Luís Neto [C], Pedro Porro (Gonçalo Esteves, 51')., Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança) , 51'), Pablo Sarabia (Marcus Edwards, 71'), Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata, 58') and Paulinho.

The coach looks ahead to the game against Belenenses SAD

Having won the Taça da Liga, Sporting Clube de Portugal returns to Liga Portugal action when they face Belenenses SAD on this Wednesday. In his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim warned that despite their playing against the team bottom of the league, "there are no easy games."

"We know that in order to maintain our position and to try to climb the table, we have to win our games. We are in good form, but the team are already used to that and we have also had some slip-ups this season, so we will face this game like we did the final in Leiria. We have some doubts about the way Belenenses SAD will perform, but there are no doubts about the way we will approach the match. We have an obligation to win. We will make alterations, because we believe that this is the best way to maintain intensity in the way we play."

With the winter transfer window closed, Amorim addressed the club's movement in the market, highlighting the return of Islam Slimani and the arrival of winger Marcus Edwards.

"Slimani is a different kind of striker, not least because our team has changed a little bit. We play very high and we have had many games in which we have put in several crosses and lacked a presence in the area. More than once, we have been without [Sebastián] Coates and we have missed him in our aerial play. In addition, Slimani is a player who has come in at zero cost and is within our reality, because he knows the club very well. He is 33 years old, scores and is intense in his pressing. We felt that he was a good solution for the team. He can be a target man who will help us to win games. and I hope that he's happy here."

As for the Edwards,  who joins from Vitória SC, Amorim admitted that Sporting CP's interest was longstanding.

"We had interest in him since last year and it didn't happen. This time it was possible and the player was very keen to come. It is important that he is joining now, because he is very introverted and I know it will take time for him to get to know his colleagues. He has very good characteristics, is very strong between the lines and good one-on-one. He will adapt well; there are many young players here who speak English, so what we hope is that both players adapt to a project that is not only short-term."

The coach said that Edwards will be in the squad on Wednesday, but that Slimani would only arrive in Lisbon the morning of the game.

Amorim also commented on the departures on loan of Tiago Tomás and Jovane Cabral.

"Tiago Tomás' leaving is a step that is about the characteristics of the game. He was missing out because we were losing many metres up front, which previously benefited his characteristics, and Jovane simply had an opportunity to leave. I wish them the best, and they were part of a great group that helped Sporting CP to become champions."

He also made a final statement about the focus on Wednesday's match: "Pedro Porro is one of the options to play, but that doesn't mean he'll be in the starting lineup. We have [Gonçalo] Esteves and we can put a winger there, but we will see. I will choose the best XI for the game, because we really have to beat Belenenses SAD."

The winger joins on a four-year deal

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed Marcus Edwards from Vitória SC, on a deal running through to 2026. The 23-year-old English winger's contract has a buyout clause set at 60 million euros.

Edwards was presented on Tuesday at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete, and gave his first statements about the move.

"I'm very, very happy. It's a big day for me, my family and my friends. I'm just happy to be here. This is the biggest club in Portugal, so this is massive for me," he told the club media.

"The club has a great manager, a good system, a good team and good players. I'm grateful that the coach, Rúben Amorim, believes so much in my qualities. Everyone knows what a good coach he is, so I'm excited to be able to work and develop with him," he said.

Having already played at the Estádio José Alvalade as a visitor, he praised the stadium for its atmosphere.

"It's a big stadium. Whenever I have played there, i just wanted to play well because it's an excellent ground. Now it is my home stadium. I'm very excited to play for the Sportinguistas, and I am looking forward to it."

Brought through the ranks at the Tottenham Hotspur youth system, 23-year-old Edwards has been capped by England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 level. He made his first-team debut for Tottenham before being loaned out to Norwich City and Dutch side SBV Excelsior Rotterdam. In 2019, he was signed by Vitória SC, and scored 20 goals in the 96 games he played for them.

The Sporting CP squad talk about the trophy win

After the Taça da Liga win, Sporting Clube de Portugal's players celebrated on the pitch and gave their reactions to Sporting TV.

Ricardo Esgaio: "It's another trophy for the club. That's what we want. We have won the Taça da Liga again and we have to continue with this mentality. That's what we did, and with this support everything is easier."

Pablo Sarabia: "I'm very proud of the team, as we played a very complete game. It was difficult to start with, but we had character. I'm very happy to have been named Man of the Match, but the most important thing is the trophy and being able to enjoy it with our fans."

Pedro Porro: "It hasn't been an easy time for me, but the support of the team and the fans has always made me feel good. I want to come back little by little. We have worked hard and I want to dedicate this trophy to our captain [Sebastián Coates], who couldn't be here today."

Dário Essugo: "We always want to win. The game was difficult, but we managed to turn it around. As the coach says, it's important that we on the team grow through Sporting CP winning trophies, and these players are an example for us."

Manuel Ugarte: "It's incredible, I'm very grateful to Sporting CP for my first trophy. It's been fantastic. It was a demonstration of mentality and overcoming adversity. After the winning goal, I went onto the bench, and it was amazing to watch from there for a few minutes."

Zouhair Feddal: "I am very happy, congratulations to all Sportinguistas. Together we will achieve great things and I am very happy here. Nobody gets tired of winning, and I have no words to describe what it means to win four trophies in a year and a half."

Gonçalo Inácio: "This team make us so proud. We have a strong unity between us. Now it's time to enjoy this moment. We want to continue working and evolving."

Matheus Reis: "It's a trophy that makes us believe. This always gives more confidence ahead of what's to come. We're going to stay focused and we're an ambitious group. I'm very happy for the praise that we have received, and we have to believe in the process and in our work. I'm happy to help the team win more trophies. The fans are incredible."

Tiago Tomás: "This has to be our mentality. It's a derby and the feeling is different, but today I believed that we would win the trophy. I'm grateful for all the support from the fans."

José Marsà: "I'm very happy to have won this first trophy. The fans were with us to the death, and I want to play these kinds of games one day too."

Flávio Nazinho: "I feel accomplished, I can't even explain it. I just want to celebrate and enjoy the moment. The trophy provides extra motivation."

Rodrigo Ribeiro: "We're very proud. I can't explain what it means to be here with this group. We will continue to work to achieve more things like this."

João Palhinha: "I am very happy and this group deserves these achievements. The goal by SL Benfica was tough to swallow, as it appeared at a time when we were the better side. We turned things around and we did it thanks to the sacrifice made by this team. It is worth highlighting the effort that we made: This team always believes that anything is possible. Our fans were the only ones that you could hear during the 95 minutes, and thanks to them we were able to win this trophy."

Antonio Adán: "Winning was our objective and we were very much the better side throughout the game, even turning the scoreline around. We are really happy to be able to celebrate with our supporters. Our daily work is important and this group is strong, We are very hungry. It is spectacular to experience a final in a stadium like this. Last year it was not possible to have the fans in the stands, and now we feel their impact from very close up. They are always a great source of support."