The new coach previews the derby against SL Benfica

This Sunday, at 8:30 pm, Sporting Clube host SL Benfica in a Liga Portugal derby with plenty at stake. The top two sides come face to face, and are separated by just a single point. It will also be a first game in charge for Sporting CP coach Rui Borges, who spoke in a press conference on Saturday.

“I don’t look at the ifs, I just focus on what I can control -and my focus is on winning. I know it will be a difficult game, a big game, and we want to win. If we win, the consequence is that we will be top of the table, and that is the best we can be. Therefore, the players also just need to focus on winning and not thinking about the 'ifs,'" said the coach.

"We have worked together for 72 hours, so obviously I'm not going to get here and perform magic, and the team will be far from what we want, but the attitude has to be there. Attitude and competitiveness will make the difference throughout the game.”

“There are no favourites. It will be a good game. SL Benfica are doing well and are in first place, but we are also doing well. The team are aware of what we can give and what winning means. So, more than focusing on first place, we have to focus on what we can do, how we can be better. If we are the better side, we will win and return to first place," he highlighted.

“It's a Clássico. They are different games, very competitive, and we are playing at home in front of our fans. It will be a very competitive game and, more than the quality, I think the competitive side will make the game better or less good -but what we want most is to win. I'm very focused on that."

As for Sporting CP's approach for Sunday's match, the coach did not reveal how his side will line up.

“I've played in several systems and the formation is just the starting point. The rest is dynamics, individual quality and characteristics. We're always trying to see how we can get the best out of each other and how we can be better than our opponents. Therefore, more than the way of playing, now it's about making the players believe," he explained, saying that he did not use the style played against SL Benfica as coach of Vitória SC as a basis for his plan.

“The teams are different, the players are different and they provide different things. So I just focused on what they can give tomorrow within my gameplan.”

Sporting CP will still be without several of the players who have been absent in recent weeks, but there will be a possible return for Hidemasa Morita.

“He is a wonderful player, with above-average intelligence and very good decision making. He impressed me playing against him, and working with him is different, you see other things. I was impressed with him, but with others too," revealed Borges, who also talked about striker Viktor Gyökeres.

“He will get back to scoring goals. He's a different player, he can give a lot to the team, he knows that and his teammates know that, but he doesn't play alone, so we need everyone connected to raise his and everyone else's performance.”

“We cannot give too much importance to the less positive phase of the season we've had, especially because Sporting CP are still in every competition. Sporting CP are candidates for the title and will fight until the end to become champions again.”

Borges commented that “I have taken on a group willing to train, compete, play and win, completely in line with what we wanted to convey. They seem motivated, willing to learn and able to listen. They have already demonstrated all their quality and will continue to show it, I have no doubt about that. I understand the psychological side, but I don't see the players as being down. They are doing well and are calm."

“As for starting with a derby, I immediately said that I wanted to come here as soon as possible. It may be more difficult due to the short time we have had, but that doesn't stop me from having huge ambition to win and the confidence that it will work,” he concluded.

The new coach prepares his players for the derby

New Sporting CP coach Rui Borges took charge of his first training session on Thursday, as he began to prepare his squad for the game against SL Benfica.

Young talents Eduardo Felícissimo, Henrique Arreiol, Mauro Couto and Miguel Alves were amongst those called up by Borges, who will have further sessions on Friday and Saturday before the Sunday game at the Estádio José Alvalade.

"The future will be bright," says new man in charge at Os Leões

Sporting Clube de Portugal presented Rui Borges as new coach of the first team, on a contract through to 2026.

At the Estádio José Alvalade, Borges - who joins from Vitória SC - was accompanied by Frederico Varandas, president of the Board of Directors, other members of the Board of Directors and other members of the coaching staff, for his official presentation.

Varandas was the first to speak, and began by dedicating a few words to outgoing coach João Pereira.

"João Pereira came in at a time when everyone knew there was an extremely tough challenge ahead. Unfortunately, we came to the conclusion that it was not working out. We knew the difficulties and the brutal emotional shock caused by Rúben Amorim's departure. There was also a wave of injuries, the likes of which I have never had before as president of this club, and unfortunate refereeing calls that went against us," he began by saying.

"The only thing I regret was not being able to help João Pereira more. We wish João all the best and have no doubt that he will succeed due to the qualities, skills and character he has. When I sat down with João Pereira to negotiate his termination , he didn't even want a cent as a payoff."

"Rui Borges' appointment marks a new chapter, looking to the future. He is a coach that we have had on our radar for over a year, who has progressed throughout his career. He started at a modest club, in SC Mirandela, and has moved to increasingly demanding clubs, always with his same style and leadership. Sporting CP are alive on all fronts, fighting for all the trophies available, and will continue to fight."

It was then Rui Borges' turn to speak, and he thanked Varandas "for his words, for his confidence and for his courage in seeing this coaching group as capable of leading Sporting CP."

"It makes us proud and happy. Thank you, too, to Vitória SC for everything they did and for believing in us. Everyone was important in our journey so we could fulfill our dream of getting here," he added.

The coach assured that he was "very happy, proud and honoured."

"I don't have many words to describe the feeling in the last few days. I'm happy and looking forward to getting to work. I have enormous confidence. The future will be bright. I don't see the current moment as being 'delicate;' the team are in every competition. I'm very happy to represent the Portuguese champions, it's a dream come true. Now that we're here, we want to work. What I promise is that: Hard work," he assured.

Regarding objectives for the remainder of the campaign, Borges explained that he wanted to "add trophies to Sporting CP's history, as well as giving joy to the fans. That's our focus. I'm happy with the players we have. We are going to be competent and competitive with them. For me, they are the best. At this great club, the demand is for victories and trophies. That's what we are here for, to fight for that. Things may not always work out, but there can be no lack of attitude," he stated

The 43 year old coach had been in charge of Vitória SC since the beginning of the season, finishing the league stage of the UEFA Conference League in second place, with four wins and two draws. In Liga Portugal, they are in sixth place.

Before Vitória SC, Borges coached SC Mirandela, Académico de Viseu FC, A. Académica de Coimbra, CD Nacional, UD Vilafranquense, CD Mafra and Moreirense FC, whilst his playing career saw him turn out for several clubs in the north of the country.

The coach reflects on the 0-o draw with Gil Vicente FC

At the end of the draw between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Gil Vicente FC, coach João Pereira spoke at the press conference to review the game.

"Unlike in past games, we didn't have a very strong start, and it was difficult for us to create opportunities in the first half. We had a lot of possession and absolute control of the game, but we didn't create chances. In the second half, we adjusted our pressing and Gil Vicente FC couldn't play. We created more opportunities, but we lacked the final detail: The last pass, the last shot. We had a very good game defensively and were very consistent, but we have to score goals," he began by telling journalists.

"Sporting CP once again controlled the game, as we have done in every case. If we had scored, the game would have changed. We continue to improve, especially defensively, but we have to create even more. There isn't much time to work on this, but I'm here to find solutions," he said.

According to Pereira, this result "doesn't affect anything" in the preparation for 'O Clássico' against SL Benfica.

"That's a game that we want to win and that we're going to go into it looking for victory," he stated.

"I think that the Christmas period will be good for the players, who will spend time with their families.  They have experienced a lot in the last month and a half, and they have been warriors. They try to react and win in every game. We cannot forget that we played for 120 minutes just a few days ago. There came a moment when we noticed that the freshness was not the same," he added.

Finally, Pereira spoke about the fans.

"I understand their protests. I understand the fans. They supported us throughout the game and in the end they are free to say what they want. They did their job for 90 minutes and we were unable to repay them with victory. We have to own the moment."

Sporting CP are held to a 0-0 stalemate by Gil Vicente FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 0-0 away to Gil Vicente FC on Liga Portugal Matchday 15, in a game in which they were unable to convert their chances in front of goal.

For the contest at the Estádio da Cidade de Barcelos, they took to the field with two changes in the starting lineup, as Ousmane Diomande and Conrad Harder replaced Matheus Reis and Geny Catamo. On the bench were Miguel Alves (18 years old) and Eduardo Felicíssimo (17), looking for their debut for the first team, as well as fellow youngsters Mauro Couto and Henrique Arreiol, who have already played minutes in recent weeks.

Sporting CP created the first opportunity with a great move from Geovany Quenda, as he set up Maxi Araújo with a great pass. The Uruguayan crossed for Viktor Gyökeres, whose header was blocked by defender Mory Gbane.

Gil Vicente FC missed the target off a chance for Josué Sá, but it was Sporting CP who were firmly on top and, in the 18th minute, Gyökeres shot from distance in an effort that whistled past the post. At the other end, Santi García's strike was easily saved by Franco Israel.

Several minutes followed with a battle in the midfield. Sporting CP lacked precision, while Gil Vicente FC favoured careful construction -albeit without turning it into opportunities.

Quenda's cross for Gyökeres to head towards goal ended up with goalkeeper Andrew saving, and the game went into halftime with the score at 0-0.

Matheus Reis came on for Eduardo Quaresma for the second half and Sporting CP started well. Araújo took an early corner kick, Francisco Trincão headed it on and Gyökeres shot, but his attempt went askew. After that, the Swede went through on Andrew, but the goalkeeper won out in the one-on-one.

In the 62nd minute, Quenda threatened off a free kick, but Andrew again saved. Gil Vicente CF withdrew and it was only Sporting CP who looked likely to score.

A perfect cross from Trincão was met by a powerful header from Conrad Harder, but Andrew made another stop to deny him.

In the final quarter of an hour, referee André Narciso gave a penalty for a foul on Zeno Debast, but overturned the decision after consulting VAR. Andrew saved the home team again with two great stops: One from a shot by Geny Catamo and the other by  Trincão.

Mauro Couto came on three minutes into stoppage time, and Sporting CP continued to attack, whilst Franco Israel was only required to make a save from Félix Correia. The game ended goalless, and Os Leões now wait until a home derby against SL Benfica in Alvalade to play again.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [Gk], Eduardo Quaresma (Matheus Reis, 45'), Ousmane Diomande, Zeno Debast, Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 65'), Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões, Maxi Araújo (Mauro Couto, 87'), Francisco Trincão, Conrad Harder and Viktor Gyökeres.

The league leaders visit Gil Vicente FC this Sunday (8:30 p.m.)

Sporting Clube de Portugal have an away game this Sunday at 8:30pm against Gil Vicente FC, on Liga Portugal Matchday 15. Before the game, coach João Pereira previewed the contest.

"Gil Vicente FC have a clear way of playing, which is well drilled and with a coach who has had some time to work on his team. They are very strong in their construction, they use their goalkeeper and number 6 a lot, they have strong players between the lines and very fast wingers. They are in their best form in the league, will play at home and are motivated,” he warned.

“Everything is easier when you win, even when victories are difficult to get,” he added.

“I don’t like to suffer so much and prefer to win by playing good football and putting on a show.”

"However, at this moment, the important thing was to win and we have won two in a row. There is a lot of work ahead and we want to improve in many aspects. The team still aren’t playing like they used to, but it's a process. We have to focus on the positive things, as there are good things to take away. The players want a lot, and sometimes wanting so much brings with it some anxiety.”

For Pereira, the win against Boavista FC was "the most successful game in terms of opportunities and where the best football was played.”

"We made mistakes that led to their goals and it seems like it was an evenly matched game, but it wasn't. Against CD Santa Clara, we didn't have many opportunities, but we were stronger defensively and we ended up conceding a goal past the hour. Before that, they had only had one chance.”

Asked about his own performance in press conferences, the coach said he is "evolving and learning".

"The communications department help me improve day after day and, like the players, I have to practice. I don't hide the fact that it's much easier to talk to you after winning than after losing, especially when it’s four times in a row. I've always been sincere with you and I didn't have much practice. Evolution has to do with the training, even though it's far from perfect.”

“We have some injured players and two suspended, but there is a need to win to remain in first place and be more relaxed over Christmas. Then we will spend a few days away from football, with our families," he added.

Regarding the use of players like João Simões or Mauro Couto, the coach said that young talents "are able to perform as well as they do because they are helped by their elders. This group have a special bond and want to win trophies for Sporting CP.”

"The gift I want for Christmas is to win in Barcelos. If I can ask for more, I would ask for the injured players to recover."

Gyökeres resolves a difficult tie with CD Santa Clara (2-1 ET)

Sporting Clube de Portugal made their way through to the quarter-finals of the Taça de Portugal, beating CD Santa Clara 2-1 after extra time. After a late goal from the opponents forced the additional half hour, Viktor Gyökeres struck to give his side the win.

Up against a team who had beaten them 0-1 a fortnight ago, and who lie in fourth place in the Liga Portugal table, Sporting CP fielded the same starting XI as against Boavista FC this past weekend: Franco Israel in goal, Eduardo Quaresma, Zeno Debast and Matheus Reis in the defence, Geny Catamo and Maxi Araújo on the wings, captain Morten Hjulmand and youngster João Simões in the centre and the offensive trident composed of Francisco Trincão, Geovany Quenda and Viktor Gyökeres. Jeremiah St. Juste was back available and started on the bench, while Gonçalo Inácio was left out and joined the long list of injured players that included Daniel Bragança, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos.

Although somewhat erratic with their passing, Sporting CP sought to take the initiative from the opening whistle, whilst CD Santa Claratook a more reactive stance. The first real approach came in the 16th minute, when Quenda didn’t make clean contact with Catamo’s precision pass.

CD Santa Clara rarely managed to venture into the attack, but defensively they made the task difficult for Sporting CP. Later, a shot from Catamo from outside the area was saved by goalkeeper Neneca, and in the 40th minute, following a corner, Hjulmand had the ball in the net with the help of a rebound off the opposition goalkeeper, but VAR called handball against him.

After the interval, Sporting CP continued to try to up the pace to unlock the game, and came very close again on the hour mark. However, just when the ball was left for Trincão to shoot at goal, with Neneca already out of the equation, the winger slipped and a defender from CD Santa Clara had time to clear the shot from close to the goal line.

With the continuous stoppages forced by the Azoreans, impatience and displeasure with the officials grew both on and off the pitch. Substitute Ricardo Esgaio, warming up on the sidelines, ended up not only receiving the first yellow card of the game for protests, but also a second immediately afterwards, leading to his expulsion.

The first changes came in the 72nd minute, and the move could not have worked out better. In addition to St. Juste coming on (for Matheus Reis), Conrad Harder entered the pitch, and it was the Danish striker who immediately broke the deadlock. Around two minutes after his arrival, Harder appeared in the area to deflect a cross into the net and make it 1-0.

From there, a Gyökeres' free kick went just over the bar, Ousmane Diomande and Iván Fresneda were brought on, and the opposition tried sporadically to pull bac level.

After two big scares in the last moments of the game, with Gabriel Silva heading over and a fantastic save from Franco Israel denying an opposition player, CD Santa Clara finally made it 1-1 off a ball deflected in by Pedro Ferreira in the 98th minute. Extra time was forced.

In the first part of extra time nothing changed, and Gyökeres had another strong shot kept out by Neneca.

In the last 15 minutes everything was decided, with some details along the way: 19-year-old winger Mauro Couto made his debut for the first team, replacing a tired Eduardo Quaresma. CD Santa Clara would limit themselves to little more than defending, but made a fatal error with around seven minutes remaining. Frederico Venâncio tried to play the ball back to his goalkeeper and Gyökeres read the move perfectly, intercepted the pass, rounded Neneca and scored the goal to make it 2-1

St. Juste received a red card before the end, but Sporting CP made their way through to the next round of the cup competition.

 order after clashing with an opponent. Despite the 'hot' final stretch of the game, the Lions' victory and classification were finally guaranteed.

They now make a trip to Barcelos this Sunday (8:30 p.m.), to face Gil Vicente FC in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Geny Catamo (Conrad Harder, 72'), Eduardo Quaresma, Zeno Debast (Ousmane Diomande, 83'), Matheus Reis (Jeremiah St. Juste, 72'), Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [ C], João Simões, Francisco Trincão, Geovany Quenda (Iván Fresneda, 90+5') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coaching staff member explains the win over CD Santa Clara

At the end of the game against CD Santa Clara, in which Sporting CP earned a place in the quarter finals of the Taça de Portugal, coaching staff member Tiago Teixeira talked about the contest in his post-match press conference.

“The main objective was to go through, and we achieved that. We came into the game well, albeit more cautiously because it was a knockout game, but we controlled and understood the spaces that were there to be explored. We created some chances, but without converting the first ones we had against a team that were playing with a low block. We also deserve credit for not allowing transitions”, he explained.

“The players provided an excellent response and didn't deserve to concede the equaliser, but they responded again despite being tired”,  he highlighted.

“We fully deserved the victory and to go through to the next round”.

Asked about the final moments of regulation time, where the opposition managed to draw level, Teixeira considered that it was a “merely physical issue”.

“We have had a lot of games, playing with the same players. We are also playing with two 17-year-olds and we gave another debut, for Mauro [Couto]. We have total trust in all the players”.

“Those who we thought were most prepared, played. For us, there is no rotation, there is a game to win and that is what happened. CD Santa Clara gave up on playing, just defended and wasted time from the start. The players really wanted to win and felt harmed by the timewasting”.

Afterwards, asked about the 2-1 scoreline that was much celebrated on the bench by the players, the coach pinpointed this as “a sign that everyone wants to win”.

“Since the first day, we have felt great dedication from the players. Today, once again, they had an incredible attitude and commitment.

“It is victories that fuel us and we seek to win and dominate every game, that is what gives us confidence and that is what we will also try to do with Gil Vicente FC”.

The coach expresses satisfaction with the win over Boavista FC

"The Sportinguistas can expect the maximum work from the entire structure for us to continue winning games. I didn't notice any uneasiness in them, I felt their support from the first to the last minute. Together, everything becomes easier".

A deserved 3-2 victory keeps the side top in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways with a 3-2 triumph over Boavista FC on Liga Portugal Matchday 14, in the two sides' 135th meeting. A goal from Viktor Gyõkeres and a brace from Francisco Trincão helped the team to a deserved victory.

For Sporting CP's second game of the week, following the Tuesday encounter with Club Brugge, they fielded a starting lineup of Franco Israel in goal, Eduardo Quaresma, Zeno Debast and Matheus Reis in defence, wingers Geny Catamo and Maxi Araújo , central midfielders João Simões and Morten Hjulmand, plus a front three of Trincão, Gyõkeres and Geovany Quenda.

They started well, with Quenda's shot, after receiving a pass from Araújo, hit a defender from the first chance of note.

Before the 10th minute was out, Gyõkeres had his first opportunity, off a rebound, but his effort flew over the top. Minutes later, after Geny Catamo had also shot over the crossbar, the Swedish international turned towards goal again, but placed his shot wide.

At the third time of asking, Gyökeres got his goal: Boavista's Pedro Gomes made a bad pass out, and the striker recovered the ball, rounded César and opened the scoring.

The opposition's Seba Pérez threw himself in the way of a shot from João Simões, hit from inside the box, as Sporting CP continued to turn up the heat.

Gyökeres was only slightly too late to a ball across, moments later, and then the game took a turn: Boavista FC took advantage of a moment of lower intensity to cross from the right, with Róbert Bozeník at the back post to head in the equaliser.

César prevented Araújo's cross from reaching Gyõkeres just ahead of the halftime whistle, and the game went into the interval level at 1-1.

In the second half, Sporting CP did not have to wait long to make it 2-1. They pressed high and, after a couple of threatening moves, Trincão -who had started the play- turned in a short pass from Araújo.

Catamo popped up in a good position to score inside the area, but was unable to set up his shot in time. The attacks were arriving, but once again there was a setback: Against the run of play, after a free kick, the ball went to the left and Bruno Onyemaechi got his foot in to shoot and score.

From a Sporting CP free kick, Gyökeres forced César to make a huge save. He then turned provider for Trincão, setting up his teammate with an assist from inside the box.

With the score at 3-2, Conrad Harder replaced Catamo and Quenda moved to the right wing, moving the Danish striker to the left side of the attack.

Ousmane Diomande came in for Quaresma and then Henrique Arreiol stepped in for João Simões, who received an applause for his latest solid performance.

The last ten minutes were scrappy, but Sporting CP saw it through to earn a 3-2 win at home.

They remain outright leaders of Liga Portugal, and now focus on the Taça de Portugal, where they will face CD Santa Clara on Wednesday at the Estádio José Alvalade.