After a 2-0 win over Portimonense SC, the coach praises the handling of the game

After a Liga NOS Matchday 20 win against Portimonense SC, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim praised his team for their showing and admitted the importance of two goals scored in quick succession.

“It is always important. Those were decisive goals. For the second, we took advantage of a dead ball, pressed, won possession and finished. We can never expect the goal to happen sooner or later -that doesn't exist. We have to go looking for it and work hard, which is what we did, even though we had some chances in which we could have finished much better”, he said in his post-match press conference.

“In the first half we played well and always found a man free. When it was 2-0 we did much better than in other games in managing the game. In the second part the surface made things difficult, because we wanted to build from the back and many times we had to play through. I think this was an entirely fair result. Portimonense SC grew in the second half, but we managed the game well”, Amorim stated.

After explaining that Paulinho had dropped out of the squad due to discomfort felt in the final training session, and that it will be 'difficult' for him to feature against FC Porto next weekend, the coach singled out Zouhair Feddal for praise.

“He has adapted well. We knew him from his time at Real Betis and saw many games of his. The big surprise was his fitness, not his quality. He brings us a lot of commitment and quality, and he is very good on the ball. He marked many quality forwards in the Spanish league, and that makes players grow. He is a very important player for us”.

Finally, Amorim admitted that it is normal for Sporting CP fans to be confident, but stressed that the team's focus is always on the next game.

“Football is all about the moment, and I realise that some fans will never forgive us if we lose this advantage, but that is more a matter for the coach. The players are visibly growing, the squad is becoming more valuable and Sporting CP are now more of a club in all areas. Sporting CP always go out there to win. The only person who can deal with this problem is the coach and we are prepared for that. We are going game by game, without additional pressure. That's our idea”, he concluded.

Sporting CP see off Portimonense SC 2-0 at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal made it six league wins in a row on Matchday 20 of the Liga NOS season, beating Portimonense SC 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade. First half goals for Zouhair Feddal and Nuno Santos ensured the three points stayed with Sporting CP, who remain outright leaders.

With Paulinho out of the squad due to last-minute physical problems, Rúben Amorim kept Tiago Tomás in the eleven and bet on Nuno Santos returning to the starting lineup, in a game in which the pitch was in good condition, despite the heavy rain feel during the day and that fell with intensity throughout the first part.

With Paulinho out of the squad due to some last-minute discomfort, coach Rúben Amorim brought Santos back into the starting lineup.

The pitch was in good condition for the game, despite the heavy rainfall during the day and throughout the first half.

Sporting CP started the game strongly, building play patiently but also creating opportunities on goal. After 6 minutes, a run by Nuno Santos ended with a shot, saved by Samuel Portugal.

Just before the half hour, the opening goal finally arrived. Off a free kick sent in by Gonçalo Inácio, Coates headed on target. The rebound fell to Zouhair Feddal, who took advantage of a scramble in the area to prod the ball into the net. It was his first goal for Sporting CP since joining the club last summer.

Portimonense SC attempted a first half response, and had a goal disallowed for offside, but were stifled as Sporting CP controlled possession and eased into halftime.

As rain continued to fall going into the second half, Sporting CP adopted a more conservative approach to proceedings, and allowed Portimonense SC to have more of the ball. In an attempt to attack on the counter, coach Rúben Amorim brought Jovane Cabral on for Tiago Tomás.

The visitors had problems finishing their chances, and it was Os Leões who came closest to scoring again, from two efforts by Pedro Gonçalves: his first shot went wide, with his second forcing Samuel Portugal to make another good save.

In the final fifteen minutes, with Portimonense SC pushing forward in search of a goal, it was Jovane Cabral who almost made it 3-0 in another one-on-one, but in the end the score remained 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade.

With this result, Sporting CP have 54 points in Liga NOS, 13 more than nearest rivals - and next opponents - FC Porto.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha (Matheus Nunes, 87 '), João Mário, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 88'), Nuno Santos (Bruno Tabata, 71 ') and Tiago Tomás (Jovane Cabral, 62')

The pair won Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender and Best Goal, respectively

Antonio Adán and Pedro Porro were winners of individual honours in January, and the pair received their trophies this Thursday at the Academia Sporting.

For the second consecutive month, Adán scooped the Best Goalkeeper award in Liga NOS, whilst Porro was chosen as Best Defender for the third time in a row and was also the scorer of the Best Goal in league competition.

Adán participated in four league matches in January and conceded just one goal, making him the logical choice for his award. He collected 27% of the votes in the poll of Liga NOS coaches.

"I am grateful to all the coaches who voted for me to win the award again. It is even further motivation for what lies ahead but, as I always say, this prize is down to the good work done by everyone, so I hope that the entire team continue to receive these awards," he said at the club's training ground.

Porro, who has shone at right back this season, explained what was going through his mind when he scored his wonder goal against Boavista at the  Estádio do Bessa on Matchday 15.

"Sometimes you just have to shoot, because you never know what might happen. In the moment, my only thought was to take the shot, and luckily it went in," he said of the goal that was voted for by fans as the best of the month.

In addition, the Spanish Under-21 international also received 31% of the votes from Liga NOS coaches in the Best Defender category.

'Os Leões' triumph 2-0 against FC Paços Ferreira

Sporting Clube de Portugal bested FC Paços Ferreira 2-0 in Monday night Liga NOS fixture, taking their advantage in the standings over nearest rivals FC Porto to 10 points. Goals from João Mário and João Palhinha earned 'Os Leões' their latest win.

Rúben Amorim made some adjustments to his starting eleven, which consisted of Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Mário, João Palhinha, Nuno Mendes, Tiago Tomás, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

The first warning from Sporting CP came 10 minutes into the game, as Paulinho attempted to backheel in a cutback from Pedro Gonçalves.

Next to try his luck was Pedro Porro, whose shot was tipped over the top by the FC Paços Ferreira goalkeeper -although the referee awarded a goal kick.

The visitors tried to respond through set pieces, but were mostly on the defensive. In the 19th minute, Rebocho took down Pedro Gonçalves in the area, with a penalty kick immediately given.

Stepping up to the penalty spot, João Mário duly dispatched, making it 1-0 and putting the wheels in motion for victory number 16 of the league season.

Sporting CP continued to control the game, but received a scare when FC Paços Ferreira had a chance on 42 minutes. Luther Singh took a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but Adán denied him with his foot.

Sporting CP reacted immediately and, after insistence and some confusion in the area, at 45 + 1 minutes, Coates sent the ball over the goal of FC Paços Ferreira, missing the opportunity to increase the advantage.

The lead immediately extended after the return from the halftime break, and goal number two came from a corner: Pedro Porro delivered it in, Zouhair Feddal flicked the ball on with his head and João Palhinha, free at the back post, converted.

Amorim made the first substitution shortly thereafter, bringing on Nuno Santos and resting Paulinho.

In the 65th minute, with Adán off his line, Feddal kept out an initial effort from Tanque, who shot again into the side netting. Three minutes later, it was Luther Singh who tried to reduce the deficit, but without success.

Ten minutes later, João Mário, Pedro Gonçalves and Tiago Tomás were replaced by Matheus Nunes, Tabata and Jovane Cabral.

FC Paços Ferreira nearly got a consolation goal in the final ten minutes, but João Pedro would be thwarted by Adán for the clean sheet to be completed.

Now with a double-digit lead in the standings, Sporting CP will be back at the Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday, playing Portimonense SC in an 8:30pm kickoff.

Sporting CP coach says team are focused on Monday night fixture

Sporting Clube de Portugal welcome FC Paços de Ferreira to the Estádio José Alvalade on Monday, and Rúben Amorim gave his thoughts on the Liga NOS game in a pre-match press conference. The team have already won twice against the opponents, who lie fifth in the table, but their coach is not overlooking the encounter.

"We have to have a great game and be at our best. We have to be intense, disciplined and humble, right from the opening minute. FC Paços de Ferreira are a very good team who are in fantastic form, with a coach who is doing an incredible job. They are a courageous team. We know FC Paços de Ferreira well, and they know us well. We have prepared for the game and we need the inspiration of the players. We are ready for a great match," he told journalists at the Auditório Artur Agostinho.

"We brought the players attention to what went wrong against Gil Vicente FC, but also to the good things we did after the break," Amorim continued.

Sporting CP are currently in limbo in a situation involving their use of player João Palhinha in the derby against SL Benfica, whilst awaiting the overturning of a fifth yellow card shown to him against SL Benfica. As the saga drags on, Amorim guarantees that the midfielder "is calm."

"This week I saw a conversation between him and Hugo Viana, asking for him to be calm. Sporting CP did what they had to do and we are all waiting for a decision. We have no concern whatsoever in this regard. Sporting CP have safeguarded ourselves and we did everything according to the law. We have zero concerns," he promised.

Asked if he is responsible for a greater sense of unity amongst Sportinguistas the coach gracefully preferred to highlight the players' contribution.

"The merit has to be given to the players, because they are the ones on the pitch. We were at a stage when we were not doing so well at the end of last season, and at that time we did not feel any of that. The unity that exists at this moment is down to the players and the results that they have had. Committing to bringing through players and having many Portuguese players in the squad attracts people, who feel that connection. I am the one who enjoys the quality of the players, the connection and the work that has been done at the club. I am reaping the fruits of that work. I guarantee that if the results change, then things will be different. We have this perspective," he assured.

For now, the focus is on FC Paços de Ferreira, and the Sporting CP boss highlighted some of the most important points and players.

"They are very aggressive and strong on second balls. The wingers are always trying to break, Tanque is very strong at holding up the ball and crossing. Bruno Costa was the player of the month, Luiz Carlos has intensity, Eustáquio has been having a good season. They are a team without any responsibility in this game, with confidence, up against a team that also want to win. In my opinion, it will be a great game. If it isn't then the important thing is that Sporting CP win."

"The table shows that we have the most points, but we don't look at what our rivals do so much. We look at what is going on in our games. We should have done more in the first half against Gil Vicente FC and that is our focus," he concluded.

The defender reached the milestone on his first game back

João Pereira is one of Sporting Clube de Portugal's recent reinforcements, and the first game of his third stint at the club was a special match for more than one reason. The game against CS Marítimo allowed him to reach 150 official matches for Os Leões.

To mark the milestone, this past week Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas presented Pereira with a personalised shirt, a trophy and a commemorative bottle of Super Bock, one of the club's partners

Before signing for the club for a third time, the Portuguese international had already accumulated four years playing in green and white, between 2009/2010 and 2011/2012 and 2015/2016 and 2016/2017.

Pereira arrived at Sporting CP for the first time in the 2009/2010 winter transfer market, joining from SC Braga. After more than 100 games spread over two and a half seasons, he headed to Spain's LaLiga to represent Valencia CF. This was followed by a spell at German side Hannover 96, and in 2015 he returned to Portugal. Another year and a half at Sporting CP followed, during which he won a Portuguese Supertaça (2015). After leaving in January of the 2016/2017 season Trabzonspor, the right back is back in Lisbon on a free, with a contract until the end of the current season.

The Brazilian enjoyed minutes against Gil Vicente FC

The defender reacted to his debut with a publication on social media, in which he said: "After five months, making my first appearance for this club and feeling the emotion of going out onto the pitch, as well as earning the three points, is priceless. We keep going at full strength."

Sporting CP's coach praises his team's late turnaround against Gil Vicente

At the end of the amazing 1-2 comeback victory against Gil Vicente FC in Liga NOS, Rúben Amorim reviewed the challenging contest in his post-match press conference.

"Once again, the game only ends when the referee blows his whistle. It was a very tough  game, as we knew it was going to be, against a team who had us well-studied", he told journalists.

"We started well and we could have scored right away. From then on, we were lax and slow and let the game pass us by. After halftime the team changed their mentality. We pressed more, we had more of the ball and we looked for space better. We had a lot of crosses, but just needed someone to put the ball into the net".

"We scored the equaliser, we believed until the end and we got the second. Gil Vicente FC did well in the first half, but stopped playing football in the second".

Amorim praised his goalscoring captain, Sebastian Coates: "He was very good at both defending and attacking. He set an example. Congratulations to him. He is our leader and captain and he deserves it".

"Today was not about luck -it was about belief. In some games we have had good fortune, but not this time. We tried hard until the end. The referee hadn't blown the final whistle and I felt we could score a goal. Scoring a goal enabled us to win the way that we did", he explained.

Regarding Paulinho, the coach admitted that "it was not the best game for our striker, but that's normal".

"He's coming into a new team. Against CS Marítimo he had more space, and this time the Gil Vicente FC's block was closer together. In the second half he had some crosses come to him. He didn't connect with the ball well, but that's part of a striker's life. He has to work hard. He is very happy and I am very happy with him. He has integrated well and that is the main thing", he said.

Asked about the changes he made at halftime, Amorim revealed that "attention was drawn to our lack of intensity, the problems and where the space was".

"There had to be a change in mentality. Gil Vicente FC closed up space in the middle. We needed a winger instead of a full-back and Nuno Santos improved us by providing many crosses. Neto was doing fine in the game, but Inácio is very good at bringing the ball out. We wanted a variation".

"Our team are always more motivated when they dominate the game and concede no opportunities. That gives motivation to them. We will be more aware of what we have to do in the coming games", he concluded.

The captain strikes twice in the final moments of a 1-2 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal picked up their latest Liga NOS win this Tuesday away to Gil Vicente FC, but they left it late to take the 3 points. Down 1-0 going into the final 10 minutes, Os Leões required two last gasp goals from captain Sebastián Coates to make a dramatic turnaround.

The starting lineup for the game was almost unchanged from the fixture against CS Maritimo, with the only switch being that of Luís Neto coming in for Gonçalo Inácio.

Sporting CP were the first side to create danger on a rainy night at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos. A direct free kick by Pedro Porro, plus attempts to finish by Paulinho and Coates, were all unsuccessful.

Shortly after, Paulinho shot wide, followed up by Matheus Nunes putting Gil Vicente goalkeeper Denis to the test with a hard strike from a Vitorino Antunes free kick. Antunes would be involved at the other end, keeping out a close chance for the home team.

Whilst Nuno Santos gave the opposition something to think about, Sporting CP shot stopper Antonio Adán was required to make a tremendous save from Kanya. The subsequent rebound would be sliced wide by Baraye.

Opportunities continued with a near-own goal for Henrique Gomes, as well as a Coates header straight at the keeper, and Pedro Porro struck wide of the post on 34 minutes. All signs pointed to Sporting CP being the team to get the opener, but the script played out somewhat differently.

Gil Vicente FC were effective going forward, and Japanese player Kanya finished off a cross from Claude Gonçalves on 36 minutes. The first half ended 1-0, and soaking wet after the rain in Barcelos intensified.

Rúben Amorim made two changes for the second half, introducing Gonçalo Inácio to replace Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás for Antunes. Nuno Santos moved back to the left side of the defence and Pedro Gonçalves went into attack, with Tiago Tomás on the right side. Amorim made another modification, withdrawing Matheus Nunes for Daniel Bragança.

The young midfielder had an impact soon after, recovering the ball and playing to Porro, who in turn crossed for Pedro Gonçalves to shoot wide. Gonçalves threatened again in the 57th minute, this time firing over, and Tomás also had an effort go off target.

Gil Vicente FC put everybody behind the ball, but still the Sporting CP opportunities continued: Paulinho's header in the 62nd minute and one for Coates in the 68th minute kept up the pressure.

Amorim decided to make a last roll of the dice with his substitutions, and Zouhair Feddal and João Palhinha were withdrawn for Matheus Reis (making his debut) and João Mário with around a quarter of an hour to go.

Tomás and Paulinho were all close to equalisers, but Sporting CP would have to wait until the 83rd minute to level:  After a poor clearance from the defence, Sebastián Coates shot from straight on, finding the net with a low drive to make it 1-1.

Momentum was now in their favour, and in the first of 5 minutes of injury time, Coates completed the heroic comeback. This time, it was a far-post header that glanced into the net, as the bench emptied and the players celebrated ecstatically.

A well-deserved 1-2 win keeps Sporting CP top of Liga NOS, and they now have an 8-point advantage over nearest rivals FC Porto. Next up is a meeting with FC Paços de Ferreira at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro, Luís Neto (Gonçalo Inácio, 46 '), Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 74'), Vitorino Antunes (Tiago Tomás, 46 '), João Palhinha (João Mário, 74 '), Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 54'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Paulinho.

The coach gave the lowdown on the Tuesday game against Gil Vicente FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, home of Gil Vicente FC, this Tuesday, for Matchday 18 of the Liga NOS season.

Ahead of the contest, Rúben Amorim reminded journalists of the difficult game his side had in the first half of the season against this week's opponents.

“Our team are in good form, which comes from good results and performances. We have almost all of our squad available, with the exception of Nuno Mendes. We are prepared for a difficult game, as the last one against Gil Vicente FC at home was; we only scored our goals in the last ten minutes. The result of that game does not reflect what happened on the pitch," he warned.

"They are a very good team, who have been strengthened and can play with two different formations. This made our scouting difficult, even because we didn’t have much time to train for them."

“We also know their strength from dead balls, and we have tried to study everything in detail. The team are playing well and we will try to make it the type of game that favours us,  because we have an excellent team and excellent players," said the coach, who added that a win would not be decisive for the title chase.

"I am sure that it is not, because there is still a long way to go this season. There are many points up for grabs and we have a whole second half of the campaign to play. It has been shown that anyone can drop points anywhere, so what we have to do is win our next match -in order to be more comfortable when thinking about the next one. Our way of thinking will not change and the title race is always open, whatever happens in Barcelos,” he warned.

It was a further statement that both the squad and the fans have their feet firmly on the ground.

"There is a notion that you can lose everything in two or three games, as has happened in the past. This fear is good because it keeps us focused on the task at hand," he explained.

"We are not naive enough to think that everything is done and dusted. We have to give our all, and I think the Sportinguistas are proud of the team -but also very cautious. Everything can change from one moment to the next, but our attitude will not. The only obligation for the players is to give their all, run a lot and try to win, which is what they will continue to do," he concluded.