Latest triumph leaves coach satisfied with performance

As the dust settled on Friday's 0-2 triumph against CS Marítimo, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim commented on the contest in his post-match press conference.

“It is indifferent to us. We want to score points. Winning games this way, without giving the opponent many chances, is our job and our focus. We are not interested in the results that other teams get, and we have to continue like this, looking only at ourselves, because we have a lot to do."

A 0-2 victory away gives Sporting CP 45 points at the halfway mark of 2020/2021

Two goals for the prolific Pedro Gonçalves earned the team victory in the Azores, capping a week that had begun with a derby victory over SL Benfica.

João Mário and Nuno Mendes missed the game through injury, with Luís Neto suspended. Coach Rúben Amorim returned João Palhinha, Gonçalo Inácio and Antunes to the starting lineup, alongside new signing Paulinho.

Sporting CP had a point to prove at the Estádio dos Barreiros, where they had suffered their only domestic defeat of 2020/2021 -in the Taça de Portugal. They were the dominant force in the early going, and in the opening five minutes enjoyed an opportunity for Antunes that went wide.

Before ten minutes had been played, Gonçalves claimed the opener. After an incredible pass from Gonçalo Inácio, he broke a way and slickly rounded the goalkeeper, sliding the ball into the net.

Whilst CS Maritimo sent long balls forward, Sporting CP provided a more patient buildup, and Pedro Porro and Gonçalves both had chances before the halftime whistle.

It took just seconds after the restart for the team to resume their threat, and Paulinho forced the goalkeeper into action with what was his final contribution before making way for Tiago Tomás.

A deserved second goal followed, 57 minutes in, when Antunes found Gonçalves with a ball from the left. The league's top scorer put in his 14th goal of the season with a well taken finish to make it 0-2.

CS Marítimo tried to advance, but were clearly struggling with an organised Sporting CP defence. Second half substitute Bruno Tabata, Antunes and Gonçalves had the final opportunities of note.

Before the final whistle, João Pereira was subbed on, having just signed to return to the club for a third spell. The defender thus made his 150th appearance for the club.

With the 0-2 result, Sporting CP end the first half of the Liga NOS season unbeaten and with 45 points to their name. It is their best ever tally at this stage of a season under the current format. They also extend their lead at the top to six points over FC Porto, who were held to a 0-0 draw away to Belenenses SAD on Thursday night.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, Antunes (João Pereira, 87 '), João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 87'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos (Bruno Tabata, 77 ') and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 66')

The fullback signs for his third spell at the club

João Pereira is back at Sporting Clube de Portugal, as another winter reinforcement for the Liga NOS leaders. The 36-year-old comes in as a free agent after his contract with Trabzonspor was terminated, and is beginning his third spell at the club.

The experienced right-back, a former Sporting CP captain who also boasts 40 caps for Portugal, has signed a contract through to the end of the current season.

"I am very happy to represent this great club for the third time. I feel the same desire and I have the same motivation as when I signed for the first time," he told the media at his presentation.

"I want to help Sporting CP on and off the pitch. I know the people who work at the club very well, and many from my first spell are still here," he continued.

"I have always been treated very well here and I feel like this is a family."

Pereira trained with his new teammates on Wednesday, and believes that his adaptation will be quick.

"It's easier to adapt, but I have also followed Sporting CP and I know more or less how they play. However, it is always important to already know some colleagues and the coach," he explained. The fullback has previously played with the likes of Sebastián Coates, João Mário and coach Rubén Amorim.

Pereira has unfinished business at the club, having played a total of 149 games for them.

"150 is a round number and an important achievement, but it is not an obsession. When it has to happen, it will happen. I urge the fans to continue to support the team, because together we are much stronger."

João Pereira joined Sporting CP for the first time in the 2009/2010 winter transfer market, from SC Braga. After more than 100 games, spread over two and a half seasons, he headed to the Spanish league with Valencia CF. This was followed by a spell at Hannover 96 in Germany, and in 2015 he returned to Portugal and Sporting CP -where he won the Super Taça. In January of 2017 he took on a new challenge at Turkish side Trabzonspor, and now comes back to his homeland.

Left back comes in for remainder of 2020/21 campaign

On a busy Tuesday of transfer activity for Sporting CP, Matheus Reis joined the club before the close of the winter window, on a loan deal from Rio Ave until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old Brazilian can play either at left back or on the left of a three-man defence, and adds further depth to a squad currently top of the Liga NOS table.

"This is a dream come true. I already knew how big the club is, but getting here and seeing everything, from the structure to the staff, is incredible," he said at his presentation.

"This club always deserves the best. They deserve to win and to achieve everything they want. I am very happy, as are my family and those back in Brazil. My son already has his Sporting CP shirt!" he told the media.

Reis explained that he went through "many difficulties" to get to Sporting CP. 

"I am ready to achieve my objectives and also to face the difficulties that will appear along the way. I know that at a big club there is always a lot of competition, and I'm ready to fight for my place."

"I am already playing in the Portuguese league, so I know how it works. It is new for me to be at a big club, but I have been at large teams and I know what it means to have pressure and responsibility on your shoulders, so I come here fully prepared and motivated for this challenge," commented the Brazilian, who will be reunited with friend Nuno Santos -a former teammate at Rio Ave.

"I'm very happy to be playing with him again. We were successful together. When Sporting CP's interest in me first came about, they asked him about me. We have always spoken with one another, and he asked me to come here. He said that the structure was very good, that he would like it a lot and that he could help me."

"I am very used to the setup Sporting CP use. Last year I played in this formation all season. I'm a defender who was quite offensive, but when playing in this line of three I have evolved the defensive side of my game a lot. I have good passing and a lot of technique. I believe that being adapted to the system already means I can help even more."
Finally, Matheus Reis said that "I will give everything I have on the pitch. I will fight tooth and nail for the club's goals and to help the team. We have ambitious players, as well as an ambitious coach, and I am another 'Lion' full of ambition to achieve our objectives."

A product of São Paulo FC, one of the giants of Brazilian football, Matheus Reis played for the club's first team and was also loaned out to CA Sorocaba and EC Bahia. In 2017/2018, he arrived in Portugal thanks to a loan to Moreirense FC, before signing permanently for Rio Ave FC the following season.
After 27 games for the side from Vila do Conde in 2018/2019 (23 as a starter), he played 37 games last term -scoring one goal.

"This is the biggest step of my career," says the striker

Sporting Clube de Portugal have bolstered their attack with the signing of 28-year-old forward Paulinho, who joins from SC Braga on a deal through to 2025, with a buyout clause of 60 million euros.

Paulinho was presented this Tuesday alongside club president Frederico Varandas, and expressed his delight with the move.

"My feeling is one of pure happiness. I'm very happy to be here. I thank everyone for the effort they made to bring me here; it was not an easy process, but I finally managed to get where I wanted to be", said the Portuguese international.

"It has been a dream of mine for a long time, but it is football. It has happened when it happened, and from now on we will all fight for the same thing. Sporting CP is what matters."

Asked how much the move means for his career, Paulinho stated that he is now a "part of a big club in Portugal - an incredible club". "It is, by far, the biggest step of my career", he added. "I don't believe that I will have any major problems in adapting. All indications are that the group is fantastic; incredible players and human beings. The fact that I know how the coach works will help me a lot. The league isn't a surprise to me anymore. I know the teams perfectly and everything is prepared to make my integration an easy one", he reasoned.

"It will be good to work with Rubén Amorim again", says the striker, who played under him previously at SC Braga. "It was my desire to work with him, but I also know how demanding he is. That's what brought me here. I know he expects nothing less than 100% from me, and from everyone. That's what I'm going to give in every game", he promised.

Paulinho came up through the ranks at Santa Maria FC, a club where he also took his first steps at senior level, before spells at CD Trofense and Gil Vicente FC. He signed for SC Braga in 2017, and since then has established himself as one of the top goalscorers in Portuguese football. In 2019/2020 he found the net 25 times, 17 in Liga NOS, whilst this season he has already scored ten goals in all competitions.

Rúben Amorim reacts after the victory in the derby

Rúben Amorim felt that his side were good for their derby win against SL Benfica in Liga NOS, in which they struck late in stoppage time to claim the three points.

“The game was evenly matched, but we were always the team that was closest to scoring and we were rewarded at the end - because we pushed until the end. We were the team that looked for the victory most, and we were worthy winners", he said in his post-match press conference.

He also spoke about the ambition of the Sporting CP players, saying that it is not necessary for them to believe they are title favourites.

“We cannot have any ambition beyond winning the next game. We aren't in the second half of the season yet, and we have a very young team, but if there is one thing these players have, it is ambition -and that can be seen on the pitch".

The coach then explained his decision to include Matheus Nunes -the eventual hero in the game- in his starting lineup. He had been true to his word from the previous day: even if João Palhinha was available, he would not bring him in because during the week he had worked with another player in mind.

“Because of his performances in training and games, Matheus deserved to play", stated Amorim.

"Obviously Palhinha would play if he were fit. That does not mean that Matheus would have stayed on the bench. I didn't say anything to Palhinha because he understood the situation. As he [Palhinha] is an important player, due to what he gives to the group spirit, the quality he has and how he organises the midfield, it was important for him to be in the game in some capacity, but it was not essential at the beginning, because we had prepared the game differently”.

“I believe that tactics and technique are important, but group spirit is very important too. The players are very attentive and there are details that they see. I would never say that I wouldn't change things and then change them: I would prefer to lose a game than to lose the trust of my players. I don't lie to my wife and I don't lie to my players. That's my rule. I believe that group spirit sometimes turns things around. I try to be straight with them".

Matheus Nunes's injury time header earns victory over SL Benfica

In a game seemingly destined to end in a stalemate, Sporting Clube de Portugal struck late against SL Benfica to win the derby 1-0, and remain outright leaders in Liga NOS.

Rúben Amorim made two changes to his starting eleven, fielding a lineup of Antonio Adán, Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Zouhair Feddal, Sebastián Coates, Nuno Mendes, Matheus Nunes, João Mário, Pedro Gonçalves, Tiago Tomás and Nuno Santos.

SL Benfica also employed a strategy of three at the back at the Estádio José Alvalade, and after 11 minutes would have to bring on Gabriel for the injured Jardel.

The first half saw few chances for either side, but Sporting CP grew in attack after 15 minutes of play, and showed a little more attacking ambition against a more defensive SL Benfica.

Benfica did enjoy an opportunity for Pizzi that went wide, but Sporting CP also came close in the opening stanza: Pedro Porro had his shot on target deflected over by Grimaldo, whilst five minutes later Neto was left alone at the back post of a corner but missed his header.

The first half in the derby ended goalless.

In the second half, SL Benfica came out with a more threatening strategy. Adán had to parry a shot from Darwin for a corner, but Sporting CP responded well and, following a set piece sequence, a scramble in the box saw Odysseas grab the ball.

Looking for more, in the 60th minute, Rúben Amorim shuffled the pack and took João Mário and Nuno Santos off to make way for João Palhinha and Jovane Cabral. SL Benfica also adjusted their team shortly afterwards, replacing Cervi with Taarabt.

15 minutes later, Amorim turned to Bruno Tabata, who came on for Tiago Tomás.

Sporting CP came close when a Pedro Gonçalves ball hit Gilberto and required a save from Odysseas, and inside the final 10 minutes João Palhinha sent a shot wide.

In the 92nd minute, with time running out, the goal finally arrived: Jovane Cabral broke down the left and crossed to the other side of the area, with Porro sending it into the six-yard-box. Odysseas deflected away with a punch, but the ball fell at the mercy of Matheus Nunes, who nodded the ball into the net with nerves of steel, claiming all three points for Sporting CP.

Sporting CP hold a four-point lead at the top of the Liga NOS table over nearest rivals FC Porto, who won earlier in the day against Rio Ave. They are 9 clear of SL Benfica after the first derby of the year.

The Sporting CP coach previews the derby against SL Benfica (Monday, 9:30pm local time)

Monday is derby day at the Estádio José Alvalade. In a press conference ahead of Sporting CP's match against SL Benfica, coach Rúben Amorim noted the special nature of the fixture, but also emphasised that it is just as important as every other game.

"It is important for the growth of the team, because winning always helps us. We have not played SL Benfica this season. It's a game with a different weight to it, however there are still just three points in play. The team have been responding well in these types of games, which is positive in terms of having a good season. We have our strategy for the game and the team will be prepared", guaranteed the coach in discussion with the media.

Sporting CP lead Liga NOS with 39 points, 4 more than FC Porto in second place. When asked to talk about the possibility of increasing the advantage over SL Benfica from 6 to 9 points, Amorim warned that "nothing will be decided tomorrow" in the title picture.

"There are many games, we are not yet in the second half of the season and a victory for us does not take SL Benfica out of the race - nor give the title to Sporting CP. What it can give us is more confidence. It's nothing more than that: Three points. With that being said, it is of course a special game."

Regarding the extra pressure that a derby brings, Amorim stressed that he expects Sporting CP players to feel the "responsibility of victory". "I hope that my players are under pressure. We want to win and we have to win. Obviously we are in a better spot in the table, but I hope that our players are under pressure -because we have the responsibility of taking victory. We want to keep going with this advantage", he stated.

João Palhinha is a confirmed absence for this Monday's derby and, although the coach admits he is a significant loss, he also said that there will be a solution within the squad.

"We are not concerned, but of course he is an important player. He has some very specific characteristics that we don't find in the squad, but we will go about things another way. Whoever plays in that position will have other characteristics, which will give the game another style, perhaps. It's a shame that João Palhinha is out, but we have players to face his absence."

Rúben Amorim also took the opportunity to analyse SL Benfica's tactical setup. "There are things that remain the same in Jorge Jesus' style of play, and we have scouts who have worked with him, as well as Sebastián Coates, with whom I shared ideas about various aspects of the game. However, the characteristics of the players is what changes completely how a team play. We are prepared for everything and now it will also depend on the inspiration of both our players and the opponents", concluded the Sporting CP coach.

The countdown to the game against SL Benfica is underway

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad returned after a day off for morning training on Friday, in preparation for one of the biggest fixtures of the season. The team take on title rivals SL Benfica on Liga NOS Matchday 16 in one of Portugal's most prestigious derbies, which kicks off at 9:30pm on Monday at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Rúben Amorim oversaw the session, which featured a high intensity.

Os Leões will have another training session on Saturday at 10am, at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete.

A 0-2 victory keeps the team 4 points clear at the top

In a dominant display, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Boavista FC 0-2 on Tuesday night on Matchday 15 of the Liga NOS season. Goals from Nuno Santos and Pedro Porro helped the team to three more points at the top of the table.

Luís Neto, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos and Andraž Šporar were brought into the first XI, in changes from the Taça da Liga final against SC Braga this past weekend. Sporting CP controlled things from the opening whistle, as Boavista FC held back and appeared more concerned with not conceding than with scoring.

Chances on goal were slow to appear, but the first provided a goal for Os Leões. Midway through the first half, Nuno Mendes crossed perfectly for Nuno Santos in the heart of the area, and he struck low into the net. At first ruled out for an alleged offside, the referee Fábio Veríssimo eventually gave the goal after consulting VAR. It was Nuno Santos' sixth goal in 2020/2021 - his fifth in Liga NOS.

From there, the chances continued. Almost immediately, Nuno Mendes came close to making it 0-2, but the first-time shot went just wide. Then, Zouhair Feddal headed off-target from a corner. On 33 minutes, Šporar also missed a chance, and before the break Jovane Cabral had his effort cleared away by Jackson Porozo.

Just before the halftime whistle, João Mário was unable to finish after rounding the goalkeeper, and the game remained 0-1.

There was no change in the frequency of the chances in the second half. On 53 minutes, a tremendous move initiated by Matheus Nunes was continued by João Mário, who served up a pass to Nuno Santos. A spectacular feint and delivery Šporar was only denied a goal by a deflection of the striker's shot.

After another opportunity - this time with João Mário shooting over - Rúben Amorim took off Jovane Cabral and brought in Daniel Bragança. He would later swap Šporar and Nuno Santos for Tiago Tomás and João Palhinha.

Sporting CP finally extended their advantage through one of the goals of the matchday, as Pedro Porro slammed in a shot from distance. The Spaniard continued a run of form that also saw him on-target in the Taça da Liga final.

The second goal brought more security to the visitors, who left Bessa with only one negative point: A yellow card for João Palhinha in the 79th minute that leaves the midfielder unavailable for the next game, against SL Benfica.

Before the end, Adán made a stop from a header by Rami, Palhinha shot over and late substitute Bruno Tabata tested Léo Jardim.

With this result, Sporting CP remain leaders of Liga NOS with a 4-point lead over nearest rivals FC Porto.