Sporting CP play Gil Vicente on September 19th

The 2020/2021 Liga NOS season will get underway for Sporting Clube de Portugal on September 19th, as they play Gil Vicente FC at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Liga Portugal have also published kick-off times for Sporting CP’s first three fixtures of the campaign. Between league encounters, they will also play the Third Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa League, against either Aberdeen or Viking FK.

Matchday 1.
Saturday, September 19th
Sporting CP vs. Gil Vicente FC – 6:30pm local time

Matchday 2.
Sunday, September 27th
FC Paços Ferreira vs. Sporting CP - 6:30pm local time

Matchday 3.
Sunday, October 4th
Portimonense SC vs. Sporting CP – 9:00pm local time

The UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round will take place on Sept. 24th

Sporting CP will kick off their 2020/21 UEFA Europa League campaign on September 24th, playing either Viking FC or Aberdeen FC in the Third Qualifying Round of the continental competition. In a change of format this year, the match will be held over a single leg at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Os Leões will find out which of the two teams they will face one week prior, when the Norwegian and Scottish sides play one another in the Second Qualifying Round on September 17th.

Sporting CP have already played against Viking FK in the European tournament, in its previous incarnation as the UEFA Cup: In 1999/2000, the team lost the first leg 3-0, before winning 1-0 at Alvalade through an Ayew goal.

Sporting CP triumph 3-1 in their second preseason friendly

Sporting Clube de Portugal ended their preseason stay in the Algarve with a 3-1 victory over Belenenses SAD on Sunday night.

Rúben Amorim initially fielded the 11 players who concluded the previous friendly against Portimonense SC on Friday: Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Borja, Ristovski, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Jovane Cabral, Pedro Gonçalves and Tiago Tomás all featured in his starting lineup.

Sporting CP took the lead in the 11th minute with a goal from Pedro Gonçalves - his first unofficial strike for the club. He was set up by Tiago Tomás, who was returning the favour after the assist provided by Gonçalves two days prior.

The early advantage was doubled on 25 minutes, as Tomás scored off a pass by Jovane Cabral.

Sporting CP held their 2-0 lead into the break, where coach Amorim again decided to rotate goalkeepers. Adán was taken off, allowing Luís Maximiano 45 minutes of action.

Further substitutions were made on the 70 minute mark, mirroring the strategy from the previous friendly. All ten outfield players were taken off, replaced by Pedro Porro, Zou Feddal, Coates, Luís Neto, Antunes, Rodrigo Fernandes, Wendel, Nuno Santos, Gonzalo Plata and Andraž Šporar.

The team took the score to 3-0 in the 74th minute, after a long ball upfield from Maximiano. Šporar broke into the area and placed his shot well, taking the score to 3-0.

Although Belenenses would pull a goal back in the 86th minute, Sporting CP were never in difficulty, and made it two wins from two friendlies thus far in preseason. The next fixture for the team is scheduled for September 4th, when they take on Spanish side Real Valladolid in Alverca.

Gil Vicente FC to visit the Alvalade on September 20th

Sporting Clube de Portugal will kick off the 2020/21 Liga NOS season at home, playing Gil Vicente FC at the Estádio José Alvalade on September 20th.

The draw for the first half of the Portuguese league campaign was made on Friday. The season will run through to May 19th, 2021.

The first ‘Clássico’ against FC Porto is the club’s fourth fixture, taking place on October 18th, whilst the first derby against local rivals SL Benfica has been set for the end of January, on the penultimate matchday of the first half of the season.

Calendar first half of Liga NOS:

Matchday 1. | 20.09.2020: Sporting CP vs. Gil Vicente FC
Matchday 2. | 27.09.2020: FC Paços Ferreira vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 3. | 04.10.2020: Portimonense SC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 4. | 18.10.2020: Sporting CP vs. FC Porto
Matchday 5. | 25.10.2020: CD Santa Clara vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 6. | 01.11.2020: Sporting CP vs. CD Tondela
Matchday 7. | 08.11.2020: Vitória SC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 8. | 29.11.2020: Sporting CP vs. Moreirense FC
Matchday 9. | 06.12.2020: FC Famalicão vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 10. | 20.12.2020: Sporting CP vs. SC Farense
Matchday 11. | 27.12.2020: Belenenses SAD vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 12. | 12.01.2021: Sporting CP vs. SC Braga
Matchday 13. | 10.01.2021: CD Nacional vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 14. | 17.01.2021: Sporting CP vs. Rio Ave FC
Matchday 15. | 24.01.2021: Boavista FC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 16. | 31.01.2021: Sporting CP vs. SL Benfica
Matchday 17. | 03.02.2021: CS Marítimo vs. Sporting CP

Goals from Šporar and Tomás hand the team victory in the Algarve

Sporting Clube de Portugal's first friendly of the 2020/21 preseason ended in a 2-1 victory over Portimonense SC, as part of the team's training camp in the Algarve.

Coach Rúben Amorim used the fixture to run the rule over 22 of the 29 players who have been training with the team this week, and fielded a starting line-up of Luís Maximiano, Pedro Porro, Sebastián Coates, Luís Neto, Zou Feddal, Antunes, Rodrigo Fernandes, Wendel, Gonzalo Plata, Nuno Santos and Andraž Šporar.

As is customary in preseason, the second half saw the game broken up by substitutions. Whilst Amorim decided to take a look at new goalkeeper Antonio Adán between the sticks, opposition coach Paulo Sérgio replaced every member of his first XI.

Portimonense SC took the lead when Zou Feddal brought down Luquinha in the area, Lucas Possignolo converting the resulting penalty past Adán.

Sporting CP had a penalty of their own when Andraž Šporar was on the receiving end of a foul, the Slovenian international dusting himself off to take the spot kick to make it 1-1.

On 71 minutes, Rúben Amorim made wholesale changes, with all outfield players replaced. Nuno Mendes, Matheus Nunes, Tiago Tomás, Ristovski, Borja, Pedro Gonçalves, Gonçalo Inácio, Daniel Bragança, Eduardo Quaresma and Jovane Cabral all got their first preseason minutes, and a goal would follow swiftly.

Gonçalo Inácio sent a ball over the Portimonense SC defence, which Pedro Gonçalves latched onto on the left. He broke into the box and played to Tiago Tomás at the back post- who scored to hand Sporting CP the lead.

The goal and the win got the team off to a promising start to their preseason. Next up is a Sunday friendly against Belenenses SAD, on the final day of their stay in the Algarve.

Nuno Santos talks to journalists and Federico Varandas attends the session

Sporting CP's first preseason friendly takes place on Friday against Portimonense SC, part of a training camp for the squad in the Algarve. The game kicks off at 8:30pm (local time) at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, and will be the first chance to see some of the club's new signings in action.

One such player is Nuno Santos, who joined the club last week from Rio Ave. He was chosen to speak to the media on Thursday, after another intense session to get the squad ready for 2020/21.

"I think that we are going to give a good showing of ourselves," he told reporters. "We are training well; the sessions this week have been tough, and tomorrow will be a test for us to show our good football."

"We have a lot of quality and we are all here to work. We all want to earn our spot in the team, and to do that we need to show our qualities to the coach. The best players are the ones who will play," added the 25-year old.

Asked about what position he expects to occupy, in both friendlies and the Primeira Liga, Santos says that he can feature "both on the wing and in the middle". "I'm available wherever the coach wants me to play."

"This is an excellent group. I like being here a lot and I'm really happy to represent Sporting CP. We have a lot of quality, and in these friendly games the fans are going to see that."

Club president Frederico Varandas watched the session on Thursday, whilst Luciano Vietto joined up with the squad for the first time since their arrival in the Algarve. Tactical work was the main focus of the workout, helping to bring together established names and new arrivals.

Sporting CP's new goalkeeper speaks at preseason training camp in the Algarve

Antonio Adán was signed by Sporting Clube de Portugal last week, but had only the briefest of introductions to the Academia Sporting training ground before being whisked away to the Algarve for the club's preseason training camp. There, he has been acquainting himself with his new teammates and looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I'm happy and very excited. I was looking forward to coming here," said the goalkeeper, who has also had a turn on the microphone during the team's downtime in Lagos.

"My initiation task was to sing at dinner yesterday," he revealed, laughing. "It's part of being accepted into the group, and I was very happy to provide my teammates with that fun moment. That's what this group are like: It's a really good group of people, with a strong bond and a lot of desire to start the season."

With the more serious business of the Primeira Liga season just around the corner, the squad are in for a demanding few weeks of training.

"The work has been hard, but that's normal in preseason. Every component of the squad is working with a lot of intensity, with plenty of ball work and plenty of fitness work. We have to create a strong group for what is coming up: It will be a hard season, and I believe that the entire team are focused for it."

"The mentality for a club as big as Sporting CP to always be at the top. That's the mentality of the coach and the club, and the way we want to approach this season. We want to face it with ambition and enthusiasm."

Adán is also looking forward to a battle for his place in the starting XI at his new club, saying that "My teammates and I are ready for whatever the coach decides. We all want to play, and I think that it is good for the group to have this competitiveness in every position. I hope the coach picks me to contribute, but if he doesn't then I have to keep working to help the team."

The new signing says that he already feels part of the group

Antunes only arrived at Sporting Clube de Portugal just over a week ago, but the defender says he already feels fully integrated into the team coached by Rúben Amorim.

"It has been very positive so far," he told the media at the club's training camp in Lagos on Monday. "I had been told that this was a very good, hardworking group, and that it would be easy to adapt. I already knew some members of the team, and that has made it easier. These past few days have been very positive."

The veteran campaigner also praised the attitude of the younger players, whilst explaining what he believes he brings to the team.

"I offer hard work and I will try to instil that mentality in the younger squad members, although I have already realised that they all have a lot of ambition and work their hardest every day," he said, singling out fellow defender Nuno Mendes for particular compliments.

"Competition is good for both of us. He is a quality player, make no mistake about it, and he will give a lot to both Sporting CP and Portuguese football. I will help him in whatever way I can. What is best for him – and for me – will be what is best for the club, and I am here to help."

Antunes also talked about Amorim, with whom he is working for the first time.

"A new season is beginning, with new ambitions, and he will be prepared for that. The ambition here is at its highest. All of the players want to win and we will face each game trying to claim as many points as possible. We will do this game by game, to achieve the club's objectives, increase the group's confidence and increase people's trust and respect for this team," promised the summer signing.

With the Portuguese national team squad for the UEFA Nations League games next month announced, the fullback says he is still available for his country if selected in the future.

"The door isn't closed on that, and it never has been. I will never say no to the national team. If I am called up, then great. If not, then life goes on. I sense that today it is much more difficult, as there are many more left backs from which to choose -there is even one here at Sporting CP."

The Manchester United midfielder stopped by on the squad's second day in the Algarve

The Sporting CP squad were visited by a familiar face on Sunday in the Algarve, as former teammate Bruno Fernandes stopped by the preseason training camp to check in with Os Leões. The midfielder, who left the club for Manchester United back in January, was pleased to catch up with people at a club for whom he still has great affection.

“I took the opportunity to visit those who were my teammates up until a few months ago, as well as the coaching staff and all of those whom I worked with for two and a half years," he told Sporting TV.

"It was brief, but they need to work and I need to rest. The most important thing was to be able to hug everybody here, and I can go home happy."

The Portuguese international became one of the breakout stars of the Premier League in the second half of last season, as well as the top scorer in the UEFA Europa League. He still follows Sporting CP closely, and spoke about the season ahead for the team.

"Sporting CP always have to aim high, but they have to go game-by-game and prepare for the Europa League qualifiers, to play in Europe. That is what the club deserve, and where they want to be," he stated.

As for his own aspirations, Fernandes promises to "continue to improve and do more" when the English season gets underway in September.

Week-long training camp for the first team squad

Sporting Clube de Portugal left Lisbon on Saturday for a summer training camp in the Algarve, which will run through to next Sunday. During their stay, the team will play two friendly games.

Before heading south, the team trained in the morning at the Academia Sporting, with two new faces: Antonio Adán and Nuno Santos, the most recent signings in a busy week of transfer activity, undertook their first session with their new teammates. Striker Luiz Phellype took part in the session with the group, although only for the initial drills.

Rúben Amorim has named the following 28 players for the trip:

Goalkeepers: Antonio Adán, Renan Ribeiro, Luís Maximiano and André Paulo;
Defenders: Zou Feddal, Sebastián Coates, Pedro Porro, Nuno Mendes, Luís Neto, Stefan Ristovski, Cristian Borja, Antunes, Eduardo Quaresma and Gonçalo Inácio;
Midfielders: Matheus Nunes, Jovane Cabral, Nuno Santos, Gonzalo Plata, Pedro Gonçalves, Marcus Wendel, Daniel Bragança, Rodrigo Fernandes, Idrissa Doumbia, Mees de Wit and Geny Catamo;
Strikers: Andraž Šporar, Tiago Tomás and Luiz Phellype.