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Football

Photo by José Lorvão

Amorim: "We need a win to continue on our path"

By Sporting CP
04 Dec, 2023

The coach talks ahead of the Monday fixture against Gil Vicente FC

On their return to Liga Portugal action and the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting Clube de Portugal face Gil Vicente FC this Monday in an 8:15 pm kickoff, rounding off Matchday 12.

On the eve of the match, coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to comment on the fixture.

“In the UEFA Europa League we missed out on our main objective, which was to top the group, but we had already secured our progress. We know where we went wrong in the Atalanta BC game, and we have worked on it as much as possible, because we have only really had one training session since, with the players running around a little. We have prepared tactically as much as possible for this game," he began by telling journalists.

Talking about Vítor Campelos' side, who currently occupy 13th place with 11 points, he said: “He is a coach who won here last year [as coach of GD Chaves], and they are a team that play very well, with three very fast players up front and three midfielders who play very well with the ball and can cause us problems. It will be a difficult game, in which we want to get back to winning ways. We need that to continue on our path,” highlighted Amorim.

He confirmed that Daniel Bragança and Iván Fresneda will remain out due to their respective injuries, but that Marcus Edwards “is doing well, is fit and could be used tomorrow," and that Viktor Gyökeres will be in the squad.

“He was a doubt, but he will be called up and we will see if he is a starter, because he came off with a knee problem [during the game in Italy]”.

Asked about the four yellow cards that leave Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio and Morten Hjulmand one card away from suspension, Amorim said that he will not be requesting they force bookings in order to have a clean slate against FC Porto.

“We are not going to do that because there are three points that are at stake in this game,” he stressed.

Speaking about Pedro Gonçalves, the coach firmly stated that "in the last match he missed three opportunities that he usually puts away, but despite the less good phase he is going through, ‘Pote’ “will play again.”

“I didn't say anything to him about it. These are phases that all players go through. He is young, and has very high demands of himself. Five goals and three assists at the start of the season is not enough for him, and the better the players are, the greater the demands. Matching that, year after year, is not easy, but there is time to get back to those numbers,"  he said, adding: “He has played very well, he is very intelligent, and he is paying for the success he has had before."

Finally, taking into account the possibility that Hidemasa Morita, Ousmane Diomande and Geny Catamo will be called up for their national teams - in the Asian Cup and African Cup of Nations, respectively - during the beginning of next year, Amorim highlighted that this will not force Sporting CP to make movements in the winter transfer window.

“We are not going to look at the transfer market to fill a month without Morita, Ousmane and Geny. We don’t have that capacity, but everything we do in the transfer market will be with this season and the next in mind,” he affirmed.

Photo by UEFA

UEFA Europa League draw pits Sporting CP against Atalanta BC, SK Sturm Graz and RKS Raków Częstochowa

By Sporting CP
01 Sep, 2023

The draw decides who the team will play in Group D

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face Atalanta BC (Italy), SK Sturm Graz (Austria) and RKS Raków Częstochowa (Poland) in the Group Stage of the UEFA Europa League. The draw was held this Friday in Monaco.

The team ended up in Group D, alongside Atalanta BC, fifth in the Italian Serie A last season, who earned 64 points from 19 wins, seven draws and 12 defeats, scoring 66 goals and conceding 48 conceded. In the first two rounds of the 2023/2024 league season, Atalanta BC beat US Sassuolo Calcio 2-0 and lost 2-1 to Frosinone Calcio.

SK Sturm Graz placed second in the Austrian League in 2022/2023, with 42 points -seven behind champions FC Red Bull Salzburg. They scored 20 goals in the last ten games and shipped 14. In the five games held thus far this term, they have won 4 and drawn 1.

RKS Raków Częstochowa were Polish League champions last season with 75 points and have seven points from four league games in 2023/2024.

Photo by José Lorvão

Amorim: "We are going to want to win"

By Sporting CP
09 Mar, 2023

The coach wants a good first leg result against Arsenal

leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League, and Rúben Amorim gave a press conference previewing the match.

"We're in good form and playing well, which is important, but I prefer not to focus too much on that. We are prepared and we have a plan. We will want to win, aware of the differences between the two teams. We are excited," he told journalists in Lisbon on Wednesday.

"Football is not only physical, but also mental. Beating a team like Arsenal would show us that anything is possible. Anything can happen over the two games," he stressed.

"Eliminating a team like Arsenal FC would make us face the challenges ahead with a different mindset. We wouldn't be favourites because there are still other strong teams and it's not worth thinking about that just yet. We want to get into the game well and try to win it."

"We know the spirit of Arsenal well, and they are also going through a very good run. They are very hungry to win and that's why they fight until the end. You can see it in the way they celebrate and in the way that they play. Our team have improved since the beginning of the season, in terms of our concentration and approach to games. We are also prepared for the best Arsenal possible, albeit aware that they are a very tough team. In these games, the players are focused from the first minute. We need a little bit of luck as well as our talent", he added.

Asked about Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, Amorim said that "he is an example for the current situation at Sporting CP."

"We were champions, then finished second and got through the Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League -and now we are having a difficult year. He is an example in the way he has withstood all the pressure, which must be unbelievable for a Premier League club like Arsenal, and it's reaping rewards with the results. It's a good example for us, the coach, the club and the fans, to understand that sometimes it takes time for projects to bring results."

Finally, Amorim assured that, even if they make rotations, Arsenal will remain formidable opposition.

"They are a well-drilled team. Their way of playing doesn't change, but the characteristics will. We have scouted them, and what we saw is that they are never a weaker team, they are always strong. They rotate to bring in fresh players in a league with a different pace than ours."

Sporting CP vs. Arsenal FC takes place at 5:45pm local time on Thursday, March 9th, at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Photo by Isabel Silva

1-1 draw leaves Europa League tie open

By Sporting CP
17 Feb, 2023

A late Coates goal gives Sporting CP an equaliser against FC Midtjylland

On the return of European action to Alvalade, Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 1-1 with Danish side FC Midtjylland in the first leg of the Playoff for the Europa League Round of 16. A 94th minute equaliser from captain Sebastián Coates left things wide open for the second leg next week.

Their opponents were the team currently seventh in the Danish league, who had not played in official competition since November but who arrived in Portugal after a series of friendlies.

Sporting CP made five changes to the lineup used against FC Porto: Jeremiah St. Juste, Ricardo Esgaio, Nuno Santos, Arthur Gomes and Paulinho came in for Gonçalo Inácio, Héctor Bellerín, Fatawu, Francisco Trincao and Youssef Chermiti, who all took up spots on the bench.

Looking to take the initiative right away, Sporting CP sent in some early crosses through Nuno Santos, but the first dangerous approach came from the visitors -Sebastián Coates producing  two well-timed challenges inside the area.

Marcus Edwards had the home team's first chance of note on 24 minutes, as he met a long ball and crossed to the back post, although Arthur could not manage to finish off.

Pedro Gonçalves struck two shots only slightly over the crossbar, as it seemed as if a goal was close. At the end of the first half, Paulinho lost his marker and took a defender out of the equation, but failed to complete the final pass, and the game went into the interval with Sporting CP enjoying 70% possession but no joy in front of goal.

The same script was seen to start the second half, and Sporting CP even had the ball in the net through Arthur, but the goal was disallowed as Paulinho was caught offside.

FC Midtjylland stayed organised and tried to waste time, but close to the 70th minute they caused problems for goalkeeper Antonio Adán, who had to stretch to block a shot from newly introduced Emam Ashour.

Francisco Trincao and Héctor Bellerín, then Chermiti and Inácio, were all brought on during the second half in attacking switches.

The opening goal came very much against the run of play, as the visitors took the lead. Ashour took advantage of a bad pass from Adán and, from distance, made it 0-1.

FC Midtjylland threatened again through Kristoffer Olsson, who shot wide, then shut up shop in the defence in order to preserve their lead.

Nevertheless, Sporting CP got their reward. After four minutes of stoppage time, a cross from Edwards found the head of Inácio, who flicked into the area for Coates and the captain finished off.

With the score at 1-1, everything is open for the return leg at the MCH Arena, in the Danish city of Herning, next Thursday. Before then, the team play on Monday against GD Chaves in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ricardo Esgaio (Héctor Bellerín 65'), Jeremiah St.Juste, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis (Gonçalo Inácio 78'), Nuno Santos, Manuel Ugarte (Mateo Tanlongo 86'), Pedro Gonçalves, Marcus Edwards, Arthur Gomes (Francisco Trincão 65') and Paulinho (Youssef Chermiti 78').

Photo by Isabel Silva

Jesús Alcantar signs for Sporting CP

By Sporting CP
23 Jul, 2022

The Mexican arrives in Portugal for a new challenge

Jesús Alcantar has become the latest reinforcement for Sporting Clube de Portugal. The 18-year-old Mexican will have his first experience away from his native country, joining after spells at Cimarrones de Sonora FC and ID Necaxa in his homeland.

“I am proud to come here and play in Portugal and at Sporting CP. I know that this is a club with a lot of history, and the club where Cristiano Ronaldo played. For me, he is the best player in the world, so I am also proud to wear the shirt that he once wore," Alcantar began by telling journalists.

“I cried when I heard about the interest of Sporting CP. I am Mexican and, for us, playing in Europe is a dream.”

Already part of the club's setup, Alcantar said that “my adaptation has been good. My teammates and the coaching staff welcomed me very well, and that is always important."

The Mexican Under-20 international described himself as "a player without fear and good on the ball,” adding that "I will give everything to succeed here. I come here with the aim of growing."

“I'm here to give my best. I will do everything for this club."

Photo by José Lorvão

Diogo Abreu signs for Sporting CP

By Sporting CP
05 Jul, 2022

The midfielder joins the club on a five-year deal

Diogo Abreu has become Sporting Clube de Portugal's latest signing, as the 19-year-old midfielder joins the club on a five-year contract, with a buyout clause of 45 million euros.

Previously on the books at FC Porto, having represented their B team and Under-19 team in 2021/2022, Abreu signed for the Sporting CP first team squad and was presented on Monday alongside Frederico Varandas, president of the Board of Directors.

"I'm very happy to join Sporting CP. It's a step forward in my career. I want to make the most of it and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to work hard every day to always get better," he began by telling the media.

"What matters is the present. I'm focused on that, as well as on improving and learning. That's what I'm going to do at Sporting CP."

Regarding his characteristics, Abreu stated that he was "a player who likes to help the team, who scores goals and who works for the benefit of the group. Above all, I'm a player who wants to win."

"I promise to always give my best and I hope to bring a lot of joy to Sportinguistas," he concluded by saying.

In addition to FC Porto, Abreu represented FC Paços de Ferreira and Dragon Force FC at youth level. He is an international for Portugal at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level.

Photo by Isabel Silva

Focus turns to SC Braga

By Sporting CP
11 Aug, 2021

A Wednesday session helped the team prepare for Matchday 2

The Sporting Clube de Portugal first team, winners of their opening fixture against FC Vizela, have a second game on the way against SC Braga on Saturday at the Estádio Municipal de Braga (8:30pm local time).

On Wednesday, the squad trained together at the Academia Sporting amidst sunny conditions, preparing for the Portuguese league encounter.

Nuno Mendes, who continues to undergo treatment for an injury, was the only player absent from the session overseen by Rúben Amorim.

A behind-closed-doors session will take place on Thursday morning.

Betano becomes new Premium Sponsor to Sporting CP

By Sporting CP
27 Jun, 2021

New partnership will last for two years, with a renewal option for a further two

Sporting Clube de Portugal will kick off the 2021/22 season with a new Premium Sponsor, thanks to an agreement reached with Betano. The two-year partnership has the option to renew for an additional two.

Betano is part of Kaizen Gaming, one of the fastest growing betting and technology companies in Europe, which has been operating in Portugal since 2019. Its logo will be present on the club’s top assets, with a prominent place on the front of the 2021/22 first team shirt.

The announcement of the new partnership further increases the expectation surrounding Sporting CP's kit for the coming season, coinciding as it does with the “Blind-Sale” campaign that the club launched on June 22nd. The promotion invites fans to “Believe” and be the first to wear and publicise the new shirt on July 1st.

NOS will continue its partnership with the club, which began in 2015, as an Official Technology Partner, in line with the brand's innovative positioning which intends, through technology, to enhance fan experience with actions both on and off the pitch.

Preparation continues for game against FC Porto

By Sporting CP
24 Feb, 2021

Rúben Amorim led another training session at the Academia Sporting

The Sporting Clube de Portugal first team have a big game ahead this weekend, and their preparations for 'O Clássico' against FC Porto continued with a Wednesday morning training session.

The only member of the squad unavailable to coach Rúben Amorim was Paulinho, who continues to undergo treatment on an injury. 

Another session will be held behind closed doors on Thursday at 10am at the Academia Sporting.

Photo by Pedro Zenkl

Four players added to the commemorative wall

By Sporting CP
12 Sep, 2020

Quaresma, Mendes, Tomás and Fernandes have all debuted for the first team

At the Academia Sporting there is a long-standing tradition, in which the names of youth team products to debut for the Sporting CP first team are added to a ceremonial wall. On Friday, the names of Eduardo Quaresma, Nuno Mendes, Tiago Tomás and Joelson Fernandes were inscribed there, as the latest quartet of players brought through at Alcochete to play for the senior squad.

The four players join the likes of former Sporting CP stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Cédric Soares and Eric Dier, as well as members of Rúben Amorim’s current squad: João Palhinha, Jovane Cabral, Luís Maximiano and Rodrigo Fernandes.

A ceremony to add their names, dates of birth, dates of their debuts and age upon their first official appearances to the wall was attended by Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas and Academia Sporting director Paulo Gomes.

Eighteen-year-old striker Tomás, part of the first team squad, thanked the coaches who have helped him along the way and enabled him to “improve every day.” He also signalled that there are plenty more young players who will make it to the Primeira Liga.

President Varandas said that “this is an important day for these four players, for those present and, above all, for Sporting CP”. “Everybody at the club is working hard so that more players get into the first team, which has to be the true dream of a young player at Sporting Clube de Portugal.”

“In the nearly two years since I became president, 12 players from our youth system have made their debuts for the first team, which is something that makes me very proud. It is important to defend players from our academy, who must know the values and requirements of this club. They are the future, and the way forward.”

Speaking after the ceremony, Gomes added that he is "extremely pleased to see these youngsters reach the Sporting CP first team.”

"I accompanied them as the head of the Polo EUL team. I saw them on their first day here. Like these players, there are many whom I have seen that are knocking on the door of their dream. Our job here at the Academia Sporting is to provide everyone with the conditions so that they have opportunities. From there, they need hard work, dedication, commitment and effort. Talent alone is not enough.”

"From the day they took office, this board said that they would be committed to players from our youth system. The door is open and these four players are proof of that,” said the man who oversees the under-23s side.

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