The coach provides his assessment of a win over CD Tondela

Rúben Amorim was satisfied with an 11th consecutive win for Sporting Clube de Portugal in all competitions, but reflected on things that his side could have done better against CD Tondela.

“We grew during the game. We started off quickly and we scored the goal, but from there we switched off and let CD Tondela have some of the ball, meaning we had to accelerate to recover it. We lacked some energy in the first half, but in the second half we were different. We stepped up a gear again, as we knew we needed to score another goal because the game was always dangerous, and we got better. It was a fair result in a game that was always difficult. All games are, but we were deserved winners,” began the coach.

The goals were scored by Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho, but the coach explained that he looks more at the overall performance of each player -and not just the goals.

“I don't know if this is the best moment of form for this attacking trio, and even today I think they didn't have a great game. I'm happy that they scored, but they also know what they did in the first half and in the second," he said, speaking in particular about Paulinho: "Today he scored and we are grateful for it, but he also has to continue doing what he does very well."
Amorim also made mention of João Palhinha, who got injured during the game.

 “Palhinha was about to go off before. It's one of those unlucky things, but we have to wait for the results of his tests tomorrow. There is always the risk of him missing the game against SL Benfica, and everyone knows he is a very important player for us, but if he isn't there, Palhinha will be another member of the squad supporting us. We are going to play with eleven players and we are going to fight for the victory."

The Sporting CP coach was also asked about the match between Belenenses SAD and SL Benfica, which featured the home side being unable to field 11 players due to positive COVID-19 tests and the game eventually being abandoned.

 “It is a strange situation. Sporting CP have already said so in a statement. It cannot happen again, and we have to find a solution. We can't be having big European nights and then messing things up. Everyone saw it. It was all very strange.”

A 2-0 home win against CD Tondela prepares the team for the derby

Sporting Clube de Portugal bested CD Tondela 2-0 at home on Matchday 12 of the Liga Portugal season, making them the outright leaders in the league table.

Four days after the victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the team returned to the Estádio José Alvalade with a changed starting XI: Rúben Amorim made three adjustments, fielding Antonio Adán, Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates , Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

Gonçalo Inácio provided the first warning to the opposition, just two minutes into the game, with a shot from outside the area, but ended up not troubling goalkeeper Trigueira.

However, soon after, on 10 minutes, a clever team move led to a shot by Paulinho in the box. Luís Neto turned the intercepted ball over to Pablo Sarabia, and the Spanish international, beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. The goal would stand after a VAR check revealed that a CD Tondela defender has touched the ball after Luís Neto.

Sporting CP were in front and controlling the game, but a CD Tondela side weakened by absences due to positive COVID-19 tests showed that they were not going to make it easy. They responded with a shot by Dadashov and another by Rafael Barbosa -a former Sporting CP youth player.

In the second half, Os Leões regrouped and focused on getting a second goal. A first chance of the period fell to Sarabia, but it was Paulinho who made it 2-0; A combination between Sarabia and Nuno Santos saw the former shooting and Trigueira parrying, with Pedro Gonçalves collecting the rebound to set up Paulinho.

A first substitution led to Daniel Bragança replacing Matheus Nunes, before Pedro Gonçalves forced Trigueira to make a good save, as well as deny Sarabia on the follow-up.

In the 67th minute, Amorim made three changes at once, as João Palhinha, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos made way for Manuel Ugarte, Tiago Tomás and Flávio Nazinho -the latter having made his debut in the Champions League in midweek.

In the last twenty minutes, Antonio Adán was also called upon to intervene, denying the visiting team a consolation goal. He kept out an effort from Rafael Barbosa off a direct freekick.

The team took a comfortable win that sets them up well for the Derby da Capital, which takes place on Friday against SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.