Sporting CP win 0-1 away to SC Farense

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways with a 0-1 away triumph against SC Farense, on Matchday 27th of the Liga NOS season. The only goal of the match was scored by Pedro Gonçalves, who struck for the team in the first half.

Coach Rúben Amorim was unable to occupy his spot in the dugout due to a 15-day suspension, but made several changes to his starting lineup that drew against FC Famalicão: Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis and Daniel Bragança came in for Luís Neto, Zouhair Feddal and Tiago Tomás. With that, there was also a modification in the formation, as João Palhinha, João Mário and Bragança joined the midfield, with Pedro Gonçalves accompanying Paulinho up top.

A typical intense tempo was employed by Sporting CP in the early stages, although SC Farense set out with a high pressing strategy that made it very difficult to build from the back. It was the home side who shot first, when Ryan Gauld struck over, but in response Gonçalves set free João Mário on the right; his cross in was pushed out for a corner by Beto.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim had warned of SC Farense's threat from dead balls, and it was from a set piece that Jonatan Lucca headed just off target.

A flick on from Paulinho was latched onto by João Mário first time with his left foot, striking hard into the side netting, whilst a fantastic intervention by Antonio Adán -from a move that would have been ruled out for offside- demonstrated the even nature of the contest. Beto was also called into action soon after, when Sebastián Coates nodded Nuno Mendes' corner towards goal.

Finally, the persistence paid off, just before halftime. Following a corner kick, Pedro Porro crossed into the area, where Paulinho tried to cushion the ball for a teammate. One failed clearance from SC Farense later, and Gonçalves stepped in to convert for his 17th goal of the season. The league's top marksman made it 0-1, with a lead that they would take into the interval.

The excitement did not dip in an energetic opening salvo for the second half. Eduardo Mancha tested Adán and, in the 50th minute, Sporting CP again had a great chance from a three-on-two counterattack: Pedro Gonçalves served the ball up to Paulinho on the right and he tried to set up João Mário on the left, but the ball found its way out without reaching the midfielder.

Adán needed to be at his best when Pedro Henrique appeared in an excellent position and powered the ball towards goal, keeping out the effort with his latest unbelievable stop.

After a long range Gonçalves shot went wide, Sporting CP were denied by the club's one-time goalkeeper, Beto, as he pushed away a Paulinho effort.

SC Farense would have the ball in the net ten minutes from time, but the goal was ruled out for offside. They created some late danger through Mansilla that was met by Adán, avoiding what would have been a late equaliser for the home team.

With the final whistle, Sporting CP's victory was confirmed, as they remain Liga NOS leaders and ended a run of two consecutive draws.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário (João Mário, 71'), Nuno Mendes, Daniel Bragança (Nuno Santos, 82'), Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 82').

The Sporting CP coach gives his view on Friday's fixture in Faro

Although Rúben Amorim will not be present in the dugout for his side's Friday night game against SC Farense, the Sporting CP coach nevertheless gave his opinion on the Liga NOS Matchday 27 fixture in his pre-match press conference, reviewing the two consecutive draws in league action along the way.

"We were unable to win against Moreirense FC and FC Famalicão, but we were clearly the better side in both matches", he said.

"We increased the number of chances we created, and allowed the opposition fewer opportunities of their own. However, from three shots on our goal, we conceded twice. That's part of football. Of course, it's always better to win, but the team are very calm and working well. They believe me when I say that they are doing better, because they are."

 SC Farense are currently involved in a relegation battle, although the competitive nature of the Portuguese league and the team's recent performance against SC Braga mean that they are not a side to be taken lightly.

"SC Farense are a team that play well," assessed Amorim. "Even though the results say otherwise, they have had some good moments recently and almost took points from SC Braga. In their last game they did well against CS Marítimo, conceded a goal and then were unable to turn the result around."

"They are very strong in dead balls and use this weapon very well on a smaller pitch. I think they are the team with the most goals scored from corners, and all of these details are important. We have looked at that and prepared well for the game, bearing in mind the opposition coach and the individual values of the team. We are prepared for this game."

Amorim's suspension means that he will not be able to take the reins of the team for 15 days, but he says that “the important thing is to win, regardless of whether or not I am present.” Also missing will be the injured Zouhair Feddal, who the coach feels he will be able to replace with other members of the squad.

"I am not at all concerned about the defence. Everyone has responded excellently, from Luís Neto to Eduardo Quaresma -who came in during the last game and with whom I was very happy. Sometimes I really need these opportunities to see other players."

"I'm very confident because they can give us other things. If we play with Matheus Reis or Luís Neto, then they are completely different players and, according to how the match goes, we will play around with that. We have other players who are in better condition than Feddal at the moment, and they will occupy that spot.”
 
An experiment with Pedro Gonçalves and João Mário in midfield last time out attracted attention from fans and media. Amorim played his cards close to his chest as to whether they would be used in the same role on Friday.

"We have made a choice based on what we have seen from SC Farense and our team. Gonçalves can play in midfield or upfront, and where he plays also depends a lot on the opposition. He and João Mário will not get in each other's way; they will gel well, because they think about the game in a similar way, despite having different characteristics: Gonçalves gets forward more and João Mário is more of an organiser", assessed the coach.

"We have other players for the forward line and in the middle, and sometimes the difficulty is in choosing our starting XI, because they are all training well and want to play. Overall, it shows us that we are in better shape, we have more solutions and we can confuse the opposition more."

In his final address before the game, Amorim reassured the fans that “The players are very calm because we have a very clear way of playing, and when there is not much doubt about that, it does not change depending on the results. I see a team who are prepared and focused, and I think we are going to have a great game tomorrow in Faro."

The captain scoops the award for a second consecutive month

Sebastián Coates has been chosen as Liga NOS' Defender Of The Month for March, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Sporting Clube de Portugal captain earned 24.29% of the votes from Liga NOS coaches, with 16.43% going to Nicolás Otamendi of SL Benfica and 13.57% to Pepe of FC Porto.

During March, Coates participated in two of the three league games played by the club, in winning efforts against CD Tondela and CD Santa Clara. He scored the winning goal in the final minutes of the game against the latter team.

A setback against FC Famalicão will not dampen Sporting CP's spirits, believes the coach

Rúben Amorim reacted to the 1-1 draw with FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade in his post-match press conference on Sunday night, analysing the performance by his side.

"We started the game playing very hastily. Then we settled down, created opportunities and scored our goal. We conceded the equaliser straight afterwards, which took some of the confidence out of the team", said the Sporting CP coach. "We finished the first half well, and in the second half we had several opportunities. We didn't score, however, and we were punished for that", he added.

Amorim would refuse to blame the draw on the officiating by referee Rui Costa and his assistants, despite several penalty appeals being waved away. "We could have won the game. We have a good league here and good things to talk about. We have a league full of artists. We know that and we have to give merit to the players", he remarked, although he admitted that he did not agree with the sending off he received after the final whistle. "It was the lineman who sent me off. I wasn't talking to the referee at the time", he said.

The season is heading into its final stages and Sporting CP remain in the driving seat, although he admits that "it will not be easy for anyone - either Sporting CP or other teams." "We focus on things game by game, and we don't think about the title. We are very confident. We played well against Moreirense FC and we should have won there. Today was more of the same: FC Famalicão had two shots. That's football."

"We have to think about SC Farense now. I have a lot of confidence in my players. Today we had a lot of shots and we didn't score from them. Last week we missed out on scoring by two centimetres. We are ok, we are confident and we knew that this was a possibility."

"This remains Sporting CP's best ever run of results, with a lot of young players in our squad."

Amorim was asked about Pedro Gonçalves' position in the game, and explained that 'Pote' "is a central midfielder," and thus his move from the wing to the middle of the park should not come as a surprise to anyone. "We thought that he would be more effective there and it is clearly his position. He doesn't score as many goals in that role, but he has more fun playing."

As for his decision to bring in Daniel Bragança, Matheus Reis and Eduardo Quaresma for João Palhinha, Zouhair Feddal and Luís Neto, respectively, the coach said: "When he is on a yellow card, it is sometimes not worth risking Palhinha, because he is a very aggressive player. His game came to an end with the first move, and he began to be more tentative. Feddal had a difficult week, and didn't train much, but he's a Lion. We wanted to bring in Matheus, who is faster. We also have to highlight [Eduardo] Quaresma, who is coming back from injury."

"We have a six-point advantage. If we win our next game, we will maintain our position. That is the focus," stated the Sporting CP boss. "We are paying the price in a way for the success we had before, and we have to put that in perspective. Sporting CP are a big club fighting for trophies, but we know where we started out from and where we want to go. We want to win against SC Farense."

Sporting CP are held by FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Famalicão on matchday 26 of the Liga NOS season, in a game in which attacking dominance and complete control of possession went unrewarded for Rubén Amorim's side. Pedro Gonçalves scored the opening goal, but Os Leões were forced to settle for a point at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Two changes were made to the starting lineup that had featured against Moreirense FC, with Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás coming in for the injured Gonçalo Inácio and for Daniel Bragança (used as a substitute), respectively. João Mário began on the left of the attack, with Gonçalves in midfield.

Up against the side 14th in the league, Sporting CP began in insistent fashion, playing with a high line and pushing hard to prevent FC Famalicão from moving the ball out from the back. On 13 minutes, João Mário and Nuno Mendes both had shots blocked by the opposition, and the latter would send in a cross that Tiago Tomás headed wide shortly after. At the other end, a rare chance for the visitors went just off target, but offside had already been called.

An excellent move by Sporting CP began with Sebastián Coates, received a skilful touch by Tiago Tomás and ended with Pedro Gonçalves striking wide off a defender, and off the following corner goalkeeper Luiz Júnior grabbed João Mário's dangerous cross.

Whilst the chances kept on coming, it was not until 20 minutes before the break that Sporting CP would break the deadlock. Pedro Gonçalves stole the ball high up the pitch, releasing for Paulinho. The striker, all calm and class, brought Luiz Júnior across and returned the pass to Gonçalves, who finished into an empty net and went back to the Liga NOS top goalscorer chart with 16 goals.

The advantage, however, was short-lived. In the 27th minute, Rúben Vinagre advanced down the left wing, delivering a pass to Iván Jaime that was played on for Anderson Oliveira to beat Antonio Adán for the equaliser. Although Sporting CP had been the only side threatening the opposition goal, FC Famalicão pulled level with their only shot of the first half.

Efforts for Pedro Porro and Tiago Tomás before the break were all kept out by the visitors, and the contest went into halftime with the score level at 1-1.

Rúben Amorim made two substitutions at the interval, introducing Matheus Reis and Daniel Bragança for Zouhair Feddal and João Palhinha.

The second half got underway with Sporting CP driving upfield frequently. João Mário struck a powerful effort over the top, and also sent in a corner that Coates headed towards goal. When that attack was saved by the goalkeeper, Coates found Tomás off the rebound, but he squandered the chance.

Luiz Júnior was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, and had to face further attempts on goal from Tomás and Luis Neto. Adán was limited to keeping out Iván Jaime's chance with an improvised save using his head.

The final changes came 15 minutes from the end, when Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás made way for Eduardo Quaresma and Nuno Santos.

Coates, Bragança and Jovane Cabral all had close chances in the final moments of the game, taking Sporting CP up to 15 shots to FC Famalicão's 2, but the score remained unchanged. A 1-1 result earned another point for the league leaders, who will look to return to winning ways against SC Farense.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto (Eduardo Quaresma, 76'), Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 45'), Pedro Porro, Pedro Gonçalves, João Palhinha (Daniel Bragança, 45'), Nuno Mendes, Tiago Tomás (Nuno Santos, 76'), João Mário (Jovane Cabral, 62') and Paulinho.

The coach feels his side can return to winning ways against FC Famalicão

Sporting Clube de Portugal host FC Famalicão on Sunday, on Matchday 26th of the Liga NOS season. Ahead of the game at the Estádio José Alvalade (8pm local time), coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference in which he commented on the opposition's positive recent form.

"We are starting to get used to welcoming teams in good form. They have been getting good results and having good performances. The coach has had a great impact on the team. They have young players of great quality who just came out of a bad run, and they have built up a lot of confidence. It is up to us to make the game more to our way of playing. We are at home and we want and need to win -which is what we will try to do", he told journalists at the Artur Agostinho Auditorium.

Regarding the possible pressure that comes with playing after Sporting CP's direct title rivals, Amorim played down any concern.

"The important thing, for me, is to play. It doesn't matter whether it is after or before the other teams. With this game, we can reach the important milestone of the club's longest unbeaten streak. We want to win the game. We are having an excellent season and we are still improving. Whether you agree or not, my understanding is that the team are improving. Now we have to win again. Our fate is in our own hands, and that is our focus", he said.

For the coach, Sporting CP have been doing very well in several phases of play, but need to get better at creating opportunities on goal.

"The players are very strict in everything they do. We are a young team and we may not be as sharp as we were before, but the opposing teams have had almost no chances against us. At the beginning of the season, the other teams used to give us more space at the back -and we used that space a lot. Now we don’t have it. Now we control the games very well. We need to improve our creation of opportunities, but the control of the game is there. We dominate the games, and the rest will come with time", continued the coach, who talked about his squad selection for Sunday.

"Nuno Mendes, who was injured in the last match at Moreirense FC, is ready and is part of the squad. Gonçalo Inácio and Bruno Tabata took a couple of knocks and will not be available for the game, but will be back next week."

As for the role of title favourites, Amorim closed by saying that "Sporting CP's squad must keep calm. The responsibility lies with the coach. Sporting CP are doing things the way they need to be. Thus is a very big club, taking its project forward. We have to win our games and we don’t have to worry about anything else", he explained.

The Sporting CP coach felt his side deserved more against Moreirense FC

Following Monday's Liga NOS match against Moreirense FC, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim told the media that he believed the 1-1 draw was less than his side deserved.

"We could - and should - have scored a second goal. We even had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed by a question of centimetres. Then at the end, off a cross, the ball was left loose for a Moreirense FC player, who scored a great goal", he explained.

"I think we had a good game. We improved in certain aspects and we dominated possession. Moreirense FC had practically only one chance, when Rafael Martins was left on his own after a deflection off Feddal, but from there we were always in control of the game. We deserved a different result", he added, refuting that Sporting CP took too many risks.

"It's our way of playing. We tried to open the opposition up and create more space. We got that space and enjoyed several opportunities, but we were unable to score. The game lasts until the final whistle, and from one opportunity Moreirense FC got their goal. We even created more chances than in other games, but what happened tonight is what sometimes happens in football: A team get one chance and score."

Amorim also praised Paulinho, who scored his first goal for Sporting CP. "The performance he had today, even before the goal, proves that he is a mature player and that he is prepared for pressure. He knew the weight that being a Sporting CP player carries, and he is a player that we really wanted and that the team needed. A striker lives on goals, but he has the ability to do many other things, such as linking up the attack, defending and helping with set pieces. He will grow with the team and the team will grow with him."

Finally, the coach played down any possible negative effects of the draw and looked confidently to the future. "It is always better to win, but there are nine games to go and that’s our thinking; the players don’t have to worry about anything else. We had a good performance and we deserved to win, but this happens. Many points will be dropped before the end of the season. This game is in the past and now we take on FC Famalicão, who have not been losing lately and are very difficult opponents. There is nothing better than playing opposition like that to provide a response", he concluded.

On course for victory, the team concede late in Moreira de Cónegos

A late equaliser by Moreirense FC denied Sporting Clube de Portugal the three points on Liga NOS Matchday 25, as they drew 1-1 on the road. Paulinho's maiden goal for the club appeared to be enough to earn Os Leões the victory, but Walterson's finish in the 90th minute meant that the spoils were shared.

With his entire squad available for selection on the first game back after the international break, Rúben Amorim brought Sebástian Coates and Paulinho back into the starting XI and kept Daniel Bragança in the team.

Although Moreirense FC had the first chance of the game, Sporting CP's control of possession became increasingly effective. It was rewarded by a goal on 21 minutes, as Bragança sent in a cross and Paulinho met it with his head; whilst that attempt was kept out by Pasinato, the striker himself followed up for his first official goal for the club.

At a disadvantage, Moreirense FC began to play in a more daring fashion, pressing higher up the pitch. That left them vulnerable to counterattacks, however, and Paulinho had the ball in the net again in the 45th minute -only to see it disallowed for offside.

Matheus Reis had come on in place of the injured Nuno Mendes just before the goal was ruled out, playing the final minutes of a first half that ended 0-1.

The second half started energetically, with plenty of battles for the ball. Sporting CP created danger with a João Palhinha shot from distance, and then Pedro Gonçalves became the second player to have a goal disallowed for offside.

Tiago Tomás was eventually introduced in exchange for Daniel Bragança, adding to the attack, and the visitors were always closer to scoring than conceding. In fact, inside the final ten minutes Zouhair Feddal was centimetres away from doubling the lead.

Seemingly on course for victory, Sporting CP were surprised by an attack scrambled in by Walterson, and there was no time for a response. The game ended 1-1 in Moreira de Cónegos.

Sporting CP remain unbeaten in Liga NOS and top the table with 65 points, 8 ahead of nearest rivals FC Porto. Their next game takes place on Sunday, April 11th, against FC Famalicão.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Mário, João Palhinha, Daniel Bragança (Tiago Tomás, 60'), Nuno Mendes (Matheus Reis, 39'), Pedro Gonçalves (Matheus Nunes, 86') and Paulinho.

Rúben Amorim speaks before the game against Moreirense FC

After the two-week international break, Sporting Clube de Portugal returns to Liga NOS action this Monday. They face Moreirense FC in Moreira de Cónegos, and Rúben Amorim is not predicting an easy game - as he explained in his pre-match press conference.

"They will be a bold side. Their coach [Vasco Seabra] likes to play good football; he has players who have been at big clubs in his squad and that helps when facing these games. The game against them at the Estádio José Alvalade saw them create some problems for us, but we were clearly the better side. Moreirense FC are doing very well, but we are also in good form", he told journalists.

Amorim stated that the aim for matchday 25 is "to continue to improve and win the game". "I hope it will be a great game, but even if it isn't, I hope that Sporting CP win", he added.

Os Leões were held to a draw the last time they visited Moreira de Cónegos in Liga NOS, last season, and it began a dip in results. However, their coach played down any effect this might have on his team.

"They are different seasons. Last season, Sporting CP failed to get points against the big sides, whilst this year it's the other way around: we haven't lost yet. We have to look at things both ways. We are more prepared and have a more balanced squad; there is no comparison whatsoever and there is no fear at all."

Sporting CP's position at the top of the Liga NOS table has inevitably attracted interest in their players from other European clubs, but Amorim doesn't fear heads being turned.

"This interest is to the players' credit. I am happy for them, but Sporting CP players are already playing for a big club. There are still many games to be played, and everything can change from one moment to the next. Sporting CP players are aware that what happens today could be different tomorrow. The success of the group makes these players grow, and when a team are doing well all the players must be valued."

Asked about Nuno Mendes in particular, he commented: "Nuno Mendes is not prepared to leave either this year, nor the next, nor the year after that. Maybe five years from now he will be ready to leave Sporting CP (laughing)."

"We want to keep the best players, but the market is a law unto itself. We know that we have to sell, but we are only thinking about getting the win against Moreirense FC. Nuno has a buyout clause and is happy here, so there is no concern. We are calm about that."

The coach runs the rule over the game against Vitória SC

Sporting Clube de Portugal are back at home this Saturday to play sixth-placed Vitória SC in Liga NOS action. In his press conference ahead of the match, head coach Rúben Amorim spoke about the opposition, absentees in his side and international callups as a reward for excellent performances.

"Vitória SC are a very good team. They are not in good form, but there are no better games than these, against the big sides, to change that. Our focus has been on the quality that Vitória SC have in their squad," he told journalists.

"They have absences in defence [center backs Abdul Mumin and Easah Suliman], but up front they have players amongst the best in Portugal, who can decide a game. Our objective this week has mainly been to continue to improve our team."

Sporting CP will have absences of their own, with the recent positive COVID-19 tests for Matheus Nunes and Vitorino Antunes meaning they join Sebastián Coates (suspended for five yellow cards) and João Pereira (shown a red card when on the bench against Tondela) on the sidelines.

"It is always bad to have cases of COVID-19; from the beginning we have done everything to avoid them, but there are things that we can't control. When a positive test comes up, we have to be even more rigorous, if possible, and keep testing and protecting the players. On Saturday we will use the players who are available, and we have many of them," added Amorim, who may call on some young talents.

"We have a lot of young players as well, and these situations give us the opportunity to bring them in to train and work with us."

One player who is back available is forward Paulinho, guaranteed the Sporting CP coach: "He is another option, and therefore that is good news for our team. We can play in different ways and Paulinho can offer us other things in terms of the creation of opportunities, more aerial play and more in the area, so he is someone else that can help, making the team stronger."

Sporting CP continue to lead Liga NOS with 61 points, ten more than their nearest rivals, and remain undefeated in the competition. However, Amorim still sees room for improvement.

"The other teams are also well prepared and we have to evolve as a team. We have more time together now, and the squad have already acquired everything we gave them in the first phase, so now we are trying to introduce other nuances. The important thing is to win and to improve the way we play -and our fluidity," he pointed out.

Finally, the coach expressed his satisfaction with the debut of Nuno Mendes and João Palhinha in a Portuguese national team squad list, and also for the first callup for Pedro Porro for Spain.

"It is due to their merits and that of their teammates. They have worked and evolved a lot. Nuno Mendes played some games for the under-23s when in the under-19s side, and now after a year he is a full international. I think [João] Palhinha's callup is because he has different characteristics to all the players in that position for Portugal.

"As for Porro, we gave him confidence and our system helps him, as he is better defensively and has more intensity. Now he is going into a completely different world with the Spain team. He has to take advantage of the moment, but tomorrow there is still a game to be played."