A 2-1 triumph gets the season underway in style

Sporting Clube de Portugal kicked off the official action for the 2021/22 season by winning the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, beating SC Braga 2-1 at the Estádio Municipal de Aveiro through goals from Jovane Cabral and Pedro Gonçalves. The trophy adds to their success in the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga last season, is the ninth Supertaça in the club's history, and their first since 2015.

The atmosphere was celebratory right from the get-go, as fans were allowed back into the ground and Sportinguistas were in the clear majority.

Coach Rúben Amorim used the same starting lineup that, last week, defeated Olympique Lyonnais in the Troféu Cinco Violinos.

After a cagey opening few minutes from both sides, SC Braga's Abel Ruiz was the first to try to score, but the ball went well wide of Antonio Adán's goal. At the other end, Pedro Gonçalves' shot was saved by Matheus and, little by little, the contest came to life.

SC Braga would break the deadlock on 20 minutes through Fransérgio, slightly against the run of play, making it 0-1.

The response from Sporting CP was immediate as, less than ten minutes later, Nuno Mendes played a perfect pass to carve open the defence and set Jovane Cabral through on goal. He bested Matheus in the one-on-one, taking the score back level.

Sporting CP dominated and created dangerous situations continuously, and Matheus was called into action when a beautiful 33rd minute cross by Nuno Mendes was shot by Gonçalves for Matheus to keep out.

The SC Braga goalkeeper was not able to prevent Sporting CP from going into the break in the lead however. João Palhinha recovered the ball, Matheus Nunes set up Gonçalves on the right, and last season's top scorer lobbed the ball into the net with a well placed lift.

With the score at 2-1 at the break, Sporting CP came out for the restart determined to extend their advantage. The opposition goalkeeper was put under pressure in the 52nd and 54th minutes, as he saved Pedro Gonçalves and Matheus Nunes' shots, respectively, and shortly afterwards a Nuno Mendes' free-kick narrowly flew into the side netting.

Amorim made his first substitution 20 minutes from the end, bringing on Tiago Tomás in Paulinho's place.

SC Braga enjoyed a timid attempt on goal by Abel Ruiz that failed to trouble Adán, whilst Jovane Cabral struck wide with his response for Sporting CP on 74 minutes.

Gonçalves would shoot off target with the goalkeeper stranded, and fresh substitute Bruno Tabata had an effort from distance kept out by Matheus, but there was no change in the scoreline. After seven long minutes of stoppage time, the whistle was blown and Sporting CP were crowned Supertaça winners.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 80'), Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata, 83'), Jovane Cabral (Nuno Santos, 80's ') and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 69').

Supertaça preview from coach and striker Paulinho

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face SC Braga this Saturday in Aveiro, as the Supertaça opens the 2021/22 season. Ahead of the game, Rúben Amorim and Paulinho gave a press conference to talk about their preparation for the contest.

Coach Amorim acknowledged that the upcoming campaign "will be much more exhausting" than the previous one, but assured that he has his team ready to overcome any obstacles that may arise.

"It will be a huge challenge, competing in different competitions. We have more responsibility and we have to face this as something exciting, without any fear," he stated.

"We had a very good season, with some very low points when we were eliminated from competitions. We have to pay attention to those moments and make sure that the players are prepared. At Sporting CP there is a lot of demand and we have to deal with that. We are looking ahead to the new season with enthusiasm."

He also warned that, although Sporting CP do not have "the same budget or the same experience" as their direct rivals, their biggest responsibility "is to use common sense"

"Sporting CP fans want more every day. I draw attention to this so that no one clings to a trophy win to fall back on if something goes wrong."

As for SC Braga, Amorim believes they will cause more difficulties than Olympique Lyonnais did in the Troféu Cinco Violinos a few days ago.

"SC Braga will be different from Olympique Lyonnais; they know Sporting CP better. (...) Let's not kid ourselves. That last game doesn't tell us anything, as it was preseason. This will be very difficult. SC Braga have the ability to fight to win every match. They don't have the same responsibility, but that's a big advantage. It's good for the team and for the club. They're a very experienced team, but they don't have the same history as the big three. They have grown a lot, but there are things that take a long time to build."

The media had a first chance to ask the Sporting CP coach about signings, and he commented on the current squad.

"We have the squad that we want. I really like all the players, who all have different characteristics. We were looking for young players; we sought out Ricardo Esgaio because we are going to have more competitions to play in. Rúben Vinagre is a talented player. They are two players who were brought up at Sporting CP."

"Winning the next game gives us a trophy, and that is the most important thing".

"I don't know what the season will be like, but there's no doubt that Sporting CP are better than last year, because we are playing better. We're more of a team and we have more experience. Winning the next game will give us a trophy, and that's the most important thing."

In Paulinho's opinion, Sporting CP are in good shape for Saturday's game.

"We've had a month to work well and get into the routine. We're prepared for the game. Last season's trophies give us no guarantee that we have the victory in hand. The month of work that we've done gives us the guarantee that we are prepared, as well as the confidence we have in ourselves and in our teammates," he expressed.

Sportinguistas will be back in the stands, something that Paulinho will experience firsthand for the first time since joining the club, he stated that "in the final moments or in more tense moments, their support is essential. They give us extra strength. Sporting CP fans are eager to see the team that were league champions."

"I want to score in every game, but what matters is tomorrow's game and the focus is on this."

"When I arrived here I was coming back from an injury and I felt a lot of difference in the pace I was at. I got injured again and I never had enough consistency to perform at my best level. I believe that this preseason has already given me that," he concluded.