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.

Sporting coach speaks with the press after Supercup win

“The winner tonight is Sporting and the players”, opened Jorge Jesus in a post-match interview, after leading his side to an eighth Supercup with a 1-0 win over Benfica.

For the Alvalade boss, there is no doubt that his side earned their silverware. “It isn’t easy to get the team playing like they did in just five weeks and it is all down to the intelligence of the players. We were the best team throughout the 90 minutes and we had the most chances. We scored another goal, but it was ruled out”, affirmed Jesus, adding: “ Benfica was scared of Sporting and that is down to how we started the game. I felt like Benfica was afraid and Sporting was more of a team. The players and the fans deserve to be congratulated.”

Asked if he will be bringing the national championship title to Sporting this season, Jesus commented: “Any Sporting coach has to play for the tittle. Saying things like ‘we are going to try’ don’t wash with the history that this club has and we have to go for it.”

Sporting open 2015/16 campaign with win over Benfica

Sporting made the best possible to the 2015/16 domestic campaign this Sunday night, beating Benfica 1-0 in the final of the Supercup to bring the trophy to Alvalade for the 8th time.

Sporting’s fiery start to the encounter left little doubt that Jorge Jesus’ side had made the trip to the Algarve fully focused on bringing silverware back to Lisbon. Looking deadly in attack, Sporting dominated right from the off, holding down long spells of possession and pressing in defence. Making the most of Benfica’s nervy start and sloppy passing, the team from Alvalade pushed high up the pitch and Téo came painfully close to connecting with a cross from Jefferson, but Júlio César was quick off his line to intercept. Benfica responded with a cross by Ola John that Jonas failed to connect with, before Adrien tried his luck in the 18th minute with an effort from the edge of the area that Júlio César comfortably saved.

Despite Sporting’s clear dominance, the first golden opportunity fell to Benfica, when Jonas headed wide following a corner whipped into the far post by Gaitán. Sporting rallied and two minutes later Téo looked to have an open goal in front of him, but Jardel made a last ditch clearance to cut out Bryan Ruiz cross. Téo actually had the ball in the back of the net a few minutes later after taking advantage of some confusion in the area, but his goal was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Jorge Jesus’ charges continued to dominate after the break and it looked to be only a matter of time before Benfica collapsed under the avalanche of attacking football. On 48 minutes João Mário pulled a low stop out of Júlio César, before Téo headed just wide from a stinging cross by Jefferson. On 53 minutes, Carrillo found space at the edge of the box to release a shot towards goal and Téo added a slight deflection to finally beat Júlio César.

Trailing, Benfica proved uninspired in their attempts to get back into the fixture, with Rui Vitória’s side doing little more than push the ball out wide.

Slimani could have doubled the lead, but the Algerian’s shot across goal ended up the wrong side of the post after he had earned a yard of space at a tight angle. Benfica had one final chance in the dying stages, but Lisandro’s header lacked pace and barely troubled Patrício. As the final whistle sounded, Sporting came away with a well-earned win and eighth Supercup.

Alvalade boss speaks with the press ahead of Sunday's Supercup encounter

“Both sides want to win and we will see who is the better side”, opened Jorge Jesus in a press conference on Saturday, setting the stage for Sporting’s Supercup encounter with Benfica in Estádio Algarve.

“It is a final between two rivals and we are all aware of how important this game is. We have prepared ourselves as well as we could during the pre-season. Only the best teams reach this match and it is a good sign for Sporting to be involved”, reflected the Sporting coach.

Questioned about how his new-look side is progressing, Jorge Jesus proved happy: “It isn’t the same thing to arrive at a club and try and implant an idea. With different ideas, you also have to work in a different way, so we have to accept that things won’t go as good as I want them to sometimes. However, I am happy to be working with some very intelligent players, which helps a lot. We are a club with national prestige and we want to do our best to win the Supercup.”

Asked for his thoughts on Sunday’s opposition, Jorge Jesus added: “Benfica is champion and their players have won seven trophies out of eight, but being favourite doesn’t give you the right to win. We are feeling confident that we have the capacity to play in a final against a team like Benfica.”

Sporting president speaks with the Portuguese Football Federation

In the build-up to this Sunday’s Supercup between Sporting and Benfica, president Bruno de Carvalho has left a message on the Portuguese Football Federation’s official website

“I am writing this message with the pleasure of opening a new season in which Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin how we finished last season: with a match which decides another trophy.

In May we travelled to Jamor to face Sporting Clube de Braga, the last obstacle separating us from one of our objectives for the season. Now we travel to the Algarve to take on the national champion and to begin a new cycle by lifting the Cândido de Oliveira Supercup.

Cândido de Oliveira deserves a special mention. A lot of times when speaking about this trophy, people forget to remember a figure of national sport and of Sporting in particular. He knew everything there is to know about football. He was a player, the first captain of the national team, he was the coach behind the Five Violins, he was the national coach and he was a journalist and founder of the newspaper 'A Bola'. On and off the pitch, he was an exemplary citizen, decided to sport.

This is a competition that is different to all other. It gauges a moment, it takes the pulse of the teams and it entertains fans as they prepare for a long season full of emotions, dreams and triumphs.

The 9th of August is final day and it is another party and another opportunity for two clubs who are part of national football history to showcase the ideals of true sportsmanship. Both on and off the pitch, although a trophy is to be won, it is a chance for fair-play and for fans to enjoy their day.

On that note, I finish with a message for all of Sporting Clube de Portugal’s fans and Club Members who will travel to Algarve to support us like they did in Jamor: your support can take us that extra yard. We are counting on you for yet another showing of your unconditional support for the team, guided by our motto of Effort, Dedication Devotion and Glory!”