The coach reflects on elimination from the Taça de Portugal

After the defeat against FC Porto (1-0) that confirmed Sporting Clube de Portugal's elimination from the Taça de Portugal, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match in his press conference.

"We started the game well, with more ball and employing our style of play. We didn't have many chances, but we had control and from certain balls we could have been better. FC Porto were having more success from second balls and waiting for our mistakes. Up until the 60th minute, we had the opportunity for Matheus [Nunes], but from then on the game became stagnant and FC Porto managed to make things difficult for us. When you have difficulties putting the ball upfield, it doesn't matter what characteristics the players have," he began by telling journalists at the Estádio do Dragão.

"Looking at both legs, FC Porto were the better side". Focusing on a week he considered "difficult", the coach looked back on his journey at the club so far: "Everyone has to be prepared at Sporting CP and we all have to pull in the same direction, because we know that we came here at a low point and what we did was take decisions. What happened today was football, and I can handle that better; not being competitive is what makes things difficult for me to handle."

Now, the objective that is on the horizon is "to guarantee second place in the league".

"Without that, we will have taken two steps back. Obviously, the fans are not happy and neither are we, but now I have my mind on the next trophy," he said, before reinforcing: "We know what we have to do. We have the clear objective to maintain this project."

Finally, Amorim highlighted that the team "still have a lot to improve," although he considers that Sporting CP "are much more of a team than last year."

"If there's a team in Portugal that has an idea of how they play, it's Sporting CP, and the players give everything. Today we lacked quality. I took a lot from this and the last game; we had a lot to learn and so did I," he concluded.

The team lose 1-0 to FC Porto, missing out on a trip to the final

After their 1-2 set back at Alvalade in the first leg, Sporting Clube de Portugal went to the Estádio do Dragão for the decisive second leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-finals, eventually falling 1-0 to FC Porto and going out of the competition.

Coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting XI from the derby against SL Benfica: João Palhinha and Nuno Santos were rotated out, with Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Reis (back from suspension) replacing them.

Despite the punishments related to the last Clássico played at the Dragão being decided just 48 hours before this game, all the players sanctioned were able to be part of the game: Bruno Tabata and Matheus Reis thanks to the appeal to the Disciplinary Board, and Pepe for the opposing side in a decision made two hours before kickoff.

With a sold out crowd in the stands and rain falling on pitch, Sporting CP took the initiative in the first half (43%-57% in possession) and had the first opportunity within the opening five minutes. Off a corner, the ball flew out of the area, where Ugarte shot wide of Marchesín's goal. A well organised FC Porto responded with several moves upfield, but without creating real danger for goalkeeper Antonio Adán.

Sporting CP would continue to attack, and Pablo Sarabia produced a delightful chip -albeit in an illegal position. Shortly after, from a recovery Pedro Porro shot wide and then Marchesín stifled another attempt by Sarabia. The number of fouls increased, as well as the number of protests, breaking up the flow of the game.

In the final minutes of the first half, FC Porto improved and Zaidu had the best opportunity for the hosts, shooting wide off a quick offensive transition. Sporting CP would have to go looking to score the two goals needed to make it through.

Matheus Nunes, in the 50th minute, came very close to cutting the deficit, but could not beat the keeper when through on goal.

Ricardo Esgaio came on in place of Luís Neto for Sporting CP, but the midfield continued to struggle with several turnovers. FC Porto's Fábio Vieira shot from distance, forcing Adán's first save of the second half, and it was followed by two more shots by Vitinha: One over and the other into the hands of the Spanish goalkeeper.

With Sporting CP having more difficulties going forward and looking to break the deadlock, Amorim introduced Marcus Edwards, removing Sarabia in the 70th minute.

The stalemate remained until the 83rd minute, when second half substitute Toni Martínez hunted a ball inside the area. The goal was only given after a VAR check, but put FC Porto further ahead on aggregate.

Amorim moved Sebastián Coates to centre forward for a last push, but it was in vain for Sporting CP. The team completed the game with ten men after Porro was shown a straight red card, and were eliminated from the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Luís Neto (Ricardo Esgaio 56'), Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte (João Palhinha 84'), Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos 84'), Pablo Sarabia (Marcus Edwards 71') and Paulinho.

The coach looks to a strong second leg for progress after a loss to FC Porto

After the final whistle in O Clássico, coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to analyse the first leg of the Taça de Portugal semi-final.

"In the first half we played well, we created opportunities and there were moves in which we could have created more danger, but we rushed things a lot. Then, a little like what happened against SC Braga, we scored and then, from an unnecessary penalty, we allowed FC Porto back into the game. We immediately wanted to score another goal, and we ended up suffering without having time to regain our balance and calm the team down. We chased the result, but we couldn't get it," he began by telling journalists at the Estádio José Alvalade. Amorim noted the task ahead in the second leg.

"We have to score at least two goals there and win the game, and that's what we're going to try to do."

The coach considered that the penalty conceded was a key moment for the outcome of the match. 

"The penalty took us completely out of the game and changed it. We had things under control, and we were clearly the better side in the first half and at the beginning of the second, when we scored. With our changes, it took us a while to understand the positions we should have had and also to be calmer," he considered.

Asked about the adjustments that he made during the match, Amorim explained that "We changed the characteristics of the players, with Matheus [Reis] in the middle, Pablo [Sarabia] higher on the left, two players to put in crosses and with Marcus Edwards between the lines. We didn't change our way of playing, but we changed the characteristics. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, and we can't turn it around today. We have to focus on the next game," he stated.

"There is still a lot to do. We are competing for the league and we are clearly still in the Taça de Portugal."