A 0-0 draw with Gil Vicente FC denies Os Leões the three points

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a goalless draw by Gil Vicente FC in a rescheduled Liga Portugal Matchday 25 encounter, played on Wednesday night. The draw concluded a run of five consecutive wins in the league and, whilst they were the better side, the team were unable to convert their chances.

Coach Rúben Amorim made five changes to the starting XI from four days prior, with Ricardo Esgaio (returning from suspension), Jeremiah St. Juste, Sebastián Coates, Hidemasa Morita and Youssef Chermiti coming in at the expense of Arthur Gomes, Ousmane Diomande, Nuno Santos and Francisco Trincao. Paulinho was out due to injury.

Gil Vicente FC came into the contest in 13th place in the league table and had not lost at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos since November.

Sporting CP had three excellent opportunities in a row to start the game: First, a shot from square on by Pedro Gonçalves went out. Chermiti's backheel forced goalkeeper Andrew into a save. Finally, Esgaio benefited from a recovery on the edge of the area, but would also be denied.

From then on, they managed to impose their game more unequivocally. Chermiti was narrowly denied a run through on goal, Gonçalves failed to convert a shot at the back post and Andrew responded with a save from a shot by Matheus Reis. Despite an attempt by Murilo, the danger was practically one-way traffic in the first half.

At halftime, Nuno Santos was brought onto the wing to replace Gonçalo Inácio, and Matheus Reis dropped into the trio of centre-backs.

In the beginning of the second stanza, Gil Vicente FC created their best opportunity, but Antonio Adán rushed out quickly and decisively to stifle a one-on-one with Marlon.
Marcus Edwards appeared to have made it 0-1, but his goal would be disallowed by VAR for offside against Chermiti at the start of the move.

Gonçalves forced another save from Andrew, then had a goal of his own ruled out for offside. Morita, in the middle, would shoot wide and Coates was very close to making the decisive glance on a Nuno Santos cross, as Sporting CP continued to dominate.

Amorim decided to introduce Trincão and Arthur Gomes for Ugarte and Esgaio, as the game closed in on its conclusion. Gil Vicente FC played more and more compactly, making offensive fluidity difficult for Sporting CP. 

In the last opportunity, Edwards had a shot inside the area blocked, and the score remained deadlocked at the end. Despite keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet in Liga Portugal, they could not claim the three points. 

Sporting CP now have a total of 54 points and have another away trip this weekend, playing against Casa Pia AC on Sunday at 6pm local time.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ricardo Esgaio (Arthur Gomes 76'), Jeremiah St. Juste, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio (Nuno Santos 46'), Matheus Reis, Manuel Ugarte (Francisco Trincão 76'), Hidemasa Morita (Mateo Tanlongo 85'), Marcus Edwards, Pedro Gonçalves and Youssef Chermiti.

The coach explains how his side beat Gil Vicente FC

In the aftermath of the triumph over Gil Vicente FC, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim expressed his thoughts that the win was more than deserved, also highlighting the role of his attacking trio - Marcus Edwards, Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Gonçalves - in obtaining the victory.

“We managed to understand where the space was, because Gil Vicente FC defended a little higher and there were some moments in which we gave them the ball. The fact that they pressed us higher meant that we were able to break through several times, and it was because of our width that we had that capacity. Samuel Lino, as we knew, made an adjustment to play with a five-man defence, and when they wanted to put pressure on us, they had difficulties in catching Nuno Santos and Porro,” he began by saying in his press conference after the game.

“The players were good at bringing the ball out and realising that the space was out wide, in addition to them having the individual quality to solve problems. We reached areas in which we could score many times, but we didn't finish the chances very well. Either Porro's crossing was too heavy or Nuno Santos' crosses were slightly late. We can improve on that, but we showed a lot of good things. We missed a lot of chances, but we completely dominated the game."

Asked about Rodrigo Ribeiro, the 17-year-old forward who came on at the end of the game, Amorim said that he was a young player “with a lot of talent."

“He can play in any of the front three positions, because of his mobility, and he is very intelligent. Even though he doesn't have that much experience training with us, he knows how to organise the press from the middle. He had the help of his teammates and I noticed that. The way he received the ball and took it to goal to finish shows his personality. On his second move, the way he controlled with his left foot, turned around and didn't rush to shoot, are details that we noticed when he started training with us,” he revealed.
Amorim also commented on the fact that this result guaranteed Sporting CP a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

“It is something that was down to us, and that no one can take away from us anymore. Even so, we have to beat Portimonense SC and that's all we have to think about,” he stressed, before explaining why Pedro Gonçalves took the second penalty, after Pablo Sarabia had converted the first. 

“They were the ones who made the switch. I could even have said it, because Pote needed a goal, but I didn't say anything. Nuno Santos also wanted to score, but they gave Pote the opportunity and that shows that they know each other well,” concluded the coach.

A 4-1 victory means Sporting CP will have Champions League Group Stage football next term

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Gil Vicente FC by 4-1 on Matchday 32 of the Liga Portugal season, and secured a lowest possible finish of second place for the current campaign. The team thus have a guaranteed a place in next season's UEFA Champions League Group Stage.

With captain Sebastián Coates unavailable due to injury and Bruno Tabata suspended, coach Rúben Amorim reshuffled his defence to put Gonçalo Inácio in the centre, Luís Neto on the right and Matheus Reis on the left, in addition to bringing back Pedro Porro. In attack, the trident of Marcus Edwards, Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Gonçalves was retained.

As part of a club initiative for Mother's Day in Portugal, the players came out with the names of their mothers on their shirts.

Sporting CP provided the first warning right away: Nuno Santos, from distance, tested the reflexes of goalkeeper Andrew.

As expected, Sporting CP began to dominate against the league's fifth placed side, pushing on the wings in an attempt to find spaces behind the opposing defense. However, it turned out to be from a set piece that they came close to opening the scoring again. Off a free kick on the edge of the area, Sarabia shot powerfully, missing the target by centimetres.

The first goal of the match arrived from a penalty, when Nuno Santos was brought down on 19 minutes and Pablo Sarabia converted for his 18th goal of the season.

Even with the advantage, Sporting CP did not take their foot off the accelerator and remained focused on attacking. After Sarabia had tried his luck on two more occasions -one of them going just wide-, Pedro Porro came close to a fantastic goal with a drive that pushed Andrew to the limit.

It was only a matter of time before the second goal was scored, in the 38th minute. Following a header by Neto, poorly met by the goalkeeper, Marcus Edwards tapped in the rebound to make it 2-0.

Gil Vicente FC managed to pull a goal back through Fran Navarro in the final moments of the first half, and before the whistle Pedro Gonçalves shot wide from inside the area.

On their return from the interval – and after the rugby, swimming and gymnastics teams had been honored at half-time for their respective recent trophies– Sporting CP came back out onto the pitch with an unchanged lineup and with the same hunger. After Sarabia threatened with a shot that went over, the third goal arrived through an own goal by Lucas Cunha, who was attempting to clear a cross from Nuno Santos.

Amorim then brought on Paulinho in place of Edwards, giving a fixed centre forward to the attack, and on his first intervention he backheeled for a long-range shot from Gonçalves -again kept out by Andrew.

The chances followed one another, including a second penalty of the match: In the 63rd minute, from a penalty, Gonçalves scored his 15th goal of 2021/22.

From then on, the home team slowed down and preferred to play in a more reserved fashion. Although Gil Vicente pushed, the more dangerous chances were for Sporting CP, who threatened again through Nuno Santos and Paulinho.

With everything practically decided, the final minutes were notable only for a long range effort wide from Rodrigo Ribeiro, the 17-year-old forward who came on for Sarabia.  
Os Leões, who surpassed the hundred-goal mark this season – they now have 102 –, will play their 33rd and penultimate Liga Portugal match on Saturday, May 7th, away to Portimonense SC.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Luís Neto [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 66'), Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 83'), Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards ( 56', Paulinho), Pedro Gonçalves (Rúben Vinagre, 67') and Pablo Sarabia (Rodrigo Ribeiro, 84').

Sporting CP run out 0-3 winners away from home

Sporting Clube de Portugal earned a 0-3 win away to Gil Vicente FC in Liga Portugal, as Nuno Santos, Gonçalo Inácio and Daniel Bragança scored the goals that took them to ten consecutive triumphs in the league.

On a cold night, but with clear skies, Sportinguistas were out in force in the away section of the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, cheering on a side that experienced five changes compared to the XI fielded against Penafiel. Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Nunes and Pedro Gonçalves returned to the starting lineup, as well as Paulinho. Also back in the squad was João Palhinha, who began the game on the bench.

The first half was eventful, with two red cards, a penalty kick, decisions overturned by VAR and many stoppages. Gil Vicente FC did, however, appear to be ambitious and used high lines to put pressure on Sporting CP.

The first shot of the game was by Murilo, but Antonio Adán had no problems keeping it out. In response, Pablo Sarabia struck hard for Sporting CP, with goalkeeper Žiga Frelih having to intervene.

On 12 minutes, the first red card was shown: after initially showing a yellow, referee Tiago Martins went to see the images of VAR and upgraded Kanya Fujimoto's punishment for a foul on Matheus Reis to a red.

With a numerical advantage, Sporting CP assumed total control of possession and began to search for the opener. That task became more complicated in the 21st minute, when Luís Neto was sent off following a clash with Pedrinho.

Nearly half an hour into the game, Gil Vicente FC finally provided runs into the box, but neither Talocha nor Murilo's shots troubled Antonio Adán.

Pedro Gonçalves shot over the top when in a good position, before coach Rúben Amorim took off Pablo Sarabia and introduced Nuno Santos, who moved to the left wing with Matheus Reis going into the centre.

Sporting CP were awarded a penalty on 36 minutes, for a foul on Manuel Ugarte. However, Gonçalves had his spot kick saved by Žiga Frelih, who soon after also prevented Sebastián Coates from scoring.

The game went into halftime still goalless.

On 53 minutes, Sporting CP took a giant step towards victory, when Nuno Santos intercepted a pass by Rúben Fernandes in the defence, made a run and shot into the net off a deflection from Lucas. The team finally had a 0-1 lead.

After a shot by Francisco Navarro, saved by Antono Adán, João Palhinha came on for Manuel Ugarte. Then Sebastián Coates headed wide, with Paulinho also firing dangerously close in the 63rd minute.

Shortly after, the advantage was doubled, off a corner that fell to Gonçalves. His shot hit Gonçalo Inácio, who, in turn, deflected it into the back of the net to make it 0-2.

In the 77th minute, Gonçalo Esteves made way for Daniel Bragança, who shot wide with his first chance. Several dangerous moves from Gonçalves saw him denied time and time again by Žiga Frelih, but eventually Sporting CP would get their third goal:  In the third minute of stoppage time, Adán launched the ball to Paulinho, who won space on the right and served up a perfect cross for Daniel Bragança to score his first goal for the senior team.

Sporting CP will play Casa Pia AC next Wednesday, in the fifth round of the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Gonçalo Esteves (Daniel Bragança, 77'), Manuel Ugarte (João Palhinha, 57'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves, Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 30') and Paulinho.

Sporting CP's coach praises his team's late turnaround against Gil Vicente

At the end of the amazing 1-2 comeback victory against Gil Vicente FC in Liga NOS, Rúben Amorim reviewed the challenging contest in his post-match press conference.

"Once again, the game only ends when the referee blows his whistle. It was a very tough  game, as we knew it was going to be, against a team who had us well-studied", he told journalists.

"We started well and we could have scored right away. From then on, we were lax and slow and let the game pass us by. After halftime the team changed their mentality. We pressed more, we had more of the ball and we looked for space better. We had a lot of crosses, but just needed someone to put the ball into the net".

"We scored the equaliser, we believed until the end and we got the second. Gil Vicente FC did well in the first half, but stopped playing football in the second".

Amorim praised his goalscoring captain, Sebastian Coates: "He was very good at both defending and attacking. He set an example. Congratulations to him. He is our leader and captain and he deserves it".

"Today was not about luck -it was about belief. In some games we have had good fortune, but not this time. We tried hard until the end. The referee hadn't blown the final whistle and I felt we could score a goal. Scoring a goal enabled us to win the way that we did", he explained.

Regarding Paulinho, the coach admitted that "it was not the best game for our striker, but that's normal".

"He's coming into a new team. Against CS Marítimo he had more space, and this time the Gil Vicente FC's block was closer together. In the second half he had some crosses come to him. He didn't connect with the ball well, but that's part of a striker's life. He has to work hard. He is very happy and I am very happy with him. He has integrated well and that is the main thing", he said.

Asked about the changes he made at halftime, Amorim revealed that "attention was drawn to our lack of intensity, the problems and where the space was".

"There had to be a change in mentality. Gil Vicente FC closed up space in the middle. We needed a winger instead of a full-back and Nuno Santos improved us by providing many crosses. Neto was doing fine in the game, but Inácio is very good at bringing the ball out. We wanted a variation".

"Our team are always more motivated when they dominate the game and concede no opportunities. That gives motivation to them. We will be more aware of what we have to do in the coming games", he concluded.

The captain strikes twice in the final moments of a 1-2 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal picked up their latest Liga NOS win this Tuesday away to Gil Vicente FC, but they left it late to take the 3 points. Down 1-0 going into the final 10 minutes, Os Leões required two last gasp goals from captain Sebastián Coates to make a dramatic turnaround.

The starting lineup for the game was almost unchanged from the fixture against CS Maritimo, with the only switch being that of Luís Neto coming in for Gonçalo Inácio.

Sporting CP were the first side to create danger on a rainy night at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos. A direct free kick by Pedro Porro, plus attempts to finish by Paulinho and Coates, were all unsuccessful.

Shortly after, Paulinho shot wide, followed up by Matheus Nunes putting Gil Vicente goalkeeper Denis to the test with a hard strike from a Vitorino Antunes free kick. Antunes would be involved at the other end, keeping out a close chance for the home team.

Whilst Nuno Santos gave the opposition something to think about, Sporting CP shot stopper Antonio Adán was required to make a tremendous save from Kanya. The subsequent rebound would be sliced wide by Baraye.

Opportunities continued with a near-own goal for Henrique Gomes, as well as a Coates header straight at the keeper, and Pedro Porro struck wide of the post on 34 minutes. All signs pointed to Sporting CP being the team to get the opener, but the script played out somewhat differently.

Gil Vicente FC were effective going forward, and Japanese player Kanya finished off a cross from Claude Gonçalves on 36 minutes. The first half ended 1-0, and soaking wet after the rain in Barcelos intensified.

Rúben Amorim made two changes for the second half, introducing Gonçalo Inácio to replace Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás for Antunes. Nuno Santos moved back to the left side of the defence and Pedro Gonçalves went into attack, with Tiago Tomás on the right side. Amorim made another modification, withdrawing Matheus Nunes for Daniel Bragança.

The young midfielder had an impact soon after, recovering the ball and playing to Porro, who in turn crossed for Pedro Gonçalves to shoot wide. Gonçalves threatened again in the 57th minute, this time firing over, and Tomás also had an effort go off target.

Gil Vicente FC put everybody behind the ball, but still the Sporting CP opportunities continued: Paulinho's header in the 62nd minute and one for Coates in the 68th minute kept up the pressure.

Amorim decided to make a last roll of the dice with his substitutions, and Zouhair Feddal and João Palhinha were withdrawn for Matheus Reis (making his debut) and João Mário with around a quarter of an hour to go.

Tomás and Paulinho were all close to equalisers, but Sporting CP would have to wait until the 83rd minute to level:  After a poor clearance from the defence, Sebastián Coates shot from straight on, finding the net with a low drive to make it 1-1.

Momentum was now in their favour, and in the first of 5 minutes of injury time, Coates completed the heroic comeback. This time, it was a far-post header that glanced into the net, as the bench emptied and the players celebrated ecstatically.

A well-deserved 1-2 win keeps Sporting CP top of Liga NOS, and they now have an 8-point advantage over nearest rivals FC Porto. Next up is a meeting with FC Paços de Ferreira at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro, Luís Neto (Gonçalo Inácio, 46 '), Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 74'), Vitorino Antunes (Tiago Tomás, 46 '), João Palhinha (João Mário, 74 '), Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 54'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Paulinho.

The coach gave the lowdown on the Tuesday game against Gil Vicente FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, home of Gil Vicente FC, this Tuesday, for Matchday 18 of the Liga NOS season.

Ahead of the contest, Rúben Amorim reminded journalists of the difficult game his side had in the first half of the season against this week's opponents.

“Our team are in good form, which comes from good results and performances. We have almost all of our squad available, with the exception of Nuno Mendes. We are prepared for a difficult game, as the last one against Gil Vicente FC at home was; we only scored our goals in the last ten minutes. The result of that game does not reflect what happened on the pitch," he warned.

"They are a very good team, who have been strengthened and can play with two different formations. This made our scouting difficult, even because we didn’t have much time to train for them."

“We also know their strength from dead balls, and we have tried to study everything in detail. The team are playing well and we will try to make it the type of game that favours us,  because we have an excellent team and excellent players," said the coach, who added that a win would not be decisive for the title chase.

"I am sure that it is not, because there is still a long way to go this season. There are many points up for grabs and we have a whole second half of the campaign to play. It has been shown that anyone can drop points anywhere, so what we have to do is win our next match -in order to be more comfortable when thinking about the next one. Our way of thinking will not change and the title race is always open, whatever happens in Barcelos,” he warned.

It was a further statement that both the squad and the fans have their feet firmly on the ground.

"There is a notion that you can lose everything in two or three games, as has happened in the past. This fear is good because it keeps us focused on the task at hand," he explained.

"We are not naive enough to think that everything is done and dusted. We have to give our all, and I think the Sportinguistas are proud of the team -but also very cautious. Everything can change from one moment to the next, but our attitude will not. The only obligation for the players is to give their all, run a lot and try to win, which is what they will continue to do," he concluded.