Ruben Semedo highlights work put in during testing pre-season campaign

Speaking after Sporting's draw against Nice on Friday evening, Rúben Semedo affirmed that his side are in good form ahead of the start of official action.

"Pre-season is for putting the work in. The team did well tonight, even though we were tired. We hae chances to score which is a good sign and now we will focus on Marítimo. We are ready to start the season", said the defender, going on to comment on his personal form: "I'm still not at by best, but I feel good. It is great to play with Coates, because he is a great player. The whole team played well tonight and we did out job."

Rúben Semedo highlights pre-season positives

Nobody likes to lose and Rúben Semedo is no exception. Speaking with radio journalists after Sporting's 4-2 defeat to Zenit, the Alvalade defender highlighted that pre-season results are far from being the most important factor: "We are getting better, despite the loss. We are looking for our best physical and tactical form. With how hard we have been working in training, it is only normal for us to be tired, but the squad is still taking on everything right now."

Rúben Semedo on Sporting's win in Moreirense

Rúben Semedo again featured along side Sebastián Coates at the heart of the Sporting defence this Saturday, contributing with a cleansheet that puts the Alvalade side back at the top of Liga NOS.

“We knew it would be difficult to play here, but we did well. The squad is confident and it was a deserved win. Even if we hadn't scored early it would have been hard, but we did our job and we defended well", said Semedo at the final whistle.

Rúben Semedo

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with the athlete Rúben Semedo for the renewal of his contract until 2022, with a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€. Sporting SAD has also recovered the 10% of the player's economic rights which were not under the Club's control.

Sporting SAD wishes Rúben Semedo the best of professional and personal success.

Jorge Jesus included 18 for Liga NOS matchday 20

Jorge Jesus has announced his squad list for Liga NOS matchday 20 against Académica:

Squad list in full:

Guarda-redes: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: João Pereira, Ricardo Esgaio, Ewerton, Naldo, Ruben Semedo and Marvin Zeegelaar

Midfielders: Aquilani, William, Adrien and João Mário

Forwards: Mané, Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Slimani and Montero

Sporting CP-Académica will kick off at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Tobias, Gelson, Carlos Mané, Ruben Semedo and Iuri called up by Rui Jorge

Rui Jorge has included a total of five Sporting players in his squad for the coming under-21 European Championship qualifiers against Albania on the 12th of November and Israel on the 17th.

Tobias Figueiredo, Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Ruben Semedo and Iuri Medeiros (who has spent the last two seasons out on loan with V. Setúbal and Moreirense) are the five included in the squad of 23.

Squad in full: André Moreira, Bruno Varela, Rui Silva; João Cancelo, Rafa Soares, Nurio Fortuna, Rebocho, Ruben Semedo, Ruben Vezo, Tobias Figueiredo; Bruno Fernandes, Francisco Ramos, Rony Lopes, Raphael Guzzo, Ruben Neves, Tomás Podstawski; André Silva, Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Gonçalo Paciência, Iuri Medeiros, Nuno Santos and Ricardo Horta.