Coates on extending his stay in Alvalade

Sebastián Coates was a largely unknown name for many Sporting fans when arriving at Alvalade this January, but the backing given by fellow Uruguayan and former teammate at Liverpool, Luís Suárez, has certainly rung true: "A player like Sebastián brings lot of quality to a team. I am certain he will be a great signing." Since arriving in the Portuguese capital, Sabastián truly has bossed the Sporting defence in an intimidating double-team with Rúben Semedo.

"All players dream of playing for a club that is fighting for titles, with ambitious objectives, and that made the difference for me", said Coates in an interview with the Sporting website after signing his loan extension, before adding a word on his odd forays forward: "Personally, my role is to defend, but If I can help in attack then I will."

Jorge Jesus' focus on defence has actually taken the Uruguayan by surprise, considering that goals are need to turn in wins. However, the final result can of course be decided by good defending. "The coach worries a lot about how we defend. Of course goals are needed to win, but he really worries about getting us all defending. Not every coach does that and it makes a big difference", said the defensive giant, finishing: "This is a great club with fans who are always pushing the players. I want to do my best for this shirt for us to get the results that we all want."

Alvalade president sits down with the Sporting president ahead of league showdown

You have to go back 42 years for the last time that Sporting and Benfica took the title race down to the last match of the season. It was in 1974, when millions waited for the final whistle. History isn't on Sporting's side, with the league leaders going into the decisive fixture tending to hold out and take the trophy, however Bruno de Carvalho sees things a little differently.

“Going into the last match of the season, we are two points behind first place. Of course it isn't the place we would prefer to be in and of course we would like to be in first. However, we are completely focused and we know anything could happen. That is what makes football such a beautiful game. While it is mathematically possible, anything can happen", commented the Alvalade president in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, adding: "What I see is a Sporting team focused on our match and that believes that we can bring home a title that we have been missing for so long now. We will do everything we can to do that."

Sporting's hopes of silverware after the dust settles this weekend does however not just depend on what happens in Estádio Municipal de Braga. Meanwhile in Lisbon, Benfica will host Nacional, with Sporting needing the team from Madeira to at least steal a point.

“Looking at Benfica-Nacional, well from what I have seen and heard it seems like Nacional doesn't count for anything. It seems like Nacional doesn't care. That if what I have felt when listening to commentators associated with Benfica, but honestly I don't believe it", affirmed Carvalho, continuing: "Nacional are a good side and I don't think they want to be the side show for the league title. I know how hard Rui Alves has been working to put Nacional on the map and they are fighting for places further up the league now. Of course Benfica are motivated, because winning gives them the league, but Nacional are motivated as well."

The squad head south to prepare for the new season

The Sporting CP first team arrived in Lagos, Algarve, on Saturday night, for what has become a preseason tradition. The squad will remain there for a camp through to July 20th.

João Virgínia, Diego Callai, Guilherme Pires, Francisco Silva, Iván Fresneda, Afonso Lee, Rafael Mota, Eduardo Felicíssimo, Eduardo Quaresma, Rodrigo Dias, Ricardo Mangas, Georgios Vagiannidis, Nuno Santos, Silas Andersen, Issa Doumbia, Sergi Altimira, Pedro Lima, João Simões, Daniel Bragança, Pedro Gonçalves, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Salvador Blopa, Luis Guilherme, Flávio Gonçalves, Mauro Couto, Geny Catamo, Souleymane Faye, Jesse Derry, Fotis Ioannidis, Gabriel Silva and Rafael Nel are the 31 players who accompanied Rui Borges in the training camp.

The team will also play two friendly games at the Estádio do Algarve Stadium. The first will be against the Scottish champions Celtic FC (on July 14th), followed by another against French side RC Strasbourg on July 20th.

The winger joins on loan from Chelsea FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed Jesse Derry on loan from Chelsea FC for the 2026/27 season.

The 19-year-old English winger began his career as part of Crystal Palace's youth system before moving to Chelsea last summer. In his debut season for them, he excelled for the Under-21 and Under-19 teams, earning him the opportunity to debut for the first team in both the FA Cup and the Premier League.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, Derry played 33 games, scored 12 goals and provided four assists.

At the British Bar, a British-inspired pub located in Lisbon, the versatile attacker gave his first interview as a Sporting CP player.

"It's an incredible feeling. I'm really looking forward to getting out on the pitch and playing in front of all the fans. I can't wait to get started. My first reaction when I heard of Sporting CP’s interest, I was very excited,” he told the club’s media.

"When I think of Sporting CP, I think of players who wow the fans and young players. Coming here was a very easy decision. It means everything to be here. I know how much this club represents to Sportinguistas and I'm prepared to always give my best. I know that Sporting CP creates different kinds of players, capable of expressing themselves on the pitch. I feel it will be the perfect place for me," he underlined.

Accompanied by his family, Derry has already taken the opportunity to visit some of the most emblematic places in the Portuguese capital, but confesses to being anxious to join up with his new team.

"I feel very good. It's a new city and, in these first few days, I've been taking advantage of the opportunity to start exploring it. I'm also eager to start working with all the players and the coach.”

“I like to excite the fans, express myself, and score goals. There's always room for improvement. I hope playing in front of the fans here will help me evolve week after week. I can't wait,” he added.

"I decided to come to Sporting CP to try and help the club win trophies. I know that's the main ambition here and that's what I want to do too. I can't wait to get out there at the stadium. I've heard incredible things about the Estádio José Alvalade and it will certainly be a surreal feeling when I step onto the pitch for the first time.”

"I'm excited about everything. I've already been told I'll be taking Portuguese lessons so I can communicate as best as possible with the fans and the players. I can't wait to get on the pitch and see everybody,” he concluded.

PLAYER STATS

Name: Jesse Shaun Derry
Date of Birth: 30/06/2007 (19 years old)
Nationality: English
Position: Winger
Previous clubs: Crystal Palace FC and Chelsea FC
International for England at youth level

A behind closed doors fixture gets the team sharp

Sporting Clube de Portugal played a friendly game against SCU Torreense on Thursday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

The match was divided into two 40-minute halves, with Sporting CP winning 2-0 through goals from Silas Anderson and Daniel Bragança -both scored in the second half.

Rui Borges fielded a starting lineup of João Virgínia, Eduardo Felicíssimo, Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Mangas, Souleymane Faye, Sergi Altimira, Flávio Gonçalves, Geny Catamo, Issa Doumbia, Gabriel Silva, and Pedro Gonçalves.

On Saturday, the team head to the Algarve for their preseason training camp.

The players work on fitness in their latest session

Sporting Clube de Portugal held another preseason training session on Wednesday morning at Alcochete.

Under the orders of Rui Borges, they continued preparing for the new season, with the focus primarily on conditioning. Throughout the session, the squad responded with intensity, commitment, and determination to the challenges set out by the coaching staff. Imminent for the team are a series of upcoming friendlies to bring them up to speed.

The squad return to training this Thursday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

The striker talks about the return to training

Preseason for Sporting Clube de Portugal got underway this past week, and has included the full integration of Fotis Ioannidis -the Greek international striker having recovered from the injury that prevented him from contributing to the group during part of the last season.

The Sporting CP player spoke following the opening days of work at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, stating that “Preseason is very important for the team and we know that. We have to work hard to achieve our goals at the end of the season.”

“The last campaign didn't end as we had hoped. We were on track throughout the season, but in the end we didn't achieve our goal. However, this season we are hungrier than ever and we are eager to fight for the Liga Portugal title -and for everything else.”

The striker also spoke about his first contact with the new reinforcements for the squad.

“They seem excellent to me. They’re really friendly, and I hope they can help us throughout the season. I'm sure they will do that.”

Ioannidis also addressed the main challenges posed in preseason.

“I think fatigue and the temperature, which has been very hot, play a big part, but it's a normal process in football. We are here to work, to get better every day. We have time for that and we are very committed.”

“It’s been a long time since I played, so I really miss that. I’m working hard because I had some tough moments last season. But now I’m ready to play.”

“The Sporting CP fans are always very close to us. I was very happy with their support last season. They got behind us a lot and I’m sure they will do that again this year. Let’s hope that we can deliver what they want and deserve,” he concluded by saying.

The players continue their summer preparations

Sporting Clube de Portugal held another pre-season training session this Friday, working alongside the B team.

Amidst intense heat in Alcochete, Rui Borges' side were joined by reserves -coached by Tiago Fernandes– for a joint training session that included a game, which ended 2-1.

The players were used in a mixed format during the session, which consisted of two 30-minute halves. The goals were scored by Paulo Cardoso, Flávio Gonçalves and Gabriel Silva.

The squad will have a day off this Saturday, returning to training on Sunday morning.

The draw was held this thursday

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin the 2026/27 Liga Portugal season away from home against CF Estrela da Amadora.

In the draw held this Thursday for professional competitions, the full calendar for the season was announced. The campaign is set to get underway on August 9th.

The first home game for Rui Borges’ men will be against Vitória SC at the Estádio José Alvalade, scheduled for August 16th.

This will be followed by another home game against FC Alverca, scheduled for August 23rd.

In terms of Clássicos and derbies, on Matchday 10 Sporting CP will visit FC Porto, whilst they play SL Benfica away on Matchday 16. The second half of the season sees the reverse fixtures at the Estádio José Alvalade, on Matchdays 29 and 33, respectively.

Sporting CP complete Liga Portugal calendar
Matchday 1/18 (09/08 – 17/01/2027): CF Estrela da Amadora vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 2/19 (16/08 – 24/01/2027): Sporting CP vs. Vitória SC
Matchday 3/20 (23/08 – 31/01): Sporting CP vs. FC Alverca
Matchday 4/21 (30/08 – 07/02): Rio Ave FC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 5/22 (06/09 – 14/02): Sporting CP vs. CD Nacional
Matchday 6/23 (13/09 – 21/02): FC Famalicão vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 7/24 (20/09 – 28/02): Sporting CP vs. FC Arouca
Matchday 8/25 (11/10 – 07/03): SC Braga vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 9/26 (25/10 – 14/03): Sporting CP vs. Académico Viseu FC
Matchday 10/27 (01/11 – 21/03): Casa Pia AC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 11/28 (08/11 – 04/04): Sporting CP vs. Moreirense FC
Matchday 12/29 (29/11 – 11/04): FC Porto vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 13/30 (06/12 – 18/04): Sporting CP vs. CS Marítimo
Matchday 14/31 (13/12 – 25/04): Gil Vicente FC vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 15/32 (20/12 – 02/05): Sporting CP vs. GD Estoril Praia
Matchday 16/33 (27/12 – 09/05): SL Benfica vs. Sporting CP
Matchday 17/34 (10/01/2027 – 16/05): Sporting CP vs. Santa Clara

Preseason preparations get underway for the first team

The 2026/27 season has begun for Sporting Clube de Portugal. On Wednesday, July 1st (the 120th anniversary of the club), 29 players arrived at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in the early morning to resume training.

João Virgínia, Diego Callai, Francisco Silva, Guilherme Pires, Nuno Santos, Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Mangas, Rodrigo Dias, Miguel Alves, Bruno Ramos, Rafael Mota, Salvador Blopa, João Simões, Pedro Gonçalves, Pedro Lima, Daniel Bragança, Flávio Gonçalves, Eduardo Felicíssimo, Issa Doumbia, Silas Andersen, Koba Koindredi, Sergi Altimira, Geny Catamo, Souleymane Faye, Luís Guilherme, Fotis Ioannidis, Rafael Nel and Mauro Couto were the players present on the first day of preseason.

Under the watchful eye of Rui Borges and the rest of the coaching staff, the players underwent fitness tests and medical examinations in the morning, with the first on-field training session coming in the afternoon.

Morten Hjulmand, Giorgi Kochorashvili, and Georgios Vagiannidis were authorised to report back at a later date, having represented their respective national teams this summer.

The same applies to Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, Francisco Trincão, Maxi Araújo, Rodrigo Zalazar, Ousmane Diomande, Luis Suárez, and Zeno Debast, who featured in the World Cup.