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 coach looks back on the win over CF Estrela da Amadora

Following the victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal against CF Estrela da Amadora, coach Rui Borges talked to the media about the 4-0 triumph.

Analysis of the game
"It's a game that leaves me very satisfied. The team were focused from beginning to end, with a lot of dynamism and quality in both the defensive and offensive processes. They were like this throughout the game, always wanting to play football. The ball wasn't still for long, and that's very important for us. We scored four goals and could have scored more. We didn't let the opposition create chances, we were very good at neutralising the opposition, and I'm very happy with the collective response.

It's a good performance that has been consistent and with quality. It's difficult to say if it's the best, because we had a fantastic start to the season. We are growing more and more -especially on the defensive side. The dynamics between the players are getting better and better, and you see that with every game that goes by."

The match against SL Benfica
"It's the same as the others, but it's more difficult. We're facing our local rival, at their home ground, with a tough atmosphere, playing against a great team. Regardless of the result, it won't decide the title, but we really want to win. There are many points to play for."

A message to the fans
"I appreciate the support they've given us since last season. It's important to feel this affection. The energy today was a little different, I could feel it more. At some moments I even got goosebumps. It helps us overcome our limits, to strive for more. I only ask for this energy to continue, and that they continue to give this support. I want them to believe, because that's what led us to become champions the last two seasons and achieve the double. When things don't go so well, we need this support even more. We will do our best in the next game. We will do everything to get the three points."

The team's current form
"I look at it positively and happily. We managed to put in a good performance and the players were focused. The hardest part isn't getting them switched on against big teams, but against teams that, theoretically, aren't as strong. Eduardo Quaresma and Hidemasa Morita had a great game, which creates more of a headache for me as the coach. There's a very strong sense of family and that shows in some moments. When players come on who perhaps weren't expecting it, the response they give makes me happier. I'm happy to reach 50 games in charge and to win at home. It was a good victory and a great performance."

Fotis Ioannidis potentially playing in the derby
"I don't know. I believe it's very difficult for him to make it back for the derby, to be honest."

Good form
"There's a good amount of confidence, but too much isn't good either. Above all, the team are focused. Our message gets through and the players believe in it. It couldn't be better than this."

Options for the starting eleven
"There are more headaches for us now, because everyone is in good form. They are dynamic and happy when they are playing. Perhaps nobody expected Eduardo Quaresma to play, and he scored a goal and had a great game. I said before that Hidemasa Morita's confidence and fitness were growing. This affection that was shown for him demonstrates the unity of the group. They have done it with other players at other times and today it was with Hidemasa Morita. The group understand the importance he has; not only for his quality, but also as a leader and point of reference."

A possible injury to Gonçalo Inácio
"There's nothing in it; it was just a scare and nothing more than that."

Ousmane Diomande on the bench
"We have options. Just like João Simões is one, and he has been having great games."

The team take a comprehensive win in league action

Sporting Clube de Portugal bested CF Estrela da Amadora 4-0 at home on Matchday 12 round of the Liga Portugal season. Eduardo Quaresma, Luis Suárez, and Iván Fresneda scored the goals to earn the three points.

Rui Borges made two changes for his 50th starting lineup: Eduardo Quaresma and Hidemasa Morita replaced Ousmane Diomande and João Simões. On the bench, Pedro Gonçalves returned.

After the first sign of danger in the 5th minute, when Iván Fresneda delivered the ball into the middle of the area and the defence cleared for a corner, the opening goal came in the 7th minute.

From a free kick on the left, Francisco Trincão crossed perfectly for Quaresma to head home powerfully for his first goal of the season.

The pace of the game then accelerated and Geovany Quenda, in the 9th minute, shot wide from outside the area.

The second goal arrived soon after, off a great collective move that ended with a perfect combination between Trincão and Suárez, with the latter finding himself in a position to finish and taking the opportunity. It was the Colombian's 11th goal of the season (his eighth in the league) and the Portuguese player's second assist of the game.

Against a CF Estrela da Amadora side who struggled to create chances, Sporting CP continued to press. Less than a quarter of an hour had passed when a ball was won in attack and Trincão, after getting past an opposition player, found himself one-on-one with former Sporting player Renan Ribeiro, but missed the target.

Off another well-executed free-kick, Quenda set up Geny Catamo, who crossed from the right into the box, where Fresneda headed in his first goal of the campaign.

Chances reduced in the second half, and on one of the very rare occasions when CF Estrela da Amadora tried their luck, Kikas shot from a long distance, but Rui Silva made an easy save.

Suárez was brought down in the area before halftime, but the referee decided against awarding a penalty. At the end of the first half, the score stood at 3-0 to Sporting CP.

Matheus Reis replaced Maxi Araújo for the second half, and the first attack after the interval came from the visitors, with Marcus shooting and Rui Silva making another easy save. At the other end, Luis Suárez missed the target with a strike wide.

After a well-executed counterattack culminated in a missed shot by Geny Catamo, it was Jovane Cabral's turn to try his luck, as the former Sporting CP player gave Rui Silva slight difficulty from a long-range shot.

In the same minute, however, Sporting CP scored again. Hidemasa Morita set up Luis Suárez with a wonderful move, and the striker provided the finish.

With half an hour to go, Rui Borges substituted Geny Catamo and Iván Fresneda for Pedro Gonçalves and Georgios Vagiannidis. Shortly after, Matheus Reis' header went just outside the post.

In the 78th minute, Morten Hjulmand and Francisco Trincão were replaced by Giorgi Kochorashvili and Alisson Santos, respectively, and Sporting CP cruised to the finish line. Suárez came very close to a hat-trick when he stole the ball from a defender and had his effort saved by Renan Ribeiro, then Gonçalves had his turn to test the goalkeeper's reflexes. Alisson Santos shot well over the bar in the final chance of the game.

The 4-0 win takes Sporting CP to 31 points in Liga Portugal.

Next up is a visit to SL Benfica on Friday, December 5th.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda (Georgios Vagiannidis, 60'), Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo (Matheus Reis, 45'), Morten Hjulmand [C] (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 78'), Hidemasa Morita, Geny Catamo (Pedro Gonçalves, 60'), Francisco Trincão (Alisson Santos, 78'), Geovany Quenda and Luis Suárez.

The coach talks ahead of the game against CF Estrela da Amadora

Sporting Clube de Portugal will host CF Estrela da Amadora on Sunday, on Liga Portugal Matchday 12. Before the game, Rui Borges previewed the contest.

CF Estrela da Amadora
"We expect to be up against a very competitive team. They have a new coach and are searching for their best identity and game plan. They still have a line of five in defence and use a line of three when building up play. They've also opted for a line of four and we believe that this is their coach's idea. They are coming off a win and a draw, they are more motivated, and now they have had more time to work on their dynamic. They have many new, different players. They are the team with the second most long balls played, and they are effective off crosses. They will try to create danger for us and we have to be prepared for that. They give away few opportunities to the opposition and, playing at home, we want to keep up our energy and quality of play.

Reaching 50 games in charge of Sporting CP
"It makes me happy. It's a milestone as the leader of a great club and a great team -and on our path as a coaching staff. It makes me even happier to think of everything we have been able to achieve in these 50 games. We became back-to-back league champions, we won the Taça de Portugal and we are increasingly leaving our mark on the club. It motivates me to reach at least another 50 games in charge of Sporting CP. The work we've done has been paying off for us."

The return of Pedro Gonçalves
"He's in the squad and ready for the game. He's 100% fit and, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute, he's very important to the group. He's had a fantastic start to the season and I hope he get back to how he was, especially since the break he had -thankfully-, wasn't very long. He's a player we turn to and someone our opponents also focus on."

Games after the match against CF Estrela da Amadora
"The focus is CF Estrela da Amadora. We don't talk about anything else. It's the next game for us, and our 'Champions League' is the domestic league. We had a great game in the UEFA Champions League, but now it's time to focus on CF Estrela da Amadora. That's the message, and nothing else is being discussed."

His choice of starters
"Everyone respects each other and that makes my job much easier. It's natural that they always want to play 90 minutes and we have to be able to deal with that in the best way. This respect we have helps a lot with controlling that. I'm calm."

Sporting CP's offensive prowess
"We are a big club and the Portuguese champions. Naturally, whether it's with me or any other coach, we have a greater offensive power than almost all other teams. It's important to realise that we have to continue on this path and improve in this area -both the players and the coaching staff. It's something that defines a big club, and we still have to grow in the individual and collective aspects of the team."

The fixture list
"We have played less than 48 hours after the previous game before, and we're not complaining about it. It is what it is; that's the schedule. FC Porto postponed their game before and will have it now. Back then, we played a game without much rest, we changed 11 players in our starting lineup, and fortunately we responded. We need to find solutions more than anything. Players want to play, not train."

The coach reacts positively to the showing against Club Brugge KV

Following the victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal against Club Brugge KV, coach Rui Borges held his post-match press conference.

Three home wins in the UEFA Champions League
"I'm happy for the group, who deserve this for everything they've been able to demonstrate, and for the ambition and quality they've shown throughout the season."

Analysis of the game
"We analysed Club Brugge KV and realised the quality they have. They have a lot of mobility, their midfielders move into spaces that are unexpected. We didn't fall into that trap and we were mature. We weren't able to press as much as we would have liked, but we needed to be more cohesive. At times, we waited for a mistake without giving them the opportunity to come forward.

The first half was evenly balanced and at times we controlled the game with the ball. We had good dynamics and we knew they were looking for references to play off. We looked for space behind them and created danger in that sense. We didn't start so well in the second half and the introduction of Hidemasa Morita was important to balance things. We deservedly made it 3-0 and allowed just the one dangerous situation in the second half. I want to praise the team's maturity."

Points needed for progress
"More than waiting to see if ten points are enough for qualification for the knockout stage, we have to give it our best in the remaining games. Dreaming of the Top 8 doesn't cost anything, but we have to demonstrate that on the pitch. We believe in ourselves a lot and only in this way can we have no limits in the pursuit of being better and better. We will play the difficult games and then we will see how things turn out."

The team's focus
"There is continuity. We have become two-time Liga Portugal champions, we won the Taça da Liga last season, and that shows how focused we were. The whole group are having a very good start to the campaign, and today we were a mature side. Only a great team could get the three points today."

VAR
"It changed the game by showing the truth. It's good that it exists, and long may it continue like this. We all want to make as few mistakes as possible."

The most important games
"Against CF Estrela da Amadora on Sunday is our biggest match. Before SL Benfica and FC Bayern Munich, we have this game -and we want to win it."

João Simões and Hidemasa Morita
"[João Simões] had another great game and went off exhausted. He contributed to the team. He gives us momentum and intensity. Morita came on later, he's growing and was very important. He brought stability, calm and tranquility."

Pedro Gonçalves
"I believe he will be available for the next game."

The quality of the performance
"It was a great, mature performance. Within the young team we have, we treated it like adults and understood the context and the competition. We had a lot of quality up against us, and the games are very difficult. The team knew they had to respect the opposition. The fans, once again, showed affection and gave energy to the team -and that was very important. It was a good performance and I'm happy to see that the team are improving day by day. I felt the team were confident and increasingly focused on what we have to do."

The final incident
"I want to say 'get well soon' to the Club Brugge KV goalkeeper. I hope it's nothing serious and that he be in good health soon. We dedicate this victory to Matheus Reis and his family for the birth of his daughter. I also wish the best of luck to the U-17s National Team tomorrow. We are all rooting for another victory. I believe they will honour our country, as they have done so far."

The team triumph in the Champions League on Matchday 5

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated Belgian side Club Brugge KV 3-0 at home on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League, with goals from Geovany Quenda and Luis Suárez in the first half, and Francisco Trincão in the second. They now have ten points in the competition, occupying eighth position with three matchdays remaining in the league stage.

Rui Borges brought players back into the starting lineup after a wholescale rotation for the cup match against AC Marinhense; of the first XI, only Francisco Trincão had started against the lower league opposition. He was joined by Rui Silva, Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand, João Simões, Geny Catamo, Geovany Quenda and Luis Suárez.

The first dangerous attack came from Sporting CP, just three minutes in, when Maxi Araújo took an opponent out of the equation with a great piece of skill and set up Geovany Quenda, who shot wide from outside the box.

Passing the ball well in the attacking midfield, Sporting CP played with quality and confidence, but suffered a scare in the 9th minute when Morten Hjulmand was shown a straight red card for a foul on Aleksandar Stanković. After consulting VAR, referee Tobias Stieler changed his decision and only cautioned the captain with a yellow card.

Club Brugge KV finally had a chance in the 14th minute, when Christos Tzolis tried to finish with a shot from the heart of the area, but Ousmane Diomande blocked it out for a corner. The Greek player tried his luck again soon after, but his weak effort went off target.

At the other end, Geny Catamo appeared near the penalty area but had a shot go astray, and in the 23rd minute, Sporting CP created their best chance so far: after dribbling past a defender, Luis Suárez forced goalkeeper Nordin Jackers into a good save.

Their persistence translated into a goal shortly after, thanks to a great move that emanated from Rui Silva. The ball went onto the right and Geny Catamo toyed with his marker before shooting, forcing another save from Nordin Jackers. This time, however, Geovany Quenda appeared to turn in the rebound with a half-volley, opening the scoring and grabbing his first goal in this season's UEFA Champions League.

The 18-year-old tried to score his second in the 27th minute, but was unsuccessful.

It was in the 31st minute that Geny Catamo, with phenomenal timing, assisted Luis Suárez with a brilliant half-turn pass that left the Colombian alone through on the goalkeeper. With great class, the striker finished clinically, to a roar from the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP continued to press, and in the 35th minute Maxi Araújo advanced down the left and shot across goal and wide.

Francisco Trincão, in the 39th minute, concluded a rapid team move with a strike just wide of the post, then went on to cross for Luis Suárez -who headed outside the post.

Despite this response, Sporting CP had an incredible opportunity shortly afterwards when Geovany Quenda set up Luis Suárez. He managed to round Nordin Jackers, but was put off by Hugo Siquet and ended up hitting the post.

The Belgian opposition responded with a header wide from Brandon Mechele and a one-on-one for Nicolo Tresoldi, but did not convert the chances.

Sporting CP scored again, 20 minutes from the end: Maxi Araújo passed to Geovany Quenda, who tried to return the ball to the Uruguayan in the area, but it was Francisco Trincão who snatched it away and shot towards the far post, with the ball ending up in the back of the net. It was his eighth goal of the season and his third in the UEFA Champions League.

Geny Catamo forced a save from Nordin Jackers, before he and Geovany Quenda were taken off and Alisson Santos and Salvador Blopa – making their UEFA Champions League debuts – came on.

The game saw Iván Fresneda have a strike saved and Brugge's Raphael Onyedika attempt a long-range effort that ended up in Rui Silva's hands. Substitute Rodrigo Ribeiro then set up Salvador Blopa, but Nordin Jackers bravely made the save.

The contest concluded 3-0, with Sporting CP securing their third victory in the competition. They play again this Sunday in Liga Portugal, hosting CF Estrela da Amadora, whilst their return to the UEFA Champions League comes on December 9th, with a trip to take on FC Bayern Munich.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo (Matheus Reis, 85'), Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 63'), Geny Catamo (Alisson Santos, 75'), Francisco Trincão, Geovany Quenda (Salvador Blopa, 75') and Luis Suárez (Rodrigo Ribeiro, 85').

The defender previews the Champions League showdown

Before the match against Club Brugge KV, Iván Fresneda highlighted the importance of approaching each UEFA Champions League match with the utmost concentration.

The importance of winning against Club Brugge KV
"This game is very important, as were the previous ones in the UEFA Champions League this season. We have to take it game by game and think about tomorrow's fixture first."

Pressure or added responsibility
"UEFA Champions League games are always very tough, with high-level teams, and tomorrow's game has the same degree of difficulty as the ones afterwards and those we have already played. The important thing is to win tomorrow, and then we'll think about the rest of the games."

His staying at Sporting CP and the influence of Rui Borges
"Both the coach and his staff were fundamental to my staying at Sporting CP. They gave me the opportunity to show more of myself as a player; I managed to evolve a lot last season and this season as well. I think I still have much more to offer the club. I want to thank Rui Borges and his team."

Club Brugge and their players
"Club Brugge KV have a very similar strategy to us, but that's not a problem for us. It's something we know.

Regarding [Christos] Tzolis; whether I or [Georgios] Vagiannidis play, we have to be very focused -because they have many good players. It will be a very tough game for us and we have to be very strong."

Differences between playing in a back four or back three
"Playing with a back four, I act as a right-back, and playing with three, I have to play more as a centre back as well. The most important thing is that we can adapt, depending on the game, and as a full-back I have already adapted to this tactical formation of a back three. It's just a matter of adaptation."

The coach speaks before the meeting with Club Brugge KV

Ahead of the match against Club Brugge KV in the UEFA Champions League, coach Rui Borges stressed that Sporting CP are prepared to prevail at home and continue accumulating points in the competition.

Pressure to win
"The pressure is something that is there on a daily basis. We are at a big club and the players are accustomed to this pressure. They all have enormous ambition and a great desire to win, regardless of the opposition. In this specific case, and in this competition, any game is difficult for both sides. As Iván [Fresneda] said, we just have to focus on tomorrow's game, because everything else will be a consequence of what we do against Club Brugge KV, of our ability to overcome a great team and earn the three points."

The presence of Francisco Trincão
"Francisco Trincão knows very well the confidence he has from the coaching staff and his coach. He has grown a lot, he's having a great season -perhaps his best yet-, and I'm happy about that. We believe we deserve some credit in that regard, but I feel he's focused every day, regardless of any contract renewal, which I believe will come to fruition. In the coming years, he will continue to provide magic at Portuguese and foreign grounds, thankfully."

The game
"Taking victory is important. It would get us to ten points, but I don't know if it will be enough or not: last season we reached the playoffs with 11. It's subjective. We'll focus on what we control and then we'll see: we have three more games to play, in which the team will be motivated to face great sides. We will play beautiful games, I have no doubt about that, and we will collect even more points. At the end of the league phase, we will see what we have been able to do to pursue our objective."

A key game for the European campaign
"It's not a decisive game. There are four fixtures left. It's an important game because it's at home, but Club Brugge KV are a great team -no less great than Paris Saint-Germain or FC Bayern Munich- and last year Sporting CP couldn't beat them.

They have a sporting image similar to Sporting CP, always looking for young players to develop, so they're a team with a lot of individual and collective value. They have very good attacking players who can create havoc at any moment with an individual burst of speed, like Christos Tzolis, [Carlos] Forbs, or [Hans] Vanaken. They are very dynamic in the offensive process. We might tend to identify them as a fast-attacking team, but in their league, they have more than 60% possession, and that speaks volumes about the team's quality.

Them facing FC Barcelona playing on the counterattack further demonstrates their collective ability to be engaged in all phases of the game. They are not only good at possession, at more organised play, but also at transitions. They are a team with quality in both phases. The midfielders are also very technically gifted, and in their process, they are a very dynamic team, with a lot of variability, and they make life difficult for the opposition in their attempts to neutralise their strengths. They are a great team, national champions six times in the last ten years, and they are in the UEFA Champions League on merit."

Trying to keep a clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League
"It's something we have to analyse. We have to look at how we concede goals, how we score them, and try to be the Sporting CP we always are: dominant, balanced, with possession and quality. We have demonstrated this in the UEFA Champions League, even away from home, but we are in a competition where we have to make fewer mistakes, where we have to be more focused for longer, and the team have shown this growth and awareness. These small errors are part of our growth and adaptation to the demands of the Champions League. Above all, we must value what the team have been able to demonstrate in these four Champions League games."

Hidemasa Morita's current form
"From what we can see, he's happy, he's grown a lot, he's realised what he needs to improve on physically and he's increasingly prepared to respond. He's a player I admire a lot. He's the player who surprised me the most when I coached teams against him, and I've always said that since I arrived here. He's someone I admire a lot as a player and as a person, he has his own culture, great personality and character. I have no doubt that he will be very important throughout the season."

The team will play away as part of their cup defence

Sporting Clube de Portugal will play away in the Azores against CD Santa Clara, in the Round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal.

If they win, the current cup holders will face the winners of the game between Vitória SC vs. AFS.

The draw was held this Tuesday at the Cidade de Futebol

The CD Santa Clara vs. Sporting CP match -and the other Round of 16 games- will take place between December 16th and 18th, with the quarter-finals held between January 11th and 15th, 2026.