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Photo by César Santos

Coates: "Do my best for this shirt"

By Jornal Sporting
13 May, 2016

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."

Photo by César Santos

Bruno de Carvalho: “Anything could happen"

By Jornal Sporting
12 May, 2016

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."

Photo by José Lorvão

Borges: "We are joint favourites"

By Sporting CP
06 Feb, 2025

The coach analyses O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit FC Porto on Friday, in an 8:15pm local time kickoff. Coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference on Thursday.

"Strategically, it is easier for them than for us in terms of knowledge. Coach Anselmi has arrived now and is creating an idea, an identity. For us, it is more difficult to feel the changes and the way he makes them. You can understand some things by analysing his past teams, but we are more focused on what we can do in the game. FC Porto's structure varies during the game in terms of their offensive and defensive processes, so we are more concerned with what we have to do", he began by telling journalists.

Borges emphasised that, in the event of a triumph at the Estádio do Dragão, Sporting CP "would have a gap over the teams behind."

"Our objective is to do our part. If we do that well, we leave FC Porto a greater margin behind, and maintain the lead we have over second place. Continuing in first place will become more and more difficult. Tomorrow's game has different characteristics and both teams are very motivated."

He went on to reveal that Geny Catamo "has recovered very well, but is out of this game,· then admitted that Hidemasa Morita and Viktor Gyökeres "remain in doubt, as has been the case all week. We are in a daily process of understanding how they feel. Regardless of who is in the squad, they will all be very motivated," he added.

Asked if his side are the favourites, Borges rejected the idea.

"The distance that they are behind Sporting CP could even give an extra dose of motivation for FC Porto. We have to be prepared for the demands and the atmosphere at the Estádio do Dragão. We are joint favourites."

Regarding the team's form, he considered that "the players have to feel that it took a lot to reach first place, but that it takes even more to remain at the top of the standings."

"If we relax, we will quickly lose our position. We have to be focused and rigorous at all times. Everyone wants our place, so it becomes even more difficult to maintain it. Being first implies a lot, even in terms of the motivation of our opponents. We have come up against many teams with very low blocks and the games have not been very beautiful or spectacular as a result. It will increasingly be like this," he said.

Biel, the club's new signing, "is available," and Borges assured that he has no doubt that "Sporting CP have become stronger in the transfer window."

"When we add something, it is with the idea of being better. We will be stronger when we have everyone without limitations and available to play. We haven't achieved that yet, and that is the main objective."

Photo by João Pedro Morais

Biel Teixeira signs for Sporting CP

By Sporting CP
03 Feb, 2025

The new arrival comments on his hopes for his time at the club

Gabriel Teixeira Aragão, better known as Biel, is the second addition to Sporting Clube de Portugal's squad in the winter transfer window. The 23-year-old winger has signed a contract through to 2029, with a release clause set at 80 million euros.

Ready for his first adventure in the elite of European football, he talked about an opportunity that was “impossible not to accept" in his first statements to club media.

"It was a very easy choice. It's very good for my career. Sporting CP are a big club in Europe and I'm very happy for the opportunity to come here. I promise to do my best, work hard and help Sporting CP, which is the most important thing."

A product of the Fluminense FC youth system, he debuted in the Brazilian league for the club and had a loan spell at Grêmio FBPA. Biel now arrives in Lisbon to reinforce Rui Borges' squad, after starting his third season at EC Bahia -for whom he played 98 games, scored 17 goals and 18 assists.

He commented that "Sporting CP trained two of the best in the world [Luís Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo], and I hope to evolve and improve as a player here. I arrive here mature and I trust in my potential, and I also want to give lots of joy to Sportinguistas."

"I want to win trophies and help in any way, whether that be by scoring or providing assists. My desire is to help."

Furthermore, he said that he expected to find a “good, young team, where my electric and collective style of play will fit perfectly. You can expect a lot of drive, desire and 'electricity' from me on the pitch."

"I hope you can all see my potential and can see that I am a hard-working player. I want to be very happy here."

Photo by José Lorvão

Borges: "I'm happy with the game we managed to play"

By Sporting CP
02 Feb, 2025

The coach talks to the media after the 3-1 win

Rui Borges talked about the 3-1 victory over SC Farense for Sporting CP in his post-match press conference.

“I'm happy with the game we managed to play, that we were competent in what we could control, which is our game, and continued to defend our place in the table, which is what we want. I said yesterday that we would have to be calm and patient and we did that. We were very competent, except in the last 5-10 minutes of the first half.  I feel that, because of everything that we did, we could have made it 3-1 earlier, but I'm happy with the competence that the team had," he began by saying.

“SC Farense never had the initiative, we never gave it to them. We only lowered the intensity at the end of the first half, perhaps because we were winning 2-0. We were very soft when it came to the goal conceded. These games are very dangerous, but we also forget the age of most of our players.”

“Given their age, I couldn’t be happier with what they have done. It's not easy to play against such low blocks. I wish teams would try to share the play more with us. These games will never be very pretty, but the team did well, were very competent and I am very happy with what the players did,” continued Borges.

The coach also spoke about Geovany Quenda, saying that “he has been very competent playing on the left” and praised Iván Fresneda.

“He is, little by little, regaining his confidence. He is 20 years old and spent almost a year and a half without playing. Maybe the expectations on him were huge and he didn't live up to that because he didn't play. It's normal for confidence to drop, but he has had our trust and has played well. He will grow and gain maturity.”

Conrad Harder also won plaudits from Borges, who said that the Danish striker “gives different things” to the team.

“He's like a kid playing street football. There are very good things in his game. At times he lacks a little maturity, but he doesn't feel a lot of pressure and he doesn't feel the weight of replacing Gyökeres. He made a huge effort and worked hard.”

The Sporting CP coach commented that winter signing Rui Silva brought “maturity and experience,” but that he is satisfied with all the goalkeepers at his disposal.

He concluded by talking about the injured players, saying that “I want them to recover. I don’t know if anyone else will come in during the transfer window. I hope that Geny Catamo isn't out for long, but the injury meant that he had to go off."

Photo by Isabel Silva

3-1 win keeps Sporting CP top

By Sporting CP
02 Feb, 2025

The team accomplish their mission against SC Farense

Sporting Clube de Portugal continued their winning league run with a 3-1 victory at home to SC Farense on Matchday 20, as Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande and Conrad Harder all found the net.

For this meeting between first and 17th in the table, coach Rui Borges made just one change from the team's Champions League commitment the previous week, bringing Rui Silva in instead of Franco Israel.

The lineup was completed by Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande, Maxi Araújo, Geny Catamo, Morten Hjulmand, Daniel Bragança, Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão and Conrad Harder.

Sporting CP started with a forceful press and imposed themselves on the game, with Trincão enjoying the first chance when his header went over, just five minutes in.

Next up was Harder, trying to open the scoring with a mid-range cross shot, but opposition goalkeeper Ricardo Velho was alert and held the ball.

Harder turned provider for the first goal of the game, when he crossed into the heart of the area and Fresneda finished off to open his account for the club.

Playing with an advantage in a game that was expected to involve 'patience', due to SC Farense's low block, as Rui Borges had said, Sporting CP became more comfortable. Trincão had another shot that went wide of goal.

SC Farense tried to take advantage of some of Sporting CP's mistakes high up the pitch, but off their best chance, from the feet of former Sporting CP player Miguel Menino, Hjulmand got across to intervene.

Catamo went off injured in the 23rd minute, having to be replaced by João Simões.

Sporting CP managed to make it 2-0, as Trincão took a corner from the right and Diomande found space in the middle of the area to head home.

Ricardo Velho once again denied Trincão, as Sporting CP chased a third goal, and it was SC Farense who scored before the interval: A cross from the left was headed in by Lucas Áfrico to make it 2-1.

From the restart, SC Farense came close to an equaliser but, after Rui Silva's save, Elves Baldé was ruled offside anyway.

Sporting CP controlled possession and SC Farense tried to surprise on the counterattack, becoming more offensive at the beginning of the second half.

Velho again denied Trincão from a first-time shot off Harder's ball inside, then plucked a cross from Quenda out of the air later on.

After receiving the ball from Maxi Araújo inside the area, Inácio shot wide, as the chances continued.

At the start of the last 15 minutes, another substitution was made with the departure of Daniel Bragança and the entry of Matheus Reis.

Quenda, with a low shot, called Velho back into action, then Harder tried again, but his shot went wide.

The Danish striker managed to get the final goal close to the 90th minute: Reis crossed from the left and Harder finished with his chest, as Velho stood rooted to the spot.

With their 3-1 win, league leaders Sporting CP play again on Friday, at 8:15 pm, away at FC Porto.

Photo by João Pedro Morais

Borges: "We have to make quick, good decisions in the final third"

By Sporting CP
01 Feb, 2025

The Sporting CP coach sets out his gameplan for SC Farense

Sporting Clube de Portugal hosts SC Farense this Sunday in Liga Portugal, and coach Rui Borges says that he believes it will be an identical game to that against CD Nacional just a few weeks ago.

“SC Farense are a team that, despite not being in such good form for the last five games, are like their coach,Tozé Marreco. They are very well organised offensively and defensively. He has been more concerned with the defensive process since he took over, when they were in relegation places, and has played with a medium/low block, with his players committed,fast and strong in offensive transitions. Furthermore, they are a very strong team from dead balls, because they have so many strong and tall players. Therefore, we have to be focused on this and concerned about this," the coach Leonino began by saying.

“We know that these games are difficult, as it was with CD Nacional when we needed a moment of inspiration to break through. I think it's going to be a game a little like that. Therefore, we have to make quick, good decisions in the final third, be fast to react to turnovers so as not to let SC Farense get away with quick counterattacks, and we need to have a lot of individual inspiration."

“Just like in the game with CD Nacional, this one will require us to have more calm and patience. I know that, therefore, sometimes it doesn't become a pretty game for those who watch, but that's what football is and we have to adapt to what the game gives us and asks of us, in addition to respecting the opponent so as not to have any problems," continued Borges.

“Those on the outside may think that we are comfortable with having a six-point advantage, but I don't see it that way. We have an advantage and the difficulty is in maintaining it. Therefore, we have to do our part, be competent and win. My focus is very much this. It's always on the next game, on trying to pass on the best possible information to the players to face the difficulties that the opponents pose for us. The team are very motivated, more because of being top than because of the advantage, and because we are where we want to be -but we know it will be difficult to maintain this position. Even so, I believe they will be true lions and I believe we will have a good final stretch of the season.”

For this match, Eduardo Quaresma has recovered and Zeno Debast is available, whilst Viktor Gyökeres and Hidemasa Morita are in doubt.

 “It's very much a matter of going day by day, feeling how they are, seeing if we can have them available and seeing if it's worth taking the risk or not. These are players who are fatigued, just like Quenda. We have to try to manage this. Some are easier to manage, others not so much. It’s about going day by day, seeing what the player says and making decisions based on the game.”

Borges also spoke about Pedro Gonçalves, not giving a deadline for the Portuguese international's return.

“He will return and will help when he is 100 percent fit. He is focused on his recovery and we are very committed to getting him back -both him and any other injured player,” he said.

He then commented on the UEFA Champions League playoff draw, expressing his satisfaction with the date of the games.

“Borussia Dortmund may not be doing very well in the Bundesliga, but in the Champions League they have had great games and they have a very strong attacking frontline. They changed coach and that will change something; mentally at least, it always changes, so it will be a very difficult tie. Any opponent would have been difficult. More than us being with the opponents we were given, I was happy with the dates of the games, with us playing first at home on a Tuesday and then away on a Wednesday. At this stage, it is important to gain vital hours to be able to rest, and because we have a lot of tired players."

Photo by Isabel Silva

Sporting CP to face Borussia Dortmund in Champions League

By Sporting CP
31 Jan, 2025

The two sides will meet in a two-legged playoff

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League playoff, for a place in the Round of 16.

The pairing was made in the draw held in Nyon, Switzerland, and is a rerun of a meeting from 2021.

Sporting CP, who qualified in 23rd place, will compete for a place with the German side who finished the league phase in 10th place. In domestic competition, BV Borussia 09 Dortmund are currently 11th in the Bundesliga.

The first game is scheduled for February 11th/12th, at the Estádio José Alvalade. The second return leg takes place a week later at Signal Iduna Park.

Played over two matches, the playoff represents a novelty in the format of the most renowned European club competition, which has been revamped for the 2024/25 season. If they get past this stage, Sporting CP will face either LOSC Lille or Aston Villa FC in the Round of 16.

PLAYOFF CALENDAR FOR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 ENTRY:
First leg: February 11/12, 2025 (Estádio José Alvalade).
Second leg: 18/19 February 2025 (Signal Iduna Park).

Photo by Isabel Silva

Borges: "I'm happy for the collective objective achieved"

By Sporting CP
30 Jan, 2025

The coach speaks after the draw with Bologna FC 1909

Rui Borges reacted to Sporting Clube de Portugal's 1-1 draw with Bologna FC 1909, which took his side into the playoff for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.

"Above all, for the club it means a lot, due to what the UEFA Champions League represents -even more so in the first year with this format. I'm happy for the collective objective achieved, but that's all. Now it's time to focus on Liga Portugal and the next game," he told the media after the match with the italians.

"It was a difficult game, but we already knew that it would be. We knew it would be a game of duels, intensity and mobility. The fear for us was about the physical side, and we had to have tactical nous too. The strategy was to have Simões and Quenda on for the second half, regardless of the scoreline, and it ended up working. We were not very proactive in the first half and we talked about it at halftime; we felt more dynamic and we managed to equalise," he said.

"We could have finished chances better, but we weren't able to. Bologna FC 1909 were happy off a set piece, but that wasn't the tone of the game."

Regarding the injury problems within the squad, Borges admitted that there are "many players who are not 100%.

"Today we did it our way. I'm happy with what the team gave. It's been difficult to manage because we need everyone to be fit, but we have to be prepared. I'm very positive, I take whoever is available and they will do well in response," he continued.

"The accumulation of games doesn't worry me, but of course we would have liked to have more time to train and improve. However, when I came to Sporting CP I already knew that I wouldn't have that, because we are in the UEFA Champions League. The players have been fantastic and they have given a superb response. I am lucky to have very intelligent players, who are trying to do some things even without training as much as we would like," he added.

Reinforcing that the focus "has to be on SC Farense, a team in need of points and that will make life difficult for Sporting CP with a medium-low block" on Sunday, Rui Borges also spoke about João Simões, who came on in the second half and assisted for Conrad Harder's goal.

"He has above-average maturity. He will have a bright future. He has a passion that is needed within a collective, like Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos. These players are necessary and, in a different way, João Simões also has that passion. At 18 years old, he is a leader and is very communicative, attentive and hardworking."

Photo by José Lorvão

Sporting CP qualify for Champions League playoff

By Sporting CP
30 Jan, 2025

The team draw 1-1 with Bologna FC 1909

A 1-1 draw for Sporting Clube de Portugal with Bologna FC 1909 was enough to take them through to the playoff round of the UEFA Champions League. Conrad Harder scored a 71st minute equaliser to take the required point on the league phase's final matchday.

The game was played amidst torrential rain and cold temperatures in the Lisbon area, especially before the teams went out to warm up. Rui Borges made four changes to his starting XI: Rui Silva, Hidemasa Morita, Geovany Quenda and Viktor Gyökeres were rotated out, with Franco Israel, Zeno Debast, Geny Catamo and Conrad Harder taking their places. On the bench were young players Afonso Moreira, Mauro Couto, Rafael Nel, Alexandre Brito and Eduardo Felicíssimo, the latter two seeking their first team debuts.

Bologna came very close to opening the scoring after just four minutes, when Sam Beukema headed the ball against the crossbar off a corner. The initial pace, however, was somewhat slow, with Sporting CP only threatening for the first time when Francisco Trincão passed to Harder. After taking an opponent out of the equation, he unleashed a shot that was saved by Federico Ravaglia.

Another hit from the Dane followed, from distance that went wide. Bologna managed to make it 0-1 in the 21st minute: From another corner from the right, a header from Beukema deflected in off Tommaso Pobega.

Sporting CP reacted with a free kick, from which Debast narrowly missing the target. On 40 minutes, he found Harder with a through ball, resulting in a shot that was again saved by Ravaglia. Geny Catamo also picked out Maxi Araújo and he, up against the opposition goalkeeper, did not get the best possible shot away. The Uruguayan tried to follow up with a backheel, but to no avail.

Just before halftime, the highlight was a great chance for Morten Hjulmand with a header, but referee Benoît Bastien blew for an offensive foul.

A new obstacle emerged in the early stages of the second half, when Debast picked up an injury and was replaced by João Simões.

Bologna FC 1909 attacked through Dan Ndoye, who missed the target, whilst Catamo had another effort denied by Ravaglia. Soon after, at the other end, Franco Israel denied Pobega with a great save.

Iván Fresneda's powerful shot distance was met by Ravaglia later on, as Sporting CP continued to search for an equaliser. A header from Hjulmand sent the ball into the hands of Ravaglia in the 73rd minute and Pobega hit the side netting shortly afterwards.

Finally, in the 77th minute, Sporting CP levelled with a very well-worked move: Geovany Quenda picked out João Simões and he fed a pass to Conrad Harder, who got ahead of a defender and the goalkeeper to make the crucial touch and take the score to 1-1.

Off a very dangerous counterattack, the visitors could have scored again immediately afterwards, but Dan Ndoye shot wide.

The game dipped off and Sporting CP safely made their way into 23rd position in the league phase. The draw for the playoff for the Round of 16 is scheduled for 11am on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland. Rui Borges' team will meet either Atalanta BC or Borussia Dortmund.

Sporting CP are back in action at 6pm on Sunday, hosting SC Farense at Estádio José Alvalade in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Zeno Debast (João Simões, 50'), Morten Hjulmand, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão (Matheus Reis, 87'), Daniel Bragança (Geovany Quenda, 61') and Conrad Harder.

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