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 reviews the win over Paços de Ferreira

After Sporting Clube de Portugal secured their place in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal, Rui Borges reflected on his side's showing in the game.

The importance of progressing to the Fourth Round
"It's incredibly important because it was a goal of ours. Regarding the match itself, we knew we'd face challenges in this one. There are no easy games. Cup games have their own character, but we had a tremendous flow in attack and missed some opportunities to score. Sometimes that was through our own fault, other times through the opponent's merit. On the two occasions when FC Paços de Ferreira created chances, they managed to convert them.

Sporting CP put in a huge effort. In the first half, we only created chances from one-on-ones, but in the second half we improved with the substitutions: Iván [Fresneda] came on and was very dynamic, and Zeno [Debast] gives us a different edge in the build-up play. Geny [Catamo] also gave us more pace. We were always capable of creating chances, but, thanks to the way the FC Paços de Ferreira coach set them up, they managed to take us into extra time. We knew that if we kept going, we would eventually score, and fortunately, we did."

The fatigue caused by extra time
"It can't be used as an excuse. I'm not going to dwell on it. We didn't want to [play] those 30 minutes because it meant a lot of wear and tear for us. We tried to turn the game around in the 90 minutes, which is why we turned to Geny and Luis [Suárez], even though they were still tired from international duty, because they're players who can change things quickly.

The game on Wednesday against Olympique de Marseille
The team will be motivated; it's a UEFA Champions League game at home, in front of our fans —who were once again very important in supporting the team away from home today, and it will be the same on Wednesday. The team will give a good response."

Alisson's first start
"We know very well what Alisson brings to the table. Today we faced a team in a very low block, and he gives us one-on-one opportunities. I'm happy with the excellent performance he had. He's growing, figuring out how to get more minutes, and it's a credit to him that he got this chance. He'll get more minutes from now on, because he understands the demands of Sporting CP. He showed that today."

Ousmane Diomande
"He had a cramp and fatigue, nothing more than that. You can see he's not at his best yet, but he held out until he reached his limit. Now it's time to rest and prepare for the match against Olympique de Marseille."

A 2-3 win over FC Paços de Ferreira takes the team into the next round

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Paços de Ferreira 2-3 at the Estádio Capital do Móvel, to advance in the Taça de Portugal. The reigning cup holders were given a stern test in the opening game of their defence of the crown, but managed to claim the victory.

Making five changes to his starting XI from the match against SC Braga, Rui Borges brought in João Virgínia, Ousmane Diomande (appearing or the first time since August 8th), Eduardo Quaresma, Alisson Santos, and Fotis Ioannidis.

The home team created danger early on, and after just two minutes a powerful shot wide from João Caiado from the edge of the box gave Sporting CP a first warning. Relying on physicality and quick transitions, FC Paços de Ferreira showed considerable initiative in the opening moments, and in the sixth minute it was Anilson's turn to aim for goal off a direct free kick. João Virgínia was alert to make a straightforward catch.

Sporting CP's first dangerous chance also came from a set piece, with a venomous Geovany Quenda delivery coming in the ninth minute. His ball in was not quite connected with by Fotis Ioannidis.

Quenda took centre stage for a spell, and a minute later he won a corner for his side. Sporting CP grew into the game and pushed a determined FC Paços de Ferreira back, and in the 11th minute Alisson Santos shot wide. Soon after, Ricardo Mangas looked for goal, following a pass from Ioannidis, but the winger's shot was deflected by Rafael Vieira.

Three minutes later, the Paços de Ferreira defender was once again instrumental, preventing Alisson Santos' shot from the middle of the box from finding its way in.

However, it was the hosts who opened the scoring. In the 18th minute, Rafael Vieira won a tussle in midfield and passed to João Victor, who exchanged passes with Ronaldo Lumungo. The striker found himself in a one-on-one with João Virgínia and fired home to make it 1-0.

Sporting CP reacted well and remained in the opposition half. In the 21st minute, Pedro Gonçalves took advantage of a defensive error by the home team to shoot on goal, but was unable to finish.

In the 22nd minute, Gonçalves made good on his threat with the equaliser. Off a move where his teammates were initially appealing for a penalty for a foul on Ioannidis, the ball fell to the left foot of the Portuguese international, who converted for his sixth goal of the season -tying his tally from the last campaign.

In complete control, all that was preventing Sporting CP from pulling ahead was wasted opportunities: Gonçalves again shot from the edge of the box in the 30th minute, and two minutes later, Alisson Santos also tried his luck.

The home side only threatened again in the 33rd minute, with Costinha getting in behind the defenders to find himself in a dangerous position, although his shot hit Ousmane Diomande.

Chances for Ioannidis and Quenda before the break were saved and went wide, respectively, and despite their dominance the team couldn't translate their 76% possession into further goals

With an unchanged lineup and a layer of fog beginning to descend on the ground, Sporting CP came out sharp in the second half. Less than a minute after the restart, they enjoyed two good chances: First, Ioannidis broke quickly into the centre but couldn't finish off; then, Alisson Santos cut in from the left and shot across goal.

Once again against the run of play,the effective FC Paços de Ferreira took the lead again in the 49th minute. This time, Ronaldo Lumungo arushed in from the right and passed to João Victor, who made it 2-1.

In the 55th minute, Alisson Santos worked his way inside, but his shot did not go in the desired direction.

Francisco Trincão and Iván Fresneda were brought on just before the hour, and this was swiftly followed by an equaliser: Quenda took a precise corner kick, which Fotis Ioannidis headed into the net

In the 73rd minute, Geny Catamo and Zeno Debast were the next players introduced, followed by Luis Suárez five minutes later.

FC Paços de Ferreira withstood the pressure and competently closed down the spaces, and were able to force extra time.

A fatigued Ousmane Diomande was replaced by Matheus Reis for the additional 30 minutes. Just as during regulation time, Sporting CP controlled the game. Gonçalves took a shot in the 91st minute that went off target, then eight minutes later forced the home goalkeeper into a huge save, denying him his brace. That came after a penalty appeal for Sporting CP for handball that had been waved off.

The decisive third goal finally arrived in the 104th minute. Geny Catamo and Iván Fresneda combined well on the right, and the Spaniard crossed into the box, where defender Tiago Ferreira deflected it into his own net.

The second half of extra time was less dramatic, but still lively: in the 107th minute, Miguel Mota burst down the right and shot straight at João Virgínia; in the 111th, he tried again from outside the box, but struck over the bar.

In the 114th minute, Geny Catamo had the final chance, testing Jeimes. There would be no change in the scoreline, and Sporting CP earned their spot in the next round of the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Hidemasa Morita (Francisco Trincão, 58'), Geovany Quenda, Pedro Gonçalves, Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 58'), Ousmane Diomande (Matheus Reis, 90'), Alisson Santos (Luis Suárez, 79'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Eduardo Quaresma (Zeno Debast, 73'), Fotis Ioannidis, and Ricardo Mangas (Geny Catamo, 73').

The coach speaks ahead of the Taça de Portugal campaign

Sporting Clube de Portugal return to action this Saturday, against FC Paços de Ferreira in their first match in the Taça de Portugal. Rui Borges spoke ahead of the game in a press conference.

The mentality for the match Against FC Paços Ferreira
"It’s about two things: Tactics means studying the opposition, who have been to a Taça de Portugal final and two semifinals. They’ve already played in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round this season. Therefore, the greatest respect we can have for them is to look at them seriously, both in terms of their talent and tactically. In terms of mentality, it's about understanding that we're going to be defending the cup. We really want to be in this season’s final at Jamor, which means a lot to all of us, and which lifted us last season. The greatest motivation we can have is to defend something that's ours, something we achieved with great effort and dedication. We have to put that into practice again to reach another Taça de Portugal final, which is our greatest desire."

Maximum demands
"We want to win and we want to get better. We've shown that we were the best. We've had a very productive start to the season in that sense, demonstrating the team's individual and collective quality. In a less successful game, we were hurt because we couldn't be the Sporting CP we've been up to now, and that affected us. It's about the maximum demands we place on ourselves in our daily work. The players must be hurt when we aren’t able to be the Sporting CP we want to be -and that we've managed to be most of the time."

Sporting CP creating the most chances
"The formation is very subjective. The vast majority of players play in their usual positions. We have had Pote, Trincão, Hjumand, Inácio, and Quenda all in great form. Sporting CP have never produced so much offensively. We’re the team that create the most chances, and also wastes the most; but in order to waste chances, you first have to create them. We allow the second fewest chances to our opponents. If we look at the numbers, it's not even about the system. It’s down to the dynamics. The game against SC Braga and the second half against GD Estoril Praia weren't about the formation; it was about our own incompetence -including my own as coach, because I'll always be the most responsible, and I'll always be the one to stand up for the players. Perhaps I wasn't able to explain that in the best way possible. SC Baga, who didn't pose much of a threat to us, had possession and put too many players in the first stage of their build-up, so it was difficult to time the pressure. We ran too much, but at times we did so poorly. It has a lot to do with that, not the formation, because the players being at their best statistically speaks for itself."

Motivation surrounding the cup
"I'm focused on what we can do in the Taça de Portugal. The buzz is immense, constantly, about Sporting CP and everything else. It's a sign that we're winners and that in the past, we've won a lot. My focus is on the Taça de Portugal match, but to enjoy it, we have to start this campaign tomorrow in a 'fight,' so to speak, to defend what we won last season. It's something that brings back many memories for me personally, too, because it's something that has had a profound impact on me and something I've always wanted, ever since I started playing football. I came from the bottom level and I fully understand what the Taça de Portugal means. For me, the memories are immense, such as having my parents and my whole family in the stands."

Pedro Gonçalves' renewal
"Pote's renewal is related to the club's confidence in him. It also increases his responsibility, as he has been a very important player in Sporting CP's achievements in recent years. It conveys the enormous confidence in him; he's very focused on winning more, on aiming higher, wanting to help. He’s someone who missed many months of playing time last season and wants to get back to his best form. He is becoming an important player again, and wants to feel like an important player. Our biggest 'fight' is to motivate him every day, because he's someone who has already won a lot and done everything at Sporting CP. The renewal also gives him that motivation, with the confidence we all have in the importance he has for the team and at the club."

Being prepared for FC Paços de Ferreira
"Sporting CP have to be prepared. The players have been coming back from international duty gradually, and we have to be careful about giving too many minutes to some players, but we're prepared. Our biggest motivation is to enter a competition where we'll defend something that's ours and that we want to continue to be ours. That's why that's our biggest motivation, regardless of the opposition. They will be incredibly motivated to face the league champions and cup holders in front of their fans. But I also believe we'll be supported by many Sporting CP fans, who will make us feel like we’re at home again -which is what's been happening in away games and I have no doubt will happen tomorrow as well.”

Last year’s win
"Sporting CP won the cup because we were the better side. It’s as simple as that, and we deserved it. It's there in the club museum, it's ours, 101%on merit, for everything the players were capable of throughout the campaign, all the setbacks we faced, for being focused and ambitious and at the last minute turning the tie around. Of course, I talk to the players, but the players never asked me to change any structure. They didn't ask. It was simply because I didn't have any midfielders, and in a 4-3-3 I needed three midfielders. I didn't even have one, let alone three. I had to adapt to what we had, and I had to make the most of Zeno [Debast] as a midfielder. Suddenly, he became a luxury midfielder. Sometimes people ask me why he doesn't play in midfield. He's an extraordinary player in both positions [centre back and midfield]. It's just a matter of circumstance. What makes me proud is that we won trophies despite many difficulties, with many young players playing from game to game. We played without Morten [Hjulmand], without Viktor [Gyokeres], without Geny, without Pote for months. We were champions with Pote playing at 50 percent in the final games. When I arrived, there were countless injuries, which led me to adapt to what we had and look for solutions, because we didn't have any for this formation, let alone for mine.”

Alisson growing and Dimoande better prepared
"I'll start with Alisson. Opportunity isn't about the World Cup being in Portugal, but about his current situation and his growth. He's shown this growth, he's been listening, he's better understanding the pressure he's under. He's been growing and has been important in the moments he's been playing. He’s been fighting for more opportunities, for more minutes, and that doesn't mean it's just because it's the World Cup coming up. He's been fighting for that. The opportunity has to do with his growth, not the competition itself. He's a kid who's been growing a lot, and we believe he'll be a very important player in the future and that he'll have a very bright future -also due to his individual qualities.

Diomande is better prepared for the game tomorrow. It was important that he didn't go away with the national team because we need to give him that boost. He's more capable of responding, more capable of being a starter, which hasn't happened in recent games because he didn't have that ability yet. He's an important player, with everything he gives us physically, and he stands out in that duel-based approach, in his physical competitiveness. He's an important player, and fortunately, we have him back."

Players unavailable
"Nuno [Santos] and Dani [Bragança] are recovering. Gonçalo Inácio came back with a slight knock, nothing major. These are the two absences we have, unfortunately. These are the two players [Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança] who have been injured for the longest time. I really want them back. They are two players who have to serve as an example for all of us -not only for their teammates, but for us coaches, the entire structure, because they are very resilient in terms of what their careers have been like. Despite serious injuries, they are a true example of what it means to have the ambition to return, to help, and to want to win."

The squad stay sharp against Clube Oriental de Lisboa

Sporting Clube de Portugal played a friendly match during the international break this past Saturday, defeating Clube Oriental de Lisboa 5-1.

The match, held at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, went into halftime with a 2-0 lead. The Sporting CP goals were scored by Hidemasa Morita (x2), Alisson Santos and Samuel Justo, in addition to an own goal.

Rui Borges selected João Virgínia, Matheus Reis, Hidemasa Morita, Maxi Araújo, Ousmane Diomande, Alisson Santos, Rayan Lucas, Eduardo Quaresma, Rafael Nel, Ricardo Mangas, and Samuel Justo for his starting XI, with several youngsters from the academy also being used.

The squad will return to training on Wednesday morning.

The Sporting CP player expresses his pride with the extension

Sporting Clube de Portugal and Pedro Gonçalves have agreed a contract renewal which will keep the player at the club until 2030, maintaining his €80 million buyout clause.

The Portuguese international arrived in Lisbon in 2020 from FC Famalicão, and is now in his sixth season at Sporting CP. He has made 209 appearances, scored 87 goals, won three Liga Portugal titles, one Taça de Portugal, one Supertaça, and two Taça da Liga honours, having played a key role in these achievements.

In his first words after signing the new contract, alongside Frederico Varandas, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gonçalves expressed his delight with the renewal.

"It's always a proud moment to renew my contract with a club that has a place in my heart, and continue playing for Sporting CP," he began by saying.

"I’ve felt that the club, the president, and everyone involved are happy for me to be part of this story. I'm very proud; it's a club I love," he added.

For ‘Pote,’ his success has been "a dream come true.”

"I didn't even expect to get to play for a club as big as Sporting CP. I'm happy to make my own history and follow my own path. The most important thing is to bring trophies to the club and, one day, go to the Sporting Museum and see my name there."

"Since I arrived in 2020, I’ve changed a lot mentally, but I remain the same fun guy who gives his all for the club. Especially because I have a lot of gratitude. Sporting CP have given me everything. I try to repay that as much as possible."

"We feel that it's a stable club now. There have been changes at the Estádio José Alvalade and renovations at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo. A lot has changed, I'm seeing the club grow, and that's the most important thing, especially because Sporting CP have to be one of the best clubs in Portugal and Europe," he stated.

On the current season and the title chase, he commented that "We'll give it our all. (...) Individually, it's been a good season so far, and one of my best starts. I'll do my best to keep it up. The team go into every game to win, and we'll continue like this until the end of the season.”

Finally, he sent a message for Sporting CP fans.

"Please continue supporting us as you have done until now. Believe in the team, because your help will be very important throughout the season. We need everyone with us. The fans are the club's strongest asset."

The coach rues imperfections against SC Braga

Following the 1-1 draw with SC Braga, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges analysed the match in his press conference.

Analysis
"It was a competitive game. We struggled to open up the play in our favour and we misplaced some passes. We gradually lost composure and individual confidence as a result. In the second half, we tried to improve how we went at SC Braga's points of reference, not let them think too much and gain confidence -something we lacked at the end of the first half. We were better in this regard, but we lacked clarity, energy, and proactivity to anticipate attacking behaviours. We were losing a lot of balls, and this creates a lack of individual confidence, which causes the team to lose some energy as well. At the end of the game, we were punished."

The result
"It ended up being fair. SC Braga had some chances, and so did we. Alisson [Santos] gave us what we wanted: more aggression in our search to reach the second third, and we created some chances. But we lacked the ability to finish off the various chances we had, even after the equaliser. Before that, we had three or four chances we could have finished off better.

In the second half, SC Braga only had one chance, in which Rui [Silva] made a good save, and also [Rodrigo] Zalazar's shot, but considering everything the opposition contributed to the game, it ended up being a fair result."

The battle for the top spot
"I’m only concerned about Sporting CP. I'm looking at what I have to do to improve my team, because in the last two league games, we fell a little short of what we wanted."

The team’s attitude
"It wasn't just today; it happened at Estoril as well, although not in the past few games. Our team have their own characteristics, and at times, it seems we're a little out of sync. We had some difficulty combating SC Braga's man-to-man marking, which made us a little cautious.

Francisco Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves struggled to find spaces. They are players who make a difference, and when they're not at full strength, we lose some aggression in the final third. That's why I moved Alisson [Santos] to the wing, because he gives us acceleration and aggression."

A lack of energy
"To be competitive, we need to have the right energy. It's that simple. I made the substitutions when I thought it best. It was my decision, that's all."

Using multiple players
"João Simões was left out for tactical reasons. Ousmane Diomande is coming off a long-term injury, he's trying to get on the pace, and it wouldn't make sense to use him only as a last resort. We'll try to use some time for him to catch up during this break."

Difficulty beating more competitive opponents
"I look at the game and at who the opponents are, not whether they're considered stronger or weaker. All games are difficult, and this is becoming increasingly evident. Whether we're strong or weak is subjective. The games we’ve lost this season were all competitive, and today we drew, punished by a very specific move. Therefore, in my attempt to improve, I only look at each game and see what I can improve to try to win it."

The team’s lowest possession of the season
"SC Braga dropped many players back in the first stage of the build-up, leaving our midfielders with some doubts. The three attackers also came up against the three defenders, and we were a bit lost trying to figure out the timing to shut that down.

More than that, it was important to understand the distance we were leaving to the reference players, and this led to us losing more passes and not keeping the ball as long as we desired. We had a lot of difficulty getting through their man-to-man marking. We weren't very proactive, we let the defenders anticipate play, and we lost a lot of balls. The team were losing confidence, and it's a snowball effect."

Absences for internationals
"The national team managers are the ones who make decisions, and we have to deal with that. I'd rather not have just five or six players, but we have to adapt. I'll meet the players a day or two before the Taça de Portugal match, but I have to find ways to make Sporting CP stronger and the players, individually, more available and fresh.

It's up to me to focus only on what I can control, because in these last two league matches, our quality of play was very inconsistent. In some ways, this result is more difficult to handle, because I would like to work on the next game with everyone now. That's what drives me."

The team draw 1-1 with SC Braga

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by SC Braga in their latest Liga Portugal fixture, as a late equaliser from their opponents denied them all three points. Luis Suárez scored the Sporting CP goal in the game.

Before kickoff, several initiatives were made for Breast Cancer Awareness day, and Sporting CP wore a new white and pink kit to mark the occasion.

Rui Borges maintained the starting XI from the last match in the competition, against GD Estoril Praia. Just three minutes in, his side were already creating danger. On the left, Maxi Araújo combined with Francisco Trincão, and he in turn passed to Geovany Quenda. The young winger cut in from outside the box and unleashed a rocket from the perimeter, forcing goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek to make his first significant save of the match.

Sporting CP took control of possession, relying on speed on the wings and quick movements in position to try to surprise the opposition defence.

In the 19th minute, they found their breakthrough: Pedro Gonçalves received the ball on the left, near the halfway line, and raced wide, leaving defender Gustaf Lagerbielke behind. Once inside the box, the midfielder set up Luis Suárez, who fired in the opener -and his sixth goal in the competition.

Sporting CP could have doubled their lead shortly after with a swift counterattack that SC Braga's defence managed to stop. At the other end, João Moutinho responded with a mid-range shot, without troubling goalkeeper Rui Silva.

From there, the hosts only threatened Luka Hornicek again in stoppage time, when Gonçalves failed to finish off an excellent team move.

After the break, SC Braga came back out more aggressive, determined to turn the tide. In the 47th minute, Vítor Carvalho threatened after a free kick from Leonardo Lelo. In turn, Sporting CP’s Georgios Vagiannidis headed just wide, although SC Braga were in the ascendancy at that stage.

Lelo took control in the 54th minute, finding himself free in the six-yard box and forcing Rui Silva to make a monumental save.

Two minutes later, Sporting CP’s Hidemasa Morita appeared to be in a prime position to make it 2-0, but his shot failed to find the target.

Rui Borges reacted in the 64th minute with the introductions of Alisson Santos and Giorgi Kochorashvili. The changes had an immediate effect: the Georgian brought energy and, three minutes later, latched onto a loose ball to set up a shot, but the move ended up smothered in a crowd of bodies.

Twenty minutes from time, the game was being played at a high pace in both boxes. In this period, Rui Silva was once again decisive, tipping away a powerful shot from outside the box by Rodrigo Zalazar and keeping the narrow lead alive.

In the 74th minute, the Sporting CP coach made another change, bringing on Fotis Ioannidis. His team tried to hold the ball up and regain control in the box, with Kochorashvili becoming increasingly involved, but SC Braga maintained a tight block and reduced the chances to a minimum.

Shortly thereafter, Alisson Santos burst down the left, left an opposition player behind, and unleashed a long-range shot inches wide of the target.

Ioannidis emerged unmarked after a good run by Alisson Santos on the left, but he didn't arrive in time to turn a shot past Luka Hornicek.

With the game drawing to a close, Borges sought to breathe new life into the team, introducing Iván Fresneda and Geny Catamo. The Spanish fullback immediately made a strong run down the right, but his cross went straight into the hands of the SC Braga goalkeeper.

A cruel twist occurred deep into stoppage time: The visitors won a free kick on the right, and Bright Arrey-Mbi, after some confusion in the box, shot on goal. Rui Silva deflected the ball, but the refereeing team ruled that Morten Hjulmand had fouled Gustaf Lagerbielke previously, awarding a penalty.

Rodrigo Zalazar converted from the spot to restore parity.

Alisson Santos, alone in the middle of the box, shot over before the end, and Fotis Ioannidis, in the final move of the match, headed the ball into Hornicek's hands. A frustrating evening concluded 1-1, earning Sporting CP a solitary point.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Hidemasa Morita (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 64’), Zeno Debast, Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 90’), Pedro Gonçalves, Giorgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 90’), Francisco Trincão (Alisson Santos, 64’), Maxi Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 73’).

The Champions League games ends 2-1 to the hosts

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 2-1 away to SSC Napoli on the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League campaign, coming back from Southern Italy empty handed despite their efforts.

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona boasted a great atmosphere in which Sporting CP fans also made their voices heard. Coach Rui Borges made several changes to the starting XI he had fielded against GD Estoril Praia: Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, and Luis Suárez were replaced by Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, João Simões, Geny Catamo, and Fotis Ioannidis – making his first start for the club.

The opening minutes, on a somewhat chilly autumn night, were tight and challenging. SSC Napoli had the first attack, with Kevin De Bruyne shooting over the bar, while at the other end, in the 12th minute, a good move ended with Geovany Quenda passing to Iván Fresneda. He placed the ball in a dangerous position, but the defence were able to clear.

The Italian champions began to take control of the match, and in the 22nd minute, after a combination move, Frank Anguissa missed the target with a shot. João Simões responded from long range for Sporting CP, but Vanja Milinković-Savić easily saved the effort.

Frank Anguissa took another shot around the half-hour mark; this time, the ball deflected off a defender and went out for a corner.

Sporting CP then began to go on the attack, dominating possession and moving the ball around well. Little by little, they closed in on the penalty area, but it was precisely at that moment that Antonio Conte's side managed to score from a deadly counterattack. Rasmus Højlund finished off the chance to make it 1-0.

Quenda sent a free kick directly into the goalkeeper's hands and Matteo Politana had an attempt skillfully saved by Rui Silva, heading into the halftime break.

Freshening up the attack in the second half, Pedro Gonçalves and Luis Suárez replaced Francisco Trincão and Geny Catamo. Opportunities, however, remained elusive for both sides. Aside from shots by Politano and De Bruyne that failed to go in, and a Suárez shot that was blocked, there was little to report in the early stages.

Then, in the 61st minute, after a Gonçalves shot, Maxi Araújo was brought down in the box, and referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty.

Suárez stepped up and converted the spot kick, bringing Sporting CP back on terms.

The introductions of Zeno Debast and Alisson Santos followed, in place of Eduardo Quaresma and Alisson Santos had left. Motivated by the goal and facing a team on the ropes, Sporting CP once again attacked SSC Napoli.

After Vanja Milinković-Savić's initial save of a Geovany Quenda shot, panic once again reigned in the SSC Napoli box: Luis Suárez, fed by Alisson Santos, set up Gonçalves, who shot just over the crossbar. It was the Alvalade club's second goal.

Hidemasa Morita came on for João Simões in another change from Rui Borges.

Soon after, SSC Napoli scored again, through Rasmus Højlund, this time with a header, and Sporting CP were back behind.

With ten minutes remaining, they fought hard to salvage at least a point, and came close to doing so in the 90+4 minute, when Morten Hjulmand's header forced Vanja Milinković-Savić into a superb save.

The game ended 2-1 to SSC Napoli. Sporting CP will now host SC Braga on Sunday in Liga Portugal. The return to the UEFA Champions League is scheduled for October 22nd, with a match against French side Olympique de Marseille at the Estadio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma (Zeno Debast, 66’), Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 78’), Geovany Quenda, Geny Catamo (Luis Suárez, 45’), Francisco Trincão (Pedro Gonçalves, 45’) and Fotis Ioannidis (Alisson Santos, 66’).