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 talks about the Taça de Portugal semifinals

Sporting Clube de Portugal host Rio Ave FC this Thursday in the Taça de Portugal semifinals. Coach Rui Borges previewed the game ahead in a press conference on Wednesday.

The semifinals
"It's a two-legged tie and the focus is solely on winning. We want to win, and we have to keep in mind that these will be two difficult games. Rio Ave FC certainly want to be in the final of the Taça de Portugal and will definitely come into the match very motivated. These are different games to league fixtures, because they dictate who will get into a final. They will compete to the fullest on every move, giving everything to get to the final.

We will do exactly the same thing. We want to win and the opposition cannot be more motivated than us. It will be a very competitive tie and nothing will be resolved in just one game. We have to play both games with the same rigor, ambition and concentration, but tomorrow in front of our fans we want to win."

Confidence in the team
"I have always maintained the same line: I have a huge ambition to win the league and to be able to win a cup final. For that to happen we have to overcome Rio Ave FC in this semi-final. The optimism is the same, our confidence is growing and the team has spoken for me and grown in terms of the quality of our play.

I'm very confident in the response that the team have been able to provide, in terms of their competitivity and consistency with our strategy and results. Therefore, I'm really confident for what will be the final stretch of the league and cup."

Possible rotations
"We really want to be in the final. We know that it will be difficult to overcome Rio Ave FC and we cannot think about keeping anything in reserve. There may be one or two changes, in terms of strategy, but we will approach the game very seriously. The focus is always the same for any game.

If I ask the players if they want to rest tomorrow and play on Monday, they'll kill me (laughs). Regardless of whether we play SC Braga in our next game and SL Benfica plays away at FC Porto, the title will be decided right at the end. We have to be focused on the next game and on being present in the final of the cup."

A possible final
"More than thinking about playing SL Benfica – and we have to respect FC Tirsense too – we have to think that we really want to win the cup, regardless of the opponent."

Possible future reinforcements
"I'm not going to say the name because it's difficult (laughs). Kochorashvili was a player identified by the club some time ago and who as a technical committee we had already observed at other times. He's a competitive player, with goals, technical quality... We believe he will add a lot and be an asset for Sporting CP. The club had the opportunity to guarantee his purchase now, and I'm happy about that.

We had also identified Alisson in January and there was no opportunity to bring him in then, but we closed the deal now, with a view to his future and growth.

In January, no one lets players leave, especially clubs fighting to move up the division, so it was difficult to close deals at that time."

Absences
"Morita is out of the game with Rio Ave FC and Pedro Gonçalves is too. I believe that in the next ten days he will be able to return; that's not the doctor saying this though, it's me who evaluates the day to day situation. I believe he will be close to making his contribution to the team.

If he were available, he would play, whether it was a lot or a little time, because of everything he gives to the team. We have missed him and I believe he will be very important in the final stretch of the season, if everything goes well."

His formation
"The goalkeepers don't know who's playing, so I'm not going to say anything here either (laughs).

Somehow, I have adapted to the moment at Sporting CP; To insist on something we really want, we have to have time and players available. Unfortunately we didn't have any of that and therefore we had to adapt.

Nevertheless, we often create in threes, so the formation is subjective. We have defended with a 4-4-2 in many games. Overall, the system doesn't deviate much from what we want, but at this stage, more than creating discomfort, we want to create trust in the group. We don't have much time to train, so we adapt one thing or another as we can. Above all, I want to feel the team grow in terms of confidence and energy."

The coach reviews the win over Estrela da Amadora

Rui Borges reacted to Sporting CP's 0-3 victory at CF Estrela da Amadora in his post-match press conference, after another comprehensive display from his team.

Analysis of the match
"We controlled the game from start to finish: When it was 11 vs. 11, 11 vs. 10 and 11 vs. 9. We started well and could have scored early on. After 20 minutes, CF Estrela da Amadora managed to slow down the game .

"After the sending off, and with the opposition playing with lower lines, the ball had to move faster, but we weren't able to do that. We had to create width, create one-on-one situations and take advantage of micro-superiorities in spaces. We changed that at half-time, with the introduction of Geny Catamo, a player who gives us the ability to accelerate out with the ball. He had a great game.

After we made it 0-1,we had several chances to score the second. We controlled the game and the goals started coming naturally. At a difficult ground, against a competitive team, we felt at home. Our fans made us feel that, as they are with us no matter what. It was very important for the team to feel this energy from the outside."

Killing off the game
"After the first goal we created opportunities to make it 0-2, but we couldn't finish them right away. Above all, it was important for the team to be focused on the defensive side: CF Estrela da Amadora tried quick attacks and set pieces, which I had warned about, and we were always controlling these aspects."

Few shots in the first half
"It's going to be increasingly difficult to win games. The teams in the league are very competitive and we have to make a difference from the few opportunities we create. We weren't capable of that in the first half, but I prefer to look at the collective and the evolution of the players on an individual level. I look at [Giovany] Quenda and he's much more of a player, Zeno [Debast] is much more competitive and committed to duels for the ball since he's been playing as a midfielder. He's a very focused kid who wants to know everything in his game; he's starting to enjoy playing in the middle and it shows.

Today the whole team contributed -even those not called up. That's what makes me happy: everyone was connected. That energy is felt in our play. The team are more competitive and this affects our daily work, even with all the difficulties we have had since we arrived. We have been getting around the little obstacles that have appeared along the way and, in these final games, everything will depend on us doing our best. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, but if we all do our best, it will come."

Few minutes for Biel
"He has worked hard to improve and fit into the team's dynamics. There are options and everyone respects them, aware that they have to do their best, being available to help the team. When we win, everyone wins, and that is very clear."

The players have a session at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to work this Tuesday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo, with the game against CF Estrela da Amadora in their sights.

Also back were some of the internationals who had played for their respective countries in recent days, namely Rui Silva, Francisco Trincão, Geovany Quenda and Conrad Harder. Hidemasa Morita spent time with the Performance Unit.

To prepare for the match on Saturday, at 6pm, at the Estádio José Gomes, coach Rui Borges also brought in young players Pedro Miguéis, Alexandre Brito, Kauã Oliveira, Lucas Anjos, Lucas Taibo, Luís Gomes, Rafael Besugo and Adam Arvelo, who trained with the first team.

Another training session is scheduled in Alcochete on Wednesday, behind closed doors.

The striker scores twice in a 0-3 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal claimed a comfortable 0-3 win over CF Estrela da Amadora at the Estádio José Gomes, making it four Liga Portugal wins in a row for Rui Borges' men. The team remain top of the table with seven games remaining of the 2024/25 season.

Borges had to make adjustments due to injuries, and decided to give starts to Eduardos, Quaresma and Felicíssimo. The initial XI also featured the return of captain Gonçalo Inácio.

On the day of an eclipse in Portugal, there was nothing capable of dimming the shine of Viktor Gyökeres, who was in exceptional form. He soon threatened the opposition goal, as after just 35 seconds he combined with Geovany Quenda and shot well, requiring a good save by opposition goalkeeper João Costa.

Matheus Reis had another chance for Sporting CP, after seven minutes. He got into the area at the end of a move that also involved Gyökeres, but the Brazilian's strong strike hit the crossbar.

Five minutes later, off a free kick by Zeno Debast, the ball bounced capriciously in the CF Estrela da Amadora area, causing much confusion. The home defence eventually managed to clear the danger.

The hosts contained Sporting CP's momentum and in the 15th minute they advanced into the opposition's half for the first time. However, Alan Ruiz's shot from distance went wide of the target.

Amidst some aggressive play from Estrela da Amadora, Sporting CP lost some control of possession. So much so that, off a quick transition, the home side once again approached the area defended. Matheus Reis cut out the threat in the nick of time.

Things swung firmly in Sporting CP's favour when Guilherme Montóia was sent off in the 34th minute, following a reckless challenge on Iván Fresneda.

Three close chances followed: Francisco Trincão shot over after linking up with Debast and Gyökeres; the Swedish striker had another effort cleared away; then, his header was kept out by an Estrela da Amadora side clinging on until the interval.

At half-time, Rui Borges brought on Geny Catamo, to use Mozambican's speed to break through the lines.

The opening goal finally came on 52 minutes, in several stages: Sporting CP benefited from a free kick. Ousmane Diomande was fouled in the penalty area. Afterwards, VAR signaled the infraction, the refereeing team reviewed the move and awarded the spot kick. Gyökeres dispatched the penalty for his 29th goal of the season.

Os Leões came close to increasing their lead in the 60th minute, with an improvised shot from Catamo, superbly saved by João Costa. On the rebound, Quenda sent a firm hit wide. Four minutes later, another decisive intervention from the goalkeeper prevented Matheus Reis' cross from reaching Trincão.

In the 78th minute, João Costa, competing with Viktor Gyökeres for the role of the most decisive player on the pitch, got the better of the Swede, who ran at speed on the right and released a shot saved by the goalkeeper.

However, Costa was unable to do anything to prevent Quenda's goal in the 81st minute. Following a pass from Gyökeres, he dribbled past an opposition defender and, from a slight angle to the right, placed the ball into the net.

Whilst Estrela de Amadora had a goal disallowed, there would be no doubt about the third of the game. Gyökeres suffered an obvious pull back in the penalty area and, from the spot, shot hard inside the left post to round off the victory.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Matheus Reis (Ricardo Esgaio, 84’), Zeno Debast, Viktor Gyökeres, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 84’), Iván Fresneda (Geny Catamo, 46’), Gonçalo Inácio [C], Ousmane Diomande, Geovany Quenda (Biel Teixeira, 90’), Eduardo Quaresma and Eduardo Felicíssimo (Henrique Arreiol, 90’).

The coach talks before Liga Portugal Matchday 27

Rui Borges spoke to the media ahead of Sporting Clube de Portugal's return to action, which takes place on Saturday away to CF Estrela da Amadora.

CF Estrela Amadora's league position
"There are no easy games. Football is increasingly more difficult and demanding. We will face a team that need points, that will give their all for points, at a smaller stadium, with fervent fans. I believe that our travelling fans will also make us feel as if we were playing at home, as has been the case the season, but it will be a difficult game against a team that are playing at home and at a difficult ground for all teams -especially the big ones. Estrela are a very athletic team, strong on their quick attacks and on transitions, and they look for set pieces a lot. They are also dangerous from long balls, and on a defensive level I believe that they will want to be pressing at times and at others play in a lower block."

Sporting CP's fitness after international commitments
"It's difficult to say. We had 15 days off, but we didn't train the same because, unfortunately or fortunately, Sporting CP have a lot of players in the national teams -both senior and Under-21s, who play a lot of minutes. It was very difficult to work; we only had the whole team together today, but I believe the team will give a good response."

Reduced options in midfield
"It's nothing new. Since we arrived, there have been a lot of setbacks and we have to be able to fight against them and find ways to be competitive and honour the club we represent. Morten Hjulmand won't be available and Hidemasa Morita won't be either. We have the players who have already played: Zeno Debast and Ricardo Esgaio. It won't stray too far from there, as that's what has happened in the past. Whoever plays will give a good response and will be able to help the team in the best way."

Pedro Gonçalves' possible return
"I really wanted to have Pote, Dani Bragança and everyone else back, but it's not possible. Pote is already in the final part of his recovery, and he's working on the pitch and with the ball, but he's not training with the team yet. All I can do is wait and get the ok from the medical team. He has to go through all the processes, and he's going through them well. Let's see if it's the next game or not that he's back: it's very much day-to-day and a question of passing all the medical tests. I believe his return is coming soon, because he's already in that final stretch."

Jeremiah St. Juste's fitness
"He's 100 percent fit and available to play, but him not doing so has been down to the coach's choices. He's doing well, training well and he's another solution that we have. Since I arrived, he's had a lot of games and that shows the confidence we have in him. He just didn't play when he was injured, but he was almost always a solution."

Eduardo Quaresma's starting role
"Debast must play as a midfielder because we have no other solutions. He has played very well as a midfielder, but he is adapting to the position. For Zeno to step up, someone will have to play as a midfielder, like Esgaio, St. Juste or Quaresma. Fortunately, for that position I have more options than normal, but whoever plays, I will be comfortable."

Managing Gonçalo Inácio's fitness
"We have to be careful with him. He played a lot of minutes for the national team, as did others, but in this final stretch the most important thing is to understand what is best for the team and not expose the team to problems -and be as competitive as possible. It is what it is. Everyone wants to help. If we have to make an extra effort, we will have to do so, because the most important thing is to reach the end of the season and get what we want."

No room for error
"The final stretch will be difficult for everyone. The difficulty will be great and all the teams will have difficult games, whether at home or away. Whoever is the most competent will be champion and, therefore, I always say that we have to be competent, but I'm not thinking further ahead than tomorrow's game, trying to be competent, winning, getting three more points and remaining in first place. It will always be like this, until the end."

Francisco Trincão attracting interest from other clubs
"Trincão was already attractive to the market and, before he went away with the national team, I made a point of talking about him. He has done a spectacular job and was one of the players I was most surprised by. His quality is recognised by everyone, but what he works for, what he gives to the team and his commitment have been phenomenal. Maybe his work in the last few games at Sporting CP was not valued much because he didn't score a goal, and now he scored two for the national team, but Trincão was the same for the national team as he is at Sporting CP. He has been very important for us, I'm happy with the two goals for Portugal, and he deserves it."

The coach's assessment of the win against FC Famalicão

At the end of the Sporting Clube de Portugal's 3-1 victory over FC Famalicão, Rui Borges was present at the press conference to review the contest.

Analysis of the match
"It was a first half in which we started very well and then we lost some confidence. We were dropping too low, and we let FC Famalicão gain confidence. They got closer to our goal and then they got the penalty. After the penalty, we improved and grew again with our positive energy. We ended the first half with clear opportunities to make it 2-1. At halftime, we didn't change anything, we just improved a few things. We grew and were clearly better than FC Famalicão. Until the sending off of Maxi Araújo, we were clearly the dominant side and created several goalscoring opportunities.

The influence of Viktor Gyökeres
"There are no words to describe Viktor. In the coming years, there is unlikely to be a player of his quality in our league again. He is a player who is out of the ordinary. He gives us a lot and is looked for in that sense, even if the rest of the team help out too. He is a difference maker and will continue to be so. His quality is unequivocal and phenomenal."

Support from Sportinguistas
"Since our first game, the fans have been fantastic. They never stop supporting us, both at home and away. They will be very important in the final stretch. I feel like a happy coach and with more and more confidence that we will all be very happy in the end."

A fair result
"We could have scored more goals. FC Famalicão had 15 minutes in which they were better than us, in the first half, and the second half was all us until the final minutes. The victory is a fair one, even if we could have scored more goals."

The international break
"The break will be good for us to get more and more solutions. We want to have everyone available, because the team's confidence is different when that is the case. The team are fantastic and have given a very good response. The confidence, intensity and energy are better now. I hope to be able to have the squad increasingly available to respond to the eight 'finals' that remain."

Pedro Gonçalves
"I want to have him back as soon as possible. He is improving and is already doing individual work on the pitch. I can't say when he will return, it depends a lot on his day-to-day work and his confidence. He is doing better and on the right path. He is a different kind of player and will add a lot to the team."

Francisco Trincão
"Not much is said about him, but he's one of the players who has impressed me the most here. In addition to his individual quality, what he gives to the team is fantastic."

Hidemasa Morita
"He was tired and asked to come off. He's a very different kind of player in some ways and I like him a lot."

The calendar and pressure
"It depends on everyone's perspective. We have difficult games coming up away from home, just like other teams. We have to be competent. It's up to us and that's a good feeling. If we're very competent in the eight games that remain, we'll finish first."

Tactics
"In the first few games, we defended with a 4-4-2 and attacked with a 3-4-3. It's all a question of strategy, of what the game asks for and provides. The formation is something initial and then it changes. At times we defended with five at the back, others with four. It's all very relative. The problem is that we weren't able to train and acquire behaviours. What was missing in the first half was a little bit like that."

Ousmane Diomande
"He had a great game, regardless of the penalty he gave away. I haven't seen the game replay yet, but it was a moment in which he was a little late. He had a great game. He'll make mistakes sometimes, he's young and it's part of his growth. We have to understand that and support him. He reached a very high level quickly and has superb qualities. He'll be talked about for years."

Sporting CP take a fourth consecutive victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat FC Famalicão 3-1 on Matchday 26 in Liga Portugal, as Iván Fresneda, Viktor Gyökeres and Geny Catamo scored the goals.

On a rainy night at the Estádio José Alvalade, coach Rui Borges made two changes to his starting lineup: Ricardo Esgaio and Gonçalo Inácio were replaced by Hidemasa Morita and Maxi Araújo.

The start to the game couldn't have been better, as Sporting CP opened the scoring when the first minute was coming to an end. From a run down the left, breaking through the opposition defence, Gyökeres got into a dangerous area and passed to Francisco Trincão, who missed his shot. However, Fresneda appeared to finish off the move and make it 1-0.

Sporting CP then threatened with a free kick over the crossbar from Gyökeres, and would only face chances for FC Famalicão after the 17th minute appeared: Rui Silva making a save, then later Rafa Soares striking wide.

At the other end, Morita tried to set up Trincão, but goalkeeper Lazar Carević grabbed the cross.

Rui Silva was again called into action on the half hour, denying Gustavo Sá the equaliser with a great save.

After Lazar Carević prevented Fresneda from scoring a second goal, FC Famalicão won a penalty. Aranda converted from the spot and made it 1-1.

Before the break, only Sporting CP had clear opportunities. First it was Geovany Quenda with a venomous cross that flashed across the face of goal, then it was Araújo's turn, on two occasions, to come very close to scoring. The Uruguayan shot slightly wide with his weaker foot, and four minutes later he met Gyökeres' pass with -requiring both Sorriso and Lazar Carević to keep the ball out.

After the restart, Quenda shot slightly wide, and then had a powerful effort tipped onto the post by the opposition goalkeeper.

Just past the hour, Araújo was fouled in the FC Famalicão area and referee Miguel Nogueira awarded a penalty. Gyökeres successfully dispatched it for his 28th goal in Liga Portugal -his 40th in all competitions for Sporting CP in 2024/25.

Araújo once again came close after Quenda's phenomenal cross, but Lazar Carević saved. Ousmane Diomande's header went wide. Zeno Debast tried his luck with a free kick, but the goalkeeper saved it, as the opportunities continued.

In the 80th minute, Araújo was shown a straight red card, leaving Sporting CP a man down.

The task of maintaining the lead became more complicated, and an ambitious FC Famalicão tested Rui Silva with Sorriso's shot, but it was Sporting CP who were next to score.

In a tremendous collective move, Trincão set up Gyökeres and the latter, with great class, set up Geny Catamo at the far post. The Mozambican only needed to tap the ball in to make it 3-1.

Sporting CP took the victory and maintained the top spot in the table. They return to action at the end of the month, after the international break, visiting CF Estrela da Amadora.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis, Iván Fresneda (Geny Catamo, 60'), Morten Hjulmand [C] (Eduardo Felicíssimo, 90+2'), Hidemasa Morita (Eduardo Quaresma, 73'), Maxi Araújo, Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 90+2'), Geovany Quenda (Ricardo Esgaio, 90+2') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach sets out his aim for the game against FC Famalicão

Sporting Clube de Portugal host FC Famalicão this Saturday at 8:30 pm in Liga Portugal. Beforehand, Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.

The team's form
"It is important to go into the international break with another victory, continuing this phase of growth in terms of fitness, confidence and quality of play. The team must remain rigorous and focused, because we are going to have a difficult match against a team that are also growing, with a change of coach. In the last seven games, FC Famalicão have only had one defeat and conceded two goals; this illustrates the quality we will encounter at a defensive level.

They are a compact team, which makes the opposition as difficult as can be, and with a lot of quality in the last third too. We have to be aware and not stray from our focus. We need to look at the opponents with full respect, but also look at who we are, at what we have been able to do, and continue with that. A team that wants to be champions cannot be happy about winning three games; they must want to win the next game as well."

The work during the week
"These weeks have seen fewer games and we can work on some aspects more, but don't expect Sporting CP to change from one weekend to another. The players are understanding things better, we are managing fatigue and rest better, and in that sense these weeks help. The overload was clear in our team."

The international break
"It's a thankless situation for those who work with great players, because we will have more than half the team out. We don't get a lot of time to work with them to develop, because we won't have many players with us. We'll have to deal with it, it's part of working at a club like Sporting CP. We are expectant, taking into account these last few months of unhappiness, and are anxious for everyone to return fit. But it's part of the game. More than looking at the physical wear and tear, I prefer to look at the positives: Eduardo Quaresma is back, [Jeremiah] St. Juste will be back after this break, and they are important players to complete the group.

Debast's position
"I'm very happy with everything he's been able to give, both as a midfielder and as a central defender. I'm very comfortable with Zeno [Debast], wherever he plays."

Morita's return
"He's a player that I praised publicly even before I became Sporting CP coach. He's different and I admire him a lot. It's natural that he may not yet be able to play the full 90 minutes, but more than defining minutes, it's important that he's available for the game. His usage will depend on how the game develops, whether the dynamics force a high intensity for a long time. And then it will be about understanding how much he's capable of responding. It's not just him; it's  Morten [Hjulmand] as well."

Pedro Gonçalves' recovery
"He is recovering well and has started, little by little, working on the pitch. He is closer to that return. I hope to have him available as soon as possible, for everything he offers and the importance he has to the team."