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."
Iván Fresneda and Rafael Nel talks after the loss to Arsenal
Following the match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal, players Iván Fresneda and Rafael Nel spoke to the media and analysed the Champions League game.
Iván Fresneda (Sporting TV interview)
"It leaves a very bitter taste in our mouths, but it's only the first leg. We have a second game in London next week and we're going to go all-out to win it.
The least we should have taken away was a draw. We deserved much more; we had opportunities to score. We suffered in the final minutes, but that's football. We've won games in the last minute before, and it happens. We have to improve for the second leg and the tie is still open.
We are a great team. We've already demonstrated that in the league phase of this competition and in the previous tie. Obviously, this tie is very difficult -and a little more so after this defeat-, but it's still open. We have to win the next game, and we will fight to do that.
We still believe and the fans will too, for sure. Together we will try to turn this tie around."
Rafael Nel (mixed zone)
"The 0-1 scoreline leaves everything open for the game in London. It was a competent showing from us. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal at the end, but I think the tie is open and we'll play the second leg there with everything we have.
When I came on, I was thinking of trying to help the team with a goal. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to do so, but I gave everything out there and I'll keep doing that.
Did I exchange a few words with Viktor Gyökeres? Yes. He told me he was happy for me and I'm always happy for him too. He's an idol for me and I'll see him again next week.
The tie is open and we have nothing to fear. The team are confident and we'll play well in London.
As for Liga Portugal, we have to focus on ourselves. The team's focus is on the game against CF Estrela da Amadora. We'll understand their dynamics and approach the game like any other match."
Following the defeat for Sporting Clube de Portugal to Arsenal, coach Rui Borges talked in a press conference about the game.
The end of a run of 17 consecutive victories at Alvalade
"The players deserve recognition and merit. It's a fantastic group that deserve to make history for Sporting CP, and this was another way to do that. It's a record that will one day be broken by another group,and that makes us happy. Alvalade is, more and more, a fortress for us."
Analysis of the game
"It was an evenly balanced game. Apart from the corner kick that hit the post and a shot saved by Rui Silva, Arsenal only had one shot on goal. We had three clear opportunities that were well saved by the Arsenal goalkeeper. They had their strengths, we had ours, two great teams and a competitive game. We didn't deserve to suffer defeat, but that's football. We've won with goals after the 90 minutes were up, and today we lost through a goal in stoppage time. If there are big challenges, then this is the team to overcome them. We will seek to do something unprecedented in London, where I believe we will give a good response."
Viktor Gyökeres
"I asked if he and his family were well and said I was happy for him. He deserves the recognition of the Sporting CP fans. He helped me a lot to become a Liga Portugal champion, and he gave his all while he was at Sporting CP. He made history in the league and at Sporting CP, and will always be very welcome here. He deserves to be applauded."
Hopes of advancing in the competition
"Obviously we have hope. We know they are a great team when playing at home, but we like big challenges. I truly believe that we will have a good response in London."
The second leg
"We have several challenging matches ahead of us, but I'm very level-headed and my problem now is CF Estrela da Amadora. I have to win that game and I need to think about how I'm going to do it. There are still many days to go until the matches against Arsenal, SL Benfica and FC Porto. I like to think about the present -and the present is CF Estrela da Amadora."
The fans
"There are no words to describe the energy and support they gave us from beginning to end. Even after the game, feeling their affection is important for the players. We lost to a great team, but we competed against the best and that's what we want to do. A small detail cost us dearly, and the opposite has happened before with us. It demonstrates the closeness of the tie and the fans saw attitude, courage and quality from the team."
Arsenal's set pieces
"At times, there are clear fouls. It's a very specific moment and a team with great athleticism. The duels with them are difficult. We are two good teams at set pieces; we are the best team in Portugal in that aspect, and the fourth best in Europe. The team demonstrated this ability, even though it was difficult."
Sporting CP's support in London
"In London, they will make the difference with their support, so that we can beat a great team that will be playing at home."
The team lose 0-1 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final
Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 0-1 to Arsenal in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter final, conceding in stoppage time to a goal by Kai Havertz for the Premier League leaders.
The team took to the pitch with six changes to their starting XI, as Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, Eduardo Quaresma, Ricardo Mangas, Daniel Bragança and Rafael Nel made way for the incoming Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, João Simões and Luis Suárez.
Sporting CP made an almost perfect start to the game. From their first real attack, just 6 minutes in, Ousmane Diomande found Maxi Araújo with a wonderful trivela pass, and the Uruguayan's shot hit the crossbar after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya managed to get a touch on it.
Rui Borges' team took advantage of the momentum to continue to attack. After a free-kick by Francisco Trincão that hit the wall, Maxi Araújo shot wide. A good effort from Geny Catamo on the right followed, but Raya also managed to save it.
Known for their quality from set pieces, Arsenal threatened with a free kick from Martin Ødegaard, but Diomande cleared it. From the resulting corner, Noni Madueke's shot hit the crossbar and Ødegaard shot wide on the rebound.
The game began to calm down, and until halftime there were only two shots taken with real intent: One by Diomande from distance, which went wide, and another from Ødegaard which was safely saved by Rui Silva.
Following a goalless first half, Arsenal continued to have more possession after the break, and tried to create danger through Leandro Trossard and Ødegaard, who both had strikes.
For Sporting CP, a clever move ended with Araújo setting up Francisco Trincão, who shot across goal and slightly wide.
In the 62nd minute, Borges replaced João Simões with Daniel Bragança.
Arsenal had the ball in the net through Martin Zubimendi, but referee Daniel Siebert disallowed the goal due to an offside by Viktor Gyökeres, the returning former Sporting CP player. The Swede himself tested Rui Silva in the 67th minute, but the goalkeeper made the save.
Sporting CP improved throughout the second half. In the 78th minute, Catamo narrowly missed the target. Then an exceptional run by Luis Suárez on the right produced a cross for Geny Catamo to head the ball towards goal, forcing a great save from Raya.
Catamo again caused panic among the Gunners' defence in the 87th minute, when he finished off a counterattack with a shot that was blocked by Raya. Luis Suárez tried to follow up, but was also thwarted by the visiting goalkeeper.
The twist in the tale came late on, when in the 90+2 minute, Kai Havertz found himself one-on-one with Rui Silva and stroked the ball into the net, giving Arsenal a harsh advantage on the night and in the tie.
Before the second leg in London on April 15th, Sporting CP play CF Estrela da Amadora in Liga Portugal on Sunday night.
Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Maxi Araújo, Hidemasa Morita, João Simões (Daniel Bragança, 62'), Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Rafael Nel, 79') and Luis Suárez.
In the lead-up to the UEFA Champions League quarter final clash against Arsenal, Rui Borges highlighted the ambition held by Sporting Clube de Portugal to continue making history in the competition.
The objective
"What we want is to make the dream a reality. We want to continue, in some way, to mark our path individually and collectively, and to mark the history of a great club like Sporting CP. We hope -and believe- that we can continue to do something extraordinary and, therefore, the help of our fans will be very important. I want them to make Alvalade a magical place once again. They will be very important if we are to overcome a great Arsenal side."
Viktor Gyökeres
"He's a great player, but we focus on the collective. Arsenal are a team full of individual talents, and any lapse from us could make the difference. We know what Viktor is capable of doing. He's a great player, and great players, no matter how well we know them, can always make a difference."
Favourites in the tie
"I think that, at this stage of the Champions League, you can't make anyone a favourite. These are two great teams competing in an advanced knockout round of the competition. We are two teams that have had a positive journey. Arsenal have nine wins in ten games in this competition, but they are up against a Sporting CP side that have only won at home, who finished among the Top 8 when nobody expected it.
There will be respect from both sides. Each team have their ideas, virtues, and flaws. There is no clear favourite, but I believe that our fans can make a small difference in us beating a team who are among the three best sides in Europe."
This being a good time to face Arsenal
"I don't believe that it is, especially because they are a great team -and great teams want to win everything. In some way, they come in wounded by the elimination, will be focused and want to show their ability. Honestly, I think it makes our job even more difficult. But they will also come up against a very motivated team, who believe we are capable of doing something extraordinary, that has never been done by Sporting CP."
The fight for the Liga Portugal title affecting performance in the Champions League
"Sporting CP will always want to be competitive in all competitions, but our 'Champions League' is the domestic league. It's our main objective. Now, we will fight to continue to do something different. The collective have given that response, the great group we have. Tomorrow, whoever plays, will again provide a great response. We will dignify the club and have a good game."
Ousmane Diomande vs. Viktor Gyökeres
"They are two very competitive players, and it's natural that, at some point, there was a 'spark' between them -in the good sense of the word. They have above-average intensity, but to stop Viktor, we have four great centre-backs who are capable of responding."
The most recent game against Arsenal
"The focus is on the present, not last year, in order for us to achieve an increasingly better and more remarkable future. I repeat, we are two great teams, but in different phases and different seasons. Arsenal are perhaps even stronger than last year. Sporting CP are a very competitive team, and tomorrow we won't deviate from our plan. We know the difficulties we will face."
Strategy
"I'm not going to talk about the strategy, because otherwise Arsenal would know everything we will do. They are a team that have some variability, depending not only on the midfielders, but also on the wingers. We have to be very focused collectively, even more so than individually. These are totally different games and the level of focus and rigour have to be even greater. This Arsenal team, in a millisecond, can make us pay dearly. I believe, above all, that we will be prepared for that."
The reception for Viktor Gyökeres
"He's a player who will certainly be well received by all of us. He made history at Sporting CP, in the Portuguese league, and deserves this recognition from everyone.
There's no resentment. I try to be a well balanced person. He was an important player for us, and everyone has a great friendship with him. I understand his ambition, and we ended up reaching a good understanding for both parties. Everything was as it should have been, in a minimally correct way for Sporting CP and for the player. It's natural that he wanted to take this step in his career, and we respect that.
That's football: Today you're here, tomorrow you're gone. Only the club doesn't change. Players change, coaches change, but Sporting CP will continue winning and being a great club in Europe. I wish him the best of luck in the world, because my admiration for him is great."
Lack of faith in Gyökeres in England
"I believe he went through an adaptation period in the initial phase of the season, due to the style of play in England and the Arsenal philosophy. Because of all his individual characteristics, he needed to adapt, but he's back to what he does well, which is scoring goals.
Viktor had a big impact in terms of goals and, with him not being able to score them, given his transfer fee, it's natural that the fans were initially sceptical. But the truth always comes out. He will continue scoring goals, wherever he is."
Sporting CP lacking a great European campaign before
"I believe it's a process. It's part of Sporting CP's growth at all levels. Things naturally unfold when the club is well-structured. Everyone knows the way forward, and there are detours and obstacles, but it's about being able to overcome them and keep going. If everything is well-connected and understood by everyone, this growth will be noticeable year after year. It was all a matter of time, and I believe it will be even better in the future."
Sporting Clube de Portugal host Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter finals on Tuesday. Before another big European night at Alvalade, Maxi Araújo spoke about the fixture.
Expectations for the game
"We know that the fans are always very important for us, and both tomorrow and in London it will be very difficult. We are prepared, in good form, and it will be a very good tie. We will look at them as our equals."
Favourites in the game
"I believe there are no favourites in the tie. They are doing very well, and we are also doing very well. For me, there are no favourites."
The absence of Morten Hjulmand
"I believe Morten is a fundamental player for us, but we have excellent midfielders and, as the coach has already said, we win thanks to everyone. We've done it before: Winning without key players. The important thing is that the player who comes in for him will undoubtedly be prepared. As I said, we have players who can replace him and whoever plays tomorrow will do very well."
The return of Viktor Gyökeres
"The whole group was very happy for him. He did great things for the club and deserved his move. He worked very hard. I haven't spoken to him, but I think some teammates have, and it will be wonderful to see him tomorrow.
Things are going well for him, he's scored a lot of goals and I'm very happy for him. He's also achieved things with Sweden. I wish him all the best."
A chance at an precedented spot in the semifinals
"Without a doubt it's extra motivation, but for us it's very important to think about tomorrow's game first. The tie will be tough, but there's always a first time and I hope this is it."
Facing Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke
"I believe that all the Arsenal players are very good. Both are among the best wingers in the world, and for me it's a privilege to face either of them. I feel prepared, and whoever plays, it won't affect me. The most important thing is that I'm ready."
At the end of the game against CD Santa Clara, Rui Borges analysed the 4-2 win for Sporting CP.
Rafael Nel's performance
"He had a good performance, but he wasn't obligated to make anyone forget about anyone. He was obligated to do his best -the same thing he does in training and with the B team.
He had a great game, he understood well what he could contribute to the team, and then his individual talent shone through. He's ready, we knew that, and he gave a very good response, as did the whole team. He has grown a lot, and the way he played demonstrated that. He clearly showed that he's here to help out and to be an option for the first team more often.
He has an understanding of what's good about his game, and what needs improvement. That's half the battle to reaching success and being better. He has improved a lot in his skills, in his combination play, in attack, in support, and he's a very competitive kid who wears down an opposition defence. He's very intense, and I particularly like those skills of his. I have no doubt that he will be an important player in Sporting CP's future."
Analysis of the game
"It was important for us to give a clear demonstration of what our group is about, and they did that. They were focused, in a game where we conceded a goal in the first few minutes, and from perhaps the only chance that CD Santa Clara had in the first half. The team remained true to what we had to do, to our game plan, and were calm and confident.
We grew as the game progressed, creating several opportunities, and we finished the first half with a more than deserved 3-1 lead. In the second half, we also controlled the game, and CD Santa Clara ended up believing in their chances in the final minutes. A small distraction on our part allowed them to make it 3-2.
CD Santa Clara always relied on long balls. They have their own style of play, which is physical, intense, and competitive, but even at that level, we gave a great response: Often we defended man-to-man, and were exposed to some problems in terms of attacking deep, but we controlled the game. The victory is inarguable."
Pedro Gonçalves' performance
"Coach Roberto Martínez certainly knows what he has available for Portugal. He called him up because he's paying attention to what Pedro has been doing at Sporting CP.
The substitution was just management of our resources. We have to understand that he was out for a while. We expected him to have some minutes with the national team to gain confidence and improve his fitness, but, considering everything that the next month will bring, we thought it ideal that he only played 45 minutes, and he played a good 45 minutes. We had the game minimally under control, I felt the team were doing well, and we opted to manage the situation."
The absence of Iván Fresneda
"He woke up with a fever. He was in the squad, but he was unavailable and went home due to illness."
Controversy with FC Porto
"Honestly, those who needed to speak have already spoken. I endorse everything the President says, I've stated this several times. Ricardo Costa spoke, and I'm with him until the death. I believe his word very much because I know him, I know his character and his personality. Those who needed to speak have spoken."
The team switching off
"I'm happy with everything the team were capable of doing. There was no falling asleep at all. It's natural that the pace dropped, due to all the constraints we had, but the team did well. CD Santa Clara took advantage of a lapse in our concentration, that's all. With everything we were capable of –winning duels, being competitive and being intense in one-on-one situations– I'm very happy with the team's response."
Goals from the left wing
"We identified a few things. CD Santa Clara were defending in a 4-4-2 formation that wasn't very intense in the press, giving us a lot of time to set up in the attacking part of the midfield. On the right, we had extra width because the wingers, being preoccupied with starting quick attacks, stopped looking for reference points later on. [Georgios] Vagiannidis could create many problems there, and we already had other players there as well, like Francisco Trincão and Geny Catamo.
CD Santa Clara's defensive line takes some time to expand, and we knew that when the ball entered the flanks, if there were accelerations inside, we could create danger because of those delays. That's what happened in the first half.
What Dani [Bragança] gives us, what [Hidemasa] Morita gives us and what Morten [Hjulmand] also gives us with the ball, is clarity, calmness, and composure. Our defensive line looks there and feels confident because they have this ability to play short passes and also go long. Dani gives us more mobility than Morten; they are players with different characteristics, although, with the ball, they offer similar things at times. I'm happy for him; he has grown a lot and become a different player than he was, but an important player with recognised quality."
"Thank you to everyone. Happy to see him return at a good time after a long break. It's to his credit and it's about continuing on this path."
Surpassing Mário Lino's record at Alvalade
"I'm happy to, in some way, continue to make history at Sporting CP, but I give the credit to the players. They are the ones who should be remembered for these 17 consecutive victories, more than me."
Changes to the starting XI
"Gonçalo Inácio came back injured from national team duty. Morten had been sick, but today he no longer had a fever and ended up playing. On top of that, he had just played 110 minutes for his national team. Maxi [Araújo] also played two games. We thought his energy would be more important in the second half than in the first.
If I had put Maxi in, I might have had to take him off after 50 minutes. Because of the fatigue he has and everything that will happen this month, we have to manage everyone's efforts and stay competitive."
The unavailable players coming back against Arsenal
"In the end, only Iván was unavailable. I hope and believe he will be available for the game in midweek. Otherwise, the rest of the guys will be available, except for [Geovany] Quenda. That's unfortunate, because he's a player who will help a lot in this final stretch of the season."
Rui Borges brings in B team players to make up the numbers
Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training this Wednesday, following last Sunday's home victory against FC Alverca and two days off.
Due to the international break, coach Rui Borges worked with a reduced squad, without Rui Silva, Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves and Francisco Trincão (Portugal), João Simões (Portugal Under-21s), Zeno Debast (Belgium), Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast), Georgios Vagiannidis (Greece), Maxi Araújo (Uruguay), Morten Hjulmand (Denmark), Luis Suárez (Colombia) and Iván Fresneda (Spain Under-21s).
To complete the group, Rayan Lucas, Bruno Ramos, David Moreira, Rômulo, Rodrigo Dias, Kauã Oliveira, Samuel Justo, Mateo Tanlongo, Lucas Anjos, and Paulo Cardoso, from the B team, were called up for the session.
The coach looks ahead to Friday's game against CD Santa Clara
Sporting Clube de Portugal host CD Santa Clara this Friday at 8:30pm, kicking off Matchday 28 of the Liga Portugal season.
In a press conference before the game, coach Rui Borges previewed what he anticipates will be a difficult encounter.
Geovany Quenda and Giorgi Kochorashvili returning to training
"Quenda is not yet fit for action. We need to have a little more patience, for a few more days, so he is still not one of our options. That's unfortunate, because he is a player who contributes a lot. He is an important player for our team, despite his young age, just as he was last year. I'm happy to see him back, but not so happy that I can't use him tomorrow, as he would certainly be a great asset.
For me, it's easy to manage his emotional side, because he is very motivated to return and help the team in all the competitions we are involved in. This makes me more anxious than him: he is very important to us and is another player who gives us solutions. He is happy and he is raring to return.
Gio is also back and we still have to find out if he will be available or not, but he has been training well and I'm happy to see him back too."
CD Santa Clara
"CD Santa Clara haven't lost in their last five games, and in that spell they've earned the fifth most points, which clearly demonstrates their improvement under the new coach. They remain a very well-organised team defensively, allowing the opponents few scoring opportunities, are very strong on the counter-attack, with fast and strong players in one-on-one situations, and they have good decision-making. They're a very competitive and intense team in their duels, and one of the teams with the most bookings in the league, which shows the intensity they put into their play. They will create problems for us, and we have to be at our best to win."
Pedro Gonçalves
"If he wasn't fit, he wouldn't have gone away with Portugal, nor would he have stayed until the end of their training camp. He was fine, it was the coach's decision not to use him. Above all, I hope he's motivated, and I believe he is, to continue giving a great response at Sporting CP and greatly help his team -which is what he has been doing throughout the season.
I believe that, with everything he has done and shown at Sporting CP, he is always a player who can make a difference at any moment, whether for the club or for Portugal. I make my decisions at Sporting CP and that's already a huge responsibility. I can't comment on the choices of others. I know he was fit, that he had a cramp and recovered, but he would have been fit to contribute for his country."
Title calculations
"Whoever is ahead of us in the table deserves credit, as it's a sign that they have been more competent than the others so far. However, we are still in the fight. There are many games left and we have to be focused on what we control -which are our games-, do our best and win, starting with tomorrow's game."
The absence of Luis Suárez
"I'm not going to discuss the disciplinary committee's decision, as it is what it is. He took responsibility for what he did and we respect the decision.
There are alternatives. We might play with a false 9, but we have Rafael Nel and that's an option for the game too. We'll see, considering the players returning from international duty, who we can put out. Morten [Hjulmand] arrived ill, Gonçalo Inácio and Rui [Silva] arrived injured, Pote is just out of shape -or so I hope... but we'll see what we can do and field a team that, above all, is capable of the intensity of the game."
Preparation without the internationals
"It's the demands of my job. It was one of the biggest difficulties when I arrived here: I'm obsessed with training, as I believe that repetition gives a team a lot of stability at all times during the game. Arriving here and not being able to train with everyone, especially in the middle of the season when we're fighting for all competitions, left me very stressed in that moment. It was also part of my growth as a coach, to become better and more capable of responding at Sporting CP.
For tomorrow's game, when there's no time to prepare fully, the solution is rest, to relax and get them as prepared as possible for the game. They know our game plan and what they have to do in each game. We are very focused on who we are as a team; not ignoring the opponents, but with images and the little we can do on the pitch, we look at the strategy and get them as prepared as we can."
Controversy in previous games against GD Santa Clara
"Controversy will always exist in football. We all make mistakes, so many times. Part of it is up to me, journalists, players and everyone involved in football to assess. The best way is this: Valuing the participants. That's what I try to do: Make my team better and more capable, so that people identify with the team, so that they become better and players."
