Coates on extending his stay in Alvalade

Sebastián Coates was a largely unknown name for many Sporting fans when arriving at Alvalade this January, but the backing given by fellow Uruguayan and former teammate at Liverpool, Luís Suárez, has certainly rung true: "A player like Sebastián brings lot of quality to a team. I am certain he will be a great signing." Since arriving in the Portuguese capital, Sabastián truly has bossed the Sporting defence in an intimidating double-team with Rúben Semedo.

"All players dream of playing for a club that is fighting for titles, with ambitious objectives, and that made the difference for me", said Coates in an interview with the Sporting website after signing his loan extension, before adding a word on his odd forays forward: "Personally, my role is to defend, but If I can help in attack then I will."

Jorge Jesus' focus on defence has actually taken the Uruguayan by surprise, considering that goals are need to turn in wins. However, the final result can of course be decided by good defending. "The coach worries a lot about how we defend. Of course goals are needed to win, but he really worries about getting us all defending. Not every coach does that and it makes a big difference", said the defensive giant, finishing: "This is a great club with fans who are always pushing the players. I want to do my best for this shirt for us to get the results that we all want."

Alvalade president sits down with the Sporting president ahead of league showdown

You have to go back 42 years for the last time that Sporting and Benfica took the title race down to the last match of the season. It was in 1974, when millions waited for the final whistle. History isn't on Sporting's side, with the league leaders going into the decisive fixture tending to hold out and take the trophy, however Bruno de Carvalho sees things a little differently.

“Going into the last match of the season, we are two points behind first place. Of course it isn't the place we would prefer to be in and of course we would like to be in first. However, we are completely focused and we know anything could happen. That is what makes football such a beautiful game. While it is mathematically possible, anything can happen", commented the Alvalade president in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, adding: "What I see is a Sporting team focused on our match and that believes that we can bring home a title that we have been missing for so long now. We will do everything we can to do that."

Sporting's hopes of silverware after the dust settles this weekend does however not just depend on what happens in Estádio Municipal de Braga. Meanwhile in Lisbon, Benfica will host Nacional, with Sporting needing the team from Madeira to at least steal a point.

“Looking at Benfica-Nacional, well from what I have seen and heard it seems like Nacional doesn't count for anything. It seems like Nacional doesn't care. That if what I have felt when listening to commentators associated with Benfica, but honestly I don't believe it", affirmed Carvalho, continuing: "Nacional are a good side and I don't think they want to be the side show for the league title. I know how hard Rui Alves has been working to put Nacional on the map and they are fighting for places further up the league now. Of course Benfica are motivated, because winning gives them the league, but Nacional are motivated as well."

The coach looks back at the win in Famalicão

After the 1-2 win against FC Famalicão, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges reviewed the match in a press conference.

Analysis of the win
"We were very competent and very intense. We knew we had to be very strong in the duels, because they are a very strong team physically, who commit a lot of fouls and are well organised. It’s a difficult ground to play at: I don’t think the pitch was in very good condition either; the ball bounced a lot, and we lost a lot of possession. FC Famalicão were fortunate enough to make it 1-0 from a set piece, and before that, we could have scored, but we responded well. We lost our composure in the space of five minutes, lost possession, and allowed FC Famalicão to build transitions, but we always tried to correct the situation. It was a good victory at a difficult ground."

Fotis Ioannidis's debut
"He came on and did very well, in a different position in which he had to defend. He was very committed to what we asked of him. He's very good with the ball, connecting play inside. In a more central area, where he feels more comfortable, he did very well holding up the ball, finding space and letting the team breathe. In the final minutes, the game broke up a bit more, but we controlled it well."

The decision to finish the game with three defenders
"That was only because FC Famalicão put two forwards on. It was to try to balance those last five minutes, because we spent the entire game playing man-to-man. It was to protect us, due to fatigue and due to Inácio's yellow card, which could have been a problem. We gained another strong player in duels, in Edu [Quaresma]. It's not that FC Famalicão were creating any danger; it was just to tighten us up.”

Playing after the international break
"In this game, the challenge was the opposition, who were in third place, unbeaten, had conceded zero goals, and had not lost at home in 2025. My team are well aware of what they have to do on the pitch, but they also know that sometimes commitment is what wins games. That made the difference, but we never lost our focus, and the team's attitude was fantastic. We faced a great team at home, with passionate fans who make a difference.”

Quenda's performance
"Quenda played well. Geny played in the first few games, and we were coming off some good performances, so I kept the core together. His performance surprised even me. Last year, he fell off a bit at the end of the season, but I have no doubt he'll have a great campaign this year. It's just a matter of waiting for his opportunities. João Simões came on for ten minutes and was spectacular, Fotis immediately understood the team's dynamic... I'm fortunate to lead a great group of players."

João Virgínia's debut
"He gave a fantastic performance and brought calm to the team. I’m happy with his debut; he works hard and has a fantastic personality, connecting with the group."

A third game in a row with the team going behind
"I don't feel the team switch off. In Madeira, it was from a set piece, and here it was too, but I want to emphasise the team's competitive attitude and that, despite the level of physical exhaustion, they gave a fantastic response after going 1-0 down. We kept our emotions in check, and this cohesion and balance were crucial in turning the result around."

A 1-2 win on the road takes the team to 12 points

Sporting Clube de Portugal took a 1-2 away win against FC Famalicão on Liga Portugal Matchday 5, as Pedro Gonçalves and Luís Suárez both found the net on the return from the international break.

Up against a side who had not lost a single home game in 2025, and who had opened the campaign with three wins and a draw, Sporting CP had to make adjustments to the starting lineup. With Rui Silva and Geny Catamo ruled out, along with the previously confirmed absences of Hidemasa Morita, Ousmane Diomande, Daniel Bragança, and Nuno Santos, coach Rui Borges reshuffled the pack: João Virgínia – making his full debut in 2025/26 – occupied the goalkeeping spot, while Geovany Quenda and Georgios Vagiannidis started for the first time this season. Maxi Araújo returned to the squad after injury on the bench, alongside Fotis Ioannidis, who made his first appearance for Sporting CP.

The game began with Sporting CP testing Famalicão's solidity early on. A well-worked set piece saw Hjulmand head into Luís Suárez's path, but his acrobatic finish went over. The home team immediately responded with a powerful shot from Rodrigo Pinheiro, which took a deflection and soared wide.

The game took a turn for Sporting CP after Quenda had been unable to convert a one-on-one with goalkeeper Lazar Carević. FC Famalicão turned a set piece into a goal, thanks to a header from Gustavo Sá, their captain.

However, the 1-0 lead lasted no more than five minutes, and it was a former FC Famalicão player who scored for the first time in 2025/26. In the 22nd minute, Quenda, on the right, found Gonçalves' perfect movement with a through ball. The number 8, having already outmaneuvered the last defender, slotted his shot home between the goalkeeper's legs for his fourth goal of the league season.

Shortly after, following a mistake by FC Famalicão when clearing away, Trincão curled a left footed shot just outside the post.

Suárez then put the ball into the net, but the move was flagged for offside.

Rui Borges's men struggled to make progress through their combinations, and he home side continued to cause problems with dangerous crosses. In one such situation, striker Elisor rose to head the ball not far off target.

To kick off the second half, a shot against the post from Quenda, set up by Ricardo Mangas, got the action underway. Later, following a corner kick, Trincão tried his luck from outside the box, but to no avail.

Sporting CP finally turned the scoreline around through their persistence and Suárez's clinical finishing. Gonçalves and Trincão combined inside, a shot ricocheted back and 'Pote', cleverly, opted to pass wide for Suárez to score.

From then on, the match became more intense, as well as rain making an appearance for the final stretch.

Famalicão tried further crosses to trouble Sporting CP, and Rui Borges brought on Alisson Santos, João Simões, and Eduardo Quaresma -the latter two getting their first minutes of the season -to help freshen up the team.

In stoppage time, a brilliant individual effort by João Simões not only shook off the opposing pressure but also forced Carević to make a save.

After a win on the road in the league, the team are back in action on Thursday night, welcoming Kazakhstan's FC Kairat in the UEFA Champions League.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Geovany Quenda, Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Mangas (Maxi Araújo, 67'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Giorgi Kochorashvili (Fotis Ioannidis, 67'), Francisco Trincão (Eduardo Quaresma, 90+2'), Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 88') and Luis Suárez (João Simões, 88').

The coach looks at the game against FC Famalicão

In a press conference held on Friday, Rui Borges previewed Sporting Clube de Portugal's away trip to take on FC Famalicão. The Liga Portugal Matchday 5 game takes place on Saturday at 8:30pm.

Previewing the game
"It will undoubtedly be a great game, against a good team who have started the season very well. They’ve yet to concede a goal and are very competitive and aggressive in duels for the ball. As a unit, they resort to fouls a lot at times, and in 2025 they have yet to lose at home. This clearly demonstrates their quality. A team that is always very difficult to face at home awaits for us, and that is especially so when they are so motivated. It's a very difficult fixture against good opponents, but we want to give a good response based on what we've achieved so far. We want to get back to winning ways, continue on our path, and demonstrate the quality we've had in order to move forward and, most importantly, get the three points."

The transfer market and the option of Jota Silva
"The best thing about the transfer market was that we managed to maintain the core of our squad. We only lost one key player, and kept Pedro Gonçalves, Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand, Francisco Trincão, Maxi Araújo, Zeno Debast... They were all very important players for our second consecutive title. Our biggest desire was to maintain this core, and we deserve credit for that.

Regarding Jota: From the end of last season, we had clearly identified what we wanted, and our objectives regarding Jota and the way we wanted to bring him in were very clear. The structure did the best they could, and I would have loved to have had him here -but within a framework we had identified. There were other names we could have considered as a solution, but they were more difficult to sign. However, there are two parties involved, in Sporting CP and Nottingham Forest FC, and unfortunately, we couldn't get it done. I was sad, especially for the player, whom I really like.”

Jeremiah St. Juste
"The president [Frederico Varandas] has said all that needs to be said. We had identified early on that he would be fifth choice in the position. With the gravity of the situation, the solution involved his departure. We were all on the same page, and that was made clear in the president's words.

Decisions at Sporting CP involve everyone; everyone has an opinion. We always do what we think is best for the group and for Sporting CP. The atmosphere is good."

Geovany Quenda and Georgios Vagiannidis
"They brought more quality to the group [when they came off the bench]. They're ready to play, and I've already said that it's my fault -because I can only field 11 players. I can't play with 12 or 13. Sometimes it's very difficult, and I have to make decisions. I'm here to do that, and I'll take responsibility for the decisions I make. They're two great players who have been waiting for their chance to play since the beginning. I don't know if that will be tomorrow or not, but they'll get the opportunity. I hope they perform at their best when they do."

Ousmane Diomande, Hidemasa Morita, and Maxi Araújo
"Ousmane Diomande and Hidemasa Morita are out of the game. Maxi Araújo is a doubt. He trained today, and we'll make a decision tomorrow."

Portuguese clubs’ transfer activity
"Everyone improved as a team. Our greatest achievement was maintaining the foundation of a team who have been champions in consecutive seasons, which speaks volumes about our quality. That was our greatest desire, and we achieved it. Even outside the big leagues, teams have become more competitive with player acquisitions. FC Famalicão are a good example of this, as are Gil Vicente FC and Moreirense FC. The teams have added more quality and been more rigorous in their selection."

Fotis Ioannidis
"He was a great acquisition for us. He's a player who will provide us with many solutions, whether as an alternative to Luis Suárez or playing alongside him. I'm happy to have him on our books and I believe he'll add a lot of quality."

The possible need for a winger
"I have so many. Maxi Araújo, Ricardo Mangas... Last year, we had no solutions and we were league champions with the youngsters from the B team playing. They're ready to respond and are waiting for an opportunity. I'm happy with the squad I have. I would have liked to have had Jota Silva too, but it wasn't something we had 100% control over. We have no regrets, and I'll say it again: The biggest merit of our transfer market work was being able to keep a large part of the squad."

Nuno Santos
"It's a big pity that I can’t use him Although he's a bit of a nuisance, he's a positive nuisance. I'd really like to have him as a winger and a full back. His injury is a more chronic one, more confusing. Nuno Santos has been a true warrior, and it takes a lot of resilience to overcome this. He's a great example and inspiration for us."

Young players from the B Team
"We have a lot of faith in the B team, who have had a very good start to the season. There’s José Silva, Bruno Ramos, Eduardo Felicíssimo, Rayan Lucas, Flávio Gonçalves, Lucas Anjos, Mauro Couto, Salvador Blopa... Rodrigo Ribeiro, who trains with us daily, has grown in a short time. Expectations were too high in the early stages of his career, and he's now experiencing gradual growth. We have great faith in the B team's ability and in our individual quality."

Willingness to respond
"The performances have been good. Against FC Porto, that wasn't as good as in previous games, but it wasn't a bad performance. We want to respond, we want to play well and win, regardless of the opponents. We respect the opponents, who have quality. I see the team as very focused, rigorous, and ambitious; it's a fantastic group. When they come to the game, they are very connected. They have a daily camaraderie that is evident in the game; the collective connection is very good. The ambition to be champions again is infinite."

The squad work with FC Famalicão in mind

Sporting Clube de Portugal held another training session this Thursday, ahead of their trip to FC Famalicão on Liga Portugal Matchday 5.

In a typically intense morning session, Rui Borges was able to work with players who had been away on international duty during the recent break in domestic competition.

The squad will train again on Friday morning behind closed doors, followed by a pre-match press conference with the coach, scheduled for 12:30 p.m., at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

The group work on Tuesday

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training this Tuesday, with a session at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete.

Due to the absence of many first team players still away on international duty, coach Rui Borges once again called on many young players from the youth system to participate. Lucas Anjos, Rodrigo Dias, Samuel Justo, Rafael Nel, Rafael Besugo, Bruno Ramos, and José Silva were included in the workout.

Another training session is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

The club recruit the Greek international striker

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed Fotis Ioannidis from Panathinaikos FC. The 25-year-old Greek striker joins on a contract through to 2030, with a €100 million release clause.

Presented at the Estádio José Alvalade, Ioannidis expressed his satisfaction with the move.

"I want to thank everyone for welcoming me here so warmly. I really like what I’ve seen of the club and its ideas. I'm going to be playing at a very high level against very tough opponents, with very good teammates," he told Sporting CP media.

“Sporting CP are a great club with a massive culture, so the goals are always big here. We always have to be fighting for the top spot. I'm ready for it, and I know I can do it," he added.

When asked to discuss his characteristics, Ioannidis asserted that he is "a versatile striker.”

"I can do a lot of things on the pitch, as well as helping my teammates a lot and contributing to our strategy. Of course, I can score goals and provide assists."

"I love being in Lisbon. It’s a very good city, with very warm people who are very welcoming. I'm happy to challenge myself in this league and at this club. Playing in the UEFA Champions League wearing the Sporting CP shirt will be an honour," he stated, before talking about one of the main influences on his making the move.

"I spoke with Georgios Vagiannidis, with whom I exchange many messages because we're very close friends. He's an excellent person and a great player. He told me all the best things I could hear about Sporting CP, and I'm very happy. I'm going to speak more with the rest of the team now. I know they're very good and humble people, and we'll definitely have a good connection," he said.

Curiously, Ioannidis will represent the Greek national team alongside Vagiannidis in the coming days, and one of the matches they will play will be against Denmark -featuring Sporting CP skipper Morten Hjulmand.

"I’m looking forward to meeting him, especially because I've heard very good things about him. I'm very happy for him to be my captain from now on,” said the striker.

“I have the same goals as the rest of the team. I want to be a champion with Sporting CP and contribute to a great European campaign by helping with as many goals as possible."

He has already experienced the Estádio José Alvalade, having attended the game against FC Porto.

"I was amazed by the atmosphere, which was perfect. The result wasn't what we wanted, but I'm sure we'll respond and achieve what we want in the next games," he stated.

"I can't wait to play for the fans here, and score lots of goals so that we can celebrate together.”

Having begun his career at Levadiakos FC, Ioannidis moved to Panathinaikos FC in 2020 establishing himself as a key player for the team by scoring 51 goals in 190 matches. In 2025/26, he has already played five games, all in European competitions.

The coach reflects on the 1-2 loss to FC Porto

After Sporting Clube de Portugal’s 1-2 loss against FC Porto, coach Rui Borges gave a press conference to review the performance.

The game
"It was an evenly matched, intense game, well-played by both sides, and it was competitive. We started the first half well. FC Porto brought the ball out and they were strong in the duels, but we managed to be the better side in the opening minutes. As time went on, the game evened out, and the first half was quite well balanced. We started the second half well, and just when we were in the best position, a five minute spell proved costly. We were pushing FC Porto hard, and nothing indicated what would happen in those five minutes. Above all, the team were capable of more. Conceding the second goal could have seriously sunk us, but the team fought back, made it 1-2, and could have made it 2-2.

FC Porto didn't deviate from what we had expected of them. They engage in a lot of duels, and play man-to-man. At times, we were able to connect inside, and at others, we connected on the outside. We had to look for space, and when we did that with quality, we created danger. The team understood when they needed to look for the long ball, and I'm happy with what we did."

The quality of Liga Portugal
"The big teams have strengthened with more quality. They are more capable collectively. They have more solutions to be capable of responding to setbacks, which makes the game more competitive."

The transfer market
"Nothing has changed. I'll talk after the transfer window closes. I'm happy with the squad I have and the conditions we have."

Clássicos at the beginning of the season
"This doesn't change our ambition at all. I'm proud and happy with the squad I have at my disposal."

The substitutes he used
"Those who came on, played well. They have responded and are waiting for the coach to give them opportunities. I'm happy with what they did."

Starting a new streak at Alvalade
"I can promise a lot of hard work and ambition to win every game. This team have already shown that they are very capable. I have no doubt that we will be very happy."

Sporting CP fall 1-2 to FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal suffered a 1-2 defeat against FC Porto on Liga Portugal Matchday 4, as two goals against the run of play in the second half saw their rivals snatch victory.

For the game, played in front of 50,000 fans at the Estádio José Alvalade, Rui Borges made only one change to his starting lineup, with Giorgi Kochorashvili replacing Hidemasa Morita. Matheus Reis returned on the bench.

After Morten Hjulmand was honoured for reaching 100 appearances with Sporting CP, receiving a commemorative jersey from president Frederico Varandas, O Clássico got underway.

Almost immediately, FC Porto had a goalscoring opportunity, as Borja Sainz hit the post. A subsequent William Gomes' long-range shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Rui Silva, and Sporting CP responded in the ninth minute with an effort of their own: Luis Suárez received a throw-in from Ricardo Mangas and curled a shot just wide of goal. Shortly after, Ricardo Mangas fired over the crossbar off a scramble.

In the 14th minute, Suárez stole the ball from an opposition defender in the FC Porto box and passed to Francisco Trincão, whose strike was blocked. At the other end, Luuk de Jong's shot was held by Rui Silva, and Victor Froholdt sent the ball out off Morten Hjulmand.

Sporting CP managed to mount a very dangerous counterattack in the 21st minute, as Suárez set up Pedro Gonçalves and a defender intervened. FC Porto's William Gomes tried his luck again on the half-hour mark, with Rui Silva saving.

Both Victor Froholdt and Rodrigo Mora shot off-target in the following moves, while Alan Varela tried his luck from distance.

Geny Catamo, played through at pace by Iván Fresneda, advanced into the Porto box and was brought down by Francisco Moura, but referee João Gonçalves waved play on, no penalty was given, and the first half ended 0-0.

The second half opened with Sporting CP dominating again, pushing FC Porto back. High pressing forced a mistake in the opposition's build-up play in the 48th minute, allowing Kochorashvili an opportunity that he put wide.

Suárez also failed to keep a shot between the posts, as his hit was deflected out.

Hjulmand had a header and Trincão forced Diogo Costa into a save, as the chances continued to mount. However, against the tide, FC Porto scored a goal from out of nowhere, through Luuk de Jong.

Rui Borges responded by bringing on Georgios Vagiannidis and Geovany Quenda, replacing Iván Fresneda and Geny Catamo.

FC Porto immediately scored again, this time through William Gomes. In the blink of an eye, Sporting CP rather unfairly trailed 0-2.

Conrad Harder replaced Kochorashvili in the 67th minute, and Sporting CP began to put pressure on their opponents again. In the 70th minute, Quenda worked his way excellently down the right and sent the ball into the middle of the box, requiring Diogo Costa to step in.

Sporting CP finally got a goal in the 74th minute: Gonçalo Inácio found Ricardo Mangas, who tried to set up Harder, and the FC Porto defence sent the ball into their own net.

Spurred on by the goal, they continued to attack. A venomous cross from Geovany Quenda nearly led to another own goal in the 77th minute. Then, in the 84th minute, Suárez's shot was saved by Diogo Costa.

The Colombian threatened further two minutes later, when he smashed a shot that needed a great save from the opposition goalkeeper. Ricardo Mangas then headed wide.

Hjulmand's shot over the bar and a few attacks near the FC Porto box rounded off the game, which concluded in a harsh loss for Sporting CP.

After the international break, the team travel to take on FC Famalicão.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Geny Catamo (Geovany Quenda, 63'), Ivan Fresneda (Georgios Vagiannidis, 63'), Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Mangas, Morten Hjulmand [C], Giorgi Kochorashvili (Conrad Harder 67'), Francisco Trincao, Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 89') and Luis Suárez.