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."

New coach appointed this Thursday

This Thursday Rúben Amorim was appointed as new head coach of Sporting Clube de Portugal. The former SC Braga coach, who already guided his first training session in the morning, guaranteed he is prepared to face this new phase in his sports career. 

“I am aware that this is a great challenge and I really believe in the Club. Even when you are not a part of it, everyone can see the club greatness. It is a huge pride to be in this house and defend these colors. I know what Sporting CP is, regardless of the moment. I believe in the Club and I hope they believe me. I am focused on work. I can try to convince Sporting CP fans who do not believe me, but in football results are everything. I am prepared for this challenge, I know that there is a great pressure, but I will do my best to honor this invitation”, said the 35 year-old coach who, after the presentation, also had the opportunity, together with the rest of the technical team, to visit the Sporting Museum and learn more about the Club History. 

Before the statements by Rúben Amorim, Sporting CP president, Frederico Varandas, spoke to journalists and explained the choice on the portuguese coach. “Rúben Amorim is the coach of our project, especially because he is aligned with our vision for football: supported by academy players, without fearing of training, playing and strengthening these players. He is our choice, not only for the results obtained at SC Braga, but for the deep knowledge we have of him as a man. It is a paradigm shift, and I have no problem investing in the right coach. We hired a great coach, but not a miracle worker. He is a very ambitious coach, with a lot of belief, who knows the reality of Portuguese football, the demands of a big club and Sporting’s ambition. We are completely lined up and today the 2020/2021 season starts for Sporting CP”, he considered.

Sporting CP will face İstanbul Başakşehir FK on Thursday

Sporting CP's Main Sqaud will face İstanbul Başakşehir FK, on Thursday, for the first leg Europa League's round of 32. The game is scheduled for 5:55 pm at José Alvalade Stadium.

Silas does not expect an easy task, but he believes the Lions will win at home against the Turkish team.

“It is not a curious fact that we have won all the games at home. We have been strong in the Europa League and we have not given any team a winning chance,” said the coach, adding that: “At home we are favorites”.

Even so, the green and white coach knows that this match will be different in comparison the the group stage: “It is a different phase, now the away goals are worth double in the event of a tie. So we will have to be cautious. In the group stage there is room for recovery and now, there isn't”.

"We are convinced that we can win", Silas assured.

Marcos Acuña is back at training.

Sporting CP's main squad returned to training onMonday. The team coached by Silas is focusing on the European duel against İstanbul Başakşehir FK.

The presence of Marcos Acuña, back after injury, was the main news for this weeks training sessions.

The U-23 players; Hugo Cunha, João Silva and Matheus Nunes integrated the Main Sqaud's training session.

Jérémy Mathieu, Renan Ribeiro and Luiz Phellype are out due to injury.

The Lions dominated the Match

Sporting CP guaranteed the qualification to the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League after scoring 4 goals against PSV, on the 5th round of the Group Stage. Bruno Fernandes (2), Luiz Phellype and Jérémy Mathieu scored the goals for the green and white team. 

The Lions managed to play a fabulous first half and sealed the win before half-time by scoring 3 of the 4 goals of the match. The first goal happened after a side throw by Marcos Acuña towards Bruno Fernandes, who promptly crossed the ball to Luiz Phellype who, with a perfect header, managed to put the ball inside the net. 

Shortly after, the green and white team scored the second goal. Bruno Fernandes gained the ball outside the box and with a powerfull shot scored another amazing goal for Sporting CP.

Although PSV tried to react, the Lions managed to net a third goal at minute 42 of the first half. This time, after a corner kick taken by Bruno Fernandes, Mathieu scored a truly fantastic goal with an acrobátic gesture.

The fourth goal appeared after a penalty suffered by Acuña. The man of the moment, Bruno Fernandes, made sure it was our fourth goal of the match.

Meanwhile, Maximiano was playing his first UEL game for Sporting CP and made some impressive saves. The entire stadium was impressed by him, a goalkeeper who is the latest "product" of the World renowned Sporting Academy.

Sporting CP Team: Luís Maximiano, Valentin Rosier, Tiago Ilori, Jérémy Mathieu (Luís Neto, 73 minutes), Marcos Acuña, Idrissa Doumbia, Wendel (Rafael Camacho, 80 minutes), Bruno Fernandes (C), Yannick Bolasie, Luciano Vietto e Luiz Phellype (Jesé Rodríguez, 67 minutes).

"It's a privilege to play with this shirt"

Bruno Fernandes signed a new contract with Sporting CP.

“I am very proud. It means that the Club recognizes my work and it's a sign that I am doing things right. I always try to give my all and do what is best for the Club”, he started by saying. Bruno goes on to say; “It is for what I do inside the pitch and outside the pitch. I have demonstrated that Sporting CP is a club which I like a lot and that I am proud to represent”.

He underlined; “For me it is a privilege to be here and to wear this shirt”.

The Captain left one promise when signing his new contract; “You can expect more and better. I promise to keep giving my all and I promise dedication in order for us to be able to celebrate, just like we did last season". 

Bruno also had the chance to comment on his nomination for UEFA 2019 Team of the Year: “I am extremely proud to be within the Top 50 players for UEFA. It is very gratifying especially because everyone knows how hard it is to get there when playing in the Portuguese League which has less visibility than other leagues. No only this, I am very proud to be associated to a list which includes the best players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva, as well as being close to them”.

Fans will vote until the 9th of Janueary

Bruno Fernandes is one of the 50 nominees for UEFA's 2019 Team of the Year 2019. Our Captain is the only nominee who plays in Portugal.

Besides Bruno Fernandes, there are two other Portuguese players on the list: Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva.

You can vote aqui.

THE NOMINEES

Goal Keeperes: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Oblak (Atlético Madrid), Onana (Ajax) and Ter Stegen (Barcelona);

Defenders: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Blind (Ajax), De Ligt (Ajax/Juventus), Giménez (Atlético Madrid), Kimmich (Bayern Munique), Koulibaly (Nápoles), Laporte (Manchester City), Piqué (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Tagliafico (Ajax), Van Dijk (Liverpool) and Vertonghen (Tottenham);

Midfielders: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), De Jong (Ajax/Barcelona), Di María (PSG), Fabián Ruiz (Nápoles), Fabinho (Liverpool), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Thiago Alcântara (Bayern Munique), Henderson (Liverpool), Jorginho (Chelsea), Kanté (Chelsea), Van de Beek (Ajax), Wijnaldum (Liverpool) and Ziyech (Ajax);

Strikers: Sergio Agüero (Manchester City), Aubameyang (Arsenal), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gnabry (Bayern Munique), Hazard (Chelsea/Real Madrid), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Lewandowski (Bayern Munique), Sadio Mané (Liverpool), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Salah (Liverpool), Son Heung-Min (Tottenham), Sterling (Manchester City) and Dusan Tadic (Ajax).

Rodrigo Piloto integrated the Main Team's daily practice

For the Main Team's daily practice, Silas promoted for the first time our Youth Squad U-19 striker, Rodrigo Piloto. 

Besides the young forward, Silas also called Rafael Fernandes (U-19 Centre Back), Echedey Carpintier (left back), Diogo Brás ( Além do avançado, estiveram também presentes os jovens Rafael Fernandes (defesa central dos sub-19), Echedey Carpintier (lateral esquerdo), Diogo Brás (winger), Tomás Silva (midfielder) and João Silva (centre back). Matheus Nunes was also called as he already trains regularly with the Main Team. 

Fernando also integrated the training but always under vigilance. Jérémy Mathieu proceeded with his treatment, whilst Idrissa Doumbia and Yannick Bolasie stook to the gym.

Rodrigo Battaglia and Jovane Cabral proceeded with treatment as well and did specific workout in the gym as well as on the pitch. Renan Ribeiro appears to have a muscular problem but will still be subject to further tests.

Tomorrow's session will be held at 10h30, behind closed doors, at Sporting CP Academy. 

The Lions are back to work this Wednesday

Sporting Clube de Portugal's main football team held another training session on Wednesday at Sporting Academy.

Diogo Martins (goalkeeper), João Oliveira, João Silva, João Ricciulli, Gonçalo Costa, Tomás Silva, Bernardo Sousa and Tiago Tomás, all part of Sporting CPs Youth Squads, were summoned by Silas.

Fernando performed specific work at the gym to increase muscle mass, having also trained in the pitch with the others. Rodrigo Battaglia and Jovane Cabral carried on with specific treatment, gym work as well as training on the pitch.

Idrissa Doumbia (sprain) and Yannick Bolasie (lower back pain), and Jérémy Mathieu (myalgia) are being treated as well.

The next training will take place this Thursday at 10 am at the Sporting Academy. The session will take place behind closed doors.