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 analyses 'o Clássico'

After Sporting CP's 2-0 victory over FC Porto, coach Rúben Amorim talked about the game and the result in his post-match press conference.

“It wasn't one of the best Clássicos. There were different strategies in play, but we controlled things well and were better at pressing. We often let FC Porto play with their goalkeeper, because they expected us to go for the ball and leave one of their players free, but we were more intelligent in that approach. We were always building play and taking the ball forward, and after the first ten minutes we settled into FC Porto's half and created more opportunities", he began by analysing.

“Even so, we have a lot to improve in all aspects, as we lost the ball a lot. I remember at least two or three passes by Diomande, without pressure on him, in which the ball went out. These details sometimes make it difficult to have a more fluid game. The play inside was very stifled and sometimes we need those moments, as we only had one or two with Morita and Gonçalves. We tried to play our game, against difficult opponents, but we were always the team that came closest to scoring and pushed the most in search of the victory. We ended up achieving that".

Amorim highlighted the improvement in the team since the most recent editions of the fixture. “Winning this game obviously gives us an advantage, boosts the team's morale before the international break and is very important, but it doesn't say anything about what will happen in the season as a whole, while the other games we played against FC Porto had trophies at stake. That will always be there and should be there. Those two games had different stories, but today we were more complete throughout the game. Even halfway through the second half, when FC Porto were playing better, I felt that the team were not nervous. We are growing and still have a lot to grow in, as there are many weaknesses that will still be exposed in Champions League games. We have to make the most of every minute to work”, he said.

The coach was also asked whether the choice of Geny Catamo on the left flank should be maintained, given that the Mozambican scored the second goal shortly after replacing Geovany Quenda on the right.

“Geny will compete with Quenda on the right wing. Geny, even though he was tired, broke up an FC Porto team that had much more space. We also have to look at the number of times Quenda took the ball forward and didn’t let Galeno get away... One thing leads to another, Quenda did the dirty work and then Geny used his strength, pressed less, played a little lower and helped us out. Now, we have to have two players per position and Geny will return to the right. But when he has to play on the left, he will do so again".

As for Viktor Gyökeres, the forward who was once again crucial and scored the first goal of the match, the coach was pleased with the Swede’s performance.

“He is a different player from everyone else in the league. He was very competent defensively, more so than in the last two games, but also because he needed it more. He also has a level of fitness that, three games after undergoing surgery, he is already starting to have the ability to get the numbers he used to in terms of metres covered and high intensity. He is a very important player for us and he gives us an advantage. When we defend lower down, we know that we always have a tall, blonde guy ready to receive the ball in space - and it is very difficult to stop him. I am very happy with Viktor”, he stressed.

Amorim was asked if, after Pedro Gonçalves’ performance, he was his favourite player.

“I can’t say that because they are all my favourites. However, Pote is a special player in every way. I wouldn’t swap him for anyone else and, if I were anywhere else, he would probably be the first player I would want to bring in, because he can do everything. He is a central midfielder, but if I put him on the wing he knows how to play there. I don’t do that because I wouldn’t like it to be done to me either. He is a very special player for me”, admitted the coach.

In closing, he downplayed the importance of the victory, which allows Sporting CP to maintain their 100% winning record in Liga Portugal.

“The objective is still very far away. You don’t even look at the table at this stage of the season. Obviously it’s good to have four wins and a two-goal advantage in the head-to-head with FC Porto, and everything is important, but there is still a lot of time left. Three points is coverable in just one matchday and there are teams that can catch us; we might not even finish the matchday in first place because of goals scored"..

The Sporting CP coach previews 'O Clássico' against FC Porto

At the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto meet in a Saturday encounter in Liga Portugal. The home team's coach, Rúben Amorim, spoke in a press conference on Friday to preview the match.

“FC Porto have changed a lot since the Supertaça”, he noted, specifying the new nuances in the opponents' game. “With Pepê and [Wenderson] Galeno on the same wing, they play in a completely different way. Just the fact that Galeno is at left-back creates a lot of difficulties for us in terms of the defensive approach. In terms of attack, we will play our way, which is very clear. It was difficult to prepare the defensive side, so we will stick to our principles", he explained, before pointing out the aspects that need to be improved compared to the extra time loss in the Supertaça.

“We have to defend better in key moments and be better at throw-ins and set pieces, but we also have room to improve with the ball”, he told journalists.

“We have to think that it is a long season, but this is a direct duel, we want to win it and we want to maintain our position. We have to forget what happened in the previous meeting with them, in the same way that we have to forget that we were champions last year. It is in the past".

“It has always been a 50/50 game, but now they look at Sporting CP differently. I think we have made things even. Tomorrow, we want to win and we are playing at home, which is an extra factor that helps. They are opponents who won two trophies against us not long ago; I am not saying it's a matter of revenge, but we want to change the course of those events", he pointed out.

As for his squad options, Amorim revealed that captain Morten Hjulmand and Nuno Santos are both called up. On the downside, defender Jeremiah St. Juste will continue to be absent, as he undergoes treatment without a set date for his return".

Sporting CP welcomed a new signing this past week, in left-back/winger Maxi Araújo. Amorim said he was “very pleased” with his first impressions of the Uruguayan in training. “He fits in very well with our project. He is a young player, at 24 years old, an international for his country, and plays in a position where we only had Nuno Santos. We adapted Geny Cantamo a little and Matheus Reis can also play there, but he has completely different characteristics. We needed another player and Nuno’s injury showed us that. He helps in positions at the back and further upfield".

Questioned about the transfer market, Amorim began by highlighting the club's efforts to keep key players.  “Viktor Gyökeres staying is perhaps more important than us spending his money on two forwards. Keeping players like Morten [Hjulmand], [Gonçalo] Inácio, Ousmane [Diomande], Viktor and Pedro Gonçalves is very important and this effort has been made by the club”.

“The important thing is that I am very satisfied and proud of what the club are doing, because we are doing our utmost to have the players we want. Whether a forward comes in or not, I am satisfied, because the club have done everything. The window is not yet closed and there is always hope. We will find solutions; we always have".

Asked to comment on the recent words from Cristiano Ronaldo, who wished Sporting CP all the best for the season, Rúben Amorim took the opportunity to outline the ambition that drives his team in 2024/25. “This team, with so many young players, will have a very long season, in which we have to win almost every game to become champions. We will have two derbies and two Clássicos, not to mention the cups and eight-plus Champions League games at a very high level. There are so many games of such a high calibre that, whatever happens, this team will be much stronger and the players will be better prepared at the end of the year. There is no hiding it: We really want to be two-time champions".

Amorim also addressed the recent callups to the Portuguese national team, which included four Sporting CP players: Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincão and first-timer Geovany Quenda. “I'm very happy. They are in very good form and I think they will help the team a lot. We are entering a new cycle. I don’t think anyone expected Quenda to break out at this point, but everyone could see that if he remained humble and worked hard it would be just a matter of time. It was already, I think it was deserved, as others also deserved it."

Amorim also gave a statement on the Champions League draw, saying that "The aim is always to get to the next stage. It would always be difficult, whatever the format. The format is different and it is good to have more games, for the development of our players. We were perhaps drawn against the strongest teams at home and then we will go away against teams where people feel there is more equality. It will be a tough season and all the players have to be prepared."

The Portuguese champs find out their eight opponents

Manchester City FC (home), RB Leipzig (away), Club Brugge KV (away), Arsenal FC (home), Lille OSC (home), PSV Eindhoven (away), Bologna FC 1909 (home) and SK Sturm Graz (away) are the opponents drawn for the Sporting Clube de Portugal in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, which has undergone an overhaul in format this season.

The draw, which also featured several changes, took place late on Thursday afternoon, at the Grimaldi Forum, in Monaco.

Although the opponents and the venues for the matches have already been established, the final calendar with the order of the rounds, the dates of the fixtures and their respective times will be made public on Saturday, August 31st, to avoid possible incompatibilities between competitions.

What is certain is that the European campaign will begin between September 17th and 19th, while the eighth and final game is scheduled for January 29th, 2025.

After participating in the competition in 2022/23, Rúben Amorim's side are back involved as Liga Portugal's reigning champions, and are among the 36 teams that will inaugurate the new competitive format.

To comply with the new parameters, the draw was left to an automated system - after each club's ball was manually removed from its respective pot - and an algorithm assigned the eight opponents to each team.

The main change sees the introduction of single league stage which, under a points system, brings together all participating clubs in the same table. As a result of this change and the increase in the number of teams in the competition (from 32 to the current 36), this new edition of the UEFA Champions League will feature eight games for each team, before a move to two knockout rounds with sides from each of the four pots. The competition then moves on to the knockout stage proper.

To qualify directly, teams must finish the league phase among the top eight teams. In turn, the teams that finish between ninth and 24th will have to play a two-legged play-off to also secure a place in the 'Round of 16'. The last twelve teams (25th to 36th) will be eliminated not only from the UEFA Champions League, but also from all European competitions during the season, as there will no longer be a 'relegation' situation that takes sides into the UEFA Europa League.

SCHEDULE FOR THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

Matchday 1: 17–19 September 2024
Matchday 2: 1/2 October 2024
Matchday 3: 22/23 October 2024
Matchday 4: 5/6 November 2024
Matchday 5: 26/27 November 2024
Matchday 6: 10/11 December 2024
Matchday 7: 21/22 January 2025
Matchday 8: 29 January 2025

Sporting CP beat SC Farense 0-5 on the road

At the Estádio Algarve, Sporting Clube de Portugal continued their impressive start to the Liga Portugal season, beating SC Farense 0-5 on Matchday 3.

Playing away from home for the second consecutive game, they once again showed their effectiveness in front of goal, with a hat-trick by Viktor Gyökeres, a strike by Marcus Edwards and an own goal also accompanied by a clean sheet.

Picking his side to face an always aggressive and demanding SC Farense team coached by José Mota, Sporting CP boss Rúben Amorim repeated the starting XI from the 1-6 win over CD Nacional. It consisted of Vladan Kovačević, Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Geovany Quenda, Hidemasa Morita, Daniel Bragança, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres. Captain Morten Hjulmand and defender Jeremiah St. Juste remained out due to injury, while Nuno Santos and Rodrigo Ribeiro returned to the squad.

SC Farense decided to host the match at the Estádio Algarve instead of their own Estádio de São Luís, due to the additional interest in the contest, and were still looking for their first goals and points of the season.

Sporting CP quickly created several dangerous approaches in the first few minutes, the most notable requiring goalkeeper Ricardo Velho to save a shot from Gonçalves. Gyökeres - always ready to attack from deep - had two good opportunities to finish, but both of his hits ended up blocked on the way to goal. On the third attempt, after a quarter of an hour had elapsed, Velho got the better of the Swedish striker, reading his intentions in a one-on-one.

SC Farense's defence had blocked a shot from Quenda in the area, but from there, Gyökeres took over. It all started with Gonçalves, who played a brilliant pass to find Bragança in the area and, although his effortful shot was parried by goalkeeper, it fell to the feet of the forward, who controlled and scored.

And about ten minutes later, a handball by Lucas Áfrico inside the area resulted in a penalty being given, and Gyökeres converted well.

In the meantime, the home team’s only attacking attempt in the first half was smothered by Gonçalo Inácio, getting in the way of Mohamed Belloumi’s acrobatic shot. At the other end, before half time Quenda raced at full speed and finished a counterattack with a shot wide.

To start off the second period, a deflected shot from Gonçalves sent out a warning. Sporting CP continued to control the game, and made changes In the 63rd minute: Geovany Quenda made way for Nuno Santos, who made his first appearance of 2024/25 at the ground where he had been injured in preseason.

A curling shot from Trincão preceded two goals practically in succession: Gyökeres, in unstoppable form, burst into the box to smash home with his left foot, completing his first hat-trick of the season. Just a few minutes later, a free kick by Nuno Santos ended up with a cross that hit Lucas Áfrico and went into the SC Farense player's own goal.

For Sporting CP, Kovačević showed his reflexes to keep out a venomous cross close to goal, and from then on the show continued to be led by the visitors in attack.

Marcus Edwards, on as a sub, capped the scoring with a solo move and strike inside the far post. Gyökeres then had chances to make it 0-6 with his head and feet, but was unable to find the best placement for both shots.

Having collected a full nine points from three matches, Sporting CP now have O Clássico against FC Porto to prepare for, scheduled for August 31st at 8:30pm.

The coach is pleased with the comprehensive win over SC Farense

After the 0-5 victory away to SC Farense, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim analysed the game in his post-match press conference. He expressed his satisfaction both with the hefty scoreline and with the first clean sheet of the season.

"To win games you need to score goals, and we did that again. We had many opportunities. In addition to not conceding goals, we also reduced the number of opportunities from the previous game. Against CD Nacional we gave away a few and today less so: Just one or two", he reflected.

"We needed a game without conceding goals. I think we also missed out on some more goals. SC Farense went after the ball and we, with very strong players, made the game even more difficult for them".

Amorim then looked ahead to the next game, at home against FC Porto, highlighting that “each game has its own story".

“We won’t take much away from these two away games. The game in Alvalade will be completely different, because we’ll also be playing against a completely different team".

“We have nine points and a good feeling, and that helps prepare for any game," he added. "We’ll use the good mood we have to work hard. We will be observing a lot about what we did in the Super Taça and what FC Porto have changed in these last few games. We have to learn something from that".

The coach looks ahead to Matchday 3

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Algarve this Friday for an 8:15pm kickoff against SC Farense, on Liga Portugal Matchday 3.

Ahead of the game, which will be played at the Estádio Algarve, coach Rúben Amorim acknowledged that his side expect “a lot of difficulties” against the team from Faro, recalling that in the last two seasons Sporting CP beat them at the Estádio de São Luís by the smallest of margins.

“It is always difficult to play in Faro, although the stadium will be different this time and that will help a bit, because the pitch will have the same dimensions as we usually play on, which will affect the game. I foresee a difficult game against difficult opponents, and against a coach who has been in Portuguese football for longer than all of us. But we want to keep winning and maintain our position”, he began by telling journalists.

“We know their coach, his way of working and the spirit he brings to the team. SC Farense's team have improved and they have different players, although it sometimes takes a while to change certain game routines. Filipe Soares is different from Mattheus [Oliveira] and has a different pace, but with that SC Farense have lost some characteristics they had and the team have to adapt. I think that now they have central defenders who build play better, and changing that way of playing takes some time”.

Amorim also warned that the team cannot relax after the 1-6 win in Madeira last weekend against CD Nacional.

“I foresee a completely different game to how we felt in the second half against CD Nacional. It was important to forget about that during the week. SC Farense are a very aggressive team, we played against them in preseason and we know their spirit. It is important to take that into the game and have that mentality. Then there are some things that we have to improve because, although the last result was very good, there are many things that we have to improve on”, he warned.

The coach also informed that Morten Hjulmand “is not yet fit for this game” and will not be travelling to Faro.

“We could risk using him, but we are not at that stage yet. We have players with different characteristics and we will miss Morten a lot. He is our captain, but we cannot risk it. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Nuno Santos are back after injury and will both be called up".

The coach also emphasised the fact that the next game is against FC Porto will not have any influence on this match -or on the starting XI in the Algarve.

“This is the most important game right now. There is no squad management because there is no game in midweek and everyone wants to play. I have said it many times: The best way to prepare for the next game is to win this one, which is the priority. It is worth three points, like the next game, and the best team will be chosen for it. We will have a lot of difficulty in beating SC Farense".

When asked about the departure of Mateus Fernandes, who joined English side Southampton this week, Amorim acknowledged that he would have liked not to have lost the player, but stressed that this was a decision made in order to ensure that other squad members who play a fundamental role remain at the club.

“That is the idea, but we cannot guarantee anything until the transfer window closes. We have lost a young player with a lot of value, who has the characteristics to be a great player, but we have made choices. He was a player who was very hard for us to lose, but if you ask me if we can afford to lose [Gonçalo] Inácio or Morten [Hjulmand], I would say no, and if we have to hold on to Viktor [Gyökeres], I would say yes. We wanted to keep Mateus and I think he would also like to have stayed, despite the fact that it is a big contract and a big league. It was difficult for everyone, but we have to make choices".

Sporting CP train with CD Nacional clash on the horizon

With the focus on the first away game of this season's Liga Portugal, Sporting Clube de Portugal held another training session this Tuesday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

As they prepare for the clash with CD Nacional, scheduled for this Saturday at 6pm local time, coach Rúben Amorim included youngsters Lucas Anjos and Kauã Oliveira in the training group.

After a day off, the green and white squad will train again on Thursday morning, behind closed doors, in Alcochete.

The Sporting CP coach speaks ahead of the season opener

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin their Liga Portugal title defence this Friday, hosting Rio Ave FC at 8:15pm local time.

On Thursday, coach Rúben Amorim previewed the match and made clear the ambition of his side for the start of the season.

“I really like Rio Ave FC and I really like their coach. They play in a similar way to us, so our styles will combine very well and I think the individual duels will define many situations, but we are prepared for the difficulty of the game. We want to defend our title and we want to be champions again".

The defeat in the Super Taça was also addressed, and Amorim spoke openly about the setback, admitting that the last few days “were very difficult”, but that the focus now has to be different.

“These were perhaps the most difficult days we have ever experienced, because it was a defeat, because we lost out on a trophy and because of the situation itself. It has been difficult waking up this week, because the first thing that comes to mind is that game, but now we only have one thing to do, which is to look at this game, forget the previous one and the context and look objectively at what we need to improve. We have worked on several things, we have prepared for this game, which is in a different competition, and there is nothing like playing again to remedy a situation”, she continued.

Amorim does not believe that Sporting CP will enter the season under more pressure.

"We are always under pressure, but obviously we really want to win this game due to all the constraints that occurred in the Super Taça. Of course, my concerns are completely different from those that I would have had if we had won the Super Taça. We would have won another trophy, the week would have been much better and the confidence would be much greater, but it doesn't change anything. When this game starts, this is the one that will be important and we really want to win to continue on our path”.

The coach also commented on the incident that occurred in Aveiro, in which a Sporting fan was injured because of a glass that fell from the box where the Sporting CP players were, stating that the club's concern is, above all, for the fan.

"Our biggest concern is for Rita and we have been told that she is recovering well. A serious situation occurred that could have had even more serious consequences, and now many fingers will be pointed, but the responsibility will be determined. There was a statement from Aveiro City Council and another from her father, which were two completely different versions. I value the opinion of the person who was there more. I don't want to take responsibility for what happened away from my players, but I won't do as many people are doing and crucify them without having investigated all the situations".

“We are here to help the family, not only in their recovery, but also so that Rita can return to the stadium. We know it will be difficult, but we want to help in that aspect too".