“It’s a childhood dream come true,” says the new arrival

Antunes has signed a two-year contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal, joining the club for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

The move is a homecoming for the portuguese defender, who has spent the past seven and half years in Spain and Ukraine.

“It’s sensational to be able to come back to Portugal, and to do so representing a Club like Sporting CP,” he told the Club media. “Playing for a big portuguese team is a childhood dream that is coming true now. It’s an enormous responsability for me, and I couldn’t let the opportunity go by.”

Antunes considers his experience abroad something that has made him “grow and improve,” and that he is “stronger than before.” Grateful for the chance to play in his homeland again, he promised that he will be up to the task.

“Above all, I work hard. I’ve never been the most attractive player to watch in terms of technique, but I’m not bad,” he joked. “I’ve always stood out for my fight and dedication, as well as my will to win.”

Asked about his new Club, Antunes commented that  he hopes to instil his qualities in the team, who deserves to win every year. "I’m coming here with that will, and I’m going to bring it to every game. I want to win trophies here.”

The one-time Malaga CF player believes that adapting will not be a problem, especially with the help of some familiar faces in Sporting CP's squad.

“Neto has been a close friend of mine for many years. He is going to be a big help for me to adapt quickly. With his help, and that of other players whom I know from other leagues, I think that my integration into the group will be easy. I know that there is a very humble group here, and that’s what we need to achieve great things for this Club: humility and hard work”

Curiously, like fellow new signing Pedro Porro, Antunes has a tattoo of a lion on his arm.

“I’m very happy, it’s a big step in my career,” says the spanish player

Sporting Clube de Portugal has signed Pedro Porro on a two-year loan from Manchester City, with an option to buy the player at the end of the agreement.

Following the confirmation of the deal, the spanish Under-21s international spoke to the Club's media about this new stage of his career.

“I’m very happy. Sporting CP is a big Club in Portugal and I’m excited about the project. I’ve come here to do my best and to have a great season”, said Porro.

The right back, who played for Real Valladolid last season, said to the fans that he is the type of player who likes to work hard, set goals and achieve them. "I’m here to give everything I have, help my teammates and help this great club.”

“I hope to bring a lot of joy here,” he continued. “I know that our fans are very passionate, so I tell them that they can be calm: I will give all I have for this shirt.”

In what might prove to be an omen, the new signing has a tattoo of a lion - the animal that represents the club- on his left arm. He says that it was the first tattoo he got because he likes lions and what they symbolise. Besides that, his grandfather had always told him ‘In life, you have to be a lion, so that you aren’t the one who is eaten.’ It was a homage to him.

Porro will train alongside his new teammates when they return from their summer break on Monday.

The coach is expecting "a war - in a good sense" next season

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim is looking ahead to the 2020/2021 season, following an atypical campaign this term interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The coach, who took over in the dugout in March - just before the unscheduled break in the season -, is focused on what is to come in his first full year in charge.

"When we came here, our aim was to look to next season and improve our position in the league table. We only managed to maintain our position, so now we have to look towards next season. We have to keep moving forward and start a new chapter for the club", said Amorim after the final game of the year - the derby against SL Benfica.

The coach led Os Leões to a record of five wins, three draws and two defeats since his appointment, under difficult circumstances and a hectic run of fixtures in the final stage of the season. He is confident about the future, and ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

"If there is one thing that I am certain about, it’s that coming to Sporting CP was the best thing that I’ve done. I’m very happy at Sporting CP", he told journalists.

"Bring on the next season. I’m ready and I hope that the Sportinguistas are also ready for what will be a war - in a good sense. I’m highly motivated."

The first team are currently on a brief summer break, but will return to training on August 17th in preparation for the 2020/2021 season.

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.