The coach laments the first leg scoreline against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund

Following the 0-3 defeat for Sporting Clube de Portugal against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund, coach Rui Borges spoke in his press conference to analyse the match.

"In the first half we were clearly the better side. There was a lot of quality in every moment of the game, and we deserved to have gone into the break in front against a great team. BV Borussia 09 Dortmund started better in the second half, and when we thought about making a change, they made it 0-1. That was down to the opposition's merit.
Conceding the goal affected us, the team felt it mentally and then we lost confidence and got into a phase of the game where we couldn't play. When they have space, BV Borussia 09 Dortmund accelerate very quickly with just two touches. With more space between our lines, they were effective on two more occasions," he explained.

Asked about Viktor Gyökeres' fitness, Borges explained that the Swede "had a physical problem -like hundreds of players have. Clubs don't reveal all of the players' injuries. We don't have to specify what Gyökeres' injury is. There was also some training sessions missed by him, and that is noticeable. But the fitness deficit is not only noticeable in Viktor. Maybe in the league it isn't noticed as much, but in this competition the other side have a lot of quality and it is felt more," he added.

"Several very important players for the dynamic of Sporting CP have not been available, so it's down to me to create solutions -even if I'm without an abundance of options. Today we put players on the pitch who are looking to get back in their best shape. We are still competitive, as we saw in the first half, but we were missing that. We have to gain more rhythm in the game."

Rui Borges underlined that Sporting CP "didn't deserve such a big margin of defeat," and promised that his side would go for the return leg.

"We need to dignify the great club we represent in the best possible way. We have quality and we have to try to be very competitive," he said.

"Throughout my journey, I have really believed in our work and competence. I would like to have everyone available and I'm looking forward to that, because it means that the team get better, but while I don't I need to find solutions to be competitive. Sporting CP will fight to be Liga Portugal champions. The team have been fantastic."

Sporting CP lose 0-3 to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in the Champions League

A equipa principal de futebol do Sporting Clube de Portugal perdeu, esta terça-feira, por 0-3 na recepção ao BV Borussia 09 Dortmund para a primeira mão do play-off de acesso aos oitavos-de-final da UEFA Champions League.

Os Leões contaram com três alterações nos titulares, saindo Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand e Daniel Bragança para as entradas de Matheus Reis (que utilizou a braçadeira de capitão), Jeremiah St. Juste e Zeno Debast. No banco de suplentes, destaque para as presenças dos jovens Alexandre Brito e Lucas Anjos à procura da estreia pela equipa principal - assim como Biel, reforço da última janela de transferências. Na baliza, Rui Silva fez o primeiro jogo da carreira na UEFA Champions League.

A primeira parte pertenceu ao Sporting CP quase por completo. A pressão alta desde o minuto inicial revelava ambição e a primeira jogada perigosa surgiu quando Matheus Reis procurou servir Conrad Harder, mas o passe saiu muito para trás. Pouco depois, o avançado rematou, mas contra a muralha defensiva do BV Borussia 09 Dortmund.

Aos nove minutos, o Sporting CP ameaçou de forma mais séria: nova ligação Matheus Reis-Conrad Harder, agora com o dinamarquês a tentar o golo e a não conseguir apenas porque Nico Schlotterbeck apareceu com o corte milagroso. Os visitantes reagiram de forma tímida, com Emre Can a cabecear sem perigo.

Estava bem melhor o Sporting CP, que tentou a sua sorte através de um tiro de longe de Francisco Trincão que Gregor Kobel. Logo a seguir, o 1-0 ficou ainda mas perto e novamente numa investida de fora da área quando Maxi Araújo atirou com força à trave do BV Borussia 09 Dortmund. Seria um golaço do uruguaio, responsável pela ocasião mais flagrante do primeiro tempo.

Gregor Kobel, guardião dos germânicos, voltou a ter trabalho na tentativa de João Simões e o Sporting CP continuava a carregar no meio-campo ofensivo. Novamente de longe, foi a vez de Conrad Harder, aos 35', adicionar mais um remate defendido à estatística de Gregor Kobel. A seguir, João Simões fez o mesmo.

Só dava verde e branco até o BV Borussia 09 Dortmund ameaçar pela primeira vez aos 38', num tiro de Jamie Gittens a sair perto do poste. Mesmo em cima do intervalo, Serhou Guirassy assustou com um remate desviado, mas Rui Silva conseguiu afastar para canto. No final do primeiro tempo, ascendente Sportinguista mas 0-0 no marcador

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 0-3 at home to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in the first leg of their play-off for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Os Leões had three changes to their starting lineup, with Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand and Daniel Bragança stepping out for Matheus Reis, Jeremiah St. Juste and Zeno Debast. On the bench, young players Alexandre Brito and Lucas Anjos awaited their debut for the first team, joined by Biel, a reinforcement in the winter transfer window. In goal, Rui Silva played the first game of his career in the UEFA Champions League.

The first half was almost completely dominated by Sporting CP. High pressure from the opening minute revealed their ambition, and the first dangerous move of the match came when Matheus Reis tried to set up Conrad Harder, but his pass went too far behind the striker. Shortly afterwards, the striker did get an effort off, but it hit a crowded BV Borussia 09 Dortmund defence.

On nine minutes, Sporting CP threatened in a more serious way: Another Matheus Reis-Conrad Harder connection saw the eventual effort from the Dane cut out by Nico Schlotterbeck.

A long shot from Francisco Trincão was kept out by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. then another attack from outside the area had Maxi Araújo shooting hard against the BV Borussia 09 Dortmund post.

Kobel had to deal with a strike by João Simões, as Sporting CP continued to attack through their offensive midfield. From distance, Harder tried his luck in the 35th minute, then João Simões, with the goalkeeper reacting on both occasions.

BV Borussia 09 Dortmund threatened for the first time in the 38th minute, with Jamie Gittens putting the ball close to the post. Then, just before half-time, Serhou Guirassy's deflected shot was pushed away by Rui Silva.

To start the second half, Gittens gave the first warning for the visitors, followed up by Karim Adeyemi forcing a tremendous save by Rui Silva. Serhou Guirassy then opened the scoring with a header to make it 0-1.

In response to the disadvantage, Rui Borges -who had already brought on Viktor Gyökeres for Conrad Harder- replaced João Simões and Matheus Reis with Hidemasa Morita and Daniel Bragança.

 Zeno Debast, in the 64th minute, shot wide, as Sporting CP looked for a response. Just when they were pushing, however, BV Borussia 09 Dortmund made it 2-0 when Pascal Gross appeared in space to finish.

Immediately after Maximilian Beier's shot into the side netting for the German side, Iván Fresneda and Zeno Debast made way for Eduardo Quaresma and debutant Biel.

Ousmane Diomande had a close opportunity in the 74th minute, but BV Borussia 09 Dortmund were comfortable and controlled their lead well. Occasionally they threatened, which happened when Guirassy shot and Rui Silva saved.

Eight minutes from time, a counterattack finished off by Karim Adeyemi took the score to 0-3.

Rui Borges' team will now host FC Arouca in Liga Portugal on Saturday at the Estádio José Alvalade. The following Wednesday, on February 19th, sees the return leg of the playoff in the UEFA Champions League, away in Germany.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda (Eduardo Quaresma, 73'), Ousmane Diomande, Jeremiah St. Juste, Matheus Reis [C] (Daniel Bragança, 62'), Zeno Debast (Biel, 73'), João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 62'), Geovany Quenda, Maxi Araújo, Francisco Trincão and Conrad Harder (Viktor Gyökeres, 59').

The coach talks about the Champions League exit

After the 0-0 draw at home to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund that resulted in Sporting CP bowing out of the UEFA Champions League (0-3 on aggregate), Rui Borges spoke in a press conference at Signal Iduna Park.

Starting by looking at the tie overall, the coach singled out the second half in Alvalade, where the team conceded all three goals, as being the key moment.

“We had a great first half in Alvalade and today, given the circumstances, I couldn't have asked for a better attitude. We could have had more quality here or there, because we misplaced some passes, but that is part of the lack of maturity that we have because our team is so Young”.

“There is nothing to reproach the players for. We dignified Sporting CP and now we have to follow our path”, he highlighted.

Asked about the performance of Rui Silva, who ended up being chosen as Man of the Match, Rui Borges considered that the goalkeeper “did his role” with “two or three very good saves. He saved a penalty that, honestly, didn't seem like a penalty to me. He's a mature player, he gives this calmness to the team and that's important”.

Regarding the changes he made to his starting lineup and throughout the game, he made no secret of the fact that he was also thinking about the away league game at AVS SAD.

“The squad management started a little in that game in Lisbon. Here, we ended up not being able to manage it very well, because [João] Simões and Morten [Hjulmand] went off injured and [Gonçalo] Inácio was taken off as a precaution. The squad management was present a little, but the team never gave away the tie”.

“The attitude of the team should be praised. There was the debut for Lucas [Anjos], the minutes for [Alexandre] Brito, and also Afonso [Moreira], who started very well. I really liked the young players we introduced in the second half”, he stated.

The return to 3-4-3 was another of the topics discussed and Rui Borges explained that it was a “strategic” option "because BV Borussia 09 Dortmund had some difficulties against lines of five, and also because of the options we had available. The idea was to be organised and expose BV Borussia 09 Dortmund on transitions”.

“Above all, we were competent and competed”, stressed the coach, without forgetting the quality of the opponent.

“They have a great team, they didn’t change any players and that shows the respect they had for us. I'm very happy with what we have been able to do, and with our attitude”.

“The fans demand attitude and the team respond. The fans, like us, really want to be champions. We are focused on what we can control. It was very important to hear them supporting the team from start to finish and it will also be very important in this final stretch of the season”.

A 0-0 draw for Lions sees them lose on aggregate to Borussia Dortmund

Sporting Clube de Portugal exited the UEFA Champions League with a 0-0 draw away to BV Borussia 09 Dortmund, as the German side went through the playoff to the Last 16 as a result of their 0-3 first leg win.

Rui Borges' men were unable to break down an ultra-defensive Borussia Dortmund, who focused on controlling their advantage at the Signal Iduna Park.

Facing the losing finalists of the last edition of the Champions League, currently 11th in the Bundesliga, Sporting CP made wholesale changes. Rui Borges returned to the 3-4-3 formation and made six rotations to the XI he fielded in Liga Portugal the weekend before. Injuries to Jeremiah St. Juste and Daniel Bragança forced his hand, and he decided to rest Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres.

Sporting CP lined up with Rui Silva in goal; a trio of defenders made up of Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande and Eduardo Quaresma; Matheus Reis and Ricardo Esgaio as the wingers; Morten Hjulmand and João Simões occupying the midfield; and the attack featuring Geovany Quenda, Biel Teixeira and Conrad Harder.

As night fell, the temperature also dropped to just above 0ºC. There were more than two thousand Sporting fans present in the largest stadium in Germany -one of the most imposing in the world, with a capacity for 81,365 spectators.

After kickoff, as the minutes passed, Sporting CP began to enjoy a series of transitions, but the action near the areas only began later, in the 28th minute. Borussia Dortmund opened space for a dangerous shot by Marcel Sabitzer from the edge of the area, to which Rui Silva responded with an excellent save.

Serhou Guirassy, top scorer in the European competition, also tried his luck from outside the box, but Rui Silva held onto it efficiently. Sporting CP made some valiant forays from Matheus Reis, Biel and Quenda, although with no shots registered.

Closing the first half, Sporting CP experienced further injury woes: João Simões went off and was replaced by Zeno Debast.

At the start of the second half, there was another change, with 19-year-old Alexandre Brito making his debut in the UEFA Champions League -just days after his first team debut proper. He came on for captain Hjulmand, who had suffered a knock.

Rui Silva continued to make saves in a more frantic start to the second half, denying Karim Adeyemi with a terrific stretch and then stopping a penalty from Guirassy to keep the score goalless.

Maxi Araújo and another Champions League debutant, Afonso Moreira, were introduced, and it was the young players from off the bench who tried to create the necessary reaction. After the winger shot over, Alexandre Brito also went upfield and struck slightly wide of the post.

Dortmund were then denied by the post, off a shot from newly introduced Giovanni Reyna, and soon after, Emre Can had a goal disallowed for offside.

After a promising shot from Quenda that was blocked by the defence, Harder also sent a ball around the post from a flick.

Even though he didn't scare Gregor Kobel because he ended up being blocked by the rebounds, Harder managed a deflection at the near post, but it went wide.

The young Dane then forced goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into action with his header, off a delivery from first team debutant Lucas Anjos.

The score remained the same, and Os Leões said goodbye to the Champions League with a draw, something that no Portuguese team had achieved before against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund in seven games.

With the UEFA Champions League campaign over, Sporting CP now look to Liga Portugal, with an away game scheduled for this Sunday (6pm) at AVS SAD.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GR], Ricardo Esgaio, Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio (Maxi Araújo, 56’), Matheus Reis, Morten Hjulmand [C] (Alexandre Brito, 46’), João Simões (Zeno Debast, 40’), Geovany Quenda (Lucas Anjos, 84’), Biel Teixeira (Afonso Moreira, 56’), Conrad Harder.

The goalkeeper's thoughts ahead of the Champions League playoff

Rui Silva could make his debut in the UEFA Champions League in the playoff against Borussia Dortmund, and he talked about the potential opportunity alongside his coach in the pre-match press conference.

"I'm very grateful to be able to be here. It has always been a big goal of mine to be able to play in the UEFA Champions League and I'm very happy. I always work to play, but I only control what depends on me, and the one who chooses is the coach", he began by telling journalists.

Asked about the relationship with Franco Israel, Rui Silva assured that they both have "great respect for each other."

"We have a very healthy competitiveness, which is fundamental to achieving our objectives. It is important to have solidarity and we have to show our commitment. We are creating a very strong bond, with a lot of respect."

Ensuring that he is aware of the "importance of this tie and the opponents we face", the 31-year-old refused to judge BV Borussia 09 Dortmund on their domestic league form -which has been below par.

"It is very different, in terms of motivation, to compete in the UEFA Champions League or the domestic league. Borussia Dortmund are an historic club who are not doing well in their league, but we know the ability they have -both offensively and defensively. We are prepared. We have 180 minutes to go and we have to be very rigorous with our weapons, and create danger for them."

Regarding Viktor Gyökeres, Rui Silva made no secret of the fact that he is "a very important player" for the team.

"He is a natural goalscorer, but we have other players who can respond. Conrad Harder has responded very well and scored goals, but of course Gyökeres is a big standout. Let's hope that he is 100%, to be able to score goals and help us."

Finally, Rui Silva promised to be "motivated in every game."

"I play for a big club, so it has to be like that," he added.

The coach looks at the first leg tie against Borussia Dortmund

Sporting Clube de Portugal host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night, in the first leg of their Round of 16 playoff.

Coach Rui Borges talked about the game in his pre-match press conference.

"Borussia Dortmund have had a change in coach, in formation and in style. They have a lot of players from last season, when they reached the UEFA Champions League final. Even in a league season that is not the best for them, they are still a great team. There will be a reset and a change in attitude, because they have changed coach. Their attack is very strong and they have world-class, elite players. We have to be courageous and ambitious. The help of our fans and their positive energy will be important to us getting the victory, which is always the objective," he began telling journalists.

Asked about the absence of Morten Hjulmand, who is not available for the match, Borges reminded that "the team have always been missing players who were important in winning the title last season, and that includes the captain -especially because he is, along with Viktor Gyökeres, one of the two best players in the Portuguese league."

"It's an important absence: For what he is as a player, for what he represents as a captain, for his personality, for his individual quality. It's an important loss, but whoever plays will want to demonstrate that they are up to the task of, at some point, replacing Morten," he added.

After praising Geovany Quenda, whom he described as "a super focused kid with a huge desire to play and train, even when he is tired" and who "will have a bright future ahead of him", the coach revealed that Gyökeres and Hidemasa Morita have been included in the squad.

Even with the setbacks, Borges guaranteed that Sporting CP "will never stop fighting for victory and being competitive and courageous."

"It has been part of Sporting CP's past and present to focus on youth and on domestic silverware. Within our ideas, there are players from the academy who have trained a lot with us. If we have to use one of them, I have no problem with that. They are prepared. Henrique Arreiol and Eduardo Felicíssimo are not in the squad, but Alexandre Brito is and he has performed fantastically in training. I admire him a lot, he has great potential and is very competitive. He is waiting for an opportunity and he will get it. When he does, he will live up to it in the best way; just like Geovany Quenda and João Simões," he added.

Rui Silva, a winter reinforcement, could make his debut in the UEFA Champions League against Borussia Dortmund.

"He is prepared to play in any game. I believe he has a little more anxiety about it because it is a dream for any athlete, as well as for any coach. He doesn't know if he will play, but he worked normally as he has done since he arrived here. He is completely adapted and the group have also received him in the best way," concluded Borges.

The coach reviews the 1-1 draw with FC Porto

After the 1-1 draw for Sporting CP away at FC Porto, coach Rui Borges reviewed the game in his post-match press conference -beginning by highlighting the two different halves experienced at the Estádio do Dragão.

“In the first half we were better at all times. FC Porto only had two chances, due to our losing the ball. We controlled the game with and without the ball and deservedly led the way. Then, in the second half we didn't start very well, we lost confidence and in terms of energy we also dropped off,”, he reflected.

"Knowing that we were going to be playing with a lower block, we tried to adjust to shorten the width and avoid crosses. FC Porto had some approaches, but we were competent and the best opportunities in the second half were for us, through Quenda and Harder. We could have made it 0-2, we didn't and we ended up being in that low block until the end. We lost our discipline in the last five minutes and were punished with the equaliser. Despite everything, we deserved to have left here with the three points.”

Borges explained the changes he attempted in a second half that demanded more from the team in defensive terms.

“It's natural that FC Porto, losing 0-1, would be more intense and aggressive. We tried to adjust to be more capable in defensive terms, because it was putting more strain on the line of four. As the team responded, without the same intensity, we moved to a structure of five at the back that the team are used to. I don't believe we hindered ourselves, because even though they were closer to our goal, we could have made it 0-2. Credit also to FC Porto for believing until the end," he highlighted.

On Gyökeres' return, he commented that “He has been sidelined, and even though he is a competitive animal we have to take some care with him. The fans want it and I also wanted to have Gyökeres for 90 minutes. For now it is not possible. He started well, as did Morita. I' happy to be able to use them, albeit still with some caution, but it is what it is," he noted.

Regarding the forced departure of João Simões, Borges considered that “this is part of the game. It seems like a knock, rather than anything serious. We ended up losing a window for substitutions, but the team responded well. What makes me most upset is us losing our cool at the end and having two players sent off."

Sporting CP share the points in a 1-1 draw with FC Porto

On the brink of a win in O Clássico, Sporting Clube de Portugal had to settle for a 1-1 draw with FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão, as Iván Fresneda's first half strike was cancelled out by a stoppage time goal for the home side.

FC Porto had not won in four league games coming into the contest, and were still in search of a new identity under new coach Martín Anselmi. Sporting CP' Rui Borges made just one change to his lineup, as João Simões replaced the injured Geny Catamo. Both Hidemasa Morita and Viktor Gyökeres were back available on the bench, accompanied by new signing Biel Teixeira.

Sporting CP gave a first warning in the first three minutes, with a header from Morten Hjulmand at Diogo Costa off the opening corner of the game.

After Daniel Bragança put a ball across the face of goal, Rui Borges' team suffered yet another setback: Simões went off injured in the 23rd minute, with Zeno Debast coming on.

A mistake with the ball from Sporting CP could have had dire consequences, but the post denied Stephen Eustáquio a goal. FC Porto gained confidence, and an immediate attempt from distance by Samu hit the top netting.

In response, Trincão pulled in from the right and, from outside the area, shot low and wide. Dominance continued for Sporting CP, but there was still a lack of definition in the final third to cause real damage.

It was then that Geovany Quenda made a brilliant move to put his side ahead. He took his first opponent out of the way with class, went at the next one and overtook him at high speed, then inside the area, crossed to the feet of Iván Fresneda for the Spaniard to finish off just before the break. It was Fresneda's second goal in as many Liga Portugal games.

For the second half, FC Porto came out more aggressive, but the best opportunities belonged to Sporting CP. Totally surrounded, Maxi Araújo found his way out of a tight spot and released to Conrad Harder, who shot off target. Shortly afterwards, the centre forward tried his luck with a bicycle kick from a corner -again just wide.

From a dead ball, FC Porto found the net, but Tiago Djaló, who had put in the header, was offside. That was followed up by a Pepê header that Rui Silva countered with a great save.

With the home team taking greater risks and moving closer and closer to the area, Rui Borges brought on Morita and Gyökeres, placing Debast at the back to create a line of three defenders.

Quenda had a shot in the area and Gyökeres was also unable to finish from a chance in the box, as the game opened up.

After Gyökeres, on another one of his runs, tested Diogo Costa, FC Porto responded with the equaliser in the fourth of five minutes of added time: Fábio Vieira crossed, Samu cushioned it into the area, and Namaso sent it home to take the score to 1-1.

When Quenda had seemingly been fouled by Zé Pedro, protests and an increasingly tense atmosphere followed. Hjulmand and Matheus Reis received yellow cards, and the Brazilian defender received a second immediately afterwards and was sent off. Ousmane Diomande followed him for an incident with Fábio Vieira, for which he was shown a straight red.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Next up is a home fixture in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 qualifying play-offs, against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

The coach analyses O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit FC Porto on Friday, in an 8:15pm local time kickoff. Coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference on Thursday.

"Strategically, it is easier for them than for us in terms of knowledge. Coach Anselmi has arrived now and is creating an idea, an identity. For us, it is more difficult to feel the changes and the way he makes them. You can understand some things by analysing his past teams, but we are more focused on what we can do in the game. FC Porto's structure varies during the game in terms of their offensive and defensive processes, so we are more concerned with what we have to do", he began by telling journalists.

Borges emphasised that, in the event of a triumph at the Estádio do Dragão, Sporting CP "would have a gap over the teams behind."

"Our objective is to do our part. If we do that well, we leave FC Porto a greater margin behind, and maintain the lead we have over second place. Continuing in first place will become more and more difficult. Tomorrow's game has different characteristics and both teams are very motivated."

He went on to reveal that Geny Catamo "has recovered very well, but is out of this game,· then admitted that Hidemasa Morita and Viktor Gyökeres "remain in doubt, as has been the case all week. We are in a daily process of understanding how they feel. Regardless of who is in the squad, they will all be very motivated," he added.

Asked if his side are the favourites, Borges rejected the idea.

"The distance that they are behind Sporting CP could even give an extra dose of motivation for FC Porto. We have to be prepared for the demands and the atmosphere at the Estádio do Dragão. We are joint favourites."

Regarding the team's form, he considered that "the players have to feel that it took a lot to reach first place, but that it takes even more to remain at the top of the standings."

"If we relax, we will quickly lose our position. We have to be focused and rigorous at all times. Everyone wants our place, so it becomes even more difficult to maintain it. Being first implies a lot, even in terms of the motivation of our opponents. We have come up against many teams with very low blocks and the games have not been very beautiful or spectacular as a result. It will increasingly be like this," he said.

Biel, the club's new signing, "is available," and Borges assured that he has no doubt that "Sporting CP have become stronger in the transfer window."

"When we add something, it is with the idea of being better. We will be stronger when we have everyone without limitations and available to play. We haven't achieved that yet, and that is the main objective."

The new arrival comments on his hopes for his time at the club

Gabriel Teixeira Aragão, better known as Biel, is the second addition to Sporting Clube de Portugal's squad in the winter transfer window. The 23-year-old winger has signed a contract through to 2029, with a release clause set at 80 million euros.

Ready for his first adventure in the elite of European football, he talked about an opportunity that was “impossible not to accept" in his first statements to club media.

"It was a very easy choice. It's very good for my career. Sporting CP are a big club in Europe and I'm very happy for the opportunity to come here. I promise to do my best, work hard and help Sporting CP, which is the most important thing."

A product of the Fluminense FC youth system, he debuted in the Brazilian league for the club and had a loan spell at Grêmio FBPA. Biel now arrives in Lisbon to reinforce Rui Borges' squad, after starting his third season at EC Bahia -for whom he played 98 games, scored 17 goals and 18 assists.

He commented that "Sporting CP trained two of the best in the world [Luís Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo], and I hope to evolve and improve as a player here. I arrive here mature and I trust in my potential, and I also want to give lots of joy to Sportinguistas."

"I want to win trophies and help in any way, whether that be by scoring or providing assists. My desire is to help."

Furthermore, he said that he expected to find a “good, young team, where my electric and collective style of play will fit perfectly. You can expect a lot of drive, desire and 'electricity' from me on the pitch."

"I hope you can all see my potential and can see that I am a hard-working player. I want to be very happy here."