The Champions League games ends 2-1 to the hosts

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 2-1 away to SSC Napoli on the second matchday of the UEFA Champions League campaign, coming back from Southern Italy empty handed despite their efforts.

The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona boasted a great atmosphere in which Sporting CP fans also made their voices heard. Coach Rui Borges made several changes to the starting XI he had fielded against GD Estoril Praia: Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, and Luis Suárez were replaced by Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, João Simões, Geny Catamo, and Fotis Ioannidis – making his first start for the club.

The opening minutes, on a somewhat chilly autumn night, were tight and challenging. SSC Napoli had the first attack, with Kevin De Bruyne shooting over the bar, while at the other end, in the 12th minute, a good move ended with Geovany Quenda passing to Iván Fresneda. He placed the ball in a dangerous position, but the defence were able to clear.

The Italian champions began to take control of the match, and in the 22nd minute, after a combination move, Frank Anguissa missed the target with a shot. João Simões responded from long range for Sporting CP, but Vanja Milinković-Savić easily saved the effort.

Frank Anguissa took another shot around the half-hour mark; this time, the ball deflected off a defender and went out for a corner.

Sporting CP then began to go on the attack, dominating possession and moving the ball around well. Little by little, they closed in on the penalty area, but it was precisely at that moment that Antonio Conte's side managed to score from a deadly counterattack. Rasmus Højlund finished off the chance to make it 1-0.

Quenda sent a free kick directly into the goalkeeper's hands and Matteo Politana had an attempt skillfully saved by Rui Silva, heading into the halftime break.

Freshening up the attack in the second half, Pedro Gonçalves and Luis Suárez replaced Francisco Trincão and Geny Catamo. Opportunities, however, remained elusive for both sides. Aside from shots by Politano and De Bruyne that failed to go in, and a Suárez shot that was blocked, there was little to report in the early stages.

Then, in the 61st minute, after a Gonçalves shot, Maxi Araújo was brought down in the box, and referee Danny Makkelie awarded a penalty.

Suárez stepped up and converted the spot kick, bringing Sporting CP back on terms.

The introductions of Zeno Debast and Alisson Santos followed, in place of Eduardo Quaresma and Alisson Santos had left. Motivated by the goal and facing a team on the ropes, Sporting CP once again attacked SSC Napoli.

After Vanja Milinković-Savić's initial save of a Geovany Quenda shot, panic once again reigned in the SSC Napoli box: Luis Suárez, fed by Alisson Santos, set up Gonçalves, who shot just over the crossbar. It was the Alvalade club's second goal.

Hidemasa Morita came on for João Simões in another change from Rui Borges.

Soon after, SSC Napoli scored again, through Rasmus Højlund, this time with a header, and Sporting CP were back behind.

With ten minutes remaining, they fought hard to salvage at least a point, and came close to doing so in the 90+4 minute, when Morten Hjulmand's header forced Vanja Milinković-Savić into a superb save.

The game ended 2-1 to SSC Napoli. Sporting CP will now host SC Braga on Sunday in Liga Portugal. The return to the UEFA Champions League is scheduled for October 22nd, with a match against French side Olympique de Marseille at the Estadio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma (Zeno Debast, 66’), Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], João Simões (Hidemasa Morita, 78’), Geovany Quenda, Geny Catamo (Luis Suárez, 45’), Francisco Trincão (Pedro Gonçalves, 45’) and Fotis Ioannidis (Alisson Santos, 66’).

The coach look back at the 0-1 win away to GD Estoril Praia

After Sporting CP's 0-1 victory at GD Estoril Praia, coach Rui Borges reviewed the match in a press conference.

The result being better than the performance
"It was, without a doubt. The first 25 minutes were good for us. We were intense, competitive, and settled into the attacking midfield, with long passes and more width. Then, we became too comfortable, with a lot of play on the inside and many turnovers, leaving GD Estoril Praia able to engage in quick attacks. It's true that throughout the 90 minutes they had one dangerous move, which saw a loss of possession by us and a great save by Rui [Silva]. At halftime, we drew attention to that, because I didn't like the last 15 minutes of the first half at all."

Luis Suárez helping Sporting CP to forget about Gyökeres
"Luis is Luis. He's been responding well, as has Fotis [Ioannidis], who gave the team energy. We're looking at the present, not the past. Luis was very good and had another great game, which helped the team a lot."

Reasons for the slower pace in the second half
"It's hard to justify it. I could make excuses about a lack of energy and fatigue... I also don't want to think that we were already thinking ahead to Wednesday's game. This can't happen again. We won, but we did just enough to win, even if GD Estoril Praia didn't create anything extraordinary. However, in the future it could cost us dearly. More than the reasons for the dip in pace, we need to look back on the game and realise that it has to serve as an example."

Alisson Santos's arrival
"I'm not surprised with him, because it's something we recognised in him. He needed some time to adapt, to understand the level of demand Sporting CP will place on him, and over the last few weeks he's been growing a lot in his understanding of the game. I have no doubt he has a very good future here at Sporting CP."

Lack of freshness being a concern
"It should serve as an example for everyone to be available and ready to play. If someone lacks energy, others will play in their place. I have confidence in everyone, and if I have to change nine or ten players, I'll do so without a problem. We have to be available and at our best. Today what we did was enough, but in the future it may not be."

Expecting a better showing against SC Braga
"I promise to work hard. We won't always play well, but the attitude has to be there. Even if we're well organised, we won't always have the same quality. The competitive attitude was important today; it should have been great, but we lacked it. When we don't play well, if we can win like we did today, then that's what's important."

Maxi Araújo's Performance
"For me, he was Sporting CP's best player. He's competitive, with a unique energy that's contagious. He had a great game, at the level he's demonstrated before. He's a great player. He has us accustomed to a high standard, and he's reached it again."

Thanks to the Fans
"Thanks to all the Sporting CP fans who made us feel at home. I looked everywhere and all I could see was Sporting CP supporters. It's good to know we're all striving for the same thing. A huge thank you to them."

The forward scores the only goal in a 0-1 victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal claimed a 0-1 away win at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota against GD Estoril Praia 0-1, on Liga Portugal Matchday 7. It marked their best run of results so far this season, with a fourth consecutive victory and a second in a row without conceding, as Luis Suárez struck an early winner.

They were up against an inconsistent GD Estoril Praia side, who had started the weekend in 13th place, with only one win and five points overall. Rui Borges' Sporting CP made three changes to the starting XI that had beaten Moreirense FC 3-0 the previous matchday: Rui Silva – returning from injury – regained the goalkeeping spot from João Virgínia. Hidemasa Morita was also in, replacing Giorgi Kochorashvili, and Maxi Araújo was chosen ahead of Ricardo Mangas. Geny Catamo returned to the squad on the bench.

Pre-match rain stopped in time for kickoff, and the opposition immediately showed they were going to press and seek to take the game to Sporting CP. However, the first dangerous opportunity fell to Os Leões, setting the tone for what was to come. Before the tenth minute, a corner kick into the box ended with a powerful shot from Morita, who came very close to scoring with a volley.

Sporting CP began to camp out in the Estoril box, and in the 12th minute they took the lead. With a superb long pass, captain Morten Hjulmand found Araújo on the left, and the Uruguayan, with a first-time effort, sent a low cross towards Luis Suárez. The Colombian finished off as goalkeeper Joel Robles remained rooted to the spot.

The goal was Suárez’ fifth in the league, and he has now scored in three consecutive matches.

Estoril Praia GD responded with two shots from outside the box by Jordan Holsgrove – one narrowly saved by Rui Silva and the other that flew into the side netting – but Sporting CP quickly tightened their grip and kept the ball in the opponent's half, firmly controlling the game.

The score could have been increased to 0-2 before the half-hour mark, but it wasn't to be. Suárez dived for a header that he was inches away from converting, and later Pedro Gonçalves tried to turn in a loose ball that he put off target.

Towards the end of the first half, Estoril tried to capitalise on a mistake by Sporting CP.  Thanks to Rui Silva's sharp reflexes, he denied striker Alejandro Marqués off a dangerous one-on-one situation. Shortly after, in another foray forward by the home team, full-back Pedro Amaral attempted a stunning strike that lacked precision.

For the second half, Giorgi Kochorashvili was immediately brought on to replace Morita.

Sporting CP once again dominated, patiently maintaining possession and applying effective pressure.

It was during a lull in play that Borges made another change, in the form of a triple substitution: Iván Fresneda, Geny Catamo -back a month after his last appearance- and Fotis Ioannidis were chosen to replace Vagiannidis, Quenda, and Suárez.

Shots wide by 'Pote' and Pedro Carvalho at either end were rare opportunities for the two teams during this period.

Sporting CP remained in complete control, but with the introduction of Alisson Santos – replacing Pedro Gonçalves – they gained a little more spark. The young Brazilian winger, with two impressive runs, put GD Estoril Praia on the back foot.

There were no more goals before the end, but for the fifth consecutive visit to Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, Sporting CP returned to Alvalade with all three points and no goals conceded.

Before their next league game at home to SC Braga, the team are in action on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, when they travel to Italy to play SSC Napoli.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Georgios Vagiannidis (Iván Fresneda, 73’), Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo, Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 46’), Geovany Quenda (Geny Catamo, 73’), Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 84’), Francisco Trincão and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 73’).

The coach looks ahead to the Liga Portugal game

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face SC Braga this Sunday (7:15 pm local time) on Liga Portugal Matchday 8. The day before the game, coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.

What he expects from the opposition
"I expect a strong SC Braga. Regardless of their less positive results in the league [five matches without a win], they're always a great side. Despite everything, they haven't lost away from home yet, and that's where they score the most and concede the least. They're a team that want to dominate -I think they have the most possession in Liga Portugal- they get a lot of crosses and rely heavily on their wide men. They're a different team from last season and are buoyed by their result in European competition, when they won 0-2 against Celtic FC. In terms of us, we will also be a highly motivated team, in front of a packed crowd, who will do everything to win the match and continue our progress in the league."

Possible changes
"All players are available, and everyone has to be prepared to play. Whoever comes in will give a good response, and the coaching staff have the same confidence in everyone."

Focus on their game, despite the game between FC Porto and SL Benfica
"I want to win. I'm only worried about our game, which is against a great team who will pose a lot of difficulties for us. We're at the beginning of the season, so the other game won't decide anything."

The supporters
"Criticism is part of the game; it doesn't worry me. I know, above all, the affection I've always received from the vast majority of Sporting CP fans. On the street, it's been fantastic, and in the stadium, it's been absolutely incredible. What matters is that Sporting CP win. I believe that, little by little, more people will believe in our work. What drives me is to do my best for Sporting CP."

The 1-1 draw with SC Braga last season
"It was a game in which we were the better side in every way, and in a period when the game was completely under control, one incident completely ruined the result for us. It was from a cross, and this season, SC Braga are the team that create the most crosses, and [Leonardo] Lelo is the player who creates the most chances in the league. We have to be alert and prepared for the dynamics of this season’s SC Braga, which is completely different from last season."

The importance of defending crosses well
"I don't think it's our Achilles' heel. I even think that, in terms of our athleticism, and considering we are without Diomande, we've been very competent. We're a pressing team who go in for individual duels. SSC Napoli put in lots of crosses, and from the only one we couldn't stop, we ended up conceding the second goal. We have to find ways to neutralise that with small details and behaviour. It's a strength of SC Braga."

Defeats in the three toughest matches of the season (SL Benfica, FC Porto, and SSC Napoli)
"If I lose the 'big' league games but win all the others, we’ll win the title. They were very close games, and they ended up going the opponents’ way. We look at the past, but that means nothing to me. We didn't want to lose, but we're focused on things game by game."

The packed schedule
"The coaches are tired of complaining... The overload on the players is really getting worse. Looking at this specific match in the Taça da Liga that has been announced, it's also impossible to schedule it at another time. It's difficult to do. We have to hope the entire squad is available at that time."

The coach gives his preview of Matchday 7

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit GD Estoril Praia this Saturday for their seventh game of the Liga Portugal season, and coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.

What to expect from GD Estoril Praia
"They're a team that had a good season in 2024/25. They like to have the ball, and play with an attacking, pressing style. At home, they're even stronger and more dangerous. They have good players who can make a difference. They haven't been able to convert the opportunities they've created into goals, either due to misfortune or merit on the part of the opposition. They're one of the teams who have the most possession, which clearly demonstrates their coach's approach. They are very dynamic. We can't let them gain confidence and try to take control of the game. It's a tough match, and let's hope the weather helps us out, because it's a pitch where the wind can make things difficult."

Ousmane Diomande, Geny Catamo, and Rui Silva
"All three are fit, but Diomande won't play. Rui and Geny are in the squad. Fortunately, we have them all available, including Diomande -who is in the process of being reintegrated but won't play. (...) If everything goes as planned, he'll be ready for the next game."

The team’s performance
"I'm very pleased with the team's performance in every game, but of course there's always room for improvement -whether defensively, offensively, or tactically. There's always room for growth and a lot to improve. We must strive to become even better and never show satisfaction with what we've achieved. We must strive for more and to be better, and that's the spirit of this team."

Possible rotations with future games in mind
"I'm only thinking about GD Estoril Praia. I really want to win the game, which is against a different kind of opponent. Later on is when we'll think about SSC Napoli and, after that, SC Braga."

Pedro Gonçalves and Francisco Trincão
"Regarding their contract renewals, I don't know anything about it. I'm not getting involved in it. Would I like it to happen? Yes, both me, the club and the fans would. They've been very important players in these years in which Sporting CP have enjoyed successes. What I know is that they're happy and they show it. They have joy and passion in playing for Sporting CP; it's evident in the performance by each member of the team. They're having a great start to the season, and it's not just them but the collective."

A difficult series of matches
"We have to be able to respond. Looking at the team makes me confident and comfortable. Everyone has been performing fantastically. I feel that the squad, not just 11 players, are switched on. They know that at any moment they can be a solution and get the opportunity they're hoping for."

The goalkeeping situation
"I'm very comfortable with any one of them playing. I don't need to say much about Rui Silva, who was so important in our achievements last season. He started the season well, came back from playing with the national team, and had a short break. We have to hope he feels as comfortable as possible. João Virgínia has responded excellently, which is what we expected when we signed him. I'm happy to have both of them, and we'll see who will play soon."

Giorgi Kochorashvili, Georgios Vagiannidis, and Fotis Ioannidis
"[Giorgi Kochorashvili] is adapting. Regarding his performance and what he's been able to give the team, with his strengths, I'm happy. We expect and want much more from him, as does he, but he's still adapting, just like Georgios Vagiannidis and Fotis Ioannidis. Georgios Vagiannidis has been very good, but he can be even better. These are players fitting into a team with its own dynamics, with many players who have been kept on from past seasons. They've been growing, little by little, and that's why they play and have opportunities.

A full week off
"Sometimes, these weeks are a bit tricky. We have to rest the players, which is important for the games coming up. You can always train something. Last season, I said that weeks with a lot of games and little training time were a challenge for me. Fortunately, I'm at a great club with a fantastic day-to-day structure. Everyone helps each other, and my adaptation has been very good. We can always work in different ways. The team are well aware of our behaviour, and sometimes it's the little things that can make a difference."

The Taça de Portugal draw
"We will have a game against a good team, one that play in Liga Portugal 2, but are very competitive at home and in front of their fans. They're used to spending many years in the top flight. It will be a tough game in a competition where we want to defend our trophy. At a club like this, all we can think about is winning. To do that, we have to overcome several obstacles. It starts now in Paços de Ferreira."

Viktor Gyökeres's Gerd Müller Trophy win and acceptance speech
"Everyone deserves credit, including me. Above all, I'm happy for him. He deserves it for everything he was able to give us over those two years. I expected nothing less from Viktor Gyökeres in his acceptance speech. He's an extraordinary player, but also a very well balanced and sensible person. Outside of how he is as a player, he's very humble, and a friend. I expected nothing less than the gratitude he gave to his teammates and the Sporting CP structure. It was more than deserved."

The coach reviews the win against Moreirense FC

Following Sporting Clube de Portugal’s 3-0 win over Moreirense FC, Rui Borges talked to the media to analyse the result.

Analysing the game
"We created many scoring opportunities. We were dominant and we created clear-cut chances. I don't remember seeing expected goals so high for us. It shows what we were capable of against a good, organised team with a low block. Even so, we created opportunities. We didn't start the second half so well and we lost a few balls. The substitutions brought clarity, calm, composure, and balance. The goals came naturally. I couldn't be happier with everything the team were able to achieve."

Goals
"We should have had more. We deserved to go into halftime ahead. We had a great game."

Fotis Ioannidis
"He's come in and donevery well. He'll be a huge asset. He's still figuring out the dynamics, the link-ups, and how to better fit into the team. We know what he can do and what he'll give us. I'm very happy to have two great strikers. They'll give me a headache, but that's good. It's a sign they have a lot of quality."

Efficiency
"I was worried we wouldn't be able to create goals. In almost every game, we have a very high expected goals -above normal. Players miss their shots; that's part of it. We have to encourage them to work hard and improve. They do that a lot, but we won't always be able to score goals quickly. I wanted to win, and I like seeing them happy and putting on a great performance. We could have dropped off physically, but the team remained focused and had a huge ambition to win."

Maxi Araújo and Hidemasa Morita
"They're coming back from injury, so we have to be careful and manage things. At the start of the second half, we were a bit frustrated with some misplaced passes, and Maxi and Morita's introductions helped. Even so, we were playing well, except for those first ten or 15 minutes of the second half. After that, the team found their feet again, and we returned to what we had been like in the first half."

The difference between the big clubs and other clubs
"There's always a difference because the big clubs have more ability to sign players, but the mid-table teams have also signed well. The deficit is the same as always, in my opinion. It's no different from past seasons. The big teams are stronger, but so are the mid-table teams."

The Taça de Portugal draw
"I would be happy to go to Mirandela. It's my city, even though it's difficult to play there. But I would be very happy."

Penalty takers
"The hierarchy is very clear. The captain [Morten Hjulmand] made the decision, and the coach is 100% behind him. I would have been comfortable if he had been the one taking the penalty."

Diogo Travassos
"He was a player I tried to bring back in January, but we couldn't. I was the one who insisted on having him in preseason. He's shown great growth. We believe in him a lot, and I think he'll be a Sporting CP first team player sooner or later. He has the quality to do it. He's at a great club to grow, and I have no doubt he'll be at Sporting CP in the future."

The team rack up their latest Liga Portugal win

Sporting Clube de Portugal won their Monday night fixture at home to Moreirense FC 3-0, continuing their strong form in Liga Portugal. The goals came in the final quarter-hour from Luis Suárez, Pedro Gonçalves and Fotis Ioannidis

On a cold night, befitting the beginning of autumn, Rui Borges made three changes to the Sporting Clube de Portugal starting lineup: Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, and Maxi Araújo replaced Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, and Ricardo Mangas.

The first half was a one-sided affair, with Sporting CP looking for goals and Moreirense FC trying to stifle their advances with timewasting tactics. However, there were still chances for the hosts: The first danger came in the 2nd minute, when Zeno Debast found Luis Suárez with a superb pass. The Colombian striker was only denied a goal thanks to André Ferreira's superb save.

Shortly after, Suárez tried his luck again, but the goalkeeper made another save —as he did again in the 12th minute, this time from a Georgios Vagiannidis attempt. Later in that same minute, Gonçalves magically found Suárez, and the centre forward, after rounding André Ferreira, had his shot cleared off the line by Gilberto Batista.

Sporting CP continued to pressure the visitors and inched closer to scoring. Vagiannidis forced another save from André Ferreira, Francisco Trincão curled a shot just wide, and Pedro Gonçalves tried to surprise the goalkeeper with a lob, but to no avail.

In the 24th minute, Suárez once again dribbled past the goalkeeper and shot, but his finish was kept out by the post. Gonçalves also came close with a powerful shot that deflected off Suárez, but André Ferreira reacted to stop.

Before halftime, Trincão's cross ended in an acrobatic shot by Geovany Quenda, although the first period would end 0-0.

The intensity dropped in the second half, with Sporting CP threatening Moreirense FC less frequently. In term, the visitors continued their strategy of anti-football tactics.

In the 54th minute, Rui Borges took off Giorgi Kochorashvili and Ricardo Mangas to bring on Hidemasa Morita and Maxi Araújo.

Shortly after coming on, the Uruguayan was set up by Luis Suárez's backheel. Araújo took out two defenders at once and shot wide with his weaker foot.

In the 69th minute, Gonçalves's well-placed shot tested André Ferreira, who parried out for a corner.

Time was running out, but with just over 15 minutes remaining, Trincão was brought down in the box and referee Hélder Carvalho awarded a penalty.

Called upon to convert, Suárez sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and grabbed his fourth goal of the season.

Fotis Ioannidis replaced Suárez in the 79th minute, and moments later there was a near-perfect counterattack, which ended with Morita passing to Quenda. He teed up Gonçalves, who only failed to score because André Ferreira once again got to the ball.

Araújo and Gonçalves also had shots blocked, before Trincão was fouled again in the Moreirense FC box. This time, conversion duties fell to Gonçalves, who doubled the lead.

With the victory virtually assured, Alisson Santos and João Simões came on to replace Trincão and Gonçalves, and the Brazilian winger made his presence felt in the 94th minute, providing the assist for Fotis Ioannidis’ first goal for Sporting CP.

After the 3-0 win, the team travel to GD Estoril Praia on Saturday at 8:30 pm.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GR], Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Mangas (Maxi Araújo, 54'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Giorgi Kochorashvili (Hidemasa Morita, 54'), Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão (Alisson Santos, 90+1'), Pedro Gonçalves (João Simões, 90+1') and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 79').

The coach looks ahead to Monday's match

Sporting Clube de Portugal host Moreirense FC this Monday in Liga Portugal, and coach Rui Borges previewed the match in a press conference.

Moreirense FC
"I expect Moreirense FC to be at the same level they've been at so far. They've had a great start to the season. I think this is their best ever start to a season. They’re a club I know well; I know what it's like to work in that structure. They are very well balanced, a team that already have some players who have been with the club for three years, a cohesive team, with maturity, and a sense of calm in the last three years -which have been successful.

Therefore, we're in for a tough match against a team highly motivated by what they've achieved. They're a team in the Top 5 in terms of chance creation, and that clearly reflects the quality of the opponent. They will try to make things difficult for us. We have to be focused on what we can do and we want to give it our all, in front of our fans, at home."

His experience with current Moreirense players
"In terms of the principles, some may be present, but the dynamic is completely different. They are different teams and different mindsets, so very different from what Rui Borges did there. Although the general idea is the same, beyond that it's very different.

That’s not what will determine the game. I believe, above all, that it will be a great game, because the opponents are a wonderful team that I personally like -not only because of the connection, but also because of the opportunity they gave me to reach the Portuguese top flight. I have enormous affection for the players and their structure. Now I really want to win, and I know they'll make our lives difficult."

Geovany Quenda
"Quenda has been a starter. He's been working very well, training well. He wasn't a starter in the first few matches, but he is now. He's a kid who has responded. I've said from the beginning, since the first matchday, that he was perhaps the player who left me with the most doubts about who to use in the starting eleven in each match. We always chose to continue with what we were doing in the first few matches, the consistency the team were bringing to the game, that's all.

Quenda is a very mature kid, very focused on what he's achieved and what he wants to achieve. If he weren't, he wouldn't have had the impact he had last season and the beginning of this one. He clearly demonstrates his maturity, his focus and what he wants to achieve for the future. He's an 18-year-old with a distinct personality. He's mature for his age, so I don't need to worry about him being overwhelmed. I do care about him getting better and better.

He had a great game [against Kairat FC], but he needs to be even more consistent in his actions, with more actions, creating even more, which is what will make him even better than he already is. My focus is on him getting better every day, more than the psychology side, because he doesn't need it."

Midfield options
"Zeno [Debast] has come into midfield and could provide that solution, as he did very well last season; we were champions. I'm happy to have that ability in a player who is growing very well and who can get even stronger.

Regarding [João] Simões, he's as prepared to be a starter, as is Giorgi [Kochorashvili]. I repeat, these are options. He's a kid who's been working really hard, and a kid like Quenda, with a different mentality, has been part of the first team for a long time because he has an above-average mentality and ability to stay focused, to understand what he wants for his future. Simões loves Sporting CP unconditionally, and you can see that every moment he's on the pitch, and even how he is on the bench. He's a very passionate kid. I'm happy to be able to count on him, because I think he has a clearly above-average maturity and will be a natural leader over time.”

Kochorashvili's growth
"Giorgi comes from a completely different background than the demands of Sporting CP. He's still trying to understand his teammates and the team’s dynamics. But he's improving. He's listening, and he also loves to learn. He likes to ask questions, and little by little he's adapting and putting his best qualities to work for the team.

Therefore, I'm happy with what he's achieved. Of course, if you compare it to [Hidemasa] Morita, Morita has been playing with Morten [Hjulmand] for two years in a row, and their connection is like nothing else. It takes time, and little by little I've definitely seen him improve."

Managing playing games every three days
"In the 60th minute of that match against Kairat FC, we took off Pedro Gonçalves and Luis Suárez. After five minutes, Maxi [Araújo] came off, and after another five, Morten [Hjulmand] came off. It's all about management. Everything is for the greater good, because we'll have games every three days. We have to have the players ready to give their best, because they're not machines -no matter how much we want them to be at their best and meet the demands.

Within the high performance and medical departments, we always strive to do our best, without exposing the player to injury, because we want to have everyone available. That gives me more solutions as a coach and provides more solutions in these weeks in which we play every three days."

Luis Suárez
"I think he's a complete striker. I have no doubt he'll score goals, and Fotis [Ioannidis] will too. I'm very happy to have them both in our squad. They're players who will contribute a lot to the team, to their teammates, and to their teammates' development. There's been a lot of talk about Luis [Suárez's] linkup play, but it's not just that. He makes a lot of deep runs, very good diagonal runs, with good timing, and adds a variability to the attacking game that we didn't have last season, due to the characteristics of the striker we had.
It's natural that this is being talked about more, because we're seeing players like Pote and Trincão becoming even more advanced in their qualities. He adds a great variability to the team, which I like, and which Fotis will also contribute."

Keeping up a winning run
"I don't look at the opponents. At this stage, I'm not really focused on the standings, as we're three points behind FC Porto. We're in the early stages of the season, and there's pressure to win, to do our best, because we always want to win. But there's always a very competent team with its own individual and collective qualities that we have to face. We have to prepare ourselves to the fullest, in the best way possible, to overcome them."

Rui Silva's unavailability
"The severity of Rui Silva's injury isn't a concern. I think he'll be fit for next week, as will [Ousmane] Diomande and Geny [Catamo]."

The coach talks after the Champions League win

Following Sporting Clube de Portugal's 4-1 victory over FC Kairat on the opening matchday of the UEFA Champions League, Rui Borges held a press conference to answer questions from journalists.

The game
"We were competent. At times, we were a bit passive in our reaction to losing the ball and their pressing. We noticed we weren't fresh enough in that regard. That's normal, and we have to handle it better. In the first half, we created some goal-scoring opportunities without scoring, which created some anxiety. We needed to be calmer. We missed the penalty. If we had scored from it, I think the game would have unfolded differently. Trincão's quality was decisive in the first goal. In the second half, we started poorly and were very passive, but João Virgínia played well. We woke up after 15, 20 minutes, with better and clearer decision-making."

Francisco Trincão, Geovany Quenda, Eduardo Quaresma, Iván Fresneda, and Alisson Santos
"I've already said that Trincão was the player who surprised me the most when I came here. I know him better now, I know what he's capable of and what he can bring to the team. His individual quality is above average. As for Quenda, we opted for Geny Catamo early in the season, but that was always my biggest headache. Quenda gives a phenomenal performance every time, as does Eduardo Quaresma, who hasn't played but was very important last season. I know what he's capable of; he's much more mature, and I'm happy with his performance today. Iván Fresneda also had a great game."

Managing energy
"The group have always given a fantastic level of performance, even when they're more tired. (...) Fatigue doesn't just come from the Famalicão game, but also from playing time for the internationals with their respective countries. There are things we can't control. We're getting into this competitive rhythm, and we have to adapt to that. I knew the individual quality would be better than FC Kairat's, but we couldn't let the game get away from us, and at times we did that."

Penalty takers
"Mordan Hjulmand has scored several, but he missed one today. It happens to the best players. In terms of hierarchy, Morten is first in line. He's been taking very good penalties."

The centre back pairing
"Eduardo Quaresma has responded well and deserves to play. I can only use two of them, and I have four. We’ll look at more different pairings, not just this one."

Squad depth
"In the last few days of the transfer window, people said Sporting CP had the worst transfer window, but now they say that we have the most depth. I've always said I was happy with my squad. I trust everyone. It's a great group of friends; they stick together and respect each other a lot. It's very important to feel that every day."

Substitutions
"I tried to refresh the team, because the energy wasn't what we wanted. The response in the last few days of training had been positive, but the energy wasn't there during the game. We made more mistakes in our decision-making than usual. The change was good because it brought more intensity, both in terms of decision-making and reactions. I'm happy with everyone who came in, who gave a very good response."

A 4-1 result against FC Kairat begins the team's European run

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Kairat 4-1 in the first round of the UEFA Champions League, as a brace from Francisco Trincão and goals from Alisson Santos and Geovany Quenda gave them a strong start to the competition.

On a hot night in Lisbon, Rui Borges made three changes to the starting XI, with Georgios Vagiannidis, Zeno Debast, and Ricardo Mangas replaced by Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, and Maxi Araújo.

The match was a one-sided affair, and the stark differences between the two teams were evident from the outset. The first clear-cut chance came in the 5th minute, when, off a pass by Luis Suárez, Pedro Gonçalves used some majestic skill to beat an opposition defender, and had his shot saved by Sherhan Kalmurza.

In the 11th minute, Gonçalves made another run before trying to set up Suárez, but a clearance for a corner was made in time. The Colombian striker had an effort blocked shortly after, while Gonçalo Inácio met Geovany Quenda's corner kick with a header wide.

In the 17th minute, Giorgi Kochorashvili attempted to score with an acrobatic shot, but to no avail.

Suárez won a penalty when he was brought down inside the area, but Morten Hjulmand was unable to convert, as Sherhan Kalmurza saved the spot kick.

From distance, with a powerful curling shot, Quenda further tested Sherhan Kalmurza, who made another fine save. FC Kairat only managed to provide a chance of their own in the 34th minute: The Kazakh team had a shot from Dastan Satpayev well saved by João Virgínia.

Sporting CP didn't let up until they opened the scoring. Suárez came very close twice, when in the 37th minute he hit the post, and in the 40th minute he shot wide after a cross from Fresneda.

Finally, in the 44th minute, they made it 1-0: Inácio advanced upfield, passed to Kochorashvili, who skillfully cushioned the ball for Francisco Trincão to fire home from distance.

The second half started in lively fashion, with João Virgínia making a top save from Satpayev. The response was not long in coming, and in the 48th minute, Gonçalves crossed and Suárez headed the ball against the crossbar.

João Virgínia kept out shots from Ofri Arad, from distance, and Jorginho, from much closer.

Rui Borges made three changes halfway through the 90th minute: Fotis Ioannidis, Hidemasa Morita, and Alisson Santos came on for Luis Suárez, Giorgi Kochorashvili, and Pedro Gonçalves, respectively.

A crazy five minutes followed, in which Sporting CP scored no fewer than three goals. In the 64th minute, after Fresneda attacked down the right, the ball fell to Trincão, and he struck into the top corner.

After Matheus Reis came on for Maxi Araújo, earning his first minutes of the season, Sporting CP took the lead again in the 66th minute: Quenda broke through the opposition defence and fed Alisson Santos, whose powerful shot made it 3-0. It was the Brazilian's first goal for Sporting CP.

Quenda's turn to score came in the 68th minute, as he moved from the right to the centre of the box, danced past several opponents, and finished successfully.

Zeno Debast replaced Hjulmand, and the pace of the game slowed down. One exception came in the 80th minute, when Trincão could have scored a hat trick.

Five minutes later, the Kazakh team scored a consolation goal with a hit from Edmilson, but the game ended 4-1 in a comprehensive showing.

The team will now host Moreirense FC in Liga Portugal at 8:15pm on Monday, September 22nd. Their UEFA Champions League return is scheduled for October 1, with a trip to play Italian side SSC Napoli.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Iván Fresneda, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Maxi Araújo (Matheus Reis, 65'), Morten Hjulmand [C] (Zeno Debast, 69'), Giorgi Kochorashvili (Hidemasa Morita, 60'), Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves, (Alisson Santos, 60') and Luis Suárez (Fotis Ioannidis, 60').