​The Sporting CP coach talks about the fixture against Manchester City

Rúben Amorim was present in a press conference ahead of the match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Manchester City FC, in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The game takes place on Tuesday at 8pm local time, at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The coach began by explaining that "one of the great facets of the group is faith and belief," when questioned about his side's chances against one of the favourites to win the competition.

"We work hard and believe in our idea. We will be facing one of the best teams in the world and the best coach at present, but with a very strong base. Faith makes special things happen and that is what we will expect tomorrow. We want to make Sportinguistas proud," he told journalists at the Auditorio Artur Agostinho.

"It is very difficult to take focus away from the players. For the second time in history, Sporting CP have reached this stage of the competition, and we are playing against the Premier League leaders. The FC Porto game will not have any influence on this match," he added, later praising City coach Pep Guardiola.

"There is a big difference between the teams, but I'm happy. I have players who can reach a level of play that City have at the moment," he promised.

Again asked about the controversial game against FC Porto last Friday, the coach admitted "what happened at Estádio do Dragão was not pretty. The players are very much to blame. However, it is time to talk about a Champions League game, the Round of 16, against the best team and the best coach in the world. We have to change the way we look at football and focus on the game. Players and coaches have to improve, but a lot of people around football also have to do so."

In terms of strategy to achieve a good result, Amorim considered that "it is impossible to draw up a plan to cover Manchester City," but insisted that he will not change the team's identity.

"We base our style on what we do well and we will try to take the game into that terrain. When we look at City, we think we could do more of this or more of that. Sporting CP players can reach that level. We might be more careful in our pressure, but we will not change our idea or our identity."

On whether Pep Guardiola is one of the coaches he most admires, Amorim said that "my big reference has always been [José] Mourinho, "Guardiola is, at the moment, the best coach in the world. City are the most technically and tactically evolved team. Guardiola is the opposite of us; he has great flexibility. He's a reference for all coaches."

The coach confirmed that Pedro Gonçalves is fit and available for the game, and reiterated that his side have a chance to cause an upset.

"It is possible. I'm not going to give percentages or probabilities. My players have surprised me many times and performed miracles. It's more important that they believe a lot."

A tense Clássico ends in a stalemate at the Estádio do Dragão

Playing for almost the entirety of the second half down to ten men, Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 2-2 with FC Porto in O Clássico at the Estádio do Dragão. Paulinho and Nuno Santos both struck for the team to establish a 0-2 lead, but the hosts responded with two goals to share the spoils.

Sporting CP made changes to their starting XI, Rúben Amorim fielding Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Nunes, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Reis, Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Nuno Santos.

As expected, FC Porto started well and pressed high, but Sporting CP's response was immediate. Paulinho recovered the ball on the edge of the area, turned and shot at Diogo Costa, in a warning of what was to come.

Paulinho's opener came off a quick move by Os Leões, involving a cross from the right by Matheus Reis into the six-yard-box and the striker heading in on 8 minutes.

Opportunities for both sides followed, but without significant danger until the last ten minutes of the first half, when Sporting CP scored again: Another cross from Matheus Reis was not cut out by FC Porto defender Pepe, and Pablo Sarabia cut back to Nuno Santos. With only Diogo Costa in front of him, he picked his spot to make it 0-2.

The two-goal lead at the Dragão would not last long, however, as three minutes later FC Porto's Fábio Vieira received a pass from Vitinha and pulled one back with his strike.

An intense first half concluded with the score at 1-2.

The second half picked up from where the first left off, and Sporting CP found themselves reduced to ten men due to the sending off of captain Sebastián Coates. The centre back had previously been booked in the first half, after reacting to a poor challenge from Evanilson, and saw a second yellow for a tangle with the same player.

His side outnumbered, Amorim brought on João Palhinha at the expense of Sarabia, to shore up the midfield.

On the hour, FC Porto threatened to equalise, but Zaidu's shot hit the post. 

Some 65 minutes in, Amorim introduced Slimani and Luís Neto for Nuno Santos and Paulinho. Sporting CP looked to hold their lead, but also wanted to score a definitive goal.

Unfortunately, it was FC Porto that, in the 78th minute, found the net. Taremi headed in with a controversial goal, having left Zouhair Feddal laying on the pitch and having to receive medical assistance.

At 2-2 the game became even more intense, with both sides looking for the winning goal. FC Porto created more danger, but Sporting CP remained compact defensively. Late on, Adán made a massive save before the final whistle to ensure that the team took a point back to Lisbon.

The Clássico ended with a series of expulsions in a fracas after the final whistle. Bruno Tabata and João Palhinha were sent off and will miss the next Liga Portugal game against Estoril Praia, as will Sebastián Coates and Ricardo Esgaio, who saw his fifth yellow in the league this season.

The coach talks in the run-up to O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal plays FC Porto this Friday at the Estádio do Dragão, and coach Rúben Amorim is expecting a different game from the 1-1 draw in the first half of the Liga Portugal season. He spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference to preview O Clássico.

“It will be a somewhat different game. Both teams have improved in some aspects and the players have changed. FC Porto have lost some players, but they are in better form," he explained.

"We're also going to present a slightly different eleven. It will be a different game. The previous meeting was very early on in the season, and now we are six points behind them. That changes the characteristics of the game. We're also going to play away from home, so the circumstances are completely different. We have taken reference of how FC Porto play and what they have been doing. We have done normal preparation for an important game."

"I predict an excellent game and I know that our team are prepared," he told journalists, before confirming that neither Pedro Gonçalves nor Pedro Porro will be available for the game.

“We have solutions and we have already proved this. The other players are prepared to give a good response.”
Sporting CP are currently six points behind league leaders FC Porto, making victory imperative.

“It's an opportunity to take points away from FC Porto, and it's about much more than that as well. This is a direct clash that can make the difference between a gap of nine points or three points. We have to treat this game as a final, like how we faced the game with FC Famalicão. We cannot drop points. Sporting CP fans have sold out our section of the stadium and we will do our part," expressed Amorim.

“It is our obligation to win. A loss would take the gap to nine points, and a draw would keep it at six, but we can't forget that we still have another side behind us. We have to win, as we cannot reduce the advantage that we have over SL Benfica. If we want to fight for the title,  we have to win. Nothing is decided in this game, but I've been on the other side and I know it gets harder later on. The obligation for this club is always to win; we are not obliged not to lose, but rather to win."

The coach said he expected a Sporting CP showing at the Estádio do Dragão similar to what he saw at the Estádio da Luz against Benfica.

“It's our identity. We know that we will be up against an equally aggressive team. It will be a very competitive game. We will have to be very strong mentally, physically and tactically to respond to the requirements of the game, knowing that we have a responsibility to win because we are the ones who are at a disadvantage in the table."

"I can't say it's a beneficial pressure, but this pressure will make us grow, it's part of the players' lives and it's a good thing. Sporting CP are where we should be. We are fighting on all fronts."

Sarabia and Reis score in a 2-0 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Famalicão 2-0, at the Estádio José Alvalade on Liga Portugal Matchday 21, as Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Reis both found the net.

The victory came at the expense of the only side that coach Rúben Amorim had yet to beat as Sporting CP coach in the league, and he was wary of the threat posed by the visitors. With a full squad available, he returned Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis and João Palhinha to the starting XI.

After observing a minute's silence in honour of Eduardo Hilário, Sporting CP member season ticket holder no.1 who passed away last Thursday, the match got underway. It did not take long for Sporting CP to make it 1-0: Just three minutes in, Paulinho was fouled in the area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. For the third consecutive game, Sarabia took advantage of the opportunity to score.

Out in front, Sporting CP took control and showed patience to build from the back, looking to create space in the organised opposition defence. However, they were unable to finish off their chances in the final third when transitions did arise.

FC Famalicão registered only two shots on target -both of which were saved- before they were presented with a great chance when awarded a penalty of their own. Thankfully for Sporting CP, Antonio Adán flew across for a great save in response to Simon Banza's spot kick.

In the second half, Amorim brought Ricardo Esgaio on in place of Feddal, who had picked up a yellow card, and dropped Matheus Reis back into the defence. The left winger had the first two chances to score after the restart: First with a shot that went straight at goalkeeper Junior, then an attempt with a more difficult save required by the custodian between the sticks.

From the resulting corner, Os Leões made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute. A shot by Sarabia was deflected with a header by one of the opposition players, and fell to Matheus Reis, the defender loading up a piledriver into the net.

In the 74th minute, one of the most awaited moments of the night took place. A recent returnee to the club, Islam Slimani came on to replace Pedro Porro and received a huge ovation from the Sportinguistas in attendance, who saw the Algerian debut for the second time.

FC Famalicão enjoyed moves near the area, but the home team's defence was solid. Sporting CP claimed the three points, and set up O Clássico with FC Porto on Friday, February 11th, with the two teams separated by 6 points.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adan [Gk]; Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Ricardo Esgaio, 45'), Pedro Porro (Islam Slimani, 74'), João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 59'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata , 63'), Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 74') and Paulinho.

The coach comments on the win over FC Famalicão

Following the win over FC Famalicão in Liga Portugal, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim spoke to the media about the result, and rejected the idea that his players had gone onto the pitch thinking about Friday's Clássico against FC Porto.

“Just because we were less fluid with the ball, doesn't mean that the players were thinking about another game. We knew that FC Famalicão had been conceding few goals and they are a well put together team, with very talented youngsters who sometimes play even better in these games with the big clubs. We fielded the players we thought were the best for the game, and I didn't see anyone thinking about O Clássico. We could have played better, but we should be congratulated because the victory was a fair one,” he began by saying.

Asked about the debut of Islam Slimani, who came on in the 74th minute, Amorim stated that the Algerian's introduction was motivated by the way that the match was going, rather than sentimentality.

“We know that the fans are very fond of Slimani, but he came on because we lacked some energy due to our run of games, and he gave us that. With Slimani in the middle and Paulinho on the other side coming in for crosses, we were able to open up the game. FC Famalicão were putting pressure on us up top and, more than it being a case of giving Slimani minutes, it was what the game required. Slimani still has room to grow, and that is noticeable physically, but he works hard, he has adapted in the best way and is a great asset for us,” he said.

As for Pedro Porro, who picked up a yellow card and will miss the game against FC Porto, the coach stressed that he likes “that the players don't take it easy.”

“He was going racing for the ball against Ivo Rodrigues, who is a fast player, and we don't know if that would have ended up being a dangerous move or not. He stopped the move when he had to and didn't let the player go past him, because he's on the field to defend for the team and maintain the result."

Finally, Amorim justified the departure of Zouhair Feddal at half time, which brought Matheus Reis back into the defence.

“Feddal went off because he was on a yellow card and Matheus Reis is faster. We wanted to control the long shots that the opposition had two or three times from the left side in the first half, as that was the only way for FC Famalicão to reach our goal. Matheus did not play against Belenenses SAD and was fresher, so he could give us more during the second half,” explained the coach.

​The Sporting CP coach prepares for the game against FC Famalicão

Sporting Clube de Portugal host FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade on Sunday, on Matchday 21 of the Liga Portugal season.

In the lead-up to the match, coach Rúben Amorim warned that Os Leões have not yet managed to beat this weekend's opponents in the league with him in charge, and rejected the idea that the players are already thinking about the upcoming game against FC Porto.

“This is the most important game, not least because we haven't won against FC Famalicão yet and we know the quality of their players. They have a new coach, with whom they are conceding far fewer goals, and they play with a line of five that includes Ivo Rodrigues dropping in, which then moves to a line of four,” the coach began by saying in his pre-match press conference.

“As for the game against FC Porto, the best way to go to the Estádio do Dragão is off the back of a win over FC Famalicão. That's what we want to do, in a very difficult game. We want to maintain our way of playing and our dynamic, and improve compared to the game we played against them away from home. We will treat this game like another final."

Amorim will be able to use the entire group, including the returning Islam Slimani, who is part of the matchday squad.

“I didn't know him well, but he's better in his link-up play than I thought. He has to get back into the rhythm of things, because he has only played a few minutes recently, but he's already in the squad because he has different characteristics to our other forwards. I am very satisfied with him; he has integrated easily, and we are lucky in that regard, but at the same time we already had this information from everyone here at Sporting CP. I am very pleased to have Slimani in the group,” he assured, without clarifying whether the Algerian international would enjoy minutes on Sunday.

“It depends on the game. I don't know if we're going to need Slimani or another player, but he's an option. He won't be a starter."

Asked about possible rotations, due to the fact that Ricardo Esgaio, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, Pedro Gonçalves and Pablo Sarabia are all at risk of missing the Clássico with FC Porto if they receive a yellow card against FC Famalicão, Amorim stated that now it was not the time to be thinking ahead.

“We have solutions for every position. The most important thing is that we get to the game at the Estádio do Dragão with a maximum difference of six points. If a player can't play there, then he won't, because we have to win a very difficult game and we haven't been able to beat FC Famalicão. Therefore, we will not keep any player in reserve. We are able to win games with any starting XI,” he underlined.

​The forward rejoins the club for a second spell

Islam Slimani has returned to Sporting Clube de Portugal, six years on from the end of his first spell at the clib. The Algerian forward has put pen to paper on a contract through until 2023, and was presented officially on Thursday afternoon.

“I've come back because the fans like me and because the club like me. For me, that's the most important thing in football. I missed Sporting CP, the fans and Alvalade, so the decision was very easy. It feels very good to be home,” Slimani began by saying.

“It was at this club that I was happiest. Sporting CP is my home, I feel good here and I'm happy here."

He will once again be Sporting CP's No.9. Since leaving Alvalade the first time around, he has played for Leicester City FC, Newcastle UFC, Fenerbahçe SK , AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais.

Slimani will be reunited with some teammates with whom he has already played, such as Sebastián Coates and Ricardo Esgaio, and he commented that “It was great to see them and Paulinho again. I'm back to help the team and the club."

“Sporting CP play very good football. I know the club well and I also know the style of play used by the coach, Rúben Amorim."

At the age of 33, the forward, who scored 57 goals in his first spell at the club, says he is in top form.

“I hope to score many goals. I am a more experienced Slimani and, in my opinion, a better Slimani than the first time around."

​The coach responds to the 1-4 win against Belenenses SAD

After the 1-4 triumph over Belenenses SAD, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match and praised Sporting CP's performance.

"We had several chances and should have scored more goals. What makes me more satisfied is that the team didn't let up, even after the satisfaction of winning the Taça da Liga. The players know that every game is difficult, but we made the game easy."

"At 0-2 up, we conceded an unavoidable goal and then Adán stopped a one-on-one. Other than that, we had many opportunities, we controlled the game well, we went into the break 1-3 up and that goal gave us some peace of mind," he told journalists in his press conference.

"Afterwards, we killed the game off and maintained a good pace, but we could have scored more goals. It was a deserved victory, and the players knew how to interpret what needed to be done."

Asked about the possible effects of the competition up front between Islam Slimani and Paulinho, Amorim stressed that "it is good for the team", before heaping plaudits to the forward for his performance against Belenenses SAD.

"Paulinho has known that Slimani was a possibility for more than a month. He was the first person to know. He is very grown up and he knows the confidence I have in him. Slimani has come in because we need a different player and it is good for the team. Paulinho was very good in his link-up play, scored two goals and the fans are behind him."

Speaking about the debut of Marcus Edwards, he noted that "He will adapt to our team. He can play on the wings or closer inside, if we want more involvement there. We had a lot of possession and I decided to bring Edwards on. He's an intelligent player and he's got his debut out of the way now. He has felt the affection of the fans and now he has to work hard because the other players are in very good form."

Finally, Amorim  addressed the performance of Pedro Gonçalves. "I like that he feels pressure, because he plays better that way. Every time we say he's not involved, he scores. The way he plays and presses, he is a very important player even without scoring," he concluded.

​The team win a Wednesday night game in Jamor

Carrying over their momentum from the Taça da Liga, Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways in Liga Portugal by beating Belenenses SAD 1-4 on Wednesday night. In a display of offensive quality, goals from Paulinho (x2), Pedro Porro and Pablo Sarabia earned a third consecutive triumph for the team, this time at the expense of the league's basement side.

For the match at Estádio Nacional, in Jamor, coach Rúben Amorim introduced Porro, Nuno Santos and Manuel Ugarte into the starting XI, at the expense of Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Reis and João Palhinha, who had begun the Taça da Liga final. On the bench, new signing Marcus Edwards made his first appearance on the squad list and would go on to accumulate his first minutes for the club.

Sporting CP's right side showed a hint of what was to come with a pair of initial attacks, before the opening goal of the game arrived from that channel: A combination between Porro and Sarabia saw the winger, who was already inside the area, serving up a pass to Paulinho. He finished without difficulty for his seventh league goal of the season.

Moments later, Adán safely grabbed a dangerous low cross, in what was a half-opportunity for Belenenses. Before the first 20 minutes had elapsed, Porro received square on and, without hesitation, struck hard from distance for a great goal.

However, the dominant start from Sporting CP would be challenged immediately through a goal by Abel Camará, who got Belenenses back into the game. From there, the pace increased and the number of dangerous shots multiplied.

Sarabia couldn't quite finish off a masterful pass from Matheus Nunes and, at the other hand, Adán got the better of a sudden one-on-one with Abel Camará.

After the half hour, Pedro Gonçalves had two excellent opportunities, but shot off target from both, with Zouhair Feddal's subsequent header from a corner another opportunity that went unconverted.

Sporting CP's third goal would finally arrive in first half stoppage time: After having been denied by goalkeeper Álvaro Ramalho, Sarabia went on to drive in a cross from Nuno Santos.

The masterclass would continue in the second half, which began with Sporting CP's fourth goal. Free inside the box, Paulinho responded to a perfect cross by Porro and headed in for his second of the night.

Amorim decided to ring the changes to a team that had played two games in a short period of time, taking off Porro, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos, bringing on Gonçalo Esteves, Daniel Bragança, Bruno Tabata and Rúben Vinagre in their places.

Comfortably in front, Sporting CP held onto possession and were untroubled in defence. The coach saw fit to hand Edwards his debut in place of Sarabia on 71 minutes, allowing fans to see the new signing in action.

Whilst there was no change in the dynamic before the final whistle, Os Leões enjoyed several chances. However, the score remained 1-4 at full time, with the team reaching 50 points in Liga Portugal.

On Matchday 21, Sporting CP host FC Famalicão, in a game scheduled for 8:30pm local time on Sunday.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Nuno Santos (Rúben Vinagre, 58'), Zouhair Feddal, Gonçalo Inácio, Luís Neto [C], Pedro Porro (Gonçalo Esteves, 51')., Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança) , 51'), Pablo Sarabia (Marcus Edwards, 71'), Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata, 58') and Paulinho.

The coach looks ahead to the game against Belenenses SAD

Having won the Taça da Liga, Sporting Clube de Portugal returns to Liga Portugal action when they face Belenenses SAD on this Wednesday. In his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim warned that despite their playing against the team bottom of the league, "there are no easy games."

"We know that in order to maintain our position and to try to climb the table, we have to win our games. We are in good form, but the team are already used to that and we have also had some slip-ups this season, so we will face this game like we did the final in Leiria. We have some doubts about the way Belenenses SAD will perform, but there are no doubts about the way we will approach the match. We have an obligation to win. We will make alterations, because we believe that this is the best way to maintain intensity in the way we play."

With the winter transfer window closed, Amorim addressed the club's movement in the market, highlighting the return of Islam Slimani and the arrival of winger Marcus Edwards.

"Slimani is a different kind of striker, not least because our team has changed a little bit. We play very high and we have had many games in which we have put in several crosses and lacked a presence in the area. More than once, we have been without [Sebastián] Coates and we have missed him in our aerial play. In addition, Slimani is a player who has come in at zero cost and is within our reality, because he knows the club very well. He is 33 years old, scores and is intense in his pressing. We felt that he was a good solution for the team. He can be a target man who will help us to win games. and I hope that he's happy here."

As for the Edwards,  who joins from Vitória SC, Amorim admitted that Sporting CP's interest was longstanding.

"We had interest in him since last year and it didn't happen. This time it was possible and the player was very keen to come. It is important that he is joining now, because he is very introverted and I know it will take time for him to get to know his colleagues. He has very good characteristics, is very strong between the lines and good one-on-one. He will adapt well; there are many young players here who speak English, so what we hope is that both players adapt to a project that is not only short-term."

The coach said that Edwards will be in the squad on Wednesday, but that Slimani would only arrive in Lisbon the morning of the game.

Amorim also commented on the departures on loan of Tiago Tomás and Jovane Cabral.

"Tiago Tomás' leaving is a step that is about the characteristics of the game. He was missing out because we were losing many metres up front, which previously benefited his characteristics, and Jovane simply had an opportunity to leave. I wish them the best, and they were part of a great group that helped Sporting CP to become champions."

He also made a final statement about the focus on Wednesday's match: "Pedro Porro is one of the options to play, but that doesn't mean he'll be in the starting lineup. We have [Gonçalo] Esteves and we can put a winger there, but we will see. I will choose the best XI for the game, because we really have to beat Belenenses SAD."