The coach speaks after the 3-2 win over Portimonense

In his post-match press conference following a 3-2 win over Portimonense, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim discussed what was an eleventh league win in a row.

"It was a difficult game, in which we started well, but the two counterattacks by Portimonense SC left us a little uneasy. There was the goal situation. We are a team that is not used to being behind, especially in the second half, but that is the merit of the opposition. After half-time we came back stronger when it was 11 against 11, and the sending-off helped us; we put pressure on and the goals came with calm", he began by telling the media.

He also praised the star of the match, hat trick scorer Paulinho.

"It was his night because he scored three goals. He was decisive. It was a credit to Paulinho and the fans too, as when he wasn't in form they were always supporting him. But this doesn't end here. Now we move on to play CD Santa Clara".

Asked if 2021 was a perfect year, the coach commented that "I think 2022 is going to be the year, the continuation of our work. 2021 was a great year, but we have to do more and do better. We have to go game-by-game, that's how we think".

A game that takes place this Thursday between FC Porto and SL Benfica could change the situation at the top of the league table, and Amorim did not hide the fact that he would rather his club end the year as outright leaders.

"It's good to be in first place. Whatever happens is good, and I don't have a great preference for who wins that game. Many points will still be dropped. But I would like to have more of a lead in the table".

The forward leads a comeback in a 3-2 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal won 3-2 against Portimonense SC in their last game of 2021. A hat trick from Paulinho enabled the team to overcome an initial deficit, as they continued a run of domestic victories.

The game at the Estádio José Alvalade started with an early chance, as in the third minute Matheus Nunes made a drive towards goal -but allowed the ball to go just out of play. On seven minutes there was a strong shot by João Palhinha from outside the area, that goalkeeper Samuel Portugal was required to save.

It was 10 minutes into the match before Antonio Adán was called into action: Nakajima fired a hard shot goalwards, but the goalkeeper deflected the ball onto the crossbar. 

In the 20th minute, Pablo Sarabia had everything in his favour, but struck over the top with his first opportunity.

The deadlock would eventually be broken through an own goal by Matheus Reis, when the Sporting CP defender tried to intercept a cross and ended up turning it into his own net.

Paulinho and Pablo Sarabia led the charge in search of an immediate equaliser, but both would be denied.

Just past the half hour, Pedro Gonçalves called the goalkeeper into action again, and Portimonense SC held onto their lead into the interval -Sarabia and Nuno Santos coming close with their respective chances.

On their return from the dressing room, Sporting CP did not want to waste time and, in the first minute of the second half, Ricardo Esgaio shot just outside the right post. In minute 54, it was Paulinho who had an effort saved.

60 minutes in, coach Rúben Amorim brought on Geny Catamo, providing the 20-year-old with his debut for the first team. Shortly thereafter, Coates had a chance stifled by a last ditch challenge.

The equaliser would finally arrive, however, when Nuno Santos, on the left, crossed onto Paulinho's head - the striker making it 1-1.

What followed was a masterclass from Paulinho. With a quarter of an hour to go before the end of the game, the 29-year-old forward scored for a second time, following up on a Gonçalves shot.

In the lead for the first time, the team went looking for more. With five minutes to go, Paulinho scored the third from a Gonçalves cross from the right.

Lucas Possignolo got a late consolation goal for Portimonense SC, but the victory went to Sporting CP to round off 2021 top of the league.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio (Geny Catamo, 60'), João Palhinha (Daniel Bragança, 55'), Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves, Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 90').

The coach casts his eye over a Wednesday night fixture

In his last pre-match press conference of 2021, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the Liga Portugal game against Portimonense SC, scheduled for Wednesday at 9pm local time.

"It's going to be a difficult game against Portimonense SC. They are a team who play very well. They have taken more points away than they have at home, they defend well, they're good at set pieces and they have players up front who can create difficulties for the opposition", he told journalists ahead of the Matchday 16 contest.

"The Sporting CP players are prepared. We are used to the system that Portimonense SC play, and prepared for if they show up with three central defenders. Nakajima has been a very important player for them and can create problems, and we focused on that. We are treating the game against Portimonense SC as if it were a final: We have to win the game and play well. It's important to keep the fans behind the team, and they are always there for us. We have to be humble, be strong and have fun in the game".

The Sporting Clube de Portugal boss also revealed what he feels will be the keys to victory: "If we are strong in our buildup, we won't give them any chances or lose the ball in the first phase. I think we'll be able to push Portimonense SC back if we do that, and the team are used to doing that. We have to be strong in one against one situations. We have everything prepared and we are motivated. I think that we will win".

Regarding possible absentees, Amorim revealed that Tiago Tomás will come into the squad, but that any novelties may only be seen against CD Santa Clara next time out.

Asked also about the rotation of players in defensive positions, the coach praised the adaptability of his squad.

"It was important, when we had everyone available, to keep working on things. The players are getting more and more adapted to positions. We also have a goalkeeper, Antonio Adán, who has made some very important saves. But the team in general are defending very well, which is the reflection of a good team and the solidarity between the players. We have defended well as a team". he concluded.

Amorim reacted to the draw for the Taça de Portugal with a brief comment: "Playing against Leça FC will be a tough game. It's a cup game, and I still remember seeing them in the Primeira Liga. We'll be at full strength, very aware of the difficulties we may face, and we want to go through to the next round".

​The fixture will take place between January 11th-13th

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face Leça FC in the quarter finals of the Taça de Portugal. The draw for the competition was held on Monday at the Cidade do Futebol, in Oeiras.

The fixture pits the current Liga Portugal leaders against the team currently playing in the Campeonato de Portugal, the Fourth Division. It takes place at the Estádio do Leça FC between January 11th and 13th.

Should they win the game, Os Leões will play either FC Porto or FC Vizela in the semifinals. The first leg of that round will be played between March 1st and 3rd, with the return leg held between April 19th and 21st.

The final session before Christmas is held on Thursday

Coates and Sarabia goals earn 1-2 win against Casa Pia AC

Sporting Clube de Portugal triumphed 1-2 on Wednesday night away to Casa Pia AC, in the Fifth Round of the Taça de Portugal. Through goals scored by Sebastián Coates and Pablo Sarabia, the team secured a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Rúben Amorim returned to the place where he began his coaching career, and made several changes to the starting XI for the occasion: João Virgínia, João Palhinha, Daniel Bragança, Flávio Nazinho, Bruno Tabata and Ricardo Esgaio came into the side.

Casa Pia AC -who ply their trade in the second division- started well, and opened the scoring after eight minutes. Poloni crossed from the left and Jota Silva appeared for a well-placed header, to hand the home side the lead.

Sporting CP reacted with a series of attacks, and started to get closer and closer to an equaliser. João Palhinha headed over the top and Daniel Bragança forced an intervention from goalkeeper Lucas Paes. Finally, the goal arrived in the 32nd minute: A corner kick taken by Pedro Gonçalves was deflected by the defence to the far post, where Sebastián Coates converted.

Before halftime, two more moves could have brought Sporting CP a goal: In the 34th minute, Bruno Tabata went through, but Lucas Paes saved. In the 42nd minute, Daniel Bragança struck wide.

Amorim brought on Paulinho at the interval, taking off Flávio Nazinho, and his presence in the centre of the attack immediately made an impact, providing more space for Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Gonçalves.

João Palhinha had a dangerous chance early on and, shortly afterwards, Gonçalves sent a tame shot towards the goalkeeper. On 52 minutes, a shot against the post proved that Sporting CP were well on top of the game.

Five minutes later, a great shot from Sarabia hit the crossbar, with Gonçalves being denied shortly thereafter by a great save from Lucas Paes. However, referee Rui Costa, after consulting VAR, deemed that Sarabia's effort had crossed the line, awarding the goal as the score moved to 1-2.

Sporting CP continued to put pressure on, and efforts for Gonçalves, Paulinho and Bruno Tabata all came close.

Tabata was sent off in the 71st minute following an incident with Jota Silva, making the task more difficult for the visitors.

With 15 minutes to go, Nuno Santos, Matheus Nunes and Manuel Ugarte came on for Pedro Gonçalves, Daniel Bragança and João Palhinha, respectively, whilst Casa Pia AC pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Sporting CP would hold on to win 1-2, progressing to the quarter finals of the Taça de Portugal. They will next be in action in Liga Portugal, playing Portimonense SC on December 29th.

Sporting CP: João Virgínia [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 75'), Daniel Bragança (Matheus Nunes, 75'), Flávio Nazinho (Paulinho, 45' '), Pablo Sarabia, Bruno Tabata and Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 75').

Sporting CP play Casa Pia AC on Wednesday night

Sporting Clube de Portugal play in the Round of 16 of the Taça de Portugal against Casa Pia AC on Wednesday, and coach Rúben Amorim spoke about the contest in his pre-match press conference.

Amorim knows the opposing side well, since it was there that he began his coaching career, and he made clear that his team will have to be “intense and serious” in order to progress in the competition.

“We expect a difficult game, and the game in Penafiel also served as a warning, at a distinctive ground against a team that play the same formation as us and had been rising up the table in the Second Division," he said.

"I know the coach well, and he also knows me well; we have very similar dynamics," he continued.

"Casa Pia AC have nothing to lose and we will have to be very serious. We have to go into the game knowing that we can lose, because if we're not intense, serious and don't treat the fixture as a final, we won't be able to win".

Ricardo Esgaio may be an option to start, as he is on the cusp of a return from injury, but the coach believes that whoever plays, he has no doubts.

“The strength of this group is that we have everyone prepared. The best team we have to win is that which will play. I'm not going to keep anybody in reserve, but I'm going to change some things".

Amorim also spoke about Pedro Gonçalves, who missed a penalty in Barcelos this past weekend.

“Pedro, for better or for worse, doesn't think about things too much. Obviously he wants to score and every game is a new opportunity, but he's not anxious, because it's not his profile”.

Asked about some of the youth players that he has brought through, the coach explained that “Rodrigo Ribeiro has now moved down to the B team, [José] Marsá is still with us and is getting better and better. Geny [Catamo] will also return to the B team, but he was two minutes away from coming on in Barcelos - before Nuno Santos' goal. They, and others, will have to move up, because of our needs and because they deserve to have opportunities”.

The team play on Wednesday against Casa Pia AC

Sporting Clube de Portugal trained on Monday morning in Alcochete, with their focus on the Taça de Portugal match against Casa Pia AC scheduled for Wednesday night.

In the session, Rúben Amorim was without Rúben Vinagre, Pedro Porro, Zouhair Feddal and Jovane Cabral, with the four players undergoing treatment with the medical department.

Os Leões will have another workout on Tuesday at 10:00am. At 12:30 pm, Amorim will preview the Round of 16 contest in his pre-match press conference.

Sporting CP run out 0-3 winners away from home

Sporting Clube de Portugal earned a 0-3 win away to Gil Vicente FC in Liga Portugal, as Nuno Santos, Gonçalo Inácio and Daniel Bragança scored the goals that took them to ten consecutive triumphs in the league.

On a cold night, but with clear skies, Sportinguistas were out in force in the away section of the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, cheering on a side that experienced five changes compared to the XI fielded against Penafiel. Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Nunes and Pedro Gonçalves returned to the starting lineup, as well as Paulinho. Also back in the squad was João Palhinha, who began the game on the bench.

The first half was eventful, with two red cards, a penalty kick, decisions overturned by VAR and many stoppages. Gil Vicente FC did, however, appear to be ambitious and used high lines to put pressure on Sporting CP.

The first shot of the game was by Murilo, but Antonio Adán had no problems keeping it out. In response, Pablo Sarabia struck hard for Sporting CP, with goalkeeper Žiga Frelih having to intervene.

On 12 minutes, the first red card was shown: after initially showing a yellow, referee Tiago Martins went to see the images of VAR and upgraded Kanya Fujimoto's punishment for a foul on Matheus Reis to a red.

With a numerical advantage, Sporting CP assumed total control of possession and began to search for the opener. That task became more complicated in the 21st minute, when Luís Neto was sent off following a clash with Pedrinho.

Nearly half an hour into the game, Gil Vicente FC finally provided runs into the box, but neither Talocha nor Murilo's shots troubled Antonio Adán.

Pedro Gonçalves shot over the top when in a good position, before coach Rúben Amorim took off Pablo Sarabia and introduced Nuno Santos, who moved to the left wing with Matheus Reis going into the centre.

Sporting CP were awarded a penalty on 36 minutes, for a foul on Manuel Ugarte. However, Gonçalves had his spot kick saved by Žiga Frelih, who soon after also prevented Sebastián Coates from scoring.

The game went into halftime still goalless.

On 53 minutes, Sporting CP took a giant step towards victory, when Nuno Santos intercepted a pass by Rúben Fernandes in the defence, made a run and shot into the net off a deflection from Lucas. The team finally had a 0-1 lead.

After a shot by Francisco Navarro, saved by Antono Adán, João Palhinha came on for Manuel Ugarte. Then Sebastián Coates headed wide, with Paulinho also firing dangerously close in the 63rd minute.

Shortly after, the advantage was doubled, off a corner that fell to Gonçalves. His shot hit Gonçalo Inácio, who, in turn, deflected it into the back of the net to make it 0-2.

In the 77th minute, Gonçalo Esteves made way for Daniel Bragança, who shot wide with his first chance. Several dangerous moves from Gonçalves saw him denied time and time again by Žiga Frelih, but eventually Sporting CP would get their third goal:  In the third minute of stoppage time, Adán launched the ball to Paulinho, who won space on the right and served up a perfect cross for Daniel Bragança to score his first goal for the senior team.

Sporting CP will play Casa Pia AC next Wednesday, in the fifth round of the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Gonçalo Esteves (Daniel Bragança, 77'), Manuel Ugarte (João Palhinha, 57'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves, Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 30') and Paulinho.

The coach previews the game against Gil Vicente FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal will travel to Barcelos, this Saturday (8:30pm local time), to face Gil Vicente FC on Liga Portugal Matchday 15. Rúben Amorim, the team's coach, predicted “a very difficult game against a team that are in great shape” and occupy a comfortable eighth place.

“Gil Vicente FC are a very well-organised team and we are also in good form. It will be a fun game. They have very strong ideas, and last season they adapted to us with a line of five at the back. I think that this time they will not do that, and they will defend in another way. They are a team without responsibilities and without the pressure of getting points,” he said, before adding: “It will be one of the toughest games of the season so far."

“We are prepared, we know how the opponent play. The three front players are very strong, [Kanya] Fujimoto is in great form and is an important attacking midfielder in their team. I foresee a difficult game, but we want to win to maintain our position in the table,” he said, revealing that he had called the group's attention to what happened to them against Penafiel FC.

“We lowered the intensity a bit and had problems with a second division team. Given the quality and speed of Gil Vicente FC up front, if we don't control how we bring play forward well and lose the ball easily, they will create a lot of problems for us. We have to be very intense, and we have worked on that this week. We are clearly prepared and we have a responsibility to win, but the opposition will be very difficult to beat."
 
Amorim also confirmed that Gonçalo Esteves, the 17-year-old full-back who had a good showing in the last game and has made four appearances for the first team, will start tomorrow.

“He is prepared, has recovered well and had three days between games. He has a lot of desire and many teammates who help him out. He will be our option for the right side and it's not a risk, but rather an opportunity for him. When he makes any mistake, the centre back will be there to help him. He hasn't put a foot wrong and has a lot of talent, and he can become a decisive player in offensive and defensive terms,” he explained.
 
In closing, he revealed that Paulinho "should be given the all-clear tomorrow and will play," after having recovered from a COVID-19 infection. “Having not had any symptoms, he won't have lost fitness in just a few days. We gave him everything to train at home. Paulinho has been working with me for a long time, he knows his teammates with his eyes closed and the team's routines give him security. He's a very mature player, he's in good form and we're going to take advantage of that. If he's in good physical shape, I can use him," he concluded.