The coach reviews the win over Vitória SC

In the aftermath of the triumph against Vitória SC (1-0), on Matchday 10 of the Liga Portugal season, coach Rúben Amorim put into perspective a run of six consecutive victories.

“Those games have passed. I look at this series of games and will say that there is usually an interruption. Both the team and I just want to win the next game. Everything is open on several fronts, and there is still a long way to go. Of course, it gives us confidence and helps the team, but it's worth what it's worth”, said the coach, before being asked about the move in which Sebastián Coates headed in from a corner, something that also happened in the last game, against Moreirense FC, and twice in Turkey, against Beşiktaş JK.

“It is to the credit of Coates and Adélio Cândido, Carlos Fernandes and Emanuel Ferro, who work a lot on set pieces. We are a team who are strong in these situations and have a lot of players in different areas. Coates has this ability off headers. He knows how to see if the ball is coming through or not, and that's something certain players have. We want to improve and for Coates to continue to score," he said, before praising the Uruguayan as “a great player who thinks like a striker when he is in the opposing area, but when he is in his own area he thinks like a central defender.”

"He is an increasingly complete player and we are very happy to have such an athlete amongst us."

As for the final stretch of the match, in which Sporting CP had to suffer, Amorim stated that this is a situation that the team “must know how to live with."

“It's not the first time we've suffered in the final minutes. Once we lost some of the pressure up front, the midfielders suffered and the defenders didn't go between the lines as much. Nevertheless, we are a team that knows how to defend. We also formed a line of five when necessary and we were able to adapt to each moment of the game. We didn't defend deep as a strategy, but rather because our opponents forced us to. The others team play too, and as soon as we started to get tired, even when we changed players, keeping up high pressing is difficult if you don't get it right,” he explained.

The importance of defence for a team which has the best record in the Portuguese league, with only four goals conceded, was another of the issues addressed by the coach.
“It's one of the strengths of the team, just like it was last season. But I will say again: It's not just the defence. It is often the forwards not only attacking, but also defending and putting pressure on the midfielders. We are a very united team, and that helps when you have to defend, build in a 5-4-1 or press high up. Without conceding goals, our team always finds a way to score, even if it is through set pieces to Coates," he said.

For the coach, overtaking SL Benfica moving joint leaders with FC Porto is insignificant whilst their rivals are technically top.

“We have the same number of points, but if the season ended today we wouldn't be in first place. There's a lot to play for and it only takes a draw to change the leader. We have to look at this naturally, as it will happen during the season. We must always be alert,” he warned, before guaranteeing that this Sporting CP side “are much more of a team than last season."

“I'm lucky that the players understand the moments within a game better and better. Today we suffered a lot at the end and we showed that we still have the same ability to stick together that we did last season. We are much better, especially considering the same period last season,” he assured.

To close, Amorim shared the credit for the fact that Sporting CP have not lost at home in Liga Portugal since he arrived in Alvalade, in March 2020, going an impressive 33 home games unbeaten.

“It is a credit to everyone who is here, from the kitman to the president. Everyone has responsibility in the good times, and everyone does their part. Now we have to keep going. This sequence of games doesn't give us anything yet, and if we don't win the next match then we will be out of the Champions League. We have to win every day, and of course we want to keep this run going, but what matters is the points in the standings," he concluded.

A 1-0 win moves the team level with FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated Vitória SC by 1-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade on Matchday 10 of Liga Portugal, thanks to a goal from the in-form Sebastián Coates in the first half.

In their third consecutive home game, the team were up against a side who had not lost away this season and were coming off a run of three wins and a draw -against SL Benfica- in their last four matches.

Coach Rúben Amorim made seven changes to the side that beat FC Famalicão in midweek, keeping only Gonçalo Inácio, Feddal, Matheus Nunes and Sarabia in the starting XI.

Balance was the order of the day in the early stages of the match, with the home team benefiting from the first two dangerous moves via Pedro Gonçalves and Pedro Porro. Vitória SC also provided a threat early on, and responded immediately with a shot that forced Antonio Adán to make a big save.

After 15 minutes, Sporting CP established themselves in the opposite midfield and started to control proceedings. After an attempt by Gonçalves, who saw his goal disallowed for offside, on 31 minutes Coates broke the deadlock with a header off a flick-on from Paulinho off a corner.

The final moments of the first half saw a bolder Vitória SC, but the best they could muster was two shots off target. Sporting CP had a second goal disallowed, with Pablo Sarabia called offside.

For the second half, Sporting CP played closer to Bruno Varela's goal, with Matheus Nunes, isolated in the area, having a big chance to score immediately go wide.
Vitória SC advanced their lines in search of an equaliser, and had an effort graze the crossbar. Shortly after, second half substitute Ricardo Quaresma struck wide from a free kick.

Sporting CP brought on Ugarte to replace Gonçalves, with the aim of halting the transitions from their opponents and adding muscle in the middle of the park. In front of goal, Paulinho had a header go lightly off target.

Despite a greater offensive threat from the visitors before the final whistle, Os Leões took a sixth consecutive victory and continued their best run of the season to date.
With the win, the team move to joint leaders of Liga Portugal with 26 points, level with FC Porto and 1 point ahead of third-placed SL Benfica.

The next match is scheduled for Wednesday, at home, against Turkish side Beşiktaş JK in the Champions League. On November 7th, they play FC Paços de Ferreira away in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [GR], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro (Daniel Bragança, 89'), João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Bruno Tabata, 88'), Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves ( Manuel Ugarte, 79'), Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 69') and Paulinho (Ricardo Esgaio, 89').

The midfielder extends his contract with Sporting CP

Pedro Gonçalves has renewed his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal through to 2026. The midfielder, who arrived at Alvalade in 2020/2021, has a buyout clause of 80 million euros.

“The feeling that I have is one of pride because of a job well done last season. The renewal is a kind of extra confidence boost from the Club for me, but it also means that I have to give even more and continue to make Sporting CP, the fans and my family proud”, he began by telling the media after the signing of the new contract.

“I have to keep working every day and do my best in every training session, because if I do that then I'm always closer to playing. When I'm on the pitch, I give my all for this Club".

Gonçalves had an unforgettable debut season, in which he won the Liga Portugal and Taça da Liga, as well as being the league's top scorer with 23 goals from 32 games.

“I know my abilities and I'm very happy about the great season I had,” he said, adding that "I don't focus on the number of goals or assists that I have. What I like is playing and giving my all, and I hope that this is my calling card".

“My objective is to work hard every day for the team and for the coach, and have a season as good as -or better- than last year", he stated.

Addressing Sporting CP's Partners and supporters, the Portuguese international said that: “I hope you are proud of this great team, because we feel very proud to have your support. I hope that you continue to go to the stadium because, without a doubt, you are our greatest strength".

Recovery work and preparation for Vitória SC

The day after the 2-1 home victory against FC Famalicão, the Sporting Clube de Portugal squad returned to training in Alcochete.

As is customary on the day after games, the starters from the match did recovery work, while the rest of the group trained together on the pitch under the orders of Rúben Amorim, who called up several players from the youth team for the session.

Tiago Tomás was the one absentee, undergoing treatment.

'Os Leões', who play again on Saturday against Vitória SC in Liga Portugal action, will next train on Thursday morning.

Sporting CP beat FC Famalicão 2-1

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to the Estádio José Alvalade on Tuesday night to kick off their 2021/2022 Taça da Liga campaign, winning 2-1 against FC Famalicão.

Coach Rúben Amorim made eight changes to his starting XI, fielding João Virgínia, Luís Neto, Gonçalo Inácio, Zouhair Feddal, Ricardo Esgaio, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Vinagre, Pablo Sarabia, Jovane Cabral and Nuno Santos.

FC Famalicão had already played their opening fixture against FC Penafiel, winning the Group B contest.

The team got their first goal after eight minutes, through Manuel Ugarte. He lined up an effort from outside the area and found the net against his former club.

Sporting CP, who had not beaten FC Famalicão since 2017, had another opportunity to score just a few minutes later, with the ball coming off an opposing player's hand after a shot by Pablo Sarabia, but referee Manuel Mota only signalled for a corner kick.

With Os Leões controlling the game and keeping possession, and FC Famalicão playing very low, Sarabia had another opportunity to make it 2-0, after half an hour of play, off a cross from Nuno Santos, but it was gathered by FC Famalicão goalkeeper Luiz Júnior.

In the final stretch of the first half, the intensity dipped, and the two sides went into the interval with the score at 1-0.

The FC Famalicão coach made three substitutions at the break, making his team more aggressive for the second half. Nevertheless, it was Sporting CP who made it 2-0 on the hour mark, through Nuno Santos, just after Pedro Gonçalves had come on for Jovane Cabral.

Rúben Amorim made further changes, introducing Matheus Reis, João Palhinha and Paulinho for Rúben Vinagre, Manuel Ugarte and Pablo Sarabia, respectively.

FC Famalicão had a shot by Ivo Rodrigues from outside the area. In response, Ricardo Esgaio tried a cross into the box, but the away team goalkeeper anticipated to catch.

In the final 10 minutes, Sporting CP had the chance to kill the game off, with a Pedro Gonçalves shot saved by Luiz Júnior.

That led to a goal for FC Famalicão that made it 2-1, after a mistake by João Virgínia at the back. Heriberto Tavares scored into an empty goal.

The referee added on another four minutes, in which the visitors had the ball in the net again, but Ricielli was clearly offside and it would not stand.

Sporting CP held out to take a 2-1 win, and a point against FC Penafiel on December 15th will be enough for them to reach the final four of the Taça da Liga.

Sporting CP win 1-0 on Matchday 9

Back in Liga Portugal action at home after the European triumph over Beşiktaş JK in midweek, Sporting Clube de Portugal bested Moreirense FC 1-0 on Matchday 9 of the season. Despite the numerous opportunities created, it would be a lone goal from Sebastián Coates' that gave the team their fourth consecutive victory.

For the first time this season, the Estádio José Alvalade had full capacity permitted, leading to an attendance of 35,882 fans.

Coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting XI from the contest in Turkey: Nuno Santos and Daniel Bragança came in, with Zouhair Feddal and Matheus Nunes left on the bench. Once the match started, Nuno Santos set up stall on the left wing, as Matheus Reis moved to the left side of the central trio. Bragança accompanied João Palhinha in midfield.

Moreirense FC tried to attack early, but the first real chances were for  first Sporting CP, through Paulinho and Pedro Porro: Paulinho, inside the area, shot over, then Porro tried a lob from way out that went off target.

In his 50th game for Sporting CP, goalkeeper Antonio Adán was first threatened by a Rafael Martins effort, which he was able to block.

Coates would break the deadlock at the end of the opening quarter hour, off a perfectly placed Pablo Sarabia corner met by the captain with his head to make it 1-0.

From there, Sporting CP took control of the ball and kept the visitors occupied in their own half.  Organised at the back, very mobile in attack and with Bragança's skills delighting the fans present, Os Leões were only let down by their finishing: First, Pedro Gonçalves, from distance, missed the target, then Paulinho gathered a loose ball in the box and struck slightly over the top.

The momentum continued into the second half, which began with clear opportunities to extend the lead. Silva was able to clear an attempt by Paulinho, and then the forward was set up again to go inches away from scoring. A timid header by Walterson, of Moreirense FC, followed, before Sarabia came close from a free kick.

After 67 minutes, Amorim made the first substitution, putting Matheus Nunes – playing his 50th game in the league –  on in Sarabia's place.

Attempts by Palhinha and Nuno Santos were unsuccessful, and the former was taken off as a series of substitutions were made: Paulinho was replaced by Tiago Tomás, then Manuel Ugarte and Ricardo Esgaio came on for Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves.

The result would remain 1-0, with Sporting CP winning and moving up to 23 points. They next play on Tuesday (9:15pm local time) against FC Famalicão, at the Estádio José Alvalade, in the First Round of Group B of the Taça da Liga.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Nuno Santos, João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte 85'), Daniel Bragança, Pedro Gonçalves (Ricardo Esgaio 85'), Pablo Sarabia (Matheus Nunes 67') and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás 77').

The player is the latest to extend his contract with the club

Matheus Nunes and Sporting Clube de Portugal will continue together through to 2026, with a contract renewal reached with a buyout clause of 60 million euros.
 
“It's a great joy for me, as one of my dreams was to continue at Sporting CP. I want to thank the club for their trust in me, and I will work to continue making history at the club and improve even more,” said the 23-year-old after putting pen to paper on the agreement.
 
“The trust that the coach, Rúben Amorim gives to the young players is very important. I think we've also responded well, and there has been constant improvement. The whole team have done an excellent job,” he underlined, highlighting the coach's relationship with the group.
 
“From the start I felt that the coach looks at all players in exactly the same way, regardless of their age. He made that clear from the start and he's a great person. We trust him a lot and he trusts us a lot."

 
Since joining Sporting CP in 2018/2019, in the Under-23s, Matheus Nunes has become a Liga Portugal winner, made his debut in the UEFA Champions League and been capped for the first time by the Portuguese national team, but he guarantees that he wants to aim for even higher accolades.

“I have been fulfilling dreams after dreams since I joined the club, but I will continue to work to fulfill all the dreams I still have,” he assured.
 
“I will continue to work to bring joy to Sportinguistas,” Nunes concluded.

The coach gives his verdict on the Champions League win

After a Tuesday night triumph against Beşiktaş JK on Matchday 3 of Group C of the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach, Rúben Amorim, revealed in his post-match press conference that the game was still as difficult as expected.
 
“We had several chances, but the first 15 minutes were dominated by Beşiktaş JK. We had difficulties in keeping the ball and controlling play during that period, but Coates' goal changed the game. This has happened in several games, and I can give the example of the game against AFC Ajax, in which we went behind early. Situations in the game completely change the dynamics of the match, and that's what happened”, he began by saying.
 
“After that it shaped up for a very good performance, but we had several chances and we could have done better. We were defensively competent, and we avoided a lot of balls getting past the defensive line. The goal that would have made it 2-3 was disallowed, and that was important because we went into halftime ahead by two goals. In the second half we controlled things and could have scored more".
 
The coach later revealed the moment in which he felt victory was no longer in danger of slipping away.
 
“It wasn't until the fourth goal that I felt the game was won. We were missing chances and a team with the quality of Beşiktaş JK, in front of their home fans, can make it 2-3, even if it's in the 90th minute. We've had several situations in which we have scored two goals in stoppage time, and that could have happened".

Amorim also explained why it was Pablo Sarabia who was chosen to take the penalty.
 
“I even said that Gonçalves should be the one to take it, because I wanted to change things up. I knew that they would have noticed that Porro had scored two penalties recently. It doesn't mean that he always shoots into the same spot, but he wasn't comfortable and they decided amongst themselves. I give the instruction and if they miss, there may be a problem, but I couldn't even remember who had scored before. They decided on the pitch and for me it's a good decision as long as it's a goal”, he stressed.

Gonçalves would later go off “due to fatigue” and Amorim allayed any fears of an injury.

“He played almost the entire game and ran a lot. I don't think it will be anything serious”, he said.
 
The coach praised the work carried out by the rest of the coaching staff with corner kicks, which resulted in a brace for Coates.
 
“It's fully down to them: The players and the coaching staff won the game. I had little to do with it, especially in the first half, as it was decided with a set piece. We scored two goals in the same way, and Coates was also heading during the penalty incident. The balls in were well placed and the movement very well done. If it happens once, it could be luck, but when it's twice, the work that Carlos Fernandes, Emanuel Ferro, Adélio Cândido and the players have done must be given credit. They completely unlocked the game”.

Sporting CP's captain pleased with victory in Istanbul

Sebastián Coates, scorer of Sporting CP's first two goals against Beşiktaş JK and involved in the move that led to the third, was satisfied with the 1-4 victory and praised the work done by the team.
 
“The whole team did very well and we got a great victory. The most important thing is that the group responded in the best way”, he said, before talking about the two goals he scored from near-identical corners.

“Normally, we practice a lot of set pieces. Sometimes it leads to a goal, sometimes it doesn't. We know we have quality takers, the coaching staff tell us where we have to go, and sometimes we win the ball and this happens", he explained.
 
The captain also spoke about the adverse atmosphere that the team encountered at Vodafone Park.
 
“All players like this type of atmosphere and playing this kind of game. It's very important to stay focused, especially in the first few minutes, and we achieved that. We knew Beşiktaş JK would push hard and try to steal the ball from us. They managed to do that in the first 15 minutes, but we knew that if we kept going and had more of the ball, we could cause a lot of damage to the opposition", considered the Uruguayan international.

“Now we have to take things game-by-game, as we always have. Today was a great victory for us, but we have to focus on the league and then continue like this in the Champions League”, he concluded.

Sporting CP outshine Beşiktaş JK with a 1-4 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal put in a stellar performance against Beşiktaş JK on Matchday 3 of the Champions League Group Stage, winning 1-4 in Istanbul. After having lost their opening two fixtures of the competition, the victory provides a much needed boost for Os Leões.

 For the game, played in front of a Vodafone Park crowd at 50% capacity, coach Rúben Amorim brought Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro and Pedro Gonçalves into the starting XI.
 
The match started with Paulinho missing a great opportunity, having gone through on goal just seconds after kickoff.
 
In the 15th minute, following a corner given following a save from Pablo Sarabia's shot, Sporting CP found the opening goal. Gonçalo Inácio deflected the ball towards the near post and Sebastián Coates dived in to make it 0-1.

Matheus Reis was very close to adding a second, but his shot went just over the crossbar.
 
Played at breakneck speed, the game became increasingly unpredictable due to constant dangerous attacks from both sides. In the 24th minute, Larin equalised for Beşiktaş JK with a header, but it was not long before the lead was reestablished: In a carbon copy of the first goal, Paulinho headed on for Coates to nod in his second of the night.

With the score at 1-2, Beşiktaş JK threatened Antonio Adán's goal again with Batshuayi's shot against the post, but soon after things would become more comfortable for Sporting CP: Off another corner, Coates won out again and headed towards goal, the ball bouncing off Vida's arm. After a VAR check, the referee signalled for a penalty and Sarabia converted from the spot.

Following the halftime break, the intensity allayed slightly in the first quarter hour of the second period. It was past the hour mark that Adán needed to intervene off a powerful shot, but those chances for the home side led to opportunities for counterattacks. On one such move, Pedro Porro crossed to Sarabia, who hit the post, and soon after it was Paulinho's turn to test the woodwork.
 
Sporting CP allowed little space for their opponents, and rounded off the night with their fourth goal in the 89th minute. Paulinho received the ball just outside the area, spotted the goalkeeper off his line and sent a curling shot into the net to make it 1-4.
 
Os Leões thus took their first victory in the Champions League this season and climbed to third place in Group C, with three points. The next game in the competition is scheduled for November 3rd, at the Estádio José Alvalade. However, now the focus returns to the Liga Portugal, and a home game against Moreirense FC on Saturday.
 
Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Zouhair Feddal (Luís Neto, 90+1'), Sebastián Coates [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis (Ricardo Esgaio, 73'), João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 90' +2'), Pedro Porro, Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 90+1'), Pablo Sarabia (Tiago Tomás, 84') and Paulinho.