Uruguayan midfielder joins from FC Famalicão through to 2026

Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed midfielder Manuel Ugarte as their latest summer reinforcement, with the Uruguayan joining through to 2026. The contract for the former FC Famalicão player, who was presented this Monday in Alcochete, has a buyout clause of 60 million euros.

An international at Under-23 level for Uruguay, Ugarte came up through the ranks at CA Fénix in his home country. He was promoted to the club's senior team, where he stayed for several seasons, and in December 2020 was signed by FC Famalicão for his first experience in the Portuguese league. There, he played 20 games (18 in the starting XI) and scored one goal in the second half of the last season, and also played in the second stage of the Taça da Liga recently at the start of 2021/2022.

Speaking on Monday, Ugarte described the feeling of signing for Sporting CP as "enormous happiness. Not just for me, but for my family as well. It's a huge step up in my career."

The Uruguayan demonstrated that he is aware of the way of thinking that Rúben Amorim and the Sporting CP squad employ, stating that "As has always been said, we will take things game by game and you always have to think in the short term."

The move to Sporting CP reunites him with compatriot Sebastián Coates and former teammate Rúben Vinagre, with the former contacting him to offer any help that he might need. Ugarte says that "everybody made me feel like part of Sporting CP, which is really nice."

Influencing his decision to come to Lisbon was the commitment shown by Sporting CP to young talent.

“Sporting CP have a project. There are many young people who play for the club and the Academia is a great place to learn the concepts of football and to improve as a player. I'm here for what the manager needs," he explained, before talking about his excitement to play in front of the fans.

"I've already imagined playing in the stadium with the supporters there. We players are privileged to be able to enjoy that moment, and the fans should have no doubt that I'll leave everything out on the pitch."

​The coach reflects positively on the 3-0 triumph over FC Vizela

After the dust settled in his side's Friday fixture against FC Vizela, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match in his post-match press conference. He showed his satisfaction with the 3-0 triumph and a first three points of the season.

“It seemed like a good performance from us; we had a good game," he told journalists. "We started well. FC Vizela came out very aggressive in their marking, following our players and defending well. We knew this was going to happen because they were so motivated for the match. However, we were able to have the ball and create space, and we had some crosses that we could have finished better. We also had a missed penalty.”

“In the second half we knew that it would be difficult for FC Vizela to keep up the pressure that they had sometimes and we scored our first goal. After making it 1-0, even though we switched off a little for ten minutes, we continued to play better. The second and third goals came naturally. We had a good performance,” he reflected, before being asked about the showing by brace-scorer Pedro Gonçalves.

“I think we are all in agreement that in the first half he didn't do as well as expected. Nevertheless, the way he finished in the second half is not normal. He is one of those players who can go missing from the game, but who has an advantage with his coach because we are always expecting something to happen from him. He's a special player in that regard. If he has the objective of becoming the league's top scorer again, then that's good and it helps us.”

The Sporting CP also made a positive assessment of the performances made by newcomers Ricardo Esgaio and Rúben Vinagre.

“Last season we had Antunes and João Pereira in those positions, who gave us a lot, but these two are more like the defenders who played the most last season: Porro and Nuno Mendes. Of course, Esgaio is not the same at taking people on as Porro, but he has great physical ability and already knows the ideas the team have. The option of bringing in Esgaio or Vinagre was often questioned because we already had quality players in these positions. The fans were more eager for other positions to be filled more urgently, but even in that regard I've been lucky, because the two who play in their spots are injured at the start of the championship and the two players we brought in are available.

Finally, Amorim acknowledged that the team “might be under more pressure” after being crowned champions last year, but reiterated that the focus is always on the next game.

“We cannot control what people might say about us or the pressure we might have on us. This is the best way to take things and to move forward. We go game by game. We won the Supertaça, we won the first game of the league season, and now we have a game in Braga, which is always very difficult. We're going to prepare for it in the best way,” he affirmed.

​Sporting CP overcome FC Vizela 3-0 as fans return to the Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Clube de Portugal got the 2021/2022 league season off to a winning start at the Estádio José Alvalade, providing a resounding 3-0 victory over FC Vizela in front of their home fans -in attendance for the first time in 516 days.

With Pedro Porro and Nuno Mendes both unavailable, coach Rúben Amorim gave starting roles to new arrivals Ricardo Esgaio and Rúben Vinagre against the top flight newcomers, playing for the first time in the Primeira Liga since 1985.

The fans were treated to the displaying of the 2020/21 league trophy by captain Sebastián Coates before kickoff, and once the game got underway Sporting CP took control. Practically without letting FC Vizela touch the ball, they were calm, patient and persistent in the opening stanza.

After trying his luck with a shot over the crossbar previously, on 22 minutes Jovane Cabral enjoyed the first big opportunity of the match. A low pass from Rúben Vinagre found the Cape Verdean, whose shot was on target but blocked by a defender. Soon after, Paulinho also came very close to breaking the deadlock.

After half an hour of play, Sporting CP won a penalty for handball by Koffi. Cabral stepped up to take, but rattled the woodwork with his effort.

Goalkeeper Antonio Adán untroubled in the first half, Os Leões were nevertheless unable to get out in front before the interval -the score remaining 0-0 at half time.

The first goal was not long in coming after the restart, however: Three minutes in, Paulinho served up a pass to last season's top scores, Pedro Gonçalves, who slammed a right footed shot into the net from distance.

FC Vizela attempted a reaction with the help of former Sporting CP B team player Nuno Moreira, but any danger provided was short-lived. In the 64th minute, after a Ricardo Esgaio cross, Gonçalves chested down, loaded up a shot and struck again to make it 2-0.

On 74 minutes, when the visitors appeared beaten, Sporting CP put the win beyond all doubt. After a sprint down the left, Nuno Santos set up Paulinho with a pass, the striker only having to convert from inside the area.

Winning by a comfortable margin, and with just ten minutes remaining, Amorim's men eased the pressure slightly, but were still close to scoring a fourth through Daniel Bragança. His shot was saved spectacularly by Charles.

The victory was a perfect opening to the season for Sporting CP, who are back in action on August 14th against SC Braga on Matchday 2.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Zouhair Feddal (Tiago Tomás, 86') and Sebastián Coates [C], Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Nunes, João Palhinha (Daniel Bragança, 78'), Rúben Vinagre (Matheus Reis, 78'), Jovane Cabral (Nuno Santos, 68'), Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata, 86') and Paulinho

The coach looks ahead to Friday's curtain raiser

In a Thursday press conference, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the season opener for his side against FC Vizela, which gets the Liga Portugal BWIN campaign underway this Friday at 8:15pm local time.

Keeping true to the ideas implemented last season, the coach said that his side will need to have their wits about them with the newly promoted team who visit the Estádio José Alvalade.

“They are a team that our coaching staff know well from CNS, just like we know about their coach. He said he told the players to just enjoy the game, but I know him well and I know that he comes here to win. Therefore, if we are not careful, we could drop points and even lose the game," warned Amorim, adding: “It will be a difficult match, between a team who have nothing to lose and another who have to win at home."

Fullbacks Pedro Porro and Nuno Mendes will be unavailable for the encounter, he confirmed, before underlining the difficulty that lies ahead.

"Every game is dangerous and we proved last year that anything is possible. We have to run more than FC Vizela, because if we run more than them, then we are stronger and closer to victory."

Believing that Sporting CP will make a strong start to 2021/22 League, Amorim also spoke of the support of the fans, saying that the team are "prepared" to receive criticism, but reminded journalists that the fans got behind the players when they went behind in the Supertaça.

“It is part of the game. The players have to grow, we are Sporting CP and we have to face things in the best way," he acknowledged, before fielding a question about the transfer market.

“I am very satisfied with the squad I have at my disposal. We have to improve several things, because not everything was perfect in the Supertaça, and there are players who will get fitter. We have the group prepared, but we can and must improve in all aspects. This season we're going to try to be more domineering.”

Asked about his own impact since joining Sporting CP last summer, the coach dismissed any effusive praise.

"I don't feel like a talisman at all. I have great players, a great technical team and I know I have some luck too."

Sporting CP face FC Vizela on Friday night.

League season opener draws closer for Sporting CP

Sporting Clube de Portugal continue to prepare for their 2021/22 season opener in the Liga Portugal BWIN, scheduled for Friday (8:15pm local time) at the Estádio José Alvalade, against FC Vizela.

Two days before the kick-off of the league campaign, in a Wednesday morning training session, Rúben Amorim had all of his players available besides Nuno Mendes -out with a sprained left ankle- and Pedro Porro, who trained separately but is back to work on the pitch.

The team will have a behind-closed-doors session on Thursday at 10:00am, before Amorim gives a press conference at 6:30pm at the Auditorio Artur Agostinho at the Estádio José Alvalade.

​Supertaça starters undertake recovery work

The morning after their Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira triumph, Sporting Clube de Portugal's first team squad returned to work at Alcochete.

The starting XI for the match against SC Braga did the usual recovery training routine, with the exception of goalkeeper Antonio Adán, who worked on the pitch along with the rest of the squad.

Pedro Porro, who continues to undergo treatment on an injury, was the only player absent from the session, overseen by coach Rúben Amorim.

After a day off on Monday, Os Leões will resume training on Tuesday at 10:00am, behind closed doors.

A 2-1 triumph gets the season underway in style

Sporting Clube de Portugal kicked off the official action for the 2021/22 season by winning the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, beating SC Braga 2-1 at the Estádio Municipal de Aveiro through goals from Jovane Cabral and Pedro Gonçalves. The trophy adds to their success in the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga last season, is the ninth Supertaça in the club's history, and their first since 2015.

The atmosphere was celebratory right from the get-go, as fans were allowed back into the ground and Sportinguistas were in the clear majority.

Coach Rúben Amorim used the same starting lineup that, last week, defeated Olympique Lyonnais in the Troféu Cinco Violinos.

After a cagey opening few minutes from both sides, SC Braga's Abel Ruiz was the first to try to score, but the ball went well wide of Antonio Adán's goal. At the other end, Pedro Gonçalves' shot was saved by Matheus and, little by little, the contest came to life.

SC Braga would break the deadlock on 20 minutes through Fransérgio, slightly against the run of play, making it 0-1.

The response from Sporting CP was immediate as, less than ten minutes later, Nuno Mendes played a perfect pass to carve open the defence and set Jovane Cabral through on goal. He bested Matheus in the one-on-one, taking the score back level.

Sporting CP dominated and created dangerous situations continuously, and Matheus was called into action when a beautiful 33rd minute cross by Nuno Mendes was shot by Gonçalves for Matheus to keep out.

The SC Braga goalkeeper was not able to prevent Sporting CP from going into the break in the lead however. João Palhinha recovered the ball, Matheus Nunes set up Gonçalves on the right, and last season's top scorer lobbed the ball into the net with a well placed lift.

With the score at 2-1 at the break, Sporting CP came out for the restart determined to extend their advantage. The opposition goalkeeper was put under pressure in the 52nd and 54th minutes, as he saved Pedro Gonçalves and Matheus Nunes' shots, respectively, and shortly afterwards a Nuno Mendes' free-kick narrowly flew into the side netting.

Amorim made his first substitution 20 minutes from the end, bringing on Tiago Tomás in Paulinho's place.

SC Braga enjoyed a timid attempt on goal by Abel Ruiz that failed to trouble Adán, whilst Jovane Cabral struck wide with his response for Sporting CP on 74 minutes.

Gonçalves would shoot off target with the goalkeeper stranded, and fresh substitute Bruno Tabata had an effort from distance kept out by Matheus, but there was no change in the scoreline. After seven long minutes of stoppage time, the whistle was blown and Sporting CP were crowned Supertaça winners.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 80'), Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata, 83'), Jovane Cabral (Nuno Santos, 80's ') and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 69').

Supertaça preview from coach and striker Paulinho

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face SC Braga this Saturday in Aveiro, as the Supertaça opens the 2021/22 season. Ahead of the game, Rúben Amorim and Paulinho gave a press conference to talk about their preparation for the contest.

Coach Amorim acknowledged that the upcoming campaign "will be much more exhausting" than the previous one, but assured that he has his team ready to overcome any obstacles that may arise.

"It will be a huge challenge, competing in different competitions. We have more responsibility and we have to face this as something exciting, without any fear," he stated.

"We had a very good season, with some very low points when we were eliminated from competitions. We have to pay attention to those moments and make sure that the players are prepared. At Sporting CP there is a lot of demand and we have to deal with that. We are looking ahead to the new season with enthusiasm."

He also warned that, although Sporting CP do not have "the same budget or the same experience" as their direct rivals, their biggest responsibility "is to use common sense"

"Sporting CP fans want more every day. I draw attention to this so that no one clings to a trophy win to fall back on if something goes wrong."

As for SC Braga, Amorim believes they will cause more difficulties than Olympique Lyonnais did in the Troféu Cinco Violinos a few days ago.

"SC Braga will be different from Olympique Lyonnais; they know Sporting CP better. (...) Let's not kid ourselves. That last game doesn't tell us anything, as it was preseason. This will be very difficult. SC Braga have the ability to fight to win every match. They don't have the same responsibility, but that's a big advantage. It's good for the team and for the club. They're a very experienced team, but they don't have the same history as the big three. They have grown a lot, but there are things that take a long time to build."

The media had a first chance to ask the Sporting CP coach about signings, and he commented on the current squad.

"We have the squad that we want. I really like all the players, who all have different characteristics. We were looking for young players; we sought out Ricardo Esgaio because we are going to have more competitions to play in. Rúben Vinagre is a talented player. They are two players who were brought up at Sporting CP."

"Winning the next game gives us a trophy, and that is the most important thing".

"I don't know what the season will be like, but there's no doubt that Sporting CP are better than last year, because we are playing better. We're more of a team and we have more experience. Winning the next game will give us a trophy, and that's the most important thing."

In Paulinho's opinion, Sporting CP are in good shape for Saturday's game.

"We've had a month to work well and get into the routine. We're prepared for the game. Last season's trophies give us no guarantee that we have the victory in hand. The month of work that we've done gives us the guarantee that we are prepared, as well as the confidence we have in ourselves and in our teammates," he expressed.

Sportinguistas will be back in the stands, something that Paulinho will experience firsthand for the first time since joining the club, he stated that "in the final moments or in more tense moments, their support is essential. They give us extra strength. Sporting CP fans are eager to see the team that were league champions."

"I want to score in every game, but what matters is tomorrow's game and the focus is on this."

"When I arrived here I was coming back from an injury and I felt a lot of difference in the pace I was at. I got injured again and I never had enough consistency to perform at my best level. I believe that this preseason has already given me that," he concluded.

The coach is impressed by the Troféu Cinco Violinos showing from his side

Following the 3-2 triumph for Sporting Clube de Portugal over Olympique Lyonnais in the Troféu Cinco Violinos, coach Rúben Amorim analyzed the game and expressed his happiness with the performance from his players.

"It was an excellent game for our team, against opposition who are not just any team. We were a little looser physically than in the Algarve, which is normal. Everyone was able to prepare for the game that matters, which is the Supertaça. Obviously, I'm satisfied, but we know it's only preseason and things don't count for anything except for gaining rhythm and creating routines to start the season well", the coach said.

Asked about the showing of Paulinho, who scored two goals against the French side, he praised the striker, but also brought up the impact of Tiago Tomás, who entered the game in the second half: "Paulinho is a player who has more minutes, but it's important to emphasize what Tiago Tomás did and the way he improved his heading game to win first balls. He had a goal ruled out by centimeters for offside. His ability to understand the game and when to press are all good. Paulinho is proven and Tiago Tomás is getting better. I'm very satisfied with his development."

Amorim expects the Supertaça game to be much more of a demanding encounter for his side, commenting that "I don't know if the level of intensity will be higher, but the level of pressure will be, and also SC Braga know us. We're going to draw conclusions and improve what we need to improve. We conceded two goals today, which is not good, but we have a lot of good things from preseason to take advantage of and take into the Supertaça", he added.

Regarding the players who arrived later in preseason due to commitments with their respective national teams, Amorim warned that extra care needs to be taken with them: "Coates played an excellent game and it seems that he hasn't stopped, but we have to handle this with care. There are no 'starters' in our team, there is a group. They are all prepared for the Supertaça. Now, the players who were very important last season and who had international duty need time, and we have to take care with them."

Finally, he commented on Nuno Mendes' withdrawal in the second half: "Nuno Mendes is, perhaps, the player who has the most difficulty, because he was injured with the national team. Then he came back and we still had some recovery work to do with him. He perhaps takes a little longer than the others to get back into shape. We're going to do some individual work with him. It's nothing serious, just a knock to the head."

The team end preseason with a 3-2 win against Olympique Lyonnais

Sporting Clube de Portugal won the annual Troféu Cinco Violinos competition for 2021, beating Olympique Lyonnais 3-2 in their final preseason game of the summer.

In addition to the game marking the return to the Estádio José Alvalade, there was also a return for Islam Slimani to the stadium: The Algerian striker, now an Olympique Lyonnais player, represented Sporting CP between 2013 and 2016.

Rúben Amorim fielded a starting XI consisting of: Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Nunes, João Palhinha, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves, Jovane Cabral and Paulinho.

Paulinho was involved in the first chance of the game, heading a Ricardo Esgaio cross off target on six minutes.

In response, however, Olympique Lyonnais broke the deadlock to take the lead, when Houssem Aouar latched onto a pass from Moussa Dembelé and struck the ball into the back of the net.

The goal did not change the Sporting CP strategy, and two more chances followed at the end of the opening quarter hour: Paulinho hit the post with a shot, and Pedro Gonçalves put goalkeeper Anthony Lopes to the test.

Finally, on 31 minutes, Sporting CP made it 1-1. On the counterattack, Jovane Cabral set Pedro Gonçalves free with an audacious pass, and 'Pote' rolled the ball through to Paulinho. Although thwarted on the first attempt by Anthony Lopes, Paullnho converted the rebound.

It took just four more minutes for Gonçalves to get a goal of his own, when Gonçalo Inácio played a perfect pass to his feet and he converted the chance.

Although the team remained unchanged for the second half, the kit used did not: Sporting CP debuted their new away strip in its first public appearance.

The team continued to search for goals when the second period got underway: Jovane Cabral's great sprint down the left ended with a ball to Pedro Gonçalves at the far post, which he narrowly missed putting away.

Sporting CP did make it 3-1, in the 49th minute. In a magnificent move, Nuno Mendes recovered the ball in midfield, exchanged passes with Jovane Cabral and played to Pedro Gonçalves on the opposite flank. He picked out Paulinho for a clinical finish.

Anthony Lopes had to make a great stop from Nuno Mendes, before Rúben Amorim began to ring the changes: Nuno Santos was introduced in place of Gonçalves. then Rúben Vinagre for Nuno Mendes. This was followed by wholesale substitutions with 20 minutes remaining, as Sebastián Coates, João Palhinha, Jovane Cabral and Paulinho went off and Matheus Reis, Bruno Tabata, Gonzalo Plata and Tiago Tomás came on.

A Tiago Tomás goal was ruled out for offside by VAR, but Sporting CP remained in the lead. Tomás had another chance that was saved, amongst a series of opportunities for the home team.

There was still time, however, for Olympique Lyonnais to reduce the lead in the final minute of play, through former Sporting CP player Slimani.

3-2 winners of the Troféu Cinco Violinos, Sporting CP's next fixture comes against SC Braga in the Supertaça, on July 31st in Aveiro.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates (Matheus Reis, 69'), Zouhair Feddal, Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Nunes, João Palhinha (Bruno Tabata, 69'), Nuno Mendes (Rúben Vinagre, 63'), Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 57'), Jovane Cabral (Gonzalo Plata, 69') and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 69').