A record-breaking win was analysed by the Sporting CP coach

Following the final whistle in the 0-1 win over SC Farense, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim answered questions from journalists in the press room at the Estádio São Luís.
The win marked a new record in club history, as they have now gone 27 consecutive matchdays unbeaten in Liga NOS competition.

"It's good, especially at a time in which people are talking about a crisis, to break a club's all-time record. Reaching that milestone and moving past the 26 matchdays the previous team to hold the record achieved is down to the players," said the coach.

As for the game itself, Amorim commented that "We were able to hold up when it was time to struggle. We scored our goal, but we weren't able to kill the game off. We suffered at the end and, as usual, our anxiety grew, but I think it was a fair result. SC Farense had their opportunities and so did we. It was an even game and a good game, but we were worthy winners."

Asked what the "biggest challenge" he will have to face in the near future, Amorim stated "choosing the best XI for the game against Belenenses SAD."

"That is the only objective and there is nothing else on our minds. The focus is on Belenenses SAD and a game that will be, like every match, very difficult. We will give everyone the opportunity to train and show their worth, and we will pick the best players for the task. This is the big challenge for the coaching staff."

Amorim is serving a suspension and was unable to assume his position in the dugout, a situation that he says adds to the tension of the task at hand.

"It makes me more anxious and nervous, because I can't talk to the players," he commented, before explaining the tactical change he made from the game against FC Famalicão.

"We knew that the pitch here is small, and that we were going to have a lot of second balls to win. We wanted more people in the midfield in order to keep the ball. SC Farense left us with an extra player in midfield, instead of just Tiago Tomás, to have this possession.

"At times we enjoyed success. Whenever we managed to get more time on the ball and vary the play, we created danger. We had phases in which, by changing up the midfield, we managed to create the space to play -which was the idea. At times we managed it, and other times we didn't. We won, and that is the most important thing."

Regarding the rather open final minutes, he offered up several possible explanations.

"Here or there, the team showed some inexperience. It's normal, and the players will grow. I don't know if it had to do with us taking off João Mário, who was playing a good game, but the game started to break up. SC Farense also pressed up on us, and anxiety at the end of a game is normal anyway. On Wednesday against Belenenses SAD there will be anxiety once again. We are prepared for that, and that’s what we are working for," he added.

"Whatever the outcome [today], we would be a side capable of beating Belenenses SAD. We are not going to hide that there is an idea in Sportinguistas about the title, as it has been many years since the last time the club won it. The fans have to be able to suffer and think like the team are: Game by game. We only want to beat Belenenses SAD, and then we will see."

Sporting CP win 0-1 away to SC Farense

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to winning ways with a 0-1 away triumph against SC Farense, on Matchday 27th of the Liga NOS season. The only goal of the match was scored by Pedro Gonçalves, who struck for the team in the first half.

Coach Rúben Amorim was unable to occupy his spot in the dugout due to a 15-day suspension, but made several changes to his starting lineup that drew against FC Famalicão: Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis and Daniel Bragança came in for Luís Neto, Zouhair Feddal and Tiago Tomás. With that, there was also a modification in the formation, as João Palhinha, João Mário and Bragança joined the midfield, with Pedro Gonçalves accompanying Paulinho up top.

A typical intense tempo was employed by Sporting CP in the early stages, although SC Farense set out with a high pressing strategy that made it very difficult to build from the back. It was the home side who shot first, when Ryan Gauld struck over, but in response Gonçalves set free João Mário on the right; his cross in was pushed out for a corner by Beto.

In his pre-match press conference, Amorim had warned of SC Farense's threat from dead balls, and it was from a set piece that Jonatan Lucca headed just off target.

A flick on from Paulinho was latched onto by João Mário first time with his left foot, striking hard into the side netting, whilst a fantastic intervention by Antonio Adán -from a move that would have been ruled out for offside- demonstrated the even nature of the contest. Beto was also called into action soon after, when Sebastián Coates nodded Nuno Mendes' corner towards goal.

Finally, the persistence paid off, just before halftime. Following a corner kick, Pedro Porro crossed into the area, where Paulinho tried to cushion the ball for a teammate. One failed clearance from SC Farense later, and Gonçalves stepped in to convert for his 17th goal of the season. The league's top marksman made it 0-1, with a lead that they would take into the interval.

The excitement did not dip in an energetic opening salvo for the second half. Eduardo Mancha tested Adán and, in the 50th minute, Sporting CP again had a great chance from a three-on-two counterattack: Pedro Gonçalves served the ball up to Paulinho on the right and he tried to set up João Mário on the left, but the ball found its way out without reaching the midfielder.

Adán needed to be at his best when Pedro Henrique appeared in an excellent position and powered the ball towards goal, keeping out the effort with his latest unbelievable stop.

After a long range Gonçalves shot went wide, Sporting CP were denied by the club's one-time goalkeeper, Beto, as he pushed away a Paulinho effort.

SC Farense would have the ball in the net ten minutes from time, but the goal was ruled out for offside. They created some late danger through Mansilla that was met by Adán, avoiding what would have been a late equaliser for the home team.

With the final whistle, Sporting CP's victory was confirmed, as they remain Liga NOS leaders and ended a run of two consecutive draws.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário (João Mário, 71'), Nuno Mendes, Daniel Bragança (Nuno Santos, 82'), Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 82').

The Sporting CP coach gives his view on Friday's fixture in Faro

Although Rúben Amorim will not be present in the dugout for his side's Friday night game against SC Farense, the Sporting CP coach nevertheless gave his opinion on the Liga NOS Matchday 27 fixture in his pre-match press conference, reviewing the two consecutive draws in league action along the way.

"We were unable to win against Moreirense FC and FC Famalicão, but we were clearly the better side in both matches", he said.

"We increased the number of chances we created, and allowed the opposition fewer opportunities of their own. However, from three shots on our goal, we conceded twice. That's part of football. Of course, it's always better to win, but the team are very calm and working well. They believe me when I say that they are doing better, because they are."

 SC Farense are currently involved in a relegation battle, although the competitive nature of the Portuguese league and the team's recent performance against SC Braga mean that they are not a side to be taken lightly.

"SC Farense are a team that play well," assessed Amorim. "Even though the results say otherwise, they have had some good moments recently and almost took points from SC Braga. In their last game they did well against CS Marítimo, conceded a goal and then were unable to turn the result around."

"They are very strong in dead balls and use this weapon very well on a smaller pitch. I think they are the team with the most goals scored from corners, and all of these details are important. We have looked at that and prepared well for the game, bearing in mind the opposition coach and the individual values of the team. We are prepared for this game."

Amorim's suspension means that he will not be able to take the reins of the team for 15 days, but he says that “the important thing is to win, regardless of whether or not I am present.” Also missing will be the injured Zouhair Feddal, who the coach feels he will be able to replace with other members of the squad.

"I am not at all concerned about the defence. Everyone has responded excellently, from Luís Neto to Eduardo Quaresma -who came in during the last game and with whom I was very happy. Sometimes I really need these opportunities to see other players."

"I'm very confident because they can give us other things. If we play with Matheus Reis or Luís Neto, then they are completely different players and, according to how the match goes, we will play around with that. We have other players who are in better condition than Feddal at the moment, and they will occupy that spot.”
 
An experiment with Pedro Gonçalves and João Mário in midfield last time out attracted attention from fans and media. Amorim played his cards close to his chest as to whether they would be used in the same role on Friday.

"We have made a choice based on what we have seen from SC Farense and our team. Gonçalves can play in midfield or upfront, and where he plays also depends a lot on the opposition. He and João Mário will not get in each other's way; they will gel well, because they think about the game in a similar way, despite having different characteristics: Gonçalves gets forward more and João Mário is more of an organiser", assessed the coach.

"We have other players for the forward line and in the middle, and sometimes the difficulty is in choosing our starting XI, because they are all training well and want to play. Overall, it shows us that we are in better shape, we have more solutions and we can confuse the opposition more."

In his final address before the game, Amorim reassured the fans that “The players are very calm because we have a very clear way of playing, and when there is not much doubt about that, it does not change depending on the results. I see a team who are prepared and focused, and I think we are going to have a great game tomorrow in Faro."

The captain scoops the award for a second consecutive month

Sebastián Coates has been chosen as Liga NOS' Defender Of The Month for March, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Sporting Clube de Portugal captain earned 24.29% of the votes from Liga NOS coaches, with 16.43% going to Nicolás Otamendi of SL Benfica and 13.57% to Pepe of FC Porto.

During March, Coates participated in two of the three league games played by the club, in winning efforts against CD Tondela and CD Santa Clara. He scored the winning goal in the final minutes of the game against the latter team.

Inácio and Tabata both train with the team on Wednesday

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad continued their preparations for their away game against SC Farense with a Wednesday training session at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete.

The Liga NOS Matchday 27th game takes place at the Estádio São Luís Stadium on Friday, April 16th, at 9pm local time.

Gonçalo Inácio and Bruno Tabata, who both missed Sporting CP's most recent fixture through injury, trained alongside the rest of the group, albeit under medical supervision.

The next training session will be held on Thursday morning, followed by coach Rúben Amorim's pre-match press conference at 1pm local time.

A setback against FC Famalicão will not dampen Sporting CP's spirits, believes the coach

Rúben Amorim reacted to the 1-1 draw with FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade in his post-match press conference on Sunday night, analysing the performance by his side.

"We started the game playing very hastily. Then we settled down, created opportunities and scored our goal. We conceded the equaliser straight afterwards, which took some of the confidence out of the team", said the Sporting CP coach. "We finished the first half well, and in the second half we had several opportunities. We didn't score, however, and we were punished for that", he added.

Amorim would refuse to blame the draw on the officiating by referee Rui Costa and his assistants, despite several penalty appeals being waved away. "We could have won the game. We have a good league here and good things to talk about. We have a league full of artists. We know that and we have to give merit to the players", he remarked, although he admitted that he did not agree with the sending off he received after the final whistle. "It was the lineman who sent me off. I wasn't talking to the referee at the time", he said.

The season is heading into its final stages and Sporting CP remain in the driving seat, although he admits that "it will not be easy for anyone - either Sporting CP or other teams." "We focus on things game by game, and we don't think about the title. We are very confident. We played well against Moreirense FC and we should have won there. Today was more of the same: FC Famalicão had two shots. That's football."

"We have to think about SC Farense now. I have a lot of confidence in my players. Today we had a lot of shots and we didn't score from them. Last week we missed out on scoring by two centimetres. We are ok, we are confident and we knew that this was a possibility."

"This remains Sporting CP's best ever run of results, with a lot of young players in our squad."

Amorim was asked about Pedro Gonçalves' position in the game, and explained that 'Pote' "is a central midfielder," and thus his move from the wing to the middle of the park should not come as a surprise to anyone. "We thought that he would be more effective there and it is clearly his position. He doesn't score as many goals in that role, but he has more fun playing."

As for his decision to bring in Daniel Bragança, Matheus Reis and Eduardo Quaresma for João Palhinha, Zouhair Feddal and Luís Neto, respectively, the coach said: "When he is on a yellow card, it is sometimes not worth risking Palhinha, because he is a very aggressive player. His game came to an end with the first move, and he began to be more tentative. Feddal had a difficult week, and didn't train much, but he's a Lion. We wanted to bring in Matheus, who is faster. We also have to highlight [Eduardo] Quaresma, who is coming back from injury."

"We have a six-point advantage. If we win our next game, we will maintain our position. That is the focus," stated the Sporting CP boss. "We are paying the price in a way for the success we had before, and we have to put that in perspective. Sporting CP are a big club fighting for trophies, but we know where we started out from and where we want to go. We want to win against SC Farense."

Sporting CP are held by FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Famalicão on matchday 26 of the Liga NOS season, in a game in which attacking dominance and complete control of possession went unrewarded for Rubén Amorim's side. Pedro Gonçalves scored the opening goal, but Os Leões were forced to settle for a point at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Two changes were made to the starting lineup that had featured against Moreirense FC, with Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás coming in for the injured Gonçalo Inácio and for Daniel Bragança (used as a substitute), respectively. João Mário began on the left of the attack, with Gonçalves in midfield.

Up against the side 14th in the league, Sporting CP began in insistent fashion, playing with a high line and pushing hard to prevent FC Famalicão from moving the ball out from the back. On 13 minutes, João Mário and Nuno Mendes both had shots blocked by the opposition, and the latter would send in a cross that Tiago Tomás headed wide shortly after. At the other end, a rare chance for the visitors went just off target, but offside had already been called.

An excellent move by Sporting CP began with Sebastián Coates, received a skilful touch by Tiago Tomás and ended with Pedro Gonçalves striking wide off a defender, and off the following corner goalkeeper Luiz Júnior grabbed João Mário's dangerous cross.

Whilst the chances kept on coming, it was not until 20 minutes before the break that Sporting CP would break the deadlock. Pedro Gonçalves stole the ball high up the pitch, releasing for Paulinho. The striker, all calm and class, brought Luiz Júnior across and returned the pass to Gonçalves, who finished into an empty net and went back to the Liga NOS top goalscorer chart with 16 goals.

The advantage, however, was short-lived. In the 27th minute, Rúben Vinagre advanced down the left wing, delivering a pass to Iván Jaime that was played on for Anderson Oliveira to beat Antonio Adán for the equaliser. Although Sporting CP had been the only side threatening the opposition goal, FC Famalicão pulled level with their only shot of the first half.

Efforts for Pedro Porro and Tiago Tomás before the break were all kept out by the visitors, and the contest went into halftime with the score level at 1-1.

Rúben Amorim made two substitutions at the interval, introducing Matheus Reis and Daniel Bragança for Zouhair Feddal and João Palhinha.

The second half got underway with Sporting CP driving upfield frequently. João Mário struck a powerful effort over the top, and also sent in a corner that Coates headed towards goal. When that attack was saved by the goalkeeper, Coates found Tomás off the rebound, but he squandered the chance.

Luiz Júnior was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, and had to face further attempts on goal from Tomás and Luis Neto. Adán was limited to keeping out Iván Jaime's chance with an improvised save using his head.

The final changes came 15 minutes from the end, when Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás made way for Eduardo Quaresma and Nuno Santos.

Coates, Bragança and Jovane Cabral all had close chances in the final moments of the game, taking Sporting CP up to 15 shots to FC Famalicão's 2, but the score remained unchanged. A 1-1 result earned another point for the league leaders, who will look to return to winning ways against SC Farense.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto (Eduardo Quaresma, 76'), Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 45'), Pedro Porro, Pedro Gonçalves, João Palhinha (Daniel Bragança, 45'), Nuno Mendes, Tiago Tomás (Nuno Santos, 76'), João Mário (Jovane Cabral, 62') and Paulinho.

The coach feels his side can return to winning ways against FC Famalicão

Sporting Clube de Portugal host FC Famalicão on Sunday, on Matchday 26th of the Liga NOS season. Ahead of the game at the Estádio José Alvalade (8pm local time), coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference in which he commented on the opposition's positive recent form.

"We are starting to get used to welcoming teams in good form. They have been getting good results and having good performances. The coach has had a great impact on the team. They have young players of great quality who just came out of a bad run, and they have built up a lot of confidence. It is up to us to make the game more to our way of playing. We are at home and we want and need to win -which is what we will try to do", he told journalists at the Artur Agostinho Auditorium.

Regarding the possible pressure that comes with playing after Sporting CP's direct title rivals, Amorim played down any concern.

"The important thing, for me, is to play. It doesn't matter whether it is after or before the other teams. With this game, we can reach the important milestone of the club's longest unbeaten streak. We want to win the game. We are having an excellent season and we are still improving. Whether you agree or not, my understanding is that the team are improving. Now we have to win again. Our fate is in our own hands, and that is our focus", he said.

For the coach, Sporting CP have been doing very well in several phases of play, but need to get better at creating opportunities on goal.

"The players are very strict in everything they do. We are a young team and we may not be as sharp as we were before, but the opposing teams have had almost no chances against us. At the beginning of the season, the other teams used to give us more space at the back -and we used that space a lot. Now we don’t have it. Now we control the games very well. We need to improve our creation of opportunities, but the control of the game is there. We dominate the games, and the rest will come with time", continued the coach, who talked about his squad selection for Sunday.

"Nuno Mendes, who was injured in the last match at Moreirense FC, is ready and is part of the squad. Gonçalo Inácio and Bruno Tabata took a couple of knocks and will not be available for the game, but will be back next week."

As for the role of title favourites, Amorim closed by saying that "Sporting CP's squad must keep calm. The responsibility lies with the coach. Sporting CP are doing things the way they need to be. Thus is a very big club, taking its project forward. We have to win our games and we don’t have to worry about anything else", he explained.

Rúben Amorim got the Sporting CP squad ready for Sunday's game

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad put in an intense training session on Thursday at the Academia Sporting in preparation for their next Liga NOS match, which takes place against FC Famalicão on Sunday at 8pm local time.

The contest takes place at home, at the Estádio José Alvalade, and is a chance for the team to get back to winning ways after a late goal denied them victory away to Moreirense FC this past Monday.

For the session, only Nuno Mendes was unavailable, having picked up a knock in the match at Moreira de Cónegos.

Os Leões will hold another workout on Friday morning, at 10am.

The Sporting CP coach felt his side deserved more against Moreirense FC

Following Monday's Liga NOS match against Moreirense FC, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim told the media that he believed the 1-1 draw was less than his side deserved.

"We could - and should - have scored a second goal. We even had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed by a question of centimetres. Then at the end, off a cross, the ball was left loose for a Moreirense FC player, who scored a great goal", he explained.

"I think we had a good game. We improved in certain aspects and we dominated possession. Moreirense FC had practically only one chance, when Rafael Martins was left on his own after a deflection off Feddal, but from there we were always in control of the game. We deserved a different result", he added, refuting that Sporting CP took too many risks.

"It's our way of playing. We tried to open the opposition up and create more space. We got that space and enjoyed several opportunities, but we were unable to score. The game lasts until the final whistle, and from one opportunity Moreirense FC got their goal. We even created more chances than in other games, but what happened tonight is what sometimes happens in football: A team get one chance and score."

Amorim also praised Paulinho, who scored his first goal for Sporting CP. "The performance he had today, even before the goal, proves that he is a mature player and that he is prepared for pressure. He knew the weight that being a Sporting CP player carries, and he is a player that we really wanted and that the team needed. A striker lives on goals, but he has the ability to do many other things, such as linking up the attack, defending and helping with set pieces. He will grow with the team and the team will grow with him."

Finally, the coach played down any possible negative effects of the draw and looked confidently to the future. "It is always better to win, but there are nine games to go and that’s our thinking; the players don’t have to worry about anything else. We had a good performance and we deserved to win, but this happens. Many points will be dropped before the end of the season. This game is in the past and now we take on FC Famalicão, who have not been losing lately and are very difficult opponents. There is nothing better than playing opposition like that to provide a response", he concluded.