On course for victory, the team concede late in Moreira de Cónegos

A late equaliser by Moreirense FC denied Sporting Clube de Portugal the three points on Liga NOS Matchday 25, as they drew 1-1 on the road. Paulinho's maiden goal for the club appeared to be enough to earn Os Leões the victory, but Walterson's finish in the 90th minute meant that the spoils were shared.

With his entire squad available for selection on the first game back after the international break, Rúben Amorim brought Sebástian Coates and Paulinho back into the starting XI and kept Daniel Bragança in the team.

Although Moreirense FC had the first chance of the game, Sporting CP's control of possession became increasingly effective. It was rewarded by a goal on 21 minutes, as Bragança sent in a cross and Paulinho met it with his head; whilst that attempt was kept out by Pasinato, the striker himself followed up for his first official goal for the club.

At a disadvantage, Moreirense FC began to play in a more daring fashion, pressing higher up the pitch. That left them vulnerable to counterattacks, however, and Paulinho had the ball in the net again in the 45th minute -only to see it disallowed for offside.

Matheus Reis had come on in place of the injured Nuno Mendes just before the goal was ruled out, playing the final minutes of a first half that ended 0-1.

The second half started energetically, with plenty of battles for the ball. Sporting CP created danger with a João Palhinha shot from distance, and then Pedro Gonçalves became the second player to have a goal disallowed for offside.

Tiago Tomás was eventually introduced in exchange for Daniel Bragança, adding to the attack, and the visitors were always closer to scoring than conceding. In fact, inside the final ten minutes Zouhair Feddal was centimetres away from doubling the lead.

Seemingly on course for victory, Sporting CP were surprised by an attack scrambled in by Walterson, and there was no time for a response. The game ended 1-1 in Moreira de Cónegos.

Sporting CP remain unbeaten in Liga NOS and top the table with 65 points, 8 ahead of nearest rivals FC Porto. Their next game takes place on Sunday, April 11th, against FC Famalicão.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Mário, João Palhinha, Daniel Bragança (Tiago Tomás, 60'), Nuno Mendes (Matheus Reis, 39'), Pedro Gonçalves (Matheus Nunes, 86') and Paulinho.

Rúben Amorim speaks before the game against Moreirense FC

After the two-week international break, Sporting Clube de Portugal returns to Liga NOS action this Monday. They face Moreirense FC in Moreira de Cónegos, and Rúben Amorim is not predicting an easy game - as he explained in his pre-match press conference.

"They will be a bold side. Their coach [Vasco Seabra] likes to play good football; he has players who have been at big clubs in his squad and that helps when facing these games. The game against them at the Estádio José Alvalade saw them create some problems for us, but we were clearly the better side. Moreirense FC are doing very well, but we are also in good form", he told journalists.

Amorim stated that the aim for matchday 25 is "to continue to improve and win the game". "I hope it will be a great game, but even if it isn't, I hope that Sporting CP win", he added.

Os Leões were held to a draw the last time they visited Moreira de Cónegos in Liga NOS, last season, and it began a dip in results. However, their coach played down any effect this might have on his team.

"They are different seasons. Last season, Sporting CP failed to get points against the big sides, whilst this year it's the other way around: we haven't lost yet. We have to look at things both ways. We are more prepared and have a more balanced squad; there is no comparison whatsoever and there is no fear at all."

Sporting CP's position at the top of the Liga NOS table has inevitably attracted interest in their players from other European clubs, but Amorim doesn't fear heads being turned.

"This interest is to the players' credit. I am happy for them, but Sporting CP players are already playing for a big club. There are still many games to be played, and everything can change from one moment to the next. Sporting CP players are aware that what happens today could be different tomorrow. The success of the group makes these players grow, and when a team are doing well all the players must be valued."

Asked about Nuno Mendes in particular, he commented: "Nuno Mendes is not prepared to leave either this year, nor the next, nor the year after that. Maybe five years from now he will be ready to leave Sporting CP (laughing)."

"We want to keep the best players, but the market is a law unto itself. We know that we have to sell, but we are only thinking about getting the win against Moreirense FC. Nuno has a buyout clause and is happy here, so there is no concern. We are calm about that."

The squad are back from a break to prepare their next game

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad enjoyed two days off earlier in the week, but have been back in training as of Wednesday.

Welcomed back to the group was Nuno Santos, who undertook a full session after shaking off an injury.

Those players away on international duty returned to Lisbon on Thursday, to begin preparations for a trip to Moreira de Cónegos. Sporting CP play Moreirense FC on Matchday 25 of the Liga NOS season next Monday night.

The Brazilian talks to club media about his adaptation to Sporting CP

Bruno Tabata arrived at Sporting Clube de Portugal at the beginning of the season from Portimonense SC with high expectations, and some of those are already coming to fruition. The winger spoke to club media during the international break to express his happiness with the way things are going at the club.

"When you see it from the outside, you have an idea of what a club is like - and the one that I had of Sporting CP was very good. Now, being here and experiencing it, it's even greater than I had imagined. My expectations have already been exceeded", he explained this past weekend.

The Brazilian has played 19 games and scored twice, as part of a team who have yet to lose a single game in Liga NOS this term.

"The secret is the spirit within the group", he says. "We have a very close-knit group. The season is long and everyone has their individual goals, but we all put the collective first. There is a great mix of experience and youth, which is very important in all groups and very evident in our squad. We have very experienced players and very young players, but they all have the same objective, which is to help the collective. Our results are the fruit of that", he added.

The philosophy, so successful so far this season, is unlikely to change any time soon, states Tabata. "We cannot think differently to going game-by-game. What brought us this far was that. We just don't say it for the sake of it; we really live it every week and every game. We are not looking five games ahead, and the most important game is always the next one to be played."

"My only regret is not having been able to play in front of the fans. Their support has been fantastic. It is a pity that we cannot feel their warmth at the stadium, but their support on social media and when we travel has been incredible", concluded the winger.

Liga NOS' Coach Of The Month prize presented at the Academia Sporting

Sporting CP boss Rúben Amorim joined Sebastián Coates and Antonio Adán in receiving recognition for the club's success in the month of February, as he was named Liga NOS's Coach Of The Month.

"I dedicate this award to my players, to the club and to my coaching staff, as they are the reason for this distinction," said Amorim upon being presented with the award on Thursday.

Sporting CP's 5 wins and 1 draw, as well as 9 goals scored and just 1 conceded, were masterminded by the 36-year-old coach, who -appropriately enough- received 36.60% of the votes.

The Spaniard is named Goalkeeper Of The Month for the third time

For the third time in succession, Antonio Adán received the Liga NOS Goalkeeper Of The Month award for February this Wednesday.

“Once again, I want to thank all the coaches who voted for me as the best goalkeeper for the third month in a row. It is an honour to receive this distinction again, taking into account the quality of the goalkeepers who are currently playing in Portugal. I also want to thank my teammates, who contributed a lot to this award,” said the Sporting CP shot-stopper.

Adán received 31.37% of the votes, beating off competition from Matheus of SC Braga and Léo Jardim of Boavista FC in second and third place, collecting 13.73% percent and 9.15%, respectively.

The Spanish goalkeeper played six games in Liga NOS in February, and kept a clean sheet in five of them.

The captain is recognised by Liga NOS peers

Sporting Clube de Portugal captain Sebastián Coates was presented with February's Liga NOS Defender Of The Month award on Wednesday, receiving the prize at the Academia Sporting.

The Uruguayan racked up 29.41% of the votes from coaches around the Portuguese league, ahead of teammate Pedro Porro (8.5%) and Pepe of FC Porto (7.84%)

“Thank you very much to everybody who voted for me to win this award. I also want to thank my teammates for their help. It is an honour for me to win Defender Of The Month. I hope to continue like this," said Coates.

Playing in a total of six domestic games in the month of February, Coates was his typical solid presence in defence and also scored two goals - both against Gil Vicente FC.

Unseen moments from a 1-0 victory at home

Sporting CP claimed another three points for their Liga NOS tally this past weekend, with a first half goal from Gonçalo Inácio deciding the game against Vitória SC.

Whilst fans remain unable to attend matches in person, Backstage Sporting goes behind the scenes to recap the 1-0 triumph, which included a debut for 16-year-old prodigy Dário Essugo.

Stay tuned for more footage from the dressing room, unseen shots from pitchside, and more besides, in Backstage Sporting.

A Gonçalo Inácio goal and a debut for Dário Essugo come in a 1-0 win over Vitória SC

Sporting Clube de Portugal's Liga NOS title campaign continued apace with a hard fought win over Vitória SC, whom they bested 1-0 on Matchday 24 to keep a 10-point advantage over closest rivals, FC Porto.

Without the suspended Sebastián Coates and the injured Nuno Santos, coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting lineup from the recent win over CD Tondela. He fielded a first XI of António Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Luís Neto, Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, Daniel Bragança, Nuno Mendes, João Mário, Tiago Tomás and Pedro Gonçalves.

Opposition coach João Henriques also made adjustments, adapting to the suspension of his two first choice centre backs. Bruno Varela, Amaro, Jorge Fernandes, Mikel, Sacko, André André, Pepelu, Lameiras, Edwards, Estupiñan and Rochinha were all in his initial lineup.

Os Leões came close to an opener on 15 minutes, off a shot from João Mário that was kept out by Bruno Varela. Immediately afterwards, Pedro Gonçalves nearly made it 1-0, first from a tame shot and then from a strike against the woodwork from a Pedro Porro cross.

A disallowed goal for Tiago Tomás caused controversy, as VAR adjudged that the ball had gone out of play at the start of the move. Protests fell on deaf ears, and Sporting CP had to do it all over again.

Adán was finally tested just before the half-hour mark, parrying an Edwards shot. This was followed by an off-target header from Estupiñan that served as another warning.

The goal eventually came on 42 minutes, via a set piece. João Mário put the ball in, Tiago Tomás crossed and João Palhinha attempted a header, but it fell to Gonçalo Inácio. He nodded the ball across the line to hand Sporting CP the lead, although it was not without a delay to the celebrations: the goal was initially ruled out for offside, but after consulting VAR, referee Tiago Martins reversed the decision and awarded it.

After the interval, a Vitória SC side trailing the game offered up more of a threat, but were incapable of troubling Adán. The hosts probed with a Tiago Tomás shot from distance, kept out by Bruno Varela.

Rúben Amorim decided to shuffle the pack on 71 minutes, incorporating the returning Paulinho -back from injury- and Tabata in place of Tiago Tomás and Daniel Bragança. That made Sporting CP a more attacking side, albeit without an abundance of opportunities.

An exciting moment came with the introduction of Dário Essugo, a midfielder who made his debut for the first team just days after his 16th birthday, in a 10-minute cameo.

There was no change in the scoreline before the end, and Sporting CP took their 20th league victory of the season -setting themselves up well going into the international break.

"This is only the beginning", says 16-year-old talent

Just days after turning 16 years old, and in the week that he signed a professional contract with the club, Dário Essugo made his senior debut for Sporting Clube de Portugal in the game against Vitória SC. The midfielder thus became the youngest player ever to appear for the club.

Essugo spoke to Sporting TV after the game, expressing his delight with the opportunity.

"It is an indescribable feeling and it is something I have always wanted. I have always dreamed of this moment", he said.

"To have achieved this and to be the youngest player in history to debut for Sporting CP is a source of pride for me. I can only thank everyone who made it possible: thank you very much".

The teenager joined Sporting CP in 2014/2015, and upon the culmination of a long-term goal, said that "It's different with the first team. This is another level, but my teammates supported me on and off the pitch, and that made me feel even more relaxed".

"This is only the beginning. Now I have to continue working to continue to achieve more individual and collective goals with this club. I just have to thank Sporting Clube de Portugal for giving me this chance".