A place in the Taça da Liga semifinals is at stake on Tuesday night

Sporting CP's treble campaign continues on Tuesday with the quarter finals of the Taça da Liga, in which the team take on CD Mafra - currently fourth in the Segunda Liga.

Coach Rúben Amorim, who returns from suspension to occupy his place in the dugout, talked to the media about the cup contest in his pre-match press conference.

"It will be a tough game, because they will be coming here to show what they can do, with no responsibility - which removes a lot of pressure from the players. Nowadays, all teams have players who have experience in the youth ranks of big clubs, and CD Mafra are no exception. They are a team that don’t seem like a Second Division side. I say this because they are a team that like to play the ball, that have a lot of possession and will want to play good football”, said the coach after Monday training at Alcochete.

The pressure to reach the final four will be on Os Leões, something that Amorim is taking in his stride.

"We have this responsibility to be in control and dominate the game, and that's what we are going to do, but I think it will be a good match", he mused.

"The opponents are a very well organised team, with a lot of courage, but I think that also favours our game. We are in a good moment of form, and every time there is a game I'm excited about watching the team. That's the same for the fans. We go into this one with maximum pressure, which is all on our side. We have to live with it”.

Amorim will be without the injured Jovane Cabral and Luiz Phellype, but otherwise there is a strong side available for a competition that is being given importance by Sporting CP.

"The way we look at things is game-by-game anyway, but the cups really are like that. We are clear about one thing: We want to win the Taça de Portugal, we want to win the Taça da Liga and in Liga NOS we are going game-by-game, aware that we will have ups and downs throughout the season due to how young the squad is and the intensity that will be present. We have to prepare the whole group so that they are ready for whatever comes up," stated the coach.

"More than the results, our performances have been very good and we have improved in many ways, like in how we control the game and how we have pushed teams back. We dropped points in Famalicão - which shouldn't have happened because we had several opportunities to win -, then we had a great performance against FC Paços de Ferreira, in which we were much more effective. We want to win thi one, knowing that this decides who goes through in the competition. We want to go on to the final four”.

Less frequently used players like Tiago Tomás and Bruno Tabata took their opportunity against FC Paços de Ferreira, and will be in with a chance to start on Tuesday.

"It's a good time right now. Everyone trains and works the same way, and everyone is prepared”, Amroim emphasised.

"I am very excited because the team are responding well. This sequence of games forces us to rotate the team, which is good for the group, and we have to find opportunities to see other players. I am excited to see Tabata, Tiago Tomás, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Nunes and other players who have not had so many opportunities in action. I want them to be prepared because at Sporting CP it doesn’t matter who plays, it’s always mandatory to fight for victory - and that’s what we’re going to do”.

Sporting CP triumph 3-0 at home to progress to Last 16

Sporting Clube de Portugal booked their place in the Last 16 of the Taça de Portugal on Friday night, beating FC Paços de Ferreira 3-0 at home through goals from Tiago Tomás, Bruno Tabata and João Palhinha.

Without Jovane Cabral through injury and Pedro Gonçalves through suspension, coach Rúben Amorim - also suspended for 15 days due to his sending off against FC Famalicão - opted to field Nuno Mendes in the starting lineup, as well as bringing in Bruno Tabata and Tiago Tomás.

Amidst light rain at the Estádio José Alvalade, the game started at a low pace, with several stoppages for fouls in the opening minutes. 

After two initial chances from Pedro Porro and then Sebastián Coates, the first goal of the match arrived on 26 minutes. Nuno Santos headed a masterful assist for Tiago Tomás to provide a precise finish past the Paços de Ferreira goalkeeper for his fourth goal of the season.

Despite a reaction from the visitors, who came close to equalising through João Amaral, Sporting CP continued to dominate, and extended their advantage just before half time. After threatening moments before, Bruno Tabata ducked into the central channel and delivered an arching shot that found its way into the net. The great goal was the first for the Brazilian in official appearances for the club.

After the break, the match became more intense and FC Paços de Ferreira came out more boldly, but it would be Sporting CP who would strike again, in the 64th minute. Following João Mário's free-kick, João Palhinha headed in to make things even more comfortable on the scoresheet.

Before the end there would be chances for Tomás and for substitute Gonzalo Plata, but at the final whistle the score remained 3-0, seeing Sporting CP through to the next round of the Taç de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán, Luís Neto (Gonçalo Inácio, 85'), Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário (Andraž Šporar, 72'), Nuno Mendes (Antunes, 68'), Bruno Tabata ( Matheus Nunes, 72'), Nuno Santos and Tiago Tomás (Gonzalo Plata, 85')

Sporting CP assistant coach gives lowdown on Taça de Portugal encounter

Assistant coach Emanuel Ferro was on press conference duty for Sporting CP on Thursday evening, previewing a Taça de Portugal Fourth Round tie against FC Paços de Ferreira. Whilst he assessed the upcoming Friday night contest, he also moved to put the events of the controversial Liga NOS encounter with FC Famalicão in the past.

“The matter is completely closed", he told journalists. "Our reaction is the work that we are doing this week to prepare for tomorrow's game."

"It will be a match of great importance, against opposition who are in excellent form and who have been having a great season. We want to give our best showing in order to win a game that has continuation in the Taça de Portugal at stake,” he said of FC Paços de Ferreira, whose coach Pepa has reiterated that his team will take the fixture seriously".

"We didn't expect anything less from FC Paços de Ferreira or their coach, who is ambitious and believes in the work that he does. We expect to come up against a competitive side that will demand the best from us, but we know that we will rise to the challenge".

"Our objective remains to win the cup. This will only happen if we continue the work that has been done well tomorrow, but our ambition makes sure that we always want to do better -and we are fully convinced that this will happen.” remarked the Sporting CP assistant.

Ferro confirmed that Nuno Mendes will be back in the squad, as well as the absence of Jovane Cabral for the game. Meanwhile, coach Rúben Amorim and top scorer Pedro Gonçalves both have suspensions to their names after respective red cards against FC Famalicão.

“We know that we are stronger when we have everyone available, and without a doubt those two people are major absences. However, what has made the difference has been the way the squad and club have worked over the weeks. Pedro Gonçalves' masterclasses are the result of what the collective produces. He has been standing out a little more as a result of scoring goals, but he only gets those because his teammates perform their tasks well and the team make good decisions".

A late equaliser, a sending off and a goal denied by VAR

Sporting Clube de Portugal were left frustrated by a 2-2 draw with FC Famalicão on Matchday 9 of the Liga NOS season, conceding a late goal that denied them another three points. Os Leões twice went ahead in the away fixture, thanks to goals from Pedro Gonçalves and Pedro Porro, but the opposition would equalise on both occasions. Despite the dropped points, Sporting CP remain outright leaders in the Portuguese league.

Coach Rúben Amorim made limited changes to his first choice starting XI, bringing in Vitorino Antunes to replace the injured Nuno Mendes. Adán, Neto, Coates, Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário, Nuno Santos, Šporar and Pedro Gonçalves all began the game on the pitch, in a game that took place on a cold and rainy afternoon.

Sporting CP started well and were the better side throughout the first half although there were goals for both sides. Coates gave the first warning, in the 13th minute, heading wide off a corner.

The best early chance came when Nuno Santos was brought down inside the box, with a penalty awarded. The winger would step up to take it himself, but  FC Famalicão goalkeeper Luiz Júnior guessed the right way to keep the spot kick out.

Half an hour in, João Palhinha came close with a shot from distance, which was punched clear in a reflex save by Luiz Júnior.

The effort was rewarded on 37 minutes, when a cross by Nuno Santos was flapped at by Luiz Júnior. Former FC Famalicão player ran back into the box, weaved past the defence and scored an early Goal Of The Month candidate.

Unfortunately, the lead was short lived. Following a free-kick on the left, Gustavo Assunção turned the ball in at the back post past Antonio Adán. 

Just before half time, a foul on the edge of the area provided a chance to reestablish the advantage. Pedro Porro picked his spot to make it 1-2, two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first period of play.

When the action got back underway, Luiz Júnior was tested by both Gonçalves and Palhinha, before coach Amorim decided to switch things up: He took off Šporar for Tiago Tomás to enter the fray, and the young striker started well, combining with João Mário -in a move which ended with the midfielder hitting the side netting.

Tabata also came in, on 72 minutes, replacing Nuno Santos, who also set up João Mário for an effort off target. These chances, plus an attempt by Porro, were all unsuccessful, leaving the lead still just a single goal entering into the final 10 minutes.

Things became more precarious with the sending off of Gonçalves for a second bookable offence, leaving Sporting CP down to 10 men.

In response, Matheus Nunes and Borja replaced João Mário and Antunes to try to hold out, but it was not to be. A free kick by Jhonata Robert brough FC Famalicão back on terms one minute from time.

Coates would turn the ball in for Sporting CP in stoppage time, but referee Luís Godinho consulted VAR and disallowed the goal for a foul by the centre back on the opposition goalkeeper. Rúben Amorim was sent off in the subsequent protests.

Sporting CP are still the league's outright leaders, but they felt that they deserved more than just a point on Matchday 9.

Sporting CP's president emphatic that a disallowed Coates goal was legal

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas spoke to journalists after the game against FC Famalicão, in which a controversial decision by VAR denied the team victory.

“Once again,VAR had an influence at a key moment in one of our games. The final move of the match, in which a goal for Coates was disallowed, would never have been ruled out if it were for one of our rivals", he told the press.

"There are obviously normal mistakes in a football match, but what concerns me is the nature and the way the VAR is looked at. It was a legal goal".

The Club previously experienced controversy against FC Porto, the only other game in Liga NOS this season in which they have dropped points.

“As president of Sporting CP, I find it hard to see four points taken away from us by the misuse of VAR. I have already spoken to the President of the Refereeing Association, who shares my opinion: VAR must only be used when there are glaring errors. Now, the referee validates the goal, then VAR contacts him, he goes over the move with a microscope and the goal is disallowed. At any ground, this goal is clearly legal. The specialists come in and they look at a frame in which the arm touches the ball, but the goal is legal".

“We would have been four points clear, and they would be shaking about this, but the more they tremble, the more strength they give to this group. I assure you of this”, said Frederico Varandas.

Sporting CP's president emphatic that a disallowed Coates goal was legal

Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas spoke to journalists after the game against FC Famalicão, in which a controversial decision by VAR denied the team victory.

“Once again,VAR had an influence at a key moment in one of our games. The final move of the match, in which a goal for Coates was disallowed, would never have been ruled out if it were for one of our rivals", he told the press.

"There are obviously normal mistakes in a football match, but what concerns me is the nature and the way the VAR is looked at. It was a legal goal".

The Club previously experienced controversy against FC Porto, the only other game in Liga NOS this season in which they have dropped points.

“As president of Sporting CP, I find it hard to see four points taken away from us by the misuse of VAR. I have already spoken to the President of the Refereeing Association, who shares my opinion: VAR must only be used when there are glaring errors. Now, the referee validates the goal, then VAR contacts him, he goes over the move with a microscope and the goal is disallowed. At any ground, this goal is clearly legal. The specialists come in and they look at a frame in which the arm touches the ball, but the goal is legal".

“We would have been four points clear, and they would be shaking about this, but the more they tremble, the more strength they give to this group. I assure you of this”, said Frederico Varandas.

The Sporting CP coach felt his team were good for a win against FC Famalicão

Rúben Amorim was disappointed with Sporting CP's draw with FC Famalicão (2-2), believing his side were completely superior on the night.

“It's an extremely unfair result based on everything we did; we dominated the whole game, we created occasions and FC Famalicão did not, scoring only from set pieces. FC Famalicão did practically nothing. We leave here with two points dropped, because we ran the game at all times", the coach started his press conference by saying.

"Based on what happened in the game, we deserved another result".

Amorim also commented on the sending off of Pedro Gonçalves on 80 minutes, and the effect that it had on the final minutes of the game.

"We were dominating from the first minute. Still, we held on well and there was no danger from FC Famalicão. It would have been completely different had it been 11 versus 11 at the end”, he said.

“We have two points fewer than we should. We should have three, but we only got one. That is the consequence of this result”, he added, also giving his verdict on the disallowed goal late on in the contest.

"I haven't seen the move yet, but it seemed like a legal goal. It was a move in which the players were in the air. It seemed legal, but it didn't count".

Amorim was sent off for his protests following the disallowed strike by Coates, which would have earned his side the victory.

The team takes on their ninth league game of the season this weekend

Sporting CP look to keep their unbeaten league run going with another victory this weekend, as they take on Famalicão on Saturday night at 6pm local time. Rúben Amorim's side come into the game top of the Liga NOS table, their only dropped points so far having come in the 2-2 home draw against FC Porto back in October.

CURRENT FORM
Last time out, Sporting CP beat Moreirense 2-1 at the Estádio José Alvalade, recovering from an early own goal as the league’s top scorer Pedro Gonçalves equalised and completed the turnaround with a brace.

Famalicão are currently 10th in the standings, with 9 points to their name, and enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Paços de Ferreira on Matchday 8. The home side have had since last Friday to prepare for the visit of Os Leões.

LAST SEASON
Sporting CP were beaten by Famalicão in both of the fixtures played between them last season. The first, at the José Alvalade, began in promising fashion with a goal from Luciano Vietto on 25 minutes, but a second half goal from Rúben Lameiras leveled for the visitors and an unfortunate own goal by Sebastián Coates in the closing moments handed Famalicão the victory.

In the reverse clash, held back in March at the Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho, Coates provided the consolation goal in a 3-1 loss.

A RETURN FOR ‘POTE’
Pedro Gonçalves joined Sporting from Famalicão in the summer, after a season in which he played 33 league games and scored 5 goals for the club.

‘Pote’ is now the Liga NOS’ top marksman, with an astonishing record of 9 goals from 7 appearances so far this term. 

FAMALICÃO’S DEFENSIVE WOES
Gonçalves will be confident of his chances of scoring against his former club, as ‘Fama’ have conceded 16 goals from their opening eight matches in the Primeira Liga.

The Sporting CP coach hailed the attitude of his team

At the conclusion of Sporting CP's 2-1 win over Moreirense FC in Liga NOS, coach Rúben Amorim gave a post-match press conference to analyse the fixture.

"Sporting CP's attitude is always the same. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but we always try to find solutions to score goals. Teams also close up at the back. In the first half we had several opportunities in front of goal that we didn't take, be it missing the last pass or the final touch. The game got a bit difficult because of that. We conceded a goal against the run of play, but we reacted well and were convinced that we were going to score right away. The game was a little tough, but it ended up being a very fair result," he told the media.

"We are at the very beginning of the season and there is a long way ahead of us. We will play at a very difficult ground next week, and then we have the Taça de Portugal and the Taça da Liga. Those are three games that could completely change the season and the vision that people have of this team. We have a lot to improve, as we saw today, but we have already done something well. The fans can never complain about the attitude the team show, because it is the way we are."

Asked whether the absence of Europa League Group Stage is a benefit, Amorim explained that there are both positives and negatives.

"The important thing is to win our games. It is always so difficult and we want to win so much that we have to take advantage of every minute. We took the disappointment and all the criticism when we were eliminated from the Europa League. There is a good and a bad side. We make the most of every minute, because we know it's very important and our games are always very difficult."

As for in-form Pedro Gonçalves, scorer of the brace that decided the match and top marksman in Liga NOS with nine goals, Amorim asked the player to keep up his run next time out in Famalicão.

"Pedro Gonçalves is doing well and is reaping the rewards of the work from his teammates, who understand his movements well. He is in excellent form. He does not seem anxious when shooting and it seems that things are happening naturally. I hope that next week, against a club that he knows well, he can repeat that."

Pedro Gonçalves scores a brace as the team come back from behind

Sporting Clube de Portugal kept Liga NOS' only unbeaten run going on Saturday night, beating Moreirense FC 2-1 at the Estádio José Alvalade. In-form Pedro Gonçalves provided both of the goals for Os Leões.

Gonçalves was one of five players restored to the starting XI after being rested in the Taça de Portugal game against SG Sacavenense, as Rúben Amorim rotated his lineup. Sporting CP began the game showing their will to create danger, but it was Moreirense FC who sprung a surprise in the opening moments, taking the lead through an own goal by Luís Neto.

Thankfully, the response came just five minutes later: Nuno Mendes won the ball back in defence, started a counterattack and played it to Nuno Santos on the left. He would cross in for the league's top scorer, Gonçalves, to capitalise on a scramble to put an effort into the net.

The team had another chance shortly after, with Andraž Šporar having a shot cleared off the line. Sebastián Coates headed a corner just off target, and on 22 minutes Santos sent another cross towards Šporar that was not quite turned in.

Two more opportunities followed: First Porro delivered a precise cross for Šporar, who mishit the header, then Gonçalves set up Santos for an effort that he could not convert.
With the score at 1-1 at half time, Sporting CP sensed that they could make their dominance count in the second half.

Santos produced the first real chance of the second period for Šporar on 59 minutes, which was blocked by a defender. Minutes later, Jovane Cabral came on in place for Nuno Mendes, with Santos dropping deep as a result.

Gonçalves tried his luck with a rocket from outside the area, which smashed against the crossbar, bounced on the line and went out. After that warning, he finally got his second goal of the night: a poor pass was intercepted and he again shot from outside the box, this time scoring to take the game to 2-1 in Sporting CP's favour with quarter of an hour remaining.

Porro could have increased the advantage before the end, but was denied by the visiting goalkeeper. Late substitute Tiago Tomás also had an unsuccessful look, but the two goals proved to be enough to claim the victory and remain leaders of Liga NOS, with 22 points.

Os Leões visit FC Famalicão next Saturday, at 6pm local time.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Nuno Mendes (Jovane Cabral, 61'), João Palhinha, João Mário (Matheus Nunes, 78'), Pedro Gonçalves (Vitorino Antunes, 84'), Nuno Santos and Andraž Šporar (Tiago Tomás, 78').