The team are held to a 2-2 stalemate in a preseason friendly

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 2-2 in a Wednesday friendly with Portimonense SC, as part of the preseason training camp in the Algarve. Held at the Estádio Municipal da Bela Vista, in Parchal, the match saw goals from Gonçalo Inácio and Daniel Bragança.

For this fifth game of preseason, Rúben Amorim fielded a lineup of Antonio Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Esteves, Matheus Nunes, Daniel Bragança, Ricardo Esgaio, Tiago Ferreira, Paulinho and Joelson Fernandes.

Gonçalo Esteves and Joelson Fernandes – who combined especially well with Matheus Reis – were the creative forces in the first half, with the winger sending in a free kick that Inácio converted on 28 minutes, putting Sporting CP ahead.

In the 40th minute, Joelson Fernandes also had a chance on goal, but Ricardo Ferreira saved the shot. Matheus Reis would then hit the woodwork..

Os Leões went into halftime with a slim lead, and Amorim decided to maintain the same eleven players for the restart -while Paulo Sérgio changed the entire Portimonense SC team.

The match remained evenly balanced, and Portimonense levelled on 60 minutes through Renato Jr. Adán had kept out a Ricardo Esgaio deflection from a free kick, but the striker turned in the rebound.

With 30 minutes to play, Sporting CP –who remained unchanged until the end – went searching for another goal. Matheus Nunes nearly provided it with a shot just over from the edge of the area, but it was up to captain Daniel Bragança to find the net on 85 minutes with a beautiful goal, having been set up by Paulinho.

Portimonense SC would get back on terms before the end, however. After a punch clear from Adán, the ball hit Matheus Reis, Gonçalo Inácio couldn't get it away, and Renato Jr. made it 2-2 just before the final whistle.

The goalkeeper speaks at the start of preseason training camp

Antonio Adán is back with the Sporting Clube de Portugal squad to prepare for his second season at the club, and his second preseason training camp in Lagos.

Speaking after the first session in the Algarve, the goalkeeper explained his feelings ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

"It is a joy for us to be here. We are at a great hotel, which brings back some good memories and is a place where we can prepare very well for the coming season," he began by saying.

"We have the same unity that we showed last season. If anything has changed, it is that we have shown that we are capable of becoming champions. That gives us the confidence and experience to face this season, but the foundations of last season, which are humility, unity and work, must continue every day."

"Sporting CP are the favourites to win every game. That's our mindset. That's how we approached the league last year and it will be like that this year too. Being champions was something beautiful for the club and for all of us players, and a club like Sporting CP must always be in that fight, but having become champions doesn't mean we are favourites for the title this year. We are favourites to win the next game. This is our mentality."

It is a sentiment that coach Rúben Amorim has maintained.

"The coach's message remains the same. That's his mentality, taking things game by game. We know that things change a lot from one year to the next, and that's why we have to be very focused and face each match with humility. If we think that because we were champions last year, we don't need to show the humility, work and dedication of last season, then we are mistaken," commented Adán.

"The responsibility is the same as last season. We represent a club with a huge history, with many fans worldwide. This is our greatest responsibility and our greatest pride, and that's why we want to do everything very well -for everyone."

Adán also spoke about the Supertaça against SC Braga, scheduled for July 31st.

"Winning it is the first objective for the season. We are all looking forward to having the fans back as well, after a year and a half without anybody in the stands. We are eager to feel the support of our fans, and even the pressure of the opposition fans."

The squad will have an extended stay in the Algarve

Sporting CP moved their preseason work to the Algarve on Monday, and will stay in Lagos through to July 21st. The training camp got underway this Monday, with a first session for the reigning Portuguese league champions.

Coach Rúben Amorim had 27 players available to him, and set out a demanding workout for them involving ball drills and tactics. Missing the first session were Pedro Marques and Vitorino Antunes, who undertook individual training in the gym.

Os Leões continue their preparations on Tuesday, behind closed doors.

Team beat Belenenses SAD and GD Estoril Praia

Ahead of their preseason trip to the Algarve, Sporting Clube de Portugal's first team played two training games at the Academia Sporting in Alcochete this past Saturday.

The reigning league champions hosted Belenenses SAD and GD Estoril Praia in two 70-minute encounters, in the morning and afternoon.

gainst Belenenses SAD, Rúben Amorim's side won 1-0, with the goal scored by Joelson Fernandes. The team consisted of Luís Maximiano, Gonçalo Esteves, Eduardo Quaresma, Zouhair Feddal, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, Dário Essugo, Daniel Bragança, Joelson Fernandes, Nuno Santos and Paulinho.

A full change of personnel for the 3-1 win over GD Estoril Praia saw a starting lineup of: Antonio Adán, Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Gonçalo Inácio, Rodrigo Fernandes, Flávio Nazinho, Matheus Nunes, Bruno Tabata, Jovane Cabral, Tiago Ferreira and Tiago Tomás. Porro, Cabral and Tabata were all on the scoresheet.

Vitorino Antunes, Pedro Marques and Rúben Vinagre undertook specific fitness work.

The team leaves for the Algarve on Sunday, for their customary preseason training camp before their title defence gets underway.

The defender rejoins the club with an option to buy him

Rúben Vinagre is back at Sporting Clube de Portugal, after the club struck a deal with English side Wolverhampton Wanderers to sign him on loan for the season. The deal comes with an option to buy the 22-year-old left-back, who previously featured for the Sporting CP academy during his formative years.

"I'm returning to a place where I was very happy, and I hope to be happy again there," said Vinagre as he was unveiled officially to Sporting CP's media.

"The times I spent here, in the youth system, were very good. I was always very motivated to get into the first team. Coming back here, after leaving when I was still young, makes me very proud."

Vinagre spent the second half of last season at FC Famalicão and impressed many during his return to the Portuguese league. He will now remain in his homeland, working under coach Rúben Amorim and sharing a dressing room with several familiar faces, such as Daniel Bragança, Luís Maximiano and Pedro Gonçalves.

"It's great to be joining back up with them, as they are people with whom I've always gotten along very well and I'm happy to be able to work with them again. I played with Daniel Bragança and Luís Maximiano at youth level. I've also known Pote for a long time, from when we were both in England, and we are friends. It will be good to share experiences with them again. The first day has been excellent, you can see that the group are very united, and they are all very happy. It will be easy for me to adapt," he stated.

The most recent summer addition also reflected on his recent experiences abroad, as well as showing his pleasure with his homecoming.

"Playing in England was positive. I grew up as a player there. It's a different style of play and the league is very intense and physical, but the Portuguese league also has a lot of quality and brings through many young players. It's a step forward, and I am now at my dream club. I'll give everything for this team," he assured.

"Sporting CP were the toughest opponent I faced last season. You could see that the group was very close, and that the players were always switched on. It was not easy to play at the Estádio José Alvalade, and that was the game in which I felt the most difficulties last season."

"I want to have a positive season, with Sporting CP achieving all the goals that we set ourselves," he continued.

"Sporting CP have brought through some fantastic players, and continue to do so. Everyone knows the quality of the Academy, from which players with a lot of quality emerge every year."

Rúben Vinagre was part of that youth system at Sporting CP between 2009/2010 and 2014/2015, sandwiching a spell at Belenenses. His first international experience was at AS Monaco, for two seasons, followed by a loan -and subsequent permanent move- to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Last season he played on loan at both Greek side Olympiacos FC of Greece and Portugal's FC Famalicão.

League calendar released

Reigning league champions Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin their defence of the title against newly promoted FC Vizela, it was announced at the draw on Thursday at the Centro de Congressos da Alfândega do Porto.

The season will get underway on the weekend of August 7-8th, and will close on May 15th with a game against CD Santa Clara at the  Estádio José Alvalade.

Fixtures against FC Porto (home) and SL Benfica (away) in the first half of the season are set for Matchdays 5 and 13, respectively.

Rúben Amorim named Best Coach and Pedro Gonçalves Best Young Player

Sporting CP captain Sebastián Coates has been voted Liga NOS' Best Player for the 2020/21 season, it was announced on Thursday at the Gala Kick-Off at the Centro de Congressos da Alfândega do Porto.

The Uruguayan international received the most votes by the coaches and captains of the sides participating in the Primeira Liga. Coates played 33 games of a possible 34 in the league, being named Man Of The Match on three occasions and leading the most solid defence in the competition -conceding just 20 goals all season. The centre back also showed his attacking talent, scoring five goals. He beat teammates João Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves in the voting.

"I'm very happy with this award, and I want to thank everyone who voted for me," said Coates. "The Portuguese league is very competitive, but of course you can always improve. Year after year, the league has grown a lot and has several teams and coaches that have evolved greatly. For foreign players, it's a league where we like to play, and Portugal is a country that always welcomes those who come in from abroad."

Looking ahead to 2021/22, Coates added that "As a group we have well defined goals, and the first competition up is the Supertaça. Like last season, we have to take things game by game and be very focused. Every match will be difficult and we have to concentrate."

 
Rúben Amorim, who led the team to their first league title in 19 years, scooped the Best Coach award, ahead of Daniel Ramos of CD Santa Clara and Pepa of FC Paços de Ferreira. As always, he was keen to give credit to those who had helped him.

"Without my coaching staff, none of this would be possible. The award is not 'mine,' it's 'ours.' The staff are very good at what they do, and they deserve a lot of merit for the title. I should also mention everybody behind the scenes at Sporting CP, President Frederico Varandas, Hugo Viana and, above all, the players," said the coach, accompanied by his assistants in his video acceptance speech.
 
"Is unity the secret to success? Of course the results help, but yes, it is. My coaching staff and I have come a long way together; we've been through a lot. They are very capable and I'm not very overbearing, therefore it's an easy coexistence. Everything went well during the season and, when that is the case, everything gets easier."
 
"We can't deviate from the path we've established, and a title doesn't change what we want this year. We still have distances to cut to our rivals. Our players were champions, but they're still young. That said, obviously we're going to try to win the league. Last season we believed in it, but now we know it's possible because we've already done it. We will go game by game, but with our eyes on trophies -especially the Supertaça," he stressed.

Pedro Gonçalves, the top scorer in the league with a total of 23 goals, was voted the Best Young Player in the competition, receiving more votes than teammate Nuno Mendes and also Portimonense SC striker Beto.

"I couldn't even have dreamt that I would have a season like I did, but I want to thank everyone who voted for me. Without my teammates I could never have reached this level. They helped me a lot during the season," 'Pote' commented.

"For this new season I can promise that I will work hard every day. If I do well in training, the coach will give me opportunities on the pitch. The only thought for the team at the moment is the Supertaça. After that, we'll think about the league," concluded the forward who became the first man to win Best Young Player for a second consecutive season.

Returning fullback presented as new No.47

Despite having already worked with Rúben Amorim at his previous club, the defender believes that he will receive no special treatment -not least because the coach fields those who work best during the week.

"Any player who is at Sporting CP deserves to play. We know that under Rúben Amorim those who work well, play, whether they are Player A, B or C. This is very good, because any player who works well is always prepared to play. There are no individuals who are above the collective, and this was apparent last season. We all start at the same level, and then it's up to the manager to decide. We will all work hard to help the team in the best way," he assured.

Finally, Esgaio addressed the fans, commenting that "I appreciate the fantastic support you have given me in recent days. It has been amazing. Thank you very much."

Monday was a busy day for the returning squad

After completing the customary physical and medical examinations during Monday morning, the Sporting Clube de Portugal squad took to the pitch in the afternoon for their first preseason training session.

Coach Rúben Amorim put the players through their paces on their return from the summer break, with ball work involved as well as a series of cardio drills.

The 23-man group will be back at the Academia Sporting on Tuesday for another session, held behind closed doors.

Rúben Amorim's squad undertake medicals on Monday morning

The Sporting Clube de Portugal squad returned from a summer break to start their 2021/22 preseason this Monday, with the customary medical examinations and fitness tests with the Performance and Medical departments beginning proceedings.

Some 23 players were present:Antonio Adán, Luís Maximiano, André Paulo, Diego Callai, Pedro Porro, Vitorino Antunes, Zouhair Feddal, Tiago Ferreira, Gonçalo Inácio, Luís Neto, Eduardo Quaresma, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Nunes, Paulinho, Rodrigo Fernandes, Dário Essugo, Bruno Tabata, Jovane Cabral, Nuno Santos, Tiago Tomás, Pedro Marques, Joelson Fernandes and Flávio Nazinho.

Matheus Reis is in isolation, due to his having travelled from Brazil, whilst João Palhinha, Nuno Mendes and Pedro Gonçalves (Portugal), Sebastián Coates (Uruguay) and Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador) are still away with their respective national teams after participation in Euro 2020 and the Copa America tournaments.

The opening training session for the squad takes place on Monday afternoon.