Alvalade skipper João Pinto looking to lead his side to victory in Italy

Sporting CP roller hockey skipper João Pinto knows that his side will have to improve in the CERH European League to keep the season's international campaign alive. Reflecting on the weekend's defeat to Forte dei Marmi, Pinto affirmed the need to reduce errors.

"It was two completely different matches in one. We started well, but we made mistakes, That simply cannot happen. If we play in Italy like we did in the first 15 minutes today, we will win. We have to win in Italy and if they managed it here then we can do it there. It has happened already in the CERS Cup and we will do everything we can to make it happen again."

João Pinto looking to trigger another run to Challenge Cup silverware

The Challenge Cup last-32 has finally arrived, with Sporting CP to face the Italian side Romagna on the 19th and 20th of November.

João Pinto ahead of the visit to Cronenberg

While Alvalade vice-captain João Pinto is expecting a tough challenge from the German side Cronenberg in the CERS Cup, the Sporting roller hockey star highlighted the importance of a good result in the first-leg.

“We still don't know a lot about Cronenberg, but we know that they are a quality side and that it is hard to play at their place, especially because of the type of surface they play on. We will have to train on it before the match. It is a really soft court, but that can't act as an excuse for us. We want to win this and bring a good result back to Lisbon. We respect our opponent, but we are the holders of this trophy and we want to start off on the right foot on our way to winning it again", opened João Pinto, adding: "Playing in the CERS Cup again brings extra motivation. It is a great feeling, because of what we did last season."

Cronenberg-Sporting will get underway at 19h00GMT on Saturday the 12th of December, in the Wuppertal Arena, Germany.

Second Pinto brother signs in at Alvalade

João Pinto is the latest edition to Sporting’s handball arsenal for the coming season, following the arrival of Carlos Carneiro and Aljosa Cudic. This will actually be Pinto’s second spell at the club, having moved from Lisbon to Madeira in 2012/13.

“I am more experienced and mature player now. I have always liked this club, which is why I am back”, said the 26-year old, adding: “The team isn’t all that different and I already know the new coach. He is demanding, but that will get us to where we want to be, which is winning the League, Portuguese Cup and going as far as possible in Europe.”