The coach previews the game against FC Arouca

Sporting Clube de Portugal play FC Arouca away from home on Saturday (8:30pm local time), on Matchday 11 of the Liga Portugal season.

At the press conference ahead of the game, played three days after the fixture against Tottenham Hotspur and three days before the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt, coach Rúben Amorim addressed his squad management and confirmed the absences of Hidemasa Morita and Paulinho.

“Squad management is done according to the best players we have available to beat FC Arouca, and this is the only management we do. Morita is out -I don't know for how long because he still has to do some tests- and so is Paulinho. Luís Neto is still unavailable and Ricardo Esgaio is back. Jeremiah St. Juste remains limited in terms of game time, but the rest of the squad are ready to play,” he began by telling the journalists present.

“We have to be very fresh physically against FC Arouca due to the characteristics of the opposition. They have very skilled midfielders, like David Simão and Alan Ruiz, and three players up front who, if we don't press well, will cause us a lot of problems. We will field the best team without thinking about Eintracht Frankfurt, because our objective and priority is the league. Energy and physical freshness will be important factors,” he emphasised.

FC Arouca are a side in form, having not lost in five games and occupying 11th in the table.

“FC Arouca are very dangerous on transitions, which is an important characteristic in the league. Antony is very strong in that respect, and the other two strikers are too. Then there's David Simão and Alan Ruiz, who came up at big clubs and play very well with the ball. In addition, they are in a steady position in the table. The more teams free themselves from the pressure of earning points, the better they play. They have no responsibility against Sporting CP and that is an advantage for them,” he said.

Amorim also stressed the importance of winning this weekend's game. 

“The best thing to do is to beat FC Arouca, as that is the best way to prepare for the match against Eintracht Frankfurt. It would be an extra source of energy taking into account the preparation of this match”, he said.

“If we beat FC Arouca, the way the fans see the next game and the team will be different. We can't drop points before the break for the World Cup, and it's important that we get that run of victories."

In closing, he stated his confidence in the squad regarding the fight for the Liga Portugal title. 

“We are still in with a chance, because we are still going to face all the teams and we want to win every game. As long as it is possible, we will fight for every match and trophy."

The coach looks ahead to O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim held a pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, previewing the first edition of 'O Clássico' this season against FC Porto. The Saturday 8:30pm kickoff at the Estádio do Dragão is expected to be a tough game, the coach says, but the focus is on taking all three points back to Lisbon.

“This week was strange and different for reasons that we all know, but we have reorganised ourselves, started to focus on the game and prepared for it in the best way possible. We know the importance of this game, because we have already had a draw this season and we are going to play at the home of the champions, but we had the normal preparation required for a club that want to win at every ground. In that aspect, it was a normal week," he said.

“FC Porto have many strengths. They are a team who are scoring a lot of goals, conceding few and are very competent in all aspects of the game, especially when they win the ball. We know what we're going to encounter and that we're going to be playing in a full stadium, but we like these types of challenges."

With a draw and a victory from the first two matchdays, Sporting CP are looking for three more points for their tally. Amorim said that he is not worried about the points gap compared to direct rivals, because he believes his side will get the win.

"It doesn't worry me at all. We know from the beginning that life as a coach is like this: When you win and when you lose, we are always under pressure. We will see. Our idea is to win and the idea is to get ahead of FC Porto and catch the top sides. If that doesn't happen, we'll be going for the win in the next game”.

The coach will be without Paulinho, who remains injured, but Sporting CP will also now be without Matheus Nunes, who has left the club.

“I will not say who will play in his place. Of course, that doesn't change much in terms of FC Porto's approach, but we'll keep the characteristics of the player who will play in Matheus Nunes' role for game time. We have several players who can play there: Pote, Morita and Mateus Fernandes. We have an idea: Someone will play there and will be prepared to help the team win the game”, said coach Leonino.

As for the departure of Matheus Nunes and possible movements in the transfer market, Amorim admitted that “it is difficult to sign at this time, because clubs don't want to lose their best players. We do not want players who are below our level at the moment. We have some players with potential that we have already identified and we might speed up their signing, but for now I have no idea and I'm trusting in those who are here already."

“The offer for Nunes was an attractive proposal and it is a great comfort for the club in financial terms, for all departments and for everything, and we will find solutions for his departure."

Asked if Mateus Fernandes could be the natural replacement, Amorim commented: “I don't know, it's still early. It would be a mistake to try to find another Matheus Nunes. We're going to look at the players. Mateus Fernandes is a player in our project and we believe in him a lot. We have to be careful not to push players beyond the stages they have to go through. He is still young, and Matheus Nunes was older when he moved up. There are different situations and we will see who will adapt there. There are also other players from the B team who can move up. What we want is for them to have competition among themselves."

The Sporting CP coach also spoke of the reintegration of Jovane Cabral, saying that “it was a matter of clarifying the situation with him."

"We were left with one less player and I always look at which players we have. I decided to talk with Jovane. I understood his idea, he understood mine and he is another player to help us. It's better to go get the players we have here to make up for some absences."

The coach assesses the 0-2 win on Matchday 11

Following Sporting Clube de Portugal's victory over FC Paços de Ferreira, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the performance that saw his team pick up the three points away from home.

"Our team were, once again, very focused. They had more energy than in Arouca. We controlled the game much better. We knew that FC Paços de Ferreira were very strong and their defence was very good. We got into positions to finish many times in the first half. FC Paços de Ferreira had a few breaks, but without much danger. In the second half, with the opening goal from another set piece, we settled in better. FC Paços de Ferreira had to go after the result and the game practically ended with our second goal. We could have scored more", he said in his post-match press conference.

"I want to give special praise to Tabata, who has suffered a lot of injuries. The way he came in today was very strong. We controlled the game from there."

Asked if Sporting CP began the game under pressure, considering FC Porto's victory at CD Santa Clara, Amorim explained that, at this time of the season, the table is not given more than a cursory glance.

"We are always under pressure, because we are on a winning streak and we know it is difficult to maintain. The focus must always be on our team. FC Porto's game doesn't concern us. At this stage of the season, it is of no interest", he said.

For the coach, a run of eight consecutive victories and the football played by his side make this the strongest point of the 2021/2022 season so far.

"It's a good moment. We're solid. We have brought back Tiago Tomás, [Luís] Neto felt a problem with his leg again, but otherwise we have all of our players available. When we have all the players and we are playing well, it's a good moment. I can say it's the best moment of this season."

Finally, he assured that the results that Sporting CP have achieved as of late have less impact on the group than the way in which these triumphs have been obtained.

"Results are important, but the way we're playing and winning, the concentration and the fact that we don't concede goals, have a very good impact on the group and on the fans. It creates a healthy wave of momentum. It's about riding this wave knowing that some day - and I hope it's not too soon - things can change", he concluded.

A 0-2 win takes Sporting CP into the international break

Sporting Clube de Portugal took a 0-2 win away to FC Paços de Ferreira on Matchday 11 of the Liga Portugal season, through goals by Gonçalo Inácio and Pedro Gonçalves.

The game took place amidst cold temperatures and in front of a large number of Sportinguistas at the Estádio Capital do Móvel cheering on the team after their success in the Champions League in midweek. 

Coach Rúben Amorim made two adjustments to the starting lineup from the game against Beşiktaş JK: Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Santos replaced the injured Pedro Porro and Zouhair Feddal, who started on the bench.

In the first ten minutes, Sporting CP had two chances to score. Firstly, the in-form Sebastián Coates headed a corner kick taken by Pablo Sarabia, with goalkeeper André Ferreira saving. Shortly thereafter, a powerful shot by Ricardo Esgaio from a cross by Nuno Santos was also kept out.

In response, FC Paços de Ferreira shot wide through João Pedro, as Sporting CP remained solid in defence and did not give the home team space to get close to scoring.

Shortly after half an hour of play, Sarabia spotted Esgaio on the right, the latter sending an effort whistling across the face of goal.

Just before halftime, FC Paços de Ferreira had their best opportunity in the first half, with former Sporting CP player Vitorino Antunes striking and Matheus Reis heading out for a corner.

The start of the second half proved to be extremely important for the outcome of the match. After 47 minutes, Esgaio crossed for Nuno Santos to shoot into the side netting off an opposition player, and from the ensuing corner kick, Sarabia put the ball in the area, Sebastián Coates flicked on and Gonçalo Inácio headed in to make it 0-1.

FC Paços de Ferreira could have levelled soon after, in a chaotic sequence that saw several shots blocked by the defence, but the visitors dominated the second half.

In the 59th minute, Pedro Gonçalves shot wide and, close to ten minutes later, Bruno Tabata replaced Sarabia. He would play a part in the second goal, releasing Esgaio on the right for a well-placed assist for Gonçalves.

Paulinho, Matheus Reis and Tabata all had attempts at a third, whilst Coates had a goal disallowed for offside.

Jovane Cabral's introduction and a Daniel Bragança chance on 90+5 minutes were late highlights, in a game that ended 0-2 and earned another three points for Sporting CP.
The team will be back in action on November 18th, hosting Varzim SC in the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 80'), Nuno Santos, Pablo Sarabia (Bruno Tabata, 68'), Pedro Gonçalves (Jovane Cabral, 89') and Paulinho.

"Matheus Reis' red card changed everything"

At the end of Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-2 away win at SC Braga on Matchday 2 of the season, coach Rúben Amorim reviewed the game, which represented a fifth consecutive win over the northern outfit.

"Those five victories do not reflect the difference between the teams. We were the better side in the first half, scored the second goal early in the second half, and turned down the intensity a little before the sending off. Matheus [Reis]'s red card changed everything, because we were going to make changes to the team. SC Braga attacked, we defended well and we held onto the result until the end," he began by telling journalists at his post-match press conference, admitting that, "with fans in attendance, the game becomes more intense and emotional."

For the coach, the final result was a fair one on the balance of play.

"We were worthy winners. We withstood SC Braga's attacks well right after the sending off, which gives us confidence. After we made it 0-2, we made a mistake because we switched off a little. With one less player on the pitch, it's difficult. But we have to give credit to how Sporting CP performed until it was 0-2."

Despite a great start, with three wins in three games and the Supertaça trophy already in 2021/2022, Amorim is under no illusions that there is "much to improve". The objective, however, is always the same: To finish every match ahead on the scoresheet. "We want to win every game and we have a very good attitude. We are candidates to beat Belenenses SAD," he added.

Goalkeeper Antonio Adán made several high-level saves that helped Sporting CP claim the three points, and his coach praised the Spaniard as "an excellent goalkeeper who gives us a lot of confidence."

"Just the fact that he saves a dangerous shot relaxes the team. Sporting CP had a little luck again, and so we have to work hard. We have to be aware that we have many limitations and that we have to improve," he said.