The coach readies his side for a game against FC Famalicão

In Liga Portugal action, Sporting Clube de Portugal face FC Famalicão on Matchday 20 this Saturday. Coach Rúben Amorim talked about this, and a busy month of February, in his pre-match press conference.

“FC Famalicão are a team who always have talent. In these games, without much responsibility to win, they have the ability to keep the ball and create danger for any team. Their stadium is a different ground, where it is always very difficult."

FC Famalicão are currently eighth and have lost their last two matches. Although they are the joint-lowest scoring team, they have made defensive consistency count, with the joint-fifth best record of 23 goals conceded.

The team led by João Pedro Sousa have not won at home since Matchday 10 (3-1 against Gil Vicente FC), but Amorim talked up the talent present for FC Famalicão.
“If Puma or Chiquinho play, I think they can both play together. Or Puma [Rodríguez] can come inside because he is very fast and very physically strong. [Jhonder] Cádiz touches the ball more often, inside the area, and has a lot of headers, so we have to safeguard the crosses in. On the other hand, a large part of their routine on the left goes through [Francisco] Moura, who is suspended. All of this will come into play,” he detailed.

“They have the talent to beat Sporting CP, but we have to respond to that, because we are fighting for the title and we want to maintain our place at the top."

With Sporting CP about to start a gruelling month of February, featuring seven games in three different competitions (Liga Portugal, Taça de Portugal and the UEFA Europa League), Amorim highlighted that the coaching staff look, above all, at “the space between games, with the focus in general being on the next match."

“Our job was to tell the players, and they are fully aware of this, that everything that happened in the last game - the atmosphere, the pitch, the duels we won and the shots we had - will now have no bearing on this game. It will be completely different."

In Vila Nova de Famalicão, winter signing Koba Koindredi will be among the options to play, but Jeremiah St. Juste will be absent again through injury.

Afterwards, asked to assess Sporting CP's movements in the January transfer market, Amorim highlighted that the idea was to “prepare not only for the present, but above all the future,” both in terms of arrivals and departures.

He first explained that loanees Afonso Moreira and Dário Essugo “needed minutes to gain confidence and take the next step up,” before also addressing Rodrigo Ribeiro's transfer to Nottingham Forest FC.

“For one reason or another, he couldn't develop like others did in the first team. What I wish is the best of luck for Rodrigo, because he has a lot of talent. In a very competitive league, a lot is down to him and his coach.”

Regarding Koba's arrival, he described him as a reinforcement to “prepare and safeguard the future and anticipate things that we think could happen."

“We are not only buying the player he is now, but also what he can become, because in a few years we would have to pay a lot more for a player like him. We didn't get certain players who, perhaps, would be a better value now and a better reinforcement for the immediate future, but Koba is a player for now and very much thinking about what he can become."

"He has a lot of quality, but he still needs a lot of work. The important thing is to see that there is talent and, without a doubt, Rafa Pontelo and Koba are very talented players."
“We have depth in the squad and there are, at most, nine days left until Ousmane [Diomande] and [Hidemasa] Morita will return. I feel that the squad is on the right track and, without major injuries, we have the squad to compete in all competitions and give opportunities to all of our players," he guaranteed.

“The main thing is the league title, but we are not going to give up on the Europa League or the Taça de Portugal. The focus is on becoming champions. It also has a psychological impact on the fans and on the way we want to win consistently, and the impact of us getting into the Champions League. If we can win everything, then great. We will need a lot of luck, but you know that luck is not lacking sometimes.”

The coach reviews the derby against SL Benfica

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim was naturally disappointed with the defeat to SL Benfica, in a game in which they were always on top of their rivals - even though they played practically the entire second half with a numerical inferiority.

“This is part of football, but it is hard to swallow. Even with ten men, we didn't let SL Benfica create big chances and that was felt in the stadium. With 11 players on the pitch, there is no doubt who was the best team. Therefore, based on what we did, we deserved to win, but it didn't happen", the coach began by saying in his press conference.

"It's a more painful defeat because, although it wasn't a decisive game, it was an important game and we were three minutes away from having a six-point advantage -and now we have the same points. We were the better side, we ended up not winning and it was painful, but I'm already thinking about the break and the next game".

“I'm not saying we're better than anyone else, but today we were the better team and I think that was very obvious. We were very safe at all times of the game, even with one player less, while SL Benfica had a lot of difficulties creating dangerous situations. If we look at the moments of the game, everything went against us. It's very frustrating to play with a man down and it limits us a lot. It was not a good day for Inácio and for us, because we ended up losing, but we are fine and we will continue to be fine”, said Amorim, stressing: “We have to move on. We are tied on points, we have been in the title race for a long time, we have to correct what we didn't do so well and get better".

The coach's preview of the game against FC Arouca

Sporting Clube de Portugal host FC Arouca this Sunday, at 8:30 pm, on Liga Portugal Matchday 8.

Os Leões return home after their midweek defeat in the Europa League and Rúben Amorim is only thinking about a win, saying that whilst it is good to play right after a loss, he would have preferred to have had more time to prepare for this match.

"We enjoyed playing in Europe, but we could have had one more day to prepare for the game and we didn't get it. Nevertheless, the team are ready. The players are fresh because there was rotation during this time", he told the media.

"We know FC Arouca very well; We know that last year we didn't win any game against them and we want to change that this year.Daniel Ramos is a very experienced coach, he knows that as the game goes on it will create anxiety in everyone, so what we want is to start well and play well in the first and second half to win the game. They vary between 4 and 5 in defence, with the winger playing as the fifth man. We have trained for that in the time we had, we focused a lot on what we need to be very good at, we worked on that and I think that tomorrow we will have a good game".

"We have to be hungry, we want to win and we must be very calm in the face of everything that happens. We know that FC Arouca want to keep it 0-0, make transitions, create one or two opportunities and create a bad atmosphere in our stadium. What we have to do is have a lot of confidence, stay calm, be well organised and not let them make too many transitions", said the coach, denying that the defeat against Atalanta BC will affect his Sporting CP side.

"What's done is done. We need to always be optimistic. I believe we can be champions, win trophies and go through in Europe. We've already proven that many times. Tomorrow we have another game, what we want is to stay in first place and that's what we're going to play for".

Amorim also spoke about Jeremiah St. Juste, saying that the central defender "is getting closer and closer" to his return, and commented on the importance of Sebastián Coates.

"For me, as a coach , what he represents is an example in the way he has always played and how he helps his teammates, but I think he can still get better as a player and as a captain, and when I look at him I want him to do more. He is very important for us and you see that the team feel more confident with him on the pitch".

A 0-0 draw with Gil Vicente FC denies Os Leões the three points

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a goalless draw by Gil Vicente FC in a rescheduled Liga Portugal Matchday 25 encounter, played on Wednesday night. The draw concluded a run of five consecutive wins in the league and, whilst they were the better side, the team were unable to convert their chances.

Coach Rúben Amorim made five changes to the starting XI from four days prior, with Ricardo Esgaio (returning from suspension), Jeremiah St. Juste, Sebastián Coates, Hidemasa Morita and Youssef Chermiti coming in at the expense of Arthur Gomes, Ousmane Diomande, Nuno Santos and Francisco Trincao. Paulinho was out due to injury.

Gil Vicente FC came into the contest in 13th place in the league table and had not lost at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos since November.

Sporting CP had three excellent opportunities in a row to start the game: First, a shot from square on by Pedro Gonçalves went out. Chermiti's backheel forced goalkeeper Andrew into a save. Finally, Esgaio benefited from a recovery on the edge of the area, but would also be denied.

From then on, they managed to impose their game more unequivocally. Chermiti was narrowly denied a run through on goal, Gonçalves failed to convert a shot at the back post and Andrew responded with a save from a shot by Matheus Reis. Despite an attempt by Murilo, the danger was practically one-way traffic in the first half.

At halftime, Nuno Santos was brought onto the wing to replace Gonçalo Inácio, and Matheus Reis dropped into the trio of centre-backs.

In the beginning of the second stanza, Gil Vicente FC created their best opportunity, but Antonio Adán rushed out quickly and decisively to stifle a one-on-one with Marlon.
Marcus Edwards appeared to have made it 0-1, but his goal would be disallowed by VAR for offside against Chermiti at the start of the move.

Gonçalves forced another save from Andrew, then had a goal of his own ruled out for offside. Morita, in the middle, would shoot wide and Coates was very close to making the decisive glance on a Nuno Santos cross, as Sporting CP continued to dominate.

Amorim decided to introduce Trincão and Arthur Gomes for Ugarte and Esgaio, as the game closed in on its conclusion. Gil Vicente FC played more and more compactly, making offensive fluidity difficult for Sporting CP. 

In the last opportunity, Edwards had a shot inside the area blocked, and the score remained deadlocked at the end. Despite keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet in Liga Portugal, they could not claim the three points. 

Sporting CP now have a total of 54 points and have another away trip this weekend, playing against Casa Pia AC on Sunday at 6pm local time.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ricardo Esgaio (Arthur Gomes 76'), Jeremiah St. Juste, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio (Nuno Santos 46'), Matheus Reis, Manuel Ugarte (Francisco Trincão 76'), Hidemasa Morita (Mateo Tanlongo 85'), Marcus Edwards, Pedro Gonçalves and Youssef Chermiti.

The coach prepares his side for a meeting with Portimonense SC

Rúben Amorim talked on Friday morning, before the Saturday 6pm kickoff against Portimonense SC in Liga Portugal.

“This run of three victories is nothing special for a big club, but for us it becomes more important due to the moment we are in. Now we want to start another sequence," said the coach.

"The preparation for this game was carried out with the utmost care, with a lot of observation and tactical work for Portimonense SC, who we know can play in many ways and have a lot of variety in terms of their players. We prepared the game very well and worked on dead balls very well, to be competent in that facet of the game. It was normal preparation for an important game in our season and we want to maintain this winning streak."

"We are under pressure to win from the beginning, because we always have to win -even when we are top of the table. Now we are below that and it gives us extra pressure to win and perhaps even anxiety to win quickly."

On the previous matchday, Sporting CP lessened the gap to the two places above them, and Amorim acknowledged that they need other teams to slip up.

“It's important because, even if we do our job, if others don't lose points, we don't get to those places. This is yet another moment in which we have to win, as we had in other games with Boavista FC and FC Arouca, in which we had to win and in which we didn't. You have to be aware of that, face it and tomorrow we have to win."

Questioned about whether he will pick his squad thinking about the Europa League in midweek, he commented that "We don't reserve players, we rotate because we have quality players, the characteristics of the game are different and we have to keep that in mind in order to win the games."

In the week in which Sporting CP presented their financial results for 2022, the coach was also asked about them, and spoke openly about the subject: “We have not achieved a season at the level of what we intended in the sporting aspect. Sportinguistas have to look at the glass as being half-full: The club is more stable, have better financial conditions and are more prepared to face the challenges of the future, talents are emerging and the coach has to do his job. We have to look forward."

"We lost four starters this year. Sarabia wasn't sold, but we lost others because the offers were great and they wanted to leave. That's life. Obviously we are already preparing for the next season because that is what we have to do, we don't have the resources of other teams and we have to anticipate things. We have to look to the future, plan and improve. We are preparing for next year knowing that we have to have a plan A and a plan B according to whether we get into the Champions League."
The coach was watching Sporting CP's UEFA Youth League win against AFC Ajax alongside Portuguese national team coach Roberto Martínez, with whom he spoke.

“We exchanged some ideas about the Sporting CP players and I think the coach will do the same with other coaches. I gave my opinion and, of course, I always push for my players to be included. There are people we talk to for two minutes and we like them -and I liked him. I wish him the best of luck. He will make mistakes, he will do good things and we are all supporting him to have a strong team.”

The Sporting CP coach looks ahead to the Monday night fixture

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to Vila do Conde, home of Rio Ave FC, for a Monday night fixture on Matchday 19 of the Liga Portugal season.

Ahead of the game, coach Rúben Amorim warned of the quality that the opposition have been showing, recalling that in the last meeting between the two teams Os Leões did not have an easy task despite a 0-2 win.

“We are up against a team who play very well, who like to have the ball and who made life very difficult for us in the first 30 minutes of the Taça da Liga game. We used that game to prepare for this latest challenge, knowing that we have to put together a run of consecutive victories. It is important to keep going off the back of the victory over SC Braga," he began by saying in the press conference, before analysing 11th-placed Rio Ave FC.

“Sometimes they lose the ball because they always want to play out from the goalkeeper. They can play with Boateng and Aziz, who are very strong players. It is difficult to catch the two midfielders when they are very open, and we had difficulties there because it is difficult to cover all the spaces. It's going to be a tough game against a team that play good football."

“We have to be very intense and tire Rio Ave FC out, otherwise they will tire us out -despite the fact that we are in very good shape physically. One-on-one situations will be important, because we use two similar formations, and then we have to have an advantage because we are Sporting CP and we have the responsibility to win the game. It will be a very difficult match, against an excellent team and a coach who has won at all levels."

Amorim was asked about a possible starting role for winter reinforcements Ousmane Diomande and Héctor Bellerín.

“Bellerín is very intelligent, we know him and he has adapted well. He is used to tactical work and understands the game very well. As for Diomande, I am more and more confident that we made an excellent deal by bringing him in. He adapted very well from the first training session and is very strong with and without the ball, so I wouldn't choose anyone else. So much has been said about the price we paid, but I am very confident that we have a great player there. I will only give the starting XI tomorrow, but those two will be in the squad."

As for Youssef Chermiti, the 18-year-old striker who was in the starting lineup and performed well against SC Braga, the coach declined to reveal whether he will be back in from the beginning.

“Chermiti or another player could play. We are leaving it open," he replied coyly.

Even though Nuno Santos is at risk of missing O Clássico with FC Porto if he receives a yellow card, Amorim said that he will keep nothing in reserve.

"We will give everything, obviously. It's important not to say who the striker will be, but Nuno Santos will play. This is the most important game, and Nuno Santos will start. Taking into account what we want for this game, he will play and there will be no holding back."

The coach's thoughts on the 1-0 loss to FC Arouca

Rúben Amorim reacted after Sporting CP's defeat in Arouca, saying that Sporting CP were deserving of all three in Liga Portugal due to their dominance in the game.

“A lack of effectiveness explains the result today and in other games. We couldn't score and in the few opportunities we had against us, we suffered. We were always on top of the game and we couldn't score, then off a set piece we conceded. Now it's time to think about the next game," the coach began by saying, adding: “What matters is winning and winning consecutive games, but we haven't been able to do that. We lack consistency, especially in away games, which is not normal for our team. We have to improve."
Asked about the six changes he made to the starting eleven, Amorim praised the players' response.

“We had more than enough opportunities to win the game. Those who played did well. I trust everyone, we just didn't score. They had commitment and quality."

“This defeat has the same weight as ever. At Sporting CP we have to win, otherwise we go back to the problems that all big clubs have when they don't win. We've turned things around once, twice, and now we're falling into the same situation. It is becoming a difficult time, but we can always turn it around," he stated.

"I am very frustrated, I was not used to it either and we cannot have this inconsistency. I'm demanding. I'm sad because we couldn't win and it's my responsibility. I feel frustration, a very big frustration. I know the fans are not happy, but at the end of the season is when we will do the maths and make our assessment," he concluded.

Sporting CP leave empty handed despite dominant display

Sporting Clube de Portugal fell to a 1-0 defeat against FC Arouca on Matchday 11 of the Liga Portugal season, conceding at the start of the second half.

For this match, coach Rúben Amorim made six changes to his starting eleven from the fame against Tottenham, fielding Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, Dário Essugo, Pedro Gonçalves, Flávio Nazinho, Rochinha, Arthur and Francisco Trincao.

Sporting CP started the game well and dominated throughout the first half, and wasted no time in creating goalscoring opportunities. The first saw Francisco Trincao denied by the goalkeeper, with Arthur's follow-up also kept out.

Next up was Pedro Gonçalves, whose effort was blocked by the FC Arouca defence, after he had broken into the area. Under five minutes later, a free kick for Sporting CP was played by Flávio Nazinho to Gonçalves, who sent it into the box, Gonçalo Inácio heading wide.

Rochinha put in plenty of work on the right channel, and one of his runs to the near post was only prevented from finding the net by Arruabarrena. He then crossed to the far stick, where Trincao failed to hit the target.

In the 40th minute, Antonio Adán was also put to the test, off a quick counterattack by FC Arouca. The goalkeeper Leonino was able to smother Antony's effort.

With five minutes to play until the end of the first half, Sporting CP had two more chances: First for Dário Essugo shooting wide, then for Ricardo Esgaio, whose strike was saved by the goalkeeper.

After the interval, FC Arouca opened the scoring from a corner, as Basso beat the defence and headed in to make it 1-0.

In the 54th minute, Amorim made a triple change, as Jeremiah St. Juste, Pedro Porro and Manuel Ugarte replaced Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio and Dário Essugo. Not five minutes later, Nuno Santos and Marcus Edwards also entered, with Flávio Nazinho and Rochinha making way.

Sporting CP continued to dominate, camped out by the FC Arouca area, but were not able to carve out chances. Porro had the best opportunity, in the 66th minute, but his low shot went just outside the post.

Ugarte then tried to make it 1-1 with two shots that went off target, before Nuno Santos broke into the box and set up Gonçalves -a home defender appearing to cut out the chance.

Sporting CP continued to look for a goal and sent a lot of balls into the area, but Arruabarrena was able to stave off the attacks and provided a huge save from Sebastián Coates on 90 minutes.

In stoppage time, Gonçalves and Arthur both shot off target, as Sporting CP experienced a 1-0 defeat on the road.

Os Leões will be in action again on Tuesday, at the Estádio José Alvalade, against Eintracht Frankfurt in the sixth and final matchday of the Champions League group stage.

The coach looks at Saturday's game in Liga Portugal

Just three days after their win in Frankfurt (0-3) in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal return to Liga Portugal action on Saturday, facing Portimonense SC at Estádio Jose Alvalade.

On the eve of the match, coach Rúben Amorim held a press conference to preview the game, insisting on the need to refocus for the match. 

"The preparation time we've had hasn't been long. We arrived yesterday from Frankfurt and we are already preparing for Portimonense SC, who have five points more than Sporting CP so far this season. Our objective is to move to two points behind them, and we also have to change the type of game that we will play. It's a reset," he began by telling journalists. 

“Portimonense SC will play in a completely different way from what we found in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt," Amorim continued. “We know that Portimonense SC will defend well and try to make our team a little anxious. That was the preparation we did, so we have to use speed and a lot of energy."

 "We know that Portimonense SC have had all week to prepare, they are very motivated and we have to rotate the team because we really have to win the game. It will be different from what we saw in Germany: With even more responsibility on our shoulders, we all have to be prepared for whatever will happen."

Asked about the short period of time between games, Amorim did not hide the fact that "the players are still very tired," but also stressed that "the best way to recover is to beat Portimonense SC. This is what we're going to focus on. Now we have to get our third consecutive victory and move closer to the top of the table."

As for some of the possible changes in Saturday's starting lineup, the coach mentioned that “Paulinho is another option that gives us a different alternative in the centre of the attack,” while new signing Sotiris Alexandropoulos “still needs to get used to the position."

"The entire squad has to be prepared, and the best players for the game will play to go for the win."

To conclude, Amorim pointed out that despite the fact that Sporting CP have not conceded goals in the last two matches, "there are still things to improve."

 "We learn from our mistakes. It will be a difficult game, and we will have to be careful with errors and defending set pieces. We will feel the anxiety of the fans, but we have to maintain our identity."