The coach runs the rule over the game against Vitória SC

Sporting Clube de Portugal are back at home this Saturday to play sixth-placed Vitória SC in Liga NOS action. In his press conference ahead of the match, head coach Rúben Amorim spoke about the opposition, absentees in his side and international callups as a reward for excellent performances.

"Vitória SC are a very good team. They are not in good form, but there are no better games than these, against the big sides, to change that. Our focus has been on the quality that Vitória SC have in their squad," he told journalists.

"They have absences in defence [center backs Abdul Mumin and Easah Suliman], but up front they have players amongst the best in Portugal, who can decide a game. Our objective this week has mainly been to continue to improve our team."

Sporting CP will have absences of their own, with the recent positive COVID-19 tests for Matheus Nunes and Vitorino Antunes meaning they join Sebastián Coates (suspended for five yellow cards) and João Pereira (shown a red card when on the bench against Tondela) on the sidelines.

"It is always bad to have cases of COVID-19; from the beginning we have done everything to avoid them, but there are things that we can't control. When a positive test comes up, we have to be even more rigorous, if possible, and keep testing and protecting the players. On Saturday we will use the players who are available, and we have many of them," added Amorim, who may call on some young talents.

"We have a lot of young players as well, and these situations give us the opportunity to bring them in to train and work with us."

One player who is back available is forward Paulinho, guaranteed the Sporting CP coach: "He is another option, and therefore that is good news for our team. We can play in different ways and Paulinho can offer us other things in terms of the creation of opportunities, more aerial play and more in the area, so he is someone else that can help, making the team stronger."

Sporting CP continue to lead Liga NOS with 61 points, ten more than their nearest rivals, and remain undefeated in the competition. However, Amorim still sees room for improvement.

"The other teams are also well prepared and we have to evolve as a team. We have more time together now, and the squad have already acquired everything we gave them in the first phase, so now we are trying to introduce other nuances. The important thing is to win and to improve the way we play -and our fluidity," he pointed out.

Finally, the coach expressed his satisfaction with the debut of Nuno Mendes and João Palhinha in a Portuguese national team squad list, and also for the first callup for Pedro Porro for Spain.

"It is due to their merits and that of their teammates. They have worked and evolved a lot. Nuno Mendes played some games for the under-23s when in the under-19s side, and now after a year he is a full international. I think [João] Palhinha's callup is because he has different characteristics to all the players in that position for Portugal.

"As for Porro, we gave him confidence and our system helps him, as he is better defensively and has more intensity. Now he is going into a completely different world with the Spain team. He has to take advantage of the moment, but tomorrow there is still a game to be played."

Sporting CP coach reflects on 0-1 victory over CD Tondela

Following a 0--1 win away to CD Tondela, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim revealed his delight at the team's determination to take the three points in the Liga NOS encounter.

"I'm very satisfied with their performance. The danger that CD Tondela gave us was because we lost the ball without much pressure on us. We were looking for a goal from the get-go, whilst CD Tondela put a lot of people behind the ball. We had some good crosses but we couldn't score from them," he said in his post-match press conference.
"We will improve in every aspect. We almost afforded CD Tondela no chances at all. The game had only one team in it."

"What I didn't like about the game against CD Santa Clara was that we let the game run away from us. Not today. We didn't let CD Tondela have the ball, and whenever we lost it we were able to react. We have a lot to improve, but I am much more satisfied today than against CD Santa Clara," he assured.

"Tiago Tomás did a great job. He missed one or two chances and then scored his goal. He deserved it, the team deserved it and I think that the remaining games will all be like this," he told journalists at the Estádio João Cardoso.

"In the second half, we tried not to fall into the trap of getting anxious about searching for the ball. We have a lot to improve, but we do a lot of things well already. CD Tondela were on a run of five straight wins here. here. It's always difficult, but we ended up winning," he continued.

The coach also revealed that he "expected a game like this" and highlighted the difficulty of winning in Tondela.

"We saw a better CD Tondela compared to what we saw at the Estádio José Alvalade. A goal sometimes unlocks the door, and we are very effective. We weren't able to take advantage of some chances, and there are always things to improve, but we must remember that it is always a difficult place to win at, and Sporting CP won tonight."

Amorim also commented on two players brought up by the media, saying of Gonçalo Inácio that "We will take advantage of his characteristics. He is very fast," and of  Luís Neto that "he is very important to our team. He has had a great season, but he had a problem with COVID-19 and [Gonçalo] Inácio took over his spot."

Finally, the coach made a pledge to supporters.

"We promise a lot of hard work, and we will face the games with the same intensity, knowing that it will get increasingly difficult. We promise a few moments not for the faint-hearted, and some headaches, but we hope that there will be happiness in the end.

Goal in 82nd minute hands Sporting CP 0-1 win

A late goal from Tiago Tomás earned Sporting Clube de Portugal the three points against CD Tondela, in a hard-fought away trip on Matchday 23 of the Liga NOS season.
Sporting CP welcomed Pedro Porro back from injury to feature in the starting lineup, with he and Nuno Santos replacing Matheus Nunes and Bruno Tabata.

The first shot came precisely from Porro after just five minutes, as he struck an effort into a defender. Sporting CP enjoyed more of the possession than their opponents, who mostly held back with the strategy of hitting on the counter.

After a first quarter of an hour without much activity from either goalkeeper, Sebastián Coates headed a corner towards goal that was kept out by Trigueira. Shortly afterwards, it was Zouhair Feddal who glanced a Porro cross off target. Between the sticks for Sporting CP, Antonio Adán made his first stop on 25 minutes.

The team came close once again before the half hour, as Tiago Tomás and Nuno Santos had shots closed down and go wide, respectively.

The best chance of the first half was produced by another cross from Porro, which Tiago Tomás was inches away from nodding in. Thus, the team went into the break with 6 shots to CD Tondela's 1, and 68% possession, but no reward.

CD Tondela were stronger when the action resumed, and Adán had to save a Murillo shot early on. There was a let-off when Mario González,  completely alone just metres out, failed to connect.
In the 55th minute, referee Nuno Almeida showed a straight red card to João Pereira, who was on the bench, meaning he will miss the team's next fixture.

Rúben Amorim made changes with half an hour to go, bringing on Daniel Bragança in place of Nuno Santos and switching João Mário switched to the right.

Coates was denied an almost certain goal when his header was kept out by Trigueira, as the crosses continued to be floated into the box. Tiago Tomás and Gonçalo Inácio would nod efforts wide, before Amorim shuffled the pack again: Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro and João Mário left were replaced by Matheus Reis, Bruno Tabata and Jovane Cabral, and the latter two combined for another dangerous header off target.

The persistence finally paid off in the 82nd minute, finally converting one of the constant crosses delivered in: Nuno Mendes sent the ball in from the left, Pedro Gonçalves tried to finish, and it instead fell to Tiago Tomás. The youngster finished clinically, for another massively important goal.

One save from Adán from a Tiago shot later, and the final whistle was blown. Sporting CP kept another clean sheet, and continue standing firm at the top of the table ahead of their meeting with Vitória SC at the Estádio José Alvalade Stadium next weekend.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Bruno Tabata, 72'), Pedro Porro (Jovane Cabral, 72'), João Mário (Matheus Reis, 72'), João Palhinha, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves (Matheus Nunes, 85'), Nuno Santos (Daniel Bragança, 60') and Tiago Tomás. Unused substitutes: Luís Maximiano [GK], Luís Neto, João Pereira and Vitorino Antunes.

The Sporting CP coach is wary of the Matchday 23 opponents

On the eve of Saturday's Liga NOS match against CD Tondela, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim underlined the home performances of the opposition, describing them as "a different side when they play at home."

“They have five victories in a row and feel very comfortable at their home ground. They are the sixth best team in the league in this respect. They have different performance -not in the way they play, but in intensity- and even the quality of their play is different," warned Amorim.

"We have to focus on what we have been doing, because we have a lot to improve. CD Tondela could use the same formation as us, and their coach has already said that he could employ a lower block.”

The Sporting CP coach added that “knowing that we have had some difficulties in the final third, that is exactly what we have worked on during the week. We are prepared, we know the quality of the three up top for CD Tondela -even after João Pedro's arrival- and we have to be very careful with their transitions. Nevertheless, the focus is on maintaining defensive quality and improving in attack. I think we are going to have a better game in that aspect."

He revealed that Paulinho "will be back soon, but for this game he is not yet fit," and reacted to the news of a possible return of fans to stadiums in the second half of April or first week of May.

“This team have showed a way of playing with which the fans identify. I would like to have the fans back with us already. We will still need them a lot, because there is still a long way to go this season, many points will still be lost and they will be a decisive factor. Contrary to what people think, Sporting CP fans will still help this team a lot,” he concluded.

Preparations continue for the next league game

Liga NOS action continues this week for Sporting Clube de Portugal, who kick off the matchday with their Friday night fixture at the Estádio José Alvalade (8:45pm local time).

The team have been training this week following their 0-0 draw with FC Porto, and coach Rúben Amorim has had almost the entire squad available to him -with the exception of striker Paulinho, who is still undergoing treatment.

The Sporting CP coach will give a pre-match press conference on Thursday evening to preview the game.

The reaction from the Sporting CP coach to the 0-0 draw with FC Porto was a positive one

After the 0-0 draw away to FC Porto, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim reacted to the result in his post-match press conference.

"All games are a test, and defensively we performed well. We get a lower mark for our ability to get into the last third. We have to take the ball there. Tiago Tomás played much better, but he's a young player and still has to grow. We came forward well a few times, but we have to improve our ability to have the ball in the final third," he said.

"We were facing a great team: Juventus conceded two goals here. We kept another clean sheet."

Amorim also commented on his decision to bring on Matheus Nunes in the second half.

"We knew Matheus' ability to carry the ball upfield, and how many metres he covers. We only lacked the finish from him. He was another player to bring the ball between the lines and get into space when he has to. Whenever Sporting CP players come on, they do well."

Amorim expressed his belief that games like 'O Clássico' are "very important for the growth of our players, like [Gonçalo] Inácio and Nuno Mendes. They are very young and these games have great intensity. Nuno Mendes was playing against kids, and now he's playing against Corona, Marega, Manafá... We had a very mature and consistent game. We go home without having conceded any goals, and we could have scored on the opportunity for Matheus [Nunes]. We have a lot to improve and I'm very proud."

The Sporting CP coach also refused to comment on the performance of referee João Pinheiro, preferring to highlight the good work done by his squad.

"I was very focused on the game. It was a very difficult game and this is not the result of the referee. I am not going to give my opinion of the referees. It was a combative and difficult game. It wasn't very spectacular, but it was more of a competent game from a young Sporting CP team who are on the right track."

"In Barcelos against Gil Vicente we wanted to win the game and we almost only held back. Obviously we wanted to win the game tonight. If we didn't do it, it was because we couldn't and because we have to grow. Holding out for the result is not our way. Our idea is always the same: we want to win. This time we didn't succeed," said the Sporting CP coach, who added that "I'm not going to be a hypocrite: This draw keeps the difference over the reigning national champions, and it was a different game from the one against Rio Ave FC. We wanted to win."

The away game against FC Porto ends 0-0

A stalemate in 'O Clássico' on Matchday 21 of the Liga NOS season saw Sporting Clube de Portugal maintain their advantage in the table over closest rivals FC Porto, as the away game at the Estádio do Dragao ended 0-0.

Pinpointed as a massive game in the title race, the encounter saw several attempts to establish a lead, but the spoils shared in the weekend's attention-grabbing fixture.

Coach Rúben Amorim chose the same starting XI as he had against Portimonense SC the previous weekend, the last round, with five homegrown players in his lineup: Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes, João Palhinha, João Mário and Tiago Tomás.

Both teams used very high pressing and intensity, making it difficult for either side to create from the back in their usual way. This led to many duels in the midfield and attempts at a more direct style of play, with the first half relatively low on chances.

In the fourth minute, Sebastián Coates appeared in the nick of time to prevent a shot from Marega, and soon after it was Sporting CP's Pedro Gonçalves who managed to set Tiago Tomás free with an excellent pass -his teammate just unable to play across to serve Nuno Santos. Around ten minutes later, Gonçalves tried a shot on goal, but the ball ended up going just off target.

Goalkeeper Antonio Adán had to intervene for the first time in the 25th minute, when Manafá fired straight at the Spanish shot stopper. Although tentaive, FC Porto gradually provided a few problems for the defensive line, which managed to respond with quality.

FC Porto's Iranian striker Taremi had two efforts before halftime, with the first deflecting out off Gonçalo Inácio and then his header from the resulting corner grabbed by Adán.

The first half concluded 0-0, and after the break there were some more perilous chances to face for Sporting CP. Zaidu struck wide with a cross-shot, then Marega missed the target. In the 57th minute, Taremi failed to convert a setup from Corona.

Amorim reshuffled the pack after the hour, exchanging Nuno Santos for Matheus Nunes and moving  Pedro Gonçalves to the left side of the attack. Five minutes later, Tiago Tomás was withdrawn and Bruno Tabata came on.

On 73 minutes, Matheus Nunes carved out the best opportunity of the game for Sporting CP: After a great counterattack sprint from the right, leaving opposition players in his wake, he went one-on-one with goalkeeper Marchesín and struck just centimetres over the top of the crossbar.

The home team's response was not long in coming, and it was usual suspect Taremi who threatened twice -firing wide on both occasions. He also headed towards goal, but Adán was untroubled by the catch.

With the final score 0-0, Sporting CP remain standout leaders in Liga NOS, with 10 points more than FC Porto. Next time out, they play CD Santa Clara at the Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Pedro Porro, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Nuno Mendes (Matheus Reis, 86 '), João Palhinha, João Mário (Jovane Cabral, 86'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos (Matheus Nunes, 64 ') and Tiago Tomás (Bruno Tabata, 70'). Unused substitutes: Luís Maximiano [GR], Luís Neto, João Pereira, Vitorino Antunes and Daniel Bragança.

After a 2-0 win over Portimonense SC, the coach praises the handling of the game

After a Liga NOS Matchday 20 win against Portimonense SC, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim praised his team for their showing and admitted the importance of two goals scored in quick succession.

“It is always important. Those were decisive goals. For the second, we took advantage of a dead ball, pressed, won possession and finished. We can never expect the goal to happen sooner or later -that doesn't exist. We have to go looking for it and work hard, which is what we did, even though we had some chances in which we could have finished much better”, he said in his post-match press conference.

“In the first half we played well and always found a man free. When it was 2-0 we did much better than in other games in managing the game. In the second part the surface made things difficult, because we wanted to build from the back and many times we had to play through. I think this was an entirely fair result. Portimonense SC grew in the second half, but we managed the game well”, Amorim stated.

After explaining that Paulinho had dropped out of the squad due to discomfort felt in the final training session, and that it will be 'difficult' for him to feature against FC Porto next weekend, the coach singled out Zouhair Feddal for praise.

“He has adapted well. We knew him from his time at Real Betis and saw many games of his. The big surprise was his fitness, not his quality. He brings us a lot of commitment and quality, and he is very good on the ball. He marked many quality forwards in the Spanish league, and that makes players grow. He is a very important player for us”.

Finally, Amorim admitted that it is normal for Sporting CP fans to be confident, but stressed that the team's focus is always on the next game.

“Football is all about the moment, and I realise that some fans will never forgive us if we lose this advantage, but that is more a matter for the coach. The players are visibly growing, the squad is becoming more valuable and Sporting CP are now more of a club in all areas. Sporting CP always go out there to win. The only person who can deal with this problem is the coach and we are prepared for that. We are going game by game, without additional pressure. That's our idea”, he concluded.

Sporting CP see off Portimonense SC 2-0 at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal made it six league wins in a row on Matchday 20 of the Liga NOS season, beating Portimonense SC 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade. First half goals for Zouhair Feddal and Nuno Santos ensured the three points stayed with Sporting CP, who remain outright leaders.

With Paulinho out of the squad due to last-minute physical problems, Rúben Amorim kept Tiago Tomás in the eleven and bet on Nuno Santos returning to the starting lineup, in a game in which the pitch was in good condition, despite the heavy rain feel during the day and that fell with intensity throughout the first part.

With Paulinho out of the squad due to some last-minute discomfort, coach Rúben Amorim brought Santos back into the starting lineup.

The pitch was in good condition for the game, despite the heavy rainfall during the day and throughout the first half.

Sporting CP started the game strongly, building play patiently but also creating opportunities on goal. After 6 minutes, a run by Nuno Santos ended with a shot, saved by Samuel Portugal.

Just before the half hour, the opening goal finally arrived. Off a free kick sent in by Gonçalo Inácio, Coates headed on target. The rebound fell to Zouhair Feddal, who took advantage of a scramble in the area to prod the ball into the net. It was his first goal for Sporting CP since joining the club last summer.

Portimonense SC attempted a first half response, and had a goal disallowed for offside, but were stifled as Sporting CP controlled possession and eased into halftime.

As rain continued to fall going into the second half, Sporting CP adopted a more conservative approach to proceedings, and allowed Portimonense SC to have more of the ball. In an attempt to attack on the counter, coach Rúben Amorim brought Jovane Cabral on for Tiago Tomás.

The visitors had problems finishing their chances, and it was Os Leões who came closest to scoring again, from two efforts by Pedro Gonçalves: his first shot went wide, with his second forcing Samuel Portugal to make another good save.

In the final fifteen minutes, with Portimonense SC pushing forward in search of a goal, it was Jovane Cabral who almost made it 3-0 in another one-on-one, but in the end the score remained 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade.

With this result, Sporting CP have 54 points in Liga NOS, 13 more than nearest rivals - and next opponents - FC Porto.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha (Matheus Nunes, 87 '), João Mário, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 88'), Nuno Santos (Bruno Tabata, 71 ') and Tiago Tomás (Jovane Cabral, 62')

'Os Leões' triumph 2-0 against FC Paços Ferreira

Sporting Clube de Portugal bested FC Paços Ferreira 2-0 in Monday night Liga NOS fixture, taking their advantage in the standings over nearest rivals FC Porto to 10 points. Goals from João Mário and João Palhinha earned 'Os Leões' their latest win.

Rúben Amorim made some adjustments to his starting eleven, which consisted of Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Mário, João Palhinha, Nuno Mendes, Tiago Tomás, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

The first warning from Sporting CP came 10 minutes into the game, as Paulinho attempted to backheel in a cutback from Pedro Gonçalves.

Next to try his luck was Pedro Porro, whose shot was tipped over the top by the FC Paços Ferreira goalkeeper -although the referee awarded a goal kick.

The visitors tried to respond through set pieces, but were mostly on the defensive. In the 19th minute, Rebocho took down Pedro Gonçalves in the area, with a penalty kick immediately given.

Stepping up to the penalty spot, João Mário duly dispatched, making it 1-0 and putting the wheels in motion for victory number 16 of the league season.

Sporting CP continued to control the game, but received a scare when FC Paços Ferreira had a chance on 42 minutes. Luther Singh took a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but Adán denied him with his foot.

Sporting CP reacted immediately and, after insistence and some confusion in the area, at 45 + 1 minutes, Coates sent the ball over the goal of FC Paços Ferreira, missing the opportunity to increase the advantage.

The lead immediately extended after the return from the halftime break, and goal number two came from a corner: Pedro Porro delivered it in, Zouhair Feddal flicked the ball on with his head and João Palhinha, free at the back post, converted.

Amorim made the first substitution shortly thereafter, bringing on Nuno Santos and resting Paulinho.

In the 65th minute, with Adán off his line, Feddal kept out an initial effort from Tanque, who shot again into the side netting. Three minutes later, it was Luther Singh who tried to reduce the deficit, but without success.

Ten minutes later, João Mário, Pedro Gonçalves and Tiago Tomás were replaced by Matheus Nunes, Tabata and Jovane Cabral.

FC Paços Ferreira nearly got a consolation goal in the final ten minutes, but João Pedro would be thwarted by Adán for the clean sheet to be completed.

Now with a double-digit lead in the standings, Sporting CP will be back at the Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday, playing Portimonense SC in an 8:30pm kickoff.