The captain strikes twice in the final moments of a 1-2 win

Sporting Clube de Portugal picked up their latest Liga NOS win this Tuesday away to Gil Vicente FC, but they left it late to take the 3 points. Down 1-0 going into the final 10 minutes, Os Leões required two last gasp goals from captain Sebastián Coates to make a dramatic turnaround.

The starting lineup for the game was almost unchanged from the fixture against CS Maritimo, with the only switch being that of Luís Neto coming in for Gonçalo Inácio.

Sporting CP were the first side to create danger on a rainy night at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos. A direct free kick by Pedro Porro, plus attempts to finish by Paulinho and Coates, were all unsuccessful.

Shortly after, Paulinho shot wide, followed up by Matheus Nunes putting Gil Vicente goalkeeper Denis to the test with a hard strike from a Vitorino Antunes free kick. Antunes would be involved at the other end, keeping out a close chance for the home team.

Whilst Nuno Santos gave the opposition something to think about, Sporting CP shot stopper Antonio Adán was required to make a tremendous save from Kanya. The subsequent rebound would be sliced wide by Baraye.

Opportunities continued with a near-own goal for Henrique Gomes, as well as a Coates header straight at the keeper, and Pedro Porro struck wide of the post on 34 minutes. All signs pointed to Sporting CP being the team to get the opener, but the script played out somewhat differently.

Gil Vicente FC were effective going forward, and Japanese player Kanya finished off a cross from Claude Gonçalves on 36 minutes. The first half ended 1-0, and soaking wet after the rain in Barcelos intensified.

Rúben Amorim made two changes for the second half, introducing Gonçalo Inácio to replace Luís Neto and Tiago Tomás for Antunes. Nuno Santos moved back to the left side of the defence and Pedro Gonçalves went into attack, with Tiago Tomás on the right side. Amorim made another modification, withdrawing Matheus Nunes for Daniel Bragança.

The young midfielder had an impact soon after, recovering the ball and playing to Porro, who in turn crossed for Pedro Gonçalves to shoot wide. Gonçalves threatened again in the 57th minute, this time firing over, and Tomás also had an effort go off target.

Gil Vicente FC put everybody behind the ball, but still the Sporting CP opportunities continued: Paulinho's header in the 62nd minute and one for Coates in the 68th minute kept up the pressure.

Amorim decided to make a last roll of the dice with his substitutions, and Zouhair Feddal and João Palhinha were withdrawn for Matheus Reis (making his debut) and João Mário with around a quarter of an hour to go.

Tomás and Paulinho were all close to equalisers, but Sporting CP would have to wait until the 83rd minute to level:  After a poor clearance from the defence, Sebastián Coates shot from straight on, finding the net with a low drive to make it 1-1.

Momentum was now in their favour, and in the first of 5 minutes of injury time, Coates completed the heroic comeback. This time, it was a far-post header that glanced into the net, as the bench emptied and the players celebrated ecstatically.

A well-deserved 1-2 win keeps Sporting CP top of Liga NOS, and they now have an 8-point advantage over nearest rivals FC Porto. Next up is a meeting with FC Paços de Ferreira at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro, Luís Neto (Gonçalo Inácio, 46 '), Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 74'), Vitorino Antunes (Tiago Tomás, 46 '), João Palhinha (João Mário, 74 '), Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 54'), Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Paulinho.

The coach gave the lowdown on the Tuesday game against Gil Vicente FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, home of Gil Vicente FC, this Tuesday, for Matchday 18 of the Liga NOS season.

Ahead of the contest, Rúben Amorim reminded journalists of the difficult game his side had in the first half of the season against this week's opponents.

“Our team are in good form, which comes from good results and performances. We have almost all of our squad available, with the exception of Nuno Mendes. We are prepared for a difficult game, as the last one against Gil Vicente FC at home was; we only scored our goals in the last ten minutes. The result of that game does not reflect what happened on the pitch," he warned.

"They are a very good team, who have been strengthened and can play with two different formations. This made our scouting difficult, even because we didn’t have much time to train for them."

“We also know their strength from dead balls, and we have tried to study everything in detail. The team are playing well and we will try to make it the type of game that favours us,  because we have an excellent team and excellent players," said the coach, who added that a win would not be decisive for the title chase.

"I am sure that it is not, because there is still a long way to go this season. There are many points up for grabs and we have a whole second half of the campaign to play. It has been shown that anyone can drop points anywhere, so what we have to do is win our next match -in order to be more comfortable when thinking about the next one. Our way of thinking will not change and the title race is always open, whatever happens in Barcelos,” he warned.

It was a further statement that both the squad and the fans have their feet firmly on the ground.

"There is a notion that you can lose everything in two or three games, as has happened in the past. This fear is good because it keeps us focused on the task at hand," he explained.

"We are not naive enough to think that everything is done and dusted. We have to give our all, and I think the Sportinguistas are proud of the team -but also very cautious. Everything can change from one moment to the next, but our attitude will not. The only obligation for the players is to give their all, run a lot and try to win, which is what they will continue to do," he concluded.

Rúben Amorim reacts after the victory in the derby

Rúben Amorim felt that his side were good for their derby win against SL Benfica in Liga NOS, in which they struck late in stoppage time to claim the three points.

“The game was evenly matched, but we were always the team that was closest to scoring and we were rewarded at the end - because we pushed until the end. We were the team that looked for the victory most, and we were worthy winners", he said in his post-match press conference.

He also spoke about the ambition of the Sporting CP players, saying that it is not necessary for them to believe they are title favourites.

“We cannot have any ambition beyond winning the next game. We aren't in the second half of the season yet, and we have a very young team, but if there is one thing these players have, it is ambition -and that can be seen on the pitch".

The coach then explained his decision to include Matheus Nunes -the eventual hero in the game- in his starting lineup. He had been true to his word from the previous day: even if João Palhinha was available, he would not bring him in because during the week he had worked with another player in mind.

“Because of his performances in training and games, Matheus deserved to play", stated Amorim.

"Obviously Palhinha would play if he were fit. That does not mean that Matheus would have stayed on the bench. I didn't say anything to Palhinha because he understood the situation. As he [Palhinha] is an important player, due to what he gives to the group spirit, the quality he has and how he organises the midfield, it was important for him to be in the game in some capacity, but it was not essential at the beginning, because we had prepared the game differently”.

“I believe that tactics and technique are important, but group spirit is very important too. The players are very attentive and there are details that they see. I would never say that I wouldn't change things and then change them: I would prefer to lose a game than to lose the trust of my players. I don't lie to my wife and I don't lie to my players. That's my rule. I believe that group spirit sometimes turns things around. I try to be straight with them".

Matheus Nunes's injury time header earns victory over SL Benfica

In a game seemingly destined to end in a stalemate, Sporting Clube de Portugal struck late against SL Benfica to win the derby 1-0, and remain outright leaders in Liga NOS.

Rúben Amorim made two changes to his starting eleven, fielding a lineup of Antonio Adán, Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Zouhair Feddal, Sebastián Coates, Nuno Mendes, Matheus Nunes, João Mário, Pedro Gonçalves, Tiago Tomás and Nuno Santos.

SL Benfica also employed a strategy of three at the back at the Estádio José Alvalade, and after 11 minutes would have to bring on Gabriel for the injured Jardel.

The first half saw few chances for either side, but Sporting CP grew in attack after 15 minutes of play, and showed a little more attacking ambition against a more defensive SL Benfica.

Benfica did enjoy an opportunity for Pizzi that went wide, but Sporting CP also came close in the opening stanza: Pedro Porro had his shot on target deflected over by Grimaldo, whilst five minutes later Neto was left alone at the back post of a corner but missed his header.

The first half in the derby ended goalless.

In the second half, SL Benfica came out with a more threatening strategy. Adán had to parry a shot from Darwin for a corner, but Sporting CP responded well and, following a set piece sequence, a scramble in the box saw Odysseas grab the ball.

Looking for more, in the 60th minute, Rúben Amorim shuffled the pack and took João Mário and Nuno Santos off to make way for João Palhinha and Jovane Cabral. SL Benfica also adjusted their team shortly afterwards, replacing Cervi with Taarabt.

15 minutes later, Amorim turned to Bruno Tabata, who came on for Tiago Tomás.

Sporting CP came close when a Pedro Gonçalves ball hit Gilberto and required a save from Odysseas, and inside the final 10 minutes João Palhinha sent a shot wide.

In the 92nd minute, with time running out, the goal finally arrived: Jovane Cabral broke down the left and crossed to the other side of the area, with Porro sending it into the six-yard-box. Odysseas deflected away with a punch, but the ball fell at the mercy of Matheus Nunes, who nodded the ball into the net with nerves of steel, claiming all three points for Sporting CP.

Sporting CP hold a four-point lead at the top of the Liga NOS table over nearest rivals FC Porto, who won earlier in the day against Rio Ave. They are 9 clear of SL Benfica after the first derby of the year.

The Sporting CP coach previews the derby against SL Benfica (Monday, 9:30pm local time)

Monday is derby day at the Estádio José Alvalade. In a press conference ahead of Sporting CP's match against SL Benfica, coach Rúben Amorim noted the special nature of the fixture, but also emphasised that it is just as important as every other game.

"It is important for the growth of the team, because winning always helps us. We have not played SL Benfica this season. It's a game with a different weight to it, however there are still just three points in play. The team have been responding well in these types of games, which is positive in terms of having a good season. We have our strategy for the game and the team will be prepared", guaranteed the coach in discussion with the media.

Sporting CP lead Liga NOS with 39 points, 4 more than FC Porto in second place. When asked to talk about the possibility of increasing the advantage over SL Benfica from 6 to 9 points, Amorim warned that "nothing will be decided tomorrow" in the title picture.

"There are many games, we are not yet in the second half of the season and a victory for us does not take SL Benfica out of the race - nor give the title to Sporting CP. What it can give us is more confidence. It's nothing more than that: Three points. With that being said, it is of course a special game."

Regarding the extra pressure that a derby brings, Amorim stressed that he expects Sporting CP players to feel the "responsibility of victory". "I hope that my players are under pressure. We want to win and we have to win. Obviously we are in a better spot in the table, but I hope that our players are under pressure -because we have the responsibility of taking victory. We want to keep going with this advantage", he stated.

João Palhinha is a confirmed absence for this Monday's derby and, although the coach admits he is a significant loss, he also said that there will be a solution within the squad.

"We are not concerned, but of course he is an important player. He has some very specific characteristics that we don't find in the squad, but we will go about things another way. Whoever plays in that position will have other characteristics, which will give the game another style, perhaps. It's a shame that João Palhinha is out, but we have players to face his absence."

Rúben Amorim also took the opportunity to analyse SL Benfica's tactical setup. "There are things that remain the same in Jorge Jesus' style of play, and we have scouts who have worked with him, as well as Sebastián Coates, with whom I shared ideas about various aspects of the game. However, the characteristics of the players is what changes completely how a team play. We are prepared for everything and now it will also depend on the inspiration of both our players and the opponents", concluded the Sporting CP coach.

The Sporting CP coach laments dropped points against Rio Ave FC

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim was naturally dissatisfied with the 1-1 draw between his side and Rio Ave FC in Liga NOS, believing that victory was close for the league leaders.

He said that a ten-minute spell in the second half was decisive to the result, acknowledging that "We were different from how we usually are -and how we should be- which is strict, with a lot of concentration. In those ten minutes we allowed them to score."

"It's part of being young and lacking experience from some players. It's part of their growth. After those ten minutes, we were back to the team we are -sometimes with bad decisions, but on top of our opposition.”

"We will grow from this," continued Amorim. “We know that the league season goes through better and worse phases. We talked this week about our elimination from the cup by CS Marítimo, but two days before that we had played a great game against CD Nacional. We owe ourselves two points from today. We know that this will happen sometimes, and I will be here to help them when it does."

"We have had these bad results, but Sporting CP are in first place in the table. We should have won the game and we didn't, but we have the right to have bad moments. We had ten minutes in which we weren't in the game, and we paid dearly for it," he said

Sporting CP remain top with a 4-point advantage

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a draw in a Friday night home encounter with Rio Ave FC, on Matchday 14th of the Liga NOS season.

Rúben Amorim was permitted back in the dugout having served a suspension, and he would make several changes to his starting eleven, fielding Antonio Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Sebastián Coates, Cristián Borja, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário, Gonzalo Plata, Pedro Gonçalves, Tiago Tomás and Nuno Santos.

Rio Ave's Pedro Cunha selected several known faces to Sporting CP: Francisco Geraldes, Carlos Mané, Gelson Dala and Fábio Coentrão were all coming back to play against their former club.

After a defensive start from the home side, Sporting CP took over and scored the opening goal of the game. João Palhinha fired a first warning shot, saved by Kieszek, and Pedro Gonçalves slotted the ball home after receiving a pass from Gonzalo Plata.

Os Leões came close to making it 2-0 before the break, but Kieszek was able to deflect a low shot from Tiago Tomás out for a corner.

Holding a slim advantage at half time, Sporting CP had to defend hard when the game got back underway. Rio Ave FC came back out more offensive, bringing on Gabrielzinho.
The risk paid off, and Rio Ave FC levelled through a goal by Gelson Dala. The one-time Sporting CP player did not celebrate due to his history at the club that brought him to European football.

With the score at 1-1, the onus was on the league leaders to chase the game. Rúben Amorim brought on Bruno Tabata and Jovane Cabral, but a host of chances for Pedro Gonçalves, João Mário, Tiago Tomás, Pedro Porro and Sebastián Coates in the last fifteen minutes proved unsuccessful. 

The game ended in a draw, but another 1-1 stalemate between title rivals FC Porto and SL Benfica later in the night means Sporting CP still remain leaders of the Liga Nos table, with a 4-point advantage.

Liga NOS contest cancelled just before kickoff in Madeira

Sporting CP's scheduled Thursday night Liga NOS game against CD Nacional has been postponed until a later date, as a result of rain and high winds at the Estádio da Madeira. 

The decision was taken to suspend the match by referee Manuel Mota, just after the two teams had completed their pre-match warmup exercises. The official tested the effect of the wind on the ball, and opted to delay the start. Around half an hour later, he made the call to definitively postpone the contest after a second check.

The match will be played this Friday at 6pm.