The Sporting CP president addresses the incidents in the game against FC Porto

The president of Sporting Clube de Portugal, Frederico Varandas, spoke after the game between FC Porto and Sporting CP, expressing his displeasure with what happened on and off the field of play at the Estádio do Dragão.

“I will soon be 43 years old, and this game reflects what the last 40 years of Portuguese football have been like. It reflects how the last 40 years for FC Porto under Pinto da Costa have been. What surprises me the most is to see mayors and distinguished politicians in attendance, all of them turning a blind eye to yet another decadent and horrible spectacle in a country that wants to be part of the European Union and of the First World.

Here, at the end of the game, we saw members of the organisation of the event, wearing blue bibs -and there is footage of this- invading the pitch and attacking players.
This is the worst thing in sport in Portugal, but nobody has the courage to do something about it. It is treated like something normal.

(...) I have praised the refereeing, but João Pinheiro is not at all prepared for this. I don't know if it was because of the pandemic and him being used to refereeing without spectators in attendance, but I don't know if he is prepared to referee a game of this pressure with an audience. I would like to say that it's not enough to reach the interval and apologise to the players and to Hugo Viana, saying that Coates shouldn't have been shown a yellow. The player fouled was Coates and he was the one who was shown the yellow card -and then that becomes decisive in him being sent off.

Sporting CP played with one player less in the second half, when FC Porto were never going to turn the game around. Then we had a ridiculous yellow for Palhinha and the referee also apologises for it, saying that it was not a booking. This referee doesn't have the courage to referee in such an environment. Unfortunately the game ended up with a spectacle that was depressing.

I wish to make an appeal: I am an army officer and I hope that there are GNR officers who report everything they have seen today. The 40 years of Pinto da Costa were very well demonstrated here in this game, but this is not the same Sporting CP of the last 40 years.

In April we will be here in the semifinal of the Taça de Portugal, and if they have to bring in fans acting like cheerleaders as ballboys, then so be it."

A tense Clássico ends in a stalemate at the Estádio do Dragão

Playing for almost the entirety of the second half down to ten men, Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 2-2 with FC Porto in O Clássico at the Estádio do Dragão. Paulinho and Nuno Santos both struck for the team to establish a 0-2 lead, but the hosts responded with two goals to share the spoils.

Sporting CP made changes to their starting XI, Rúben Amorim fielding Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Nunes, Manuel Ugarte, Matheus Reis, Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Nuno Santos.

As expected, FC Porto started well and pressed high, but Sporting CP's response was immediate. Paulinho recovered the ball on the edge of the area, turned and shot at Diogo Costa, in a warning of what was to come.

Paulinho's opener came off a quick move by Os Leões, involving a cross from the right by Matheus Reis into the six-yard-box and the striker heading in on 8 minutes.

Opportunities for both sides followed, but without significant danger until the last ten minutes of the first half, when Sporting CP scored again: Another cross from Matheus Reis was not cut out by FC Porto defender Pepe, and Pablo Sarabia cut back to Nuno Santos. With only Diogo Costa in front of him, he picked his spot to make it 0-2.

The two-goal lead at the Dragão would not last long, however, as three minutes later FC Porto's Fábio Vieira received a pass from Vitinha and pulled one back with his strike.

An intense first half concluded with the score at 1-2.

The second half picked up from where the first left off, and Sporting CP found themselves reduced to ten men due to the sending off of captain Sebastián Coates. The centre back had previously been booked in the first half, after reacting to a poor challenge from Evanilson, and saw a second yellow for a tangle with the same player.

His side outnumbered, Amorim brought on João Palhinha at the expense of Sarabia, to shore up the midfield.

On the hour, FC Porto threatened to equalise, but Zaidu's shot hit the post. 

Some 65 minutes in, Amorim introduced Slimani and Luís Neto for Nuno Santos and Paulinho. Sporting CP looked to hold their lead, but also wanted to score a definitive goal.

Unfortunately, it was FC Porto that, in the 78th minute, found the net. Taremi headed in with a controversial goal, having left Zouhair Feddal laying on the pitch and having to receive medical assistance.

At 2-2 the game became even more intense, with both sides looking for the winning goal. FC Porto created more danger, but Sporting CP remained compact defensively. Late on, Adán made a massive save before the final whistle to ensure that the team took a point back to Lisbon.

The Clássico ended with a series of expulsions in a fracas after the final whistle. Bruno Tabata and João Palhinha were sent off and will miss the next Liga Portugal game against Estoril Praia, as will Sebastián Coates and Ricardo Esgaio, who saw his fifth yellow in the league this season.

The coach talks in the run-up to O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal plays FC Porto this Friday at the Estádio do Dragão, and coach Rúben Amorim is expecting a different game from the 1-1 draw in the first half of the Liga Portugal season. He spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference to preview O Clássico.

“It will be a somewhat different game. Both teams have improved in some aspects and the players have changed. FC Porto have lost some players, but they are in better form," he explained.

"We're also going to present a slightly different eleven. It will be a different game. The previous meeting was very early on in the season, and now we are six points behind them. That changes the characteristics of the game. We're also going to play away from home, so the circumstances are completely different. We have taken reference of how FC Porto play and what they have been doing. We have done normal preparation for an important game."

"I predict an excellent game and I know that our team are prepared," he told journalists, before confirming that neither Pedro Gonçalves nor Pedro Porro will be available for the game.

“We have solutions and we have already proved this. The other players are prepared to give a good response.”
Sporting CP are currently six points behind league leaders FC Porto, making victory imperative.

“It's an opportunity to take points away from FC Porto, and it's about much more than that as well. This is a direct clash that can make the difference between a gap of nine points or three points. We have to treat this game as a final, like how we faced the game with FC Famalicão. We cannot drop points. Sporting CP fans have sold out our section of the stadium and we will do our part," expressed Amorim.

“It is our obligation to win. A loss would take the gap to nine points, and a draw would keep it at six, but we can't forget that we still have another side behind us. We have to win, as we cannot reduce the advantage that we have over SL Benfica. If we want to fight for the title,  we have to win. Nothing is decided in this game, but I've been on the other side and I know it gets harder later on. The obligation for this club is always to win; we are not obliged not to lose, but rather to win."

The coach said he expected a Sporting CP showing at the Estádio do Dragão similar to what he saw at the Estádio da Luz against Benfica.

“It's our identity. We know that we will be up against an equally aggressive team. It will be a very competitive game. We will have to be very strong mentally, physically and tactically to respond to the requirements of the game, knowing that we have a responsibility to win because we are the ones who are at a disadvantage in the table."

"I can't say it's a beneficial pressure, but this pressure will make us grow, it's part of the players' lives and it's a good thing. Sporting CP are where we should be. We are fighting on all fronts."

Sarabia and Reis score in a 2-0 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated FC Famalicão 2-0, at the Estádio José Alvalade on Liga Portugal Matchday 21, as Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Reis both found the net.

The victory came at the expense of the only side that coach Rúben Amorim had yet to beat as Sporting CP coach in the league, and he was wary of the threat posed by the visitors. With a full squad available, he returned Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis and João Palhinha to the starting XI.

After observing a minute's silence in honour of Eduardo Hilário, Sporting CP member season ticket holder no.1 who passed away last Thursday, the match got underway. It did not take long for Sporting CP to make it 1-0: Just three minutes in, Paulinho was fouled in the area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. For the third consecutive game, Sarabia took advantage of the opportunity to score.

Out in front, Sporting CP took control and showed patience to build from the back, looking to create space in the organised opposition defence. However, they were unable to finish off their chances in the final third when transitions did arise.

FC Famalicão registered only two shots on target -both of which were saved- before they were presented with a great chance when awarded a penalty of their own. Thankfully for Sporting CP, Antonio Adán flew across for a great save in response to Simon Banza's spot kick.

In the second half, Amorim brought Ricardo Esgaio on in place of Feddal, who had picked up a yellow card, and dropped Matheus Reis back into the defence. The left winger had the first two chances to score after the restart: First with a shot that went straight at goalkeeper Junior, then an attempt with a more difficult save required by the custodian between the sticks.

From the resulting corner, Os Leões made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute. A shot by Sarabia was deflected with a header by one of the opposition players, and fell to Matheus Reis, the defender loading up a piledriver into the net.

In the 74th minute, one of the most awaited moments of the night took place. A recent returnee to the club, Islam Slimani came on to replace Pedro Porro and received a huge ovation from the Sportinguistas in attendance, who saw the Algerian debut for the second time.

FC Famalicão enjoyed moves near the area, but the home team's defence was solid. Sporting CP claimed the three points, and set up O Clássico with FC Porto on Friday, February 11th, with the two teams separated by 6 points.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adan [Gk]; Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Ricardo Esgaio, 45'), Pedro Porro (Islam Slimani, 74'), João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 59'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata , 63'), Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 74') and Paulinho.

The coach looks ahead to the game against Belenenses SAD

Having won the Taça da Liga, Sporting Clube de Portugal returns to Liga Portugal action when they face Belenenses SAD on this Wednesday. In his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim warned that despite their playing against the team bottom of the league, "there are no easy games."

"We know that in order to maintain our position and to try to climb the table, we have to win our games. We are in good form, but the team are already used to that and we have also had some slip-ups this season, so we will face this game like we did the final in Leiria. We have some doubts about the way Belenenses SAD will perform, but there are no doubts about the way we will approach the match. We have an obligation to win. We will make alterations, because we believe that this is the best way to maintain intensity in the way we play."

With the winter transfer window closed, Amorim addressed the club's movement in the market, highlighting the return of Islam Slimani and the arrival of winger Marcus Edwards.

"Slimani is a different kind of striker, not least because our team has changed a little bit. We play very high and we have had many games in which we have put in several crosses and lacked a presence in the area. More than once, we have been without [Sebastián] Coates and we have missed him in our aerial play. In addition, Slimani is a player who has come in at zero cost and is within our reality, because he knows the club very well. He is 33 years old, scores and is intense in his pressing. We felt that he was a good solution for the team. He can be a target man who will help us to win games. and I hope that he's happy here."

As for the Edwards,  who joins from Vitória SC, Amorim admitted that Sporting CP's interest was longstanding.

"We had interest in him since last year and it didn't happen. This time it was possible and the player was very keen to come. It is important that he is joining now, because he is very introverted and I know it will take time for him to get to know his colleagues. He has very good characteristics, is very strong between the lines and good one-on-one. He will adapt well; there are many young players here who speak English, so what we hope is that both players adapt to a project that is not only short-term."

The coach said that Edwards will be in the squad on Wednesday, but that Slimani would only arrive in Lisbon the morning of the game.

Amorim also commented on the departures on loan of Tiago Tomás and Jovane Cabral.

"Tiago Tomás' leaving is a step that is about the characteristics of the game. He was missing out because we were losing many metres up front, which previously benefited his characteristics, and Jovane simply had an opportunity to leave. I wish them the best, and they were part of a great group that helped Sporting CP to become champions."

He also made a final statement about the focus on Wednesday's match: "Pedro Porro is one of the options to play, but that doesn't mean he'll be in the starting lineup. We have [Gonçalo] Esteves and we can put a winger there, but we will see. I will choose the best XI for the game, because we really have to beat Belenenses SAD."

The coach urges his side to be aggressive in their first home game of 2022

For the first time in 2022, Sporting Clube de Portugal will play at the Estádio José Alvalade this Saturday, as they host SC Braga on Liga Portugal Matchday 19.

In his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim began by addressing the opposition - currently fourth in the table with 32 points - recognising that the two games played between the two teams this season served as a reference for their preparation.

"They have a very strong identity. They maintain some characteristics that they already had last year; there is a focus on the formation and the things that change are the individual characteristics. Therefore, we looked a lot at the two games we had against them this season," said the coach of the previous 2-1 wins over SC Braga.

 Sporting CP come into the game in second place with 47 points, and the title race is heating up.

"We have to be at full strength to win the game. I know a lot of players [from SC Braga], and that helps, but obviously it doesn't give us any advantage. We have to be at our best, and very aggressive. We know each other, so I hope that it will be a great game and, even if not, Sporting CP need to win, which is the most important thing," he stated, before tactically analysing SC Braga.

"I've never seen SC Braga playing in low blocks. They choose the right moments to press. Sometimes there will be high pressure, other times they will wait longer for the moment. For example, we will have to pay attention to the depth of [Wanderson] Galeno and Iuri [Medeiros] is different too, so SC Braga will adapt to the game and so will we. Whoever is more inspired, more focused on defending and can better understand the game will win."

Asked about his decision to field Daniel Bragança in Vizela, instead of Matheus Nunes, Amorim explained that his coaching staff "try to use every opportunity to always keep players alert, because it is only this way that it is possible to win games and trophies."

"We are a team who have to work as hard as possible, otherwise we won't win games."

For this Saturday's match, he said that Jovane Cabral will be in the squad, before addressing the punishment that will remove Nuno Santos from the match.

"I made a correction to Nuno Santos and I shouldn't have, because it seems to me that it was used to justify a punishment that never occured. I don't want to go into too much detail, but I was looking at the footage and Nuno Santos threw water [towards the bench] and in the report it says that there was an obscene gesture -but I didn't see any images of it and the player also told me that he didn't. Sporting CP are very good at defending ourselves and our own. It doesn't seem fair to me. Nuno has to learn from these situations and the coach has certainly learned too. Nuno [Santos] will not be in the squad, and there will be another player in."

Regarding possible movements in the transfer market, Amorim said again that "whoever comes in will also be brought in with an eye on the future. I am very happy with the players that I have. They are more than enough to guarantee results until the end of the season. I want to emphasise the quality of my players, and what happens, happens."

The coach's reaction to the 0-2 win over FC Vizela

After the triumph in Vizela, Rúben Amorim said that Sporting CP were worthy winners, and expressed his satisfaction with the attitude that the team showed.

"The first ten minutes were a bit confusing for us. We weren't able to push FC Vizela into their midfield, as we wanted, and we only managed to do so after that. From there, we created chances, went forward more times and scored goals", he said.

"We went into the break with a fair lead, in my opinion. In the second half we had more of the ball, but we could have been more incisive and we should have scored. Even so, I think it was a deserved victory for a team that went back to its identity".

Asked about Pedro Gonçalves' return to goalscoring ways, Amorim reflected that: "I was satisfied, above all, with the way he played -and that the team were more aggressive than in the previous game".

On a set-to at the end of the game between Rapahel Guzzo and Nuno Santos, the coach said that the Sporting CP player "has to keep his cool" when provoked.

"There are some who can handle it better, and others less so", he said, justifying: "There were sendings off - for the coaching staff- that shouldn't have happened, but we have to protect our own and that's what we did".

The team pick up the three points on the road

Sporting Clube de Portugal won a Liga Portugal Matchday 18 fixture against FC Vizela 0-2 away from home, returning to winning ways in the league.

The match came five days after the team had played in Paços de Ferreira against Leça FC in the Taça de Portugal, and coach Rúben Amorim made several changes to his starting lineup. He fielded an XI consisting of Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Daniel Bragança, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves, Paulinho and Pablo Sarabia.

FC Vizela were the first team to create danger in attack, but Adán was alert to deny Cann off the opening chance. Sporting CP responded with a header over the crossbar by Paulinho, who had been in an offside position.

The team then set themselves up next to the opposition area and created goalscoring opportunities. Nuno Santos had a cross-shot saved by Pedro Silva, then it was Daniel Bragança's turn to strike over.

On 28 minutes, the first goal of the contest finally arrived. A bad clearance from FC Vizela's defence was gathered by Paulinho close to the area; he laid it off to Gonçalves who, after combining with Pablo Sarabia, delivered a quality finish into the net.

The second goal would follow 15 minutes later, after Pedro Silva had kept out a Paulinho effort in between. A combination on the right with Nuno Santos saw the ball cut back to the edge of the area, where Bragança appeared to convert the chance.

With the score at 0-2 at the beginning of the second half, Os Leões continued to dominate the match. Gonçalves came close to extending the advantage in the 51st minute, but Pedro Silva stretched out to keep the ball from crossing the line.

Shortly after, Gonçalves tried again, shooting wide. Esgaio followed up with a scuffed hit of a Nuno Santos cross, which also went off target.

In the 73rd minute, Amorim made his first changes of the game, bringing on Gonçalo Esteves and Manuel Ugarte in place of Ricardo Esgaio and João Palhinha.

Two minutes later, following a corner and a scramble in the area, Gonçalo Inácio had a goal disallowed for offside.

Sporting CP continued chasing the third goal, with Bruno Tabata replacing Gonçalves late on, but the home team also kept them honest with chances.

A shot by Pablo Sarabia that Pedro Silva claimed was the last opportunity for Sporting CP, who went on to take a 0-2 triumph that earned them the three points.

A week's rest follows for Os Leões, who will be back in action again next Saturday against SC Braga -in the first game of 2022 at the Estádio José Alvalade.

The coach speaks after the 3-2 win over Portimonense

In his post-match press conference following a 3-2 win over Portimonense, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim discussed what was an eleventh league win in a row.

"It was a difficult game, in which we started well, but the two counterattacks by Portimonense SC left us a little uneasy. There was the goal situation. We are a team that is not used to being behind, especially in the second half, but that is the merit of the opposition. After half-time we came back stronger when it was 11 against 11, and the sending-off helped us; we put pressure on and the goals came with calm", he began by telling the media.

He also praised the star of the match, hat trick scorer Paulinho.

"It was his night because he scored three goals. He was decisive. It was a credit to Paulinho and the fans too, as when he wasn't in form they were always supporting him. But this doesn't end here. Now we move on to play CD Santa Clara".

Asked if 2021 was a perfect year, the coach commented that "I think 2022 is going to be the year, the continuation of our work. 2021 was a great year, but we have to do more and do better. We have to go game-by-game, that's how we think".

A game that takes place this Thursday between FC Porto and SL Benfica could change the situation at the top of the league table, and Amorim did not hide the fact that he would rather his club end the year as outright leaders.

"It's good to be in first place. Whatever happens is good, and I don't have a great preference for who wins that game. Many points will still be dropped. But I would like to have more of a lead in the table".

The coach casts his eye over a Wednesday night fixture

In his last pre-match press conference of 2021, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the Liga Portugal game against Portimonense SC, scheduled for Wednesday at 9pm local time.

"It's going to be a difficult game against Portimonense SC. They are a team who play very well. They have taken more points away than they have at home, they defend well, they're good at set pieces and they have players up front who can create difficulties for the opposition", he told journalists ahead of the Matchday 16 contest.

"The Sporting CP players are prepared. We are used to the system that Portimonense SC play, and prepared for if they show up with three central defenders. Nakajima has been a very important player for them and can create problems, and we focused on that. We are treating the game against Portimonense SC as if it were a final: We have to win the game and play well. It's important to keep the fans behind the team, and they are always there for us. We have to be humble, be strong and have fun in the game".

The Sporting Clube de Portugal boss also revealed what he feels will be the keys to victory: "If we are strong in our buildup, we won't give them any chances or lose the ball in the first phase. I think we'll be able to push Portimonense SC back if we do that, and the team are used to doing that. We have to be strong in one against one situations. We have everything prepared and we are motivated. I think that we will win".

Regarding possible absentees, Amorim revealed that Tiago Tomás will come into the squad, but that any novelties may only be seen against CD Santa Clara next time out.

Asked also about the rotation of players in defensive positions, the coach praised the adaptability of his squad.

"It was important, when we had everyone available, to keep working on things. The players are getting more and more adapted to positions. We also have a goalkeeper, Antonio Adán, who has made some very important saves. But the team in general are defending very well, which is the reflection of a good team and the solidarity between the players. We have defended well as a team". he concluded.

Amorim reacted to the draw for the Taça de Portugal with a brief comment: "Playing against Leça FC will be a tough game. It's a cup game, and I still remember seeing them in the Primeira Liga. We'll be at full strength, very aware of the difficulties we may face, and we want to go through to the next round".