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".

Sporting CP run out 0-3 winners away from home

Sporting Clube de Portugal earned a 0-3 win away to Gil Vicente FC in Liga Portugal, as Nuno Santos, Gonçalo Inácio and Daniel Bragança scored the goals that took them to ten consecutive triumphs in the league.

On a cold night, but with clear skies, Sportinguistas were out in force in the away section of the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, cheering on a side that experienced five changes compared to the XI fielded against Penafiel. Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Nunes and Pedro Gonçalves returned to the starting lineup, as well as Paulinho. Also back in the squad was João Palhinha, who began the game on the bench.

The first half was eventful, with two red cards, a penalty kick, decisions overturned by VAR and many stoppages. Gil Vicente FC did, however, appear to be ambitious and used high lines to put pressure on Sporting CP.

The first shot of the game was by Murilo, but Antonio Adán had no problems keeping it out. In response, Pablo Sarabia struck hard for Sporting CP, with goalkeeper Žiga Frelih having to intervene.

On 12 minutes, the first red card was shown: after initially showing a yellow, referee Tiago Martins went to see the images of VAR and upgraded Kanya Fujimoto's punishment for a foul on Matheus Reis to a red.

With a numerical advantage, Sporting CP assumed total control of possession and began to search for the opener. That task became more complicated in the 21st minute, when Luís Neto was sent off following a clash with Pedrinho.

Nearly half an hour into the game, Gil Vicente FC finally provided runs into the box, but neither Talocha nor Murilo's shots troubled Antonio Adán.

Pedro Gonçalves shot over the top when in a good position, before coach Rúben Amorim took off Pablo Sarabia and introduced Nuno Santos, who moved to the left wing with Matheus Reis going into the centre.

Sporting CP were awarded a penalty on 36 minutes, for a foul on Manuel Ugarte. However, Gonçalves had his spot kick saved by Žiga Frelih, who soon after also prevented Sebastián Coates from scoring.

The game went into halftime still goalless.

On 53 minutes, Sporting CP took a giant step towards victory, when Nuno Santos intercepted a pass by Rúben Fernandes in the defence, made a run and shot into the net off a deflection from Lucas. The team finally had a 0-1 lead.

After a shot by Francisco Navarro, saved by Antono Adán, João Palhinha came on for Manuel Ugarte. Then Sebastián Coates headed wide, with Paulinho also firing dangerously close in the 63rd minute.

Shortly after, the advantage was doubled, off a corner that fell to Gonçalves. His shot hit Gonçalo Inácio, who, in turn, deflected it into the back of the net to make it 0-2.

In the 77th minute, Gonçalo Esteves made way for Daniel Bragança, who shot wide with his first chance. Several dangerous moves from Gonçalves saw him denied time and time again by Žiga Frelih, but eventually Sporting CP would get their third goal:  In the third minute of stoppage time, Adán launched the ball to Paulinho, who won space on the right and served up a perfect cross for Daniel Bragança to score his first goal for the senior team.

Sporting CP will play Casa Pia AC next Wednesday, in the fifth round of the Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Gonçalo Esteves (Daniel Bragança, 77'), Manuel Ugarte (João Palhinha, 57'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves, Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 30') and Paulinho.

The coach states that Sporting CP deserved their victory against Boavista FC

Following the victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal against Boavista FC, coach Rúben Amorim attended the press conference to analyse the match.

He began by admitting that he "had the feeling" that Sporting CP could have scored more goals, but also that they "could have suffered, and Adán did what he did."

"We created opportunities,with many shots inside the area. We could -and should- have scored more goals. There is some fatigue; not so much physical, but mental fatigue. It's normal, and the players are all getting used to it at a different pace. Even the coach himself is getting acclimated to it. You have to always maintain a lot of energy, but that's what a big club demands. We had an excellent game and there's no doubt about the winner," he told the media.

Of the importance of continuing in first place in Liga Portugal, the coach stated that the team "don't look at the table too much."

"It's good to be in the top places, but it's not significant now. We have to win our games. Winning them all, we will be first. We have to prepare our players for these situations. Today, once again, Porro had to go off at halftime, and it opened up an opportunity for [Gonçalo] Esteves."

Asked about Paulinho's absence due to a positive COVID-19 test, Amorim said that "the team did not suffer in his absence, but we are stronger when he is available. We created opportunities, and had many shots inside the area. We didn't score in the first half, but we scored in the second. Not conceding goals is very important. What matters is that Paulinho doesn't have any symptoms. For me, that's the main thing."

Sporting CP's next game is in Penafiel, in the Taça da Liga, and Amorim explained that rotations could be made.

"We rotated a lot in the Champions League, but that doesn't mean that we will do that for the Taça da Liga. FC Penafiel won today, they have a good team and are very organised, and we can't rotate everyone. There are players who have to rest. It's not because the game is in the Taça da Liga. We're going to switch players because we have to bring fresh people into the games, because the team lives off energy."

The return of Sebastián Coates merited a comment from the coach, who was pleased to have his captain back.

"Coates is very special for us. Just the way he spoke in the dressing room before the game was important. Looking at the players when he's talking, you see that he is very important. He hadn't trained, but he had an excellent game and we really need him."
He also spoke about the young talent, Flávio Nazinho.

"His chances to play depend on Nazinho and the characteristics of the opponent. Everyone knows that the young players are an option. They can play as starters in the Champions League, in the Taça da Liga and in Liga Portugal, or they might not play in any competition. He did very well defensively, and was focused. Offensively, he has already shown a little of what he is. He will start to gain momentum and will manage to play 90 minutes. Whether he is an option depends on him and the opponent, but more on him."

The 2-0 triumph maintains the team's position in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal won their Matchday 14 away game against Boavista FC 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade, as Pablo Sarabia and Nuno Santos struck in the second half for the reigning champions.

Rúben Amorim made several changes to the starting XI from the youthful team that took to the pitch against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam in midweek. Antonio Adán, Sebastián Coates, Pedro Porro, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Gonçalves and Pablo Sarabia were brought back in, whilst Flávio Nazinho made his starting debut.

The game kicked off with an animated opening quarter hour, with chances for both sides. In the seventh minute, Pedro Gonçalves crossed and Sebastián Coates -returning from a spell out with Covid-19- forced a save from Alireza Beiranvand. In response, shortly thereafter, Gorré found space and shot, met by an excellent intervention by Antonio Adán.

After a great opportunity for the home team, in which Pedro Porro shot, was called back for offside, Boavista FC started to provide further scares. Jackson Porozo attempted to set up Yusupha, who narrowly missed the ball across to him.

However, from there it was one-way traffic in the first half. Pedro Porro crossed for Nuno Santos from the right, with Beiranvand again making a save. From the corner kick that followed, Gonçalo Inácio headed over, and shortly thereafter a counterattack ended with a shot from Pedro Gonçalves that went inches outside the post.

Around half an hour into the game, Pablo Sarabia sent a cross into the heart of the area, but after a scramble nobody managed to shoot on goal. Matheus Reis also came close, five minutes later.

Sporting CP managed to put the ball into the net in the 43rd minute, when a great move on the left side put Matheus Nunes through. He player to Porro, who scored, before VAR disallowed the goal for offside against Nunes.

After a goalless first half, the opening 15 minutes of the second half turned out to be decisive for the final outcome. Before the goals, however, Manuel Ugarte threatened with a shot that just missed the target.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute, as a quick attack saw Gonçalves launch the ball to Nuno Santos, who crossed for Pablo Sarabia to score inside the box. It was his third consecutive league game on the scoresheet, and handed a 1-0 lead to Sporting CP.

Less than ten minutes later, Sarabia returned the favour, picking out Nuno Santos to make it 2-0.

A great opportunity to increase the lead came on 81 minutes, off a counter from which Sarabia laid up the ball to Gonçalves. The latter missed with an imprecise shot, in his last contribution before being replaced by Bruno Tabata.

Before the end, Reis shot wide and Tabata had a strike saved by the Boavista goalkeeper, but Sporting CP would claim the three points and remain Liga Portugal leaders. Next up is a game against FC Penafiel in the Taça da Liga.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Pedro Porro (Ricardo Esgaio, 45'), Manuel Ugarte (Daniel Bragança, 67'), Matheus Nunes, Flávio Nazinho (Luís Neto, 75'), Pedro Gonçalves (Bruno Tabata, 85'), Nuno Santos (Tiago Tomás, 67') and Pablo Sarabia.

A 1-3 derby win against SL Benfica makes a statement in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal emerged victorious in their derby with SL Benfica on Liga Portugal Matchday 13, winning 1-3 thanks to goals from Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Matheus Nunes.

The reigning league champions had some early adversity to overcome, with captain Sebastián Coates unavailable for the encounter with their cross-town rivals. Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, Matheus Reis and Manuel Ugarte came into the starting lineup, with Ricardo Esgaio, Nuno Santos and João Palhinha dropping out.

In the stands, thousands of Sportinguistas filled the away section, and made themselves heard long before kickoff.

The first 45 minutes turned out to be a true masterclass by Rúben Amorim's side. Despite the two yellow cards shown to Zouhair Feddal and Paulinho a few seconds after the game got underway, it was Sporting CP who began better, with shots from Pedro Porro and Pablo Sarabia.

The opening goal came in the eighth minute, when an excellent move ended with a fantastic cross from Pedro Gonçalves to Pablo Sarabia, who struck first time past a static Odysseas to make it 0-1.

SL Benfica tried to attack with intensity, but the visitors soaked up the pressure and controlled the midfield. Grimaldo's header, saved by Antonio Adán, was the first and only shot by the home team in the first half.

Sporting CP then enjoyed several scoring opportunities. First, Gonçalves missed the target when in an excellent position -with the flag later raised for offside. Then, in the 37th minute, a counterattack concluded with an attempt that came back off the post.

A goal for Paulinho, disallowed by VAR for offside, took the game into the interval, with Sporting CP having had less possession (65% to 35%), but much more shots (1-6) and more corners (1-3), as well as taking the lead.

Zouhair Feddal made way for Ricardo Esgaio at the start of the second half and SL Benfica turned up the heat upon the restart, and hit the post through Darwin's header. Shortly thereafter, João Mário went through on Adán, but the Spanish keeper calmly sent the ball away.

On the counterattack that followed, Sporting CP took the score to 0-2. Matheus Nunes covered plenty of ground with the ball and set up Paulinho perfectly, with the striker providing a classy finish.

A Rafa Silva chance off the post was SL Benfica's response, but on 68 minutes the win was put beyond all doubt: Another tremendous sprint by Matheus Nunes sent him through to close in on Odysseas, beating him with a shot.

A Pizzi goal prevented a Sporting CP clean sheet, but the 1-3 result gave Os Leões the win, the league lead and a 12th consecutive victory in all competitions. They will now visit AFC Ajax for the sixth and final matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Zouhair Feddal (Ricardo Esgaio, 55'), Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte (Daniel Bragança, 90+2'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 90+2'), Pablo Sarabia (Pablo Sarabia, 83') and Paulinho.

The coach reviews the win over Vitória SC

In the aftermath of the triumph against Vitória SC (1-0), on Matchday 10 of the Liga Portugal season, coach Rúben Amorim put into perspective a run of six consecutive victories.

“Those games have passed. I look at this series of games and will say that there is usually an interruption. Both the team and I just want to win the next game. Everything is open on several fronts, and there is still a long way to go. Of course, it gives us confidence and helps the team, but it's worth what it's worth”, said the coach, before being asked about the move in which Sebastián Coates headed in from a corner, something that also happened in the last game, against Moreirense FC, and twice in Turkey, against Beşiktaş JK.

“It is to the credit of Coates and Adélio Cândido, Carlos Fernandes and Emanuel Ferro, who work a lot on set pieces. We are a team who are strong in these situations and have a lot of players in different areas. Coates has this ability off headers. He knows how to see if the ball is coming through or not, and that's something certain players have. We want to improve and for Coates to continue to score," he said, before praising the Uruguayan as “a great player who thinks like a striker when he is in the opposing area, but when he is in his own area he thinks like a central defender.”

"He is an increasingly complete player and we are very happy to have such an athlete amongst us."

As for the final stretch of the match, in which Sporting CP had to suffer, Amorim stated that this is a situation that the team “must know how to live with."

“It's not the first time we've suffered in the final minutes. Once we lost some of the pressure up front, the midfielders suffered and the defenders didn't go between the lines as much. Nevertheless, we are a team that knows how to defend. We also formed a line of five when necessary and we were able to adapt to each moment of the game. We didn't defend deep as a strategy, but rather because our opponents forced us to. The others team play too, and as soon as we started to get tired, even when we changed players, keeping up high pressing is difficult if you don't get it right,” he explained.

The importance of defence for a team which has the best record in the Portuguese league, with only four goals conceded, was another of the issues addressed by the coach.
“It's one of the strengths of the team, just like it was last season. But I will say again: It's not just the defence. It is often the forwards not only attacking, but also defending and putting pressure on the midfielders. We are a very united team, and that helps when you have to defend, build in a 5-4-1 or press high up. Without conceding goals, our team always finds a way to score, even if it is through set pieces to Coates," he said.

For the coach, overtaking SL Benfica moving joint leaders with FC Porto is insignificant whilst their rivals are technically top.

“We have the same number of points, but if the season ended today we wouldn't be in first place. There's a lot to play for and it only takes a draw to change the leader. We have to look at this naturally, as it will happen during the season. We must always be alert,” he warned, before guaranteeing that this Sporting CP side “are much more of a team than last season."

“I'm lucky that the players understand the moments within a game better and better. Today we suffered a lot at the end and we showed that we still have the same ability to stick together that we did last season. We are much better, especially considering the same period last season,” he assured.

To close, Amorim shared the credit for the fact that Sporting CP have not lost at home in Liga Portugal since he arrived in Alvalade, in March 2020, going an impressive 33 home games unbeaten.

“It is a credit to everyone who is here, from the kitman to the president. Everyone has responsibility in the good times, and everyone does their part. Now we have to keep going. This sequence of games doesn't give us anything yet, and if we don't win the next match then we will be out of the Champions League. We have to win every day, and of course we want to keep this run going, but what matters is the points in the standings," he concluded.

A 1-0 win moves the team level with FC Porto

Sporting Clube de Portugal defeated Vitória SC by 1-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade on Matchday 10 of Liga Portugal, thanks to a goal from the in-form Sebastián Coates in the first half.

In their third consecutive home game, the team were up against a side who had not lost away this season and were coming off a run of three wins and a draw -against SL Benfica- in their last four matches.

Coach Rúben Amorim made seven changes to the side that beat FC Famalicão in midweek, keeping only Gonçalo Inácio, Feddal, Matheus Nunes and Sarabia in the starting XI.

Balance was the order of the day in the early stages of the match, with the home team benefiting from the first two dangerous moves via Pedro Gonçalves and Pedro Porro. Vitória SC also provided a threat early on, and responded immediately with a shot that forced Antonio Adán to make a big save.

After 15 minutes, Sporting CP established themselves in the opposite midfield and started to control proceedings. After an attempt by Gonçalves, who saw his goal disallowed for offside, on 31 minutes Coates broke the deadlock with a header off a flick-on from Paulinho off a corner.

The final moments of the first half saw a bolder Vitória SC, but the best they could muster was two shots off target. Sporting CP had a second goal disallowed, with Pablo Sarabia called offside.

For the second half, Sporting CP played closer to Bruno Varela's goal, with Matheus Nunes, isolated in the area, having a big chance to score immediately go wide.
Vitória SC advanced their lines in search of an equaliser, and had an effort graze the crossbar. Shortly after, second half substitute Ricardo Quaresma struck wide from a free kick.

Sporting CP brought on Ugarte to replace Gonçalves, with the aim of halting the transitions from their opponents and adding muscle in the middle of the park. In front of goal, Paulinho had a header go lightly off target.

Despite a greater offensive threat from the visitors before the final whistle, Os Leões took a sixth consecutive victory and continued their best run of the season to date.
With the win, the team move to joint leaders of Liga Portugal with 26 points, level with FC Porto and 1 point ahead of third-placed SL Benfica.

The next match is scheduled for Wednesday, at home, against Turkish side Beşiktaş JK in the Champions League. On November 7th, they play FC Paços de Ferreira away in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [GR], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro (Daniel Bragança, 89'), João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Bruno Tabata, 88'), Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves ( Manuel Ugarte, 79'), Pablo Sarabia (Nuno Santos, 69') and Paulinho (Ricardo Esgaio, 89').