Sporting CP and FC Porto play out a 1-1 draw

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Porto in the first 'Clássico' of the Liga Portugal season, as Nuno Santos' first half opener was cancelled out by the visitors in the second period.

Coach Rúben Amorim had several players unavailable, and as such made a series of changes to his starting lineup. Luís Neto, Pedro Porro, Rúben Vinagre and Nuno Santos were brought in, replacing Ricardo Esgaio (on the bench), Gonçalo Inácio and Pedro Gonçalves (injured) and Nuno Mendes (who has left the club for Paris Saint-Germain). Also called into the squad were Geny Catamo, Tiago Ferreira and Gonçalo Esteves from the B team.

Amidst a great atmosphere at the Estádio José Alvalade, things began in tense fashion between Sporting CP and FC Porto. Proof of this was the number of yellow cards shown by referee Nuno Almeida in the first quarter of an hour: two for each side.

Sporting CP had the most of the ball and played a very high press, beginning to take control of the game before opening the scoring after 18 minutes; Matheus Nunes found Pedro Porro on the right and the latter, with a precise cross, set up Nuno Santos, whose shot took a subtle deflection on the way in. The stadium erupted, celebrating the goal that made it 1-0 to the home team.

In response, FC Porto had their only opportunity of any danger in the first half, with Corona heading wide. In the opposite area, Sebastián Coates, in the 26th minute, had a header go narrowly wide, and Nuno Santos was twice denied by Diogo Costa before half time.

Sporting CP continued to improve at the start of the second half, and once again caused problems when Pedro Porro sent a direct free kick into the side netting.

Around half an hour from the end, Amorim made his first change, taking Jovane Cabral off to bring on debuting star Pablo Sarabia -to a great ovation from the Sportinguistas. Zouhair Feddal and Rúben Vinagre replaced Matheus Reis and Ricardo Esgaio, respectively, shortly after.

However, FC Porto managed to equalise in the 71st minute, through Luis Díaz, in the first dangerous attempt on Antonio Adán's goal.

The reaction didn't take long and Sporting CP swiftly came close to taking the lead again, before Diogo Costa kept out Paulinho's header.

In the final minutes, and after Bruno Tabata replaced Pedro Porro, FC Porto were reduced to ten men when Toni Martínez saw two yellow cards in quick succession.

Whilst Sporting CP sought a winning goal, O Clássico ended in a draw. The team will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting AFC Ajax on the first matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal (Matheus Reis, 69'), Pedro Porro (Bruno Tabata, 82'), João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Vinagre (Ricardo Esgaio, 69'), Jovane Cabral (Pablo Sarabia, 61'), Nuno Santos and Paulinho.

The Sporting CP coach reviews the 1-1 draw with FC Famalicão

Rúben Amorim reflected on Sporting CP's 1-1 draw with FC Famalicão (1-1) in his post-match press conference, lamenting that his side “did not manage to impose our game."

“FC Famalicão dropped back a lot and took some depth away from us, whilst we put the ball where they wanted it and where we shouldn't have. We played a lot of balls inside and they made transitions there. The fact that the block was lower and we were making passes inside, without the defense being too high, meant that there was space between the lines that created a lot of problems for us, but the defensive problems came more from the offensive side, when we had the ball. Even so, we had opportunities, and FC Famalicão also had transitions. Obviously we believed we could win until the end, but it wasn't to be. Now it's about moving forward,” the coach began by saying.

After praising Antonio Adán, whom he said “had a great performance,” Amorim also spoke about João Palhinha and the yellow card that the midfielder saw in the 14th minute: “This always affects Palhinha a lot, and he then has to be careful because he picks up yellows easily, but nevertheless he had a good game."
The Sporting CP boss also took responsibility for the draw.

“When the whole team doesn't understand where we have to attack, it's the coach's fault and not so much the players' fault. Maybe they didn't get the information in the best way, but, even so, we were the team that always had the most of the ball. Then, with our transitions, when we don't make good decisions we make things more complicated."

“In football, everything changes very quickly. Now we have the international break, and when we return we will be very motivated for the game against FC Porto. It's a very long season. We have to look on the bright side: Last year we also drew here and, therefore, we are on the right path,” he concluded.

Sporting CP draw 1-1 away

Sporting Clube de Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw at home to FC Famalicão on Liga Portugal Matchday 4, dropping their first points of the season.

Rúben Amorim made three changes to his starting XI, fielding Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Nunes, João Palhinha, Nunes Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves, Paulinho and Jovane Cabral.

With three victories to start the season, Sporting CP were looking for a fourth win against a side that they had yet to beat since FC Famalicão's return to the top flight.

A good opportunity to score presented itself after two minutes through Jovane Cabral, but he, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho were all thwarted in their early attempts. The first half also saw the home side enjoy chances, with Antonio Adán called into action twice.

The score remained 0-0 at halftime, and Amorim decided to make his first substitutions, bringing Nuno Santos and Pedro Porro on for Cabral and Ricardo Esgaio. They combined soon thereafter, the full-back crossing for the winger to shoot against the post.

Sporting CP found themselves chasing the game when, after Adán blocked a shot, Gonçalo Inácio tried to take the ball out of Ivo Rodrigues' reach and it ended up going in off Nuno Mendes, handing FC Famalicão the lead.

Amorim made further changes, with Matheus Nunes and Zouhair Feddal making way for Daniel Bragança and Tiago Tomás. The equaliser came ten minutes later, when following a corner, Gonçalo Inácio's ball found João Palhinha at the back post to score.

Sporting CP attempted to find a winner, but shots from Paulinho, Tiago Tomás and Pedro Gonçalves were kept out by goalkeeper Luiz Júnior, whilst Sebastián Coates saw a header deflected away.

Adán made a late save of his own from André Ricardo, as FC Famalicão and Sporting CP shared the points.

Following the international break, the team have a big game against FC Porto at the Estádio José Alvalade, with both teams level on points in the table.

A perfect start to the season continues with Os Leões winning 1-2 away from home

In their first away game of the Liga Portugal season, Sporting Clube de Portugal overcame tough opposition in the form of SC Braga with a 1-2 win. Jovane Cabral struck in the first half, with Pedro Gonçalves scoring in the second period.

The fixture was a rematch of the recent Supertaça, won 2-1 by Sporting CP in Aveiro. Coach Rúben Amorim fielded the same starting lineup that had defeated FC Vizela 3-0 on Matchday 1, and also included recent signing Manuel Ugarte -who debuted in stoppage time- and a recovered Pedro Porro in his squad.

Os Leões were looking to extend a run of four consecutive victories over SC Braga, although the opening moments did not feature an abundance of attacking. It was not until the 16th minute that there was a clear chance, when Jovane Cabral sent a direct free kick goal-wards and keeper Matheus had to push the ball away.

Shortly thereafter, Zouhair Feddal tried his luck with a header, which Matheus easily parried clear, and after half an hour of action it was Sebastián Coates' turn to head dangerously -albeit unsuccessfully.

Five minutes before the break, a goal finally arrived. After a cross from Rúben Vinagre, Ricardo Esgaio, from the right, sent the ball on towards the far post, where Jovane Cabral was in the right place to head home and make it 0-1.

Just before the end of the first half, there was still time for a great save by Antonio Adán from Fábio Martins' shot, enabling Sporting CP to carry the advantage into the break.

Immediately after the second half began, Gonçalo Inácio was close to doubling the lead when, off a free-kick from Jovane Cabral, he headed wide.

However, the second goal would come a few moments later. A brilliant move by Sporting CP, which began with a Rúben Vinagre throw-in and involved some seven players, ended with Jovane Cabral setting up Pedro Gonçalves. The latter did the rest, scoring his third goal in the league in just two games.

Amorim shuffled his side half an hour from the end, taking Cabral and Vinagre off in order to bring Nuno Santos and Matheus Reis into the fold.

SC Braga's threats were minimal, such as Fábio Martins' shot in the 73rd minute, but a sending off for substitute Matheus Reis on 80 minutes meant things got nervous before the end. Adán made a magnificent intervention that prevented Iuri Medeiros from pulling a goal back for the home side, but could not keep out an Abel Ruiz effort late on. SC Braga made it 1-2, but there was no turnaround in the scoreline and Sporting CP claimed another win.

Up next is a meeting with Belenenses SAD at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha (Manuel Ugarte, 90+2'), Matheus Nunes, Rúben Vinagre (Matheus Reis, 61'), Jovane Cabral (Nuno Santos, 61'), Pedro Gonçalves (Pedro Porro, 83') e Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 83').

The midfielder is part of the best XI voted on by his peers

Pedro Gonçalves has become the sixth Sporting Clube de Portugal player named in the 2020/21 Liga NOS Team Of The Year, voted on by coaches and captains of top flight teams in Portugal.

In his debut season with the club, Gonçalves had an immediate and decisive impact, scoring a total of 23 goals. He was Liga NOS' top scorer in the campaign, and also provided a further 2 assists.

A constant presence in the starting XI, he played 32 league games -in which he was named Man Of The Match on eight occasions.

As a result of his remarkable season at the Estádio José Alvalade, Gonçalves has taken another step forward in his career with a first callup for the Portuguese national team, and is part of the squad selected by coach Fernando Santos for this summer's Euro 2020 tournament.

Twice the winner of the Player Of The Month award in Liga NOS, and three times Midfielder of the Month, 'Pote' joins Antonio Adán, Pedro Porro, Sebastián Coates, Nuno Mendes and João Palhinha in being part of the Team Of The Year.

The Sporting CP coach summed up a great 2020/21 season

At the end of the 5-1 victory against CS Marítimo that concluded Sporting Clube de Portugal's season, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the game and the 2020/2021 season for his team of champions.

"It was a game that we wanted to win. We wanted to sign off with a good showing after the defeat in the previous game. Pedro Gonçalves won the award for top scorer and João Pereira ended his career on the pitch. He had an excellent career and gave us a lot. We ended things in the best way," he told journalists at the Auditorio Artur Agostinho.

After guaranteeing that "next season has been planned for some time" and that Sporting CP "have a clear idea of what they want", Amorim commented on the possibility of some of his players being called up by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for the European Championships this summer, starting with Pedro Gonçalves.

"He deserves to be in there and so do others at Sporting CP. The choice is up to the coach, who will choose well. If Sporting CP players are picked, I will be very happy. If they are not picked, I will also be happy, because they will have great careers and won't be worn out."

Looking ahead to 2021/2022, the coach defined the first objective for his squad: to win the Supertaça.

"There is the Supertaça to win and from there we will go game-by-game, again. We will not have as much time to prepare for our games next season. We will have difficult competitions to play in. I don't want to set big goals for us. We will want to win every game. We are candidates to win the Supertaça and we will work with that in mind first."

"It is important to maintain our unity because it is one of the great strengths of Sporting CP, but we know that it comes from winning. There are three possible results that you can have. Everyone has to think that the team as a whole is the most important thing and we will pay a lot of attention to who we bring in to identify with this idea. They have to believe that they can be starters and if that happens the whole team will be motivated", he added.

Going back to João Pereira, Amorim wished success to his former teammate and player in his future endeavours.

"It was special to witness the end of his career, because I have known João since I was a kid. I played with him at junior level, we had holidays together and our families know each other well. It was strange to have João Pereira call me 'coach' and speak to me formally."

"He will not be part of my coaching staff. He will forge his own career and he will find his own coaching staff. I already have my team. He will follow his own path and we are here to help him in this transition, which is difficult. We will help João with his new life and he will be very happy."

Finally, Amorim was asked to choose three words to define the campaign.

"Effort, Dedication and Devotion, and then the fourth, which is Glory. The team are the manifestation of those words. I thank my players and the staff, who did an incredible job. In a month's time it will start all over again, and no one will be thinking about this title. I think that's a good thing; it's the way that things are at a big club."

Os Leões beat CS Marítimo 5-1 on Matchday 34

Sporting Clube de Portugal's spectacular 2020/21 season came to a close on Wednesday night at the Estádio José Alvalade, where they beat CS Marítimo 5-1 in another outstanding performance. The night could scarcely have been better: a comprehensive victory, the league's top goalscorer award going to Pedro Gonçalves and André Paulo and Tomás Silva making the respective appearances required to receive Liga NOS winners medals.

For the final game of the campaign, Sporting CP changed up the starting XI: Luís Maximiano, Luís Neto, Vitorino Antunes and Jovane Cabral took the places of Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes and Nuno Santos, respectively, and Tiago Tomás, returning from injury, was back on the bench. After João Pereira had taken the captain's armband on the previous matchday, this time around it was Antunes' turn to skipper the team.

Present on the pitch before the game were the Liga NOS and Taça da Liga trophies won by Sporting CP this season - a physical representation of a year that will go down in club history.

The team were not holding back when the game began, and just two minutes had elapsed when Antunes struck a rocket of a shot against the CS Marítimo bar. Shortly after, in the seventh minute, the opening goal arrived: Antunes set Jovane Cabral free down the left and he, in turn, served up a ball to Pedro Gonçalves in the heart of the box to finish.

Following a Paulinho shot wide, two rapidfire goals came the home side's way. The first was, once again, from Pedro Gonçalves (making him Liga NOS' outright top scorer), as he got to the rebound off a strike off the post by Daniel Bragança. The second, just moments later, came about after a mixup for the opposition: Karo played back for goalkeeper Charles, who missed the ball and it ran on into the net, putting Sporting CP 3-0 up.

Paulinho had another opportunity to score in the first half, but Charles was able to block, whilst the visitors had a goal rightly ruled out for offside.

Coach Rúben Amorim brought on João Palhinha for the second half, taking off Daniel Bragança, whilst in the 59th minute there was an emotional moment for all involved: João Pereira was subbed off amidst a round of applause, as the right back concluded the final game of his career.

Half an hour from time, off a stellar assist from Jovane Cabral, Pedro Gonçalves rounded off his hat-trick and grabbed his 23rd goal in Liga NOS this term, taking the score to 4-0.

There was time for two debuts as well, as Luís Maximiano and Matheus Nunes made way for goalkeeper André Paulo and midfielder Tomás Silva. Their participation meant that they were officially classed as league winners, and were rewarded for the help they have provided for the first team this season in training.

Another mistake by Charles left the ball for Gonzalo Plata to score Sporting CP's final goal of the season, and whilst Beltrame would get a consolation goal before the end, Sporting CP ran out 5-1 winners in a brilliant end to the campaign.

Sporting CP: Luís Maximiano [GK] (André Paulo [GK], 66'), Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis, João Pereira (Gonzalo Plata, 59'), Matheus Nunes (Tomás Silva, 66'), Daniel Bragança (João Palhinha, 45'), Vitorino Antunes [C], Pedro Gonçalves, Jovane Cabral and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 76').

The Sporting CP coach felt his side were more than deserved winners against CD Nacional

After the final whistle in Saturday's game against CD Nacional, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim reflected on a 2-0 victory that he felt his side completely deserved.

"We produced a lot for a team who scored just two goals. We had opportunities to score more and CD Nacional had almost no chances", he said.

"The game was stopped many times and there were many fouls, but they were almost always against us. This time wasting created some anxiety amongst the team, but it was another day of suffering for Sportinguistas that ended well."

Amorim added that the introduction of Jovane Cabral 'unlocked' the game, allowing the team their breakthrough.

"The sending off of a CD Nacional player meant that there was less one man on the pitch, but it did not change the characteristics of the game and Sporting CP continued on top of things, trying to score. Jovane came in strong, holding the ball up. I have lost count of the number of games that players who have come off the bench have been decisive. That is their role; both Jovane and the rest of the team should be congratulated."

The coach also explained his decision to include Daniel Bragança in midfield, in the position usually occupied by João Mário.

"It was a tactical choice. João Mário has been playing and has had a great season, but I thought that the characteristics Bragança has were better for this game. CD Nacional would almost always be defending and Bragança provides a lot of speed on the ball. I thought that we would not need João Mário to slow down the game so much, but rather a player that varied things up. I think Bragança had a great game", he told journalists, before addressing the inevitable questions about title candidacy.

"I want the players to think that we can drop points at any ground. We have a 6-point lead and 12 points in play. As for the support of the fans, the team are grateful for it. The great biggest success of the coaching staff and these players was changing the dynamic of the club. It is very difficult to do this in one year, I am lucky to have a group of players who are at the level required of Sporting CP. I congratulate them, but there is still a long way to go."

2-0 win over CD Nacional maintains Sporting CP's advantage at the top

Sporting CP beat CD Nacional 2-0 in a Saturday night Liga NOS fixture, with goals from Zouhair Feddal and Jovane Cabral in the second half. The game was a meeting between the side top of the league table and the bottom-placed team in the division, with the home side eventually claiming the triumph at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Coach Rúben Amorim returned to the dugout after serving a suspension, and brought in goalkeeper Luís Maximiano for the starting XI due to a sanction for Antonio Adán. Maximiano thus made his first league appearance of the season, and was deputised by youngster André Paulo on the bench.

Fighting for survival, CD Nacional went on the attack early, and tested the Sporting CP shot stopper with an effort that he kept out.
 
Following that brief scare, Sporting CP took over. Pedro Porro found Paulinho in the area, with the striker having his header saved by António Filipe - the CD Nacional goalkeeper who also denied Pedro Gonçalves immediately afterwards off a powerful shot.
 
A controversial decision saw a goal disallowed for offside on 35 minutes, but Os Leões continued searching for an opener. They had two further opportunities afterwards, including a scramble inside the area and a Paulinho shot against the post. However, the score remained goalless at half time.

Upon the return from the interval, CD Nacional had another early chance that Maximiano met, but the momentum failed to turn in their favour. Sporting CP quickly snuffed out their threat, and Nuno Santos and Pedro Porro both nearly broke the deadlock.
 
A numerical advantage went the team's way on 67 minutes, as Ibrahim Alhassan was shown a red card, and Sporting CP upped the pressure thereafter. Jovane Cabral and Gonzalo Plata were brought on, and an onslaught followed against a side looking to defend with their lives; Paulinho nearly struck in but was denied by a top class save from António Filipe.
 
In the final ten minutes, they finally got the goal that they deserved. Off a corner, Jovane Cabral set up Zouhair Feddal for the defender to head into the net, making it 1-0.
 
A second goal arrived in stoppage time from the penalty spot, when Jovane Cabral was brought down inside the box. He dusted himself off to take it, and capped the victory with a successful conversion.

A 2-0 win keeps Sporting CP six points clear of nearest rivals FC Porto, and maintains a record-breaking run of 30 league games unbeaten. Os Leões will be back in action on Wednesday in Vila do Conde against Rio Ave FC.

Sporting CP: Maximiano (GK), Zouhair Feddal, Sebastián Coates [C], Luís Neto, Pedro Porro (Gonzalo Plata, 73’), Daniel Bragança (Matheus Reis, 85’), João Palhinha (Jovane Cabral, 62’), Nuno Mendes (Matheus Nunes, 85’), Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho.