The coach is relishing Liga NOS action against Moreirense FC

Ahead this Saturday's match against Moreirense FC, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim promised that, after more than twenty days without Liga NOS action, his side are ready to defend their top spot in the table.

“The team are in good shape. They've been working in the best way and we already provided a good response against GS Sacavenense. Now we return to league competition after a very long break, but we are looking forward to playing and we are prepared for Moreirense FC”, he told the media in his pre-match press conference.

Facing a side currently 11th in the table, Amorim says that Moreirense FC are “a team that were already well oriented”, but admitted that their incorporation of a new coach may provide a different challenge.

"Now César Peixoto has been appointed, which creates some uncertainty about the way they will play. Until now they have been playing 4-3-3, but we know that the new coach has used other formations. We try to prepare for everything, we are doing well and we are going to play with the three points in mind”.

When asked about Pedro Gonçalves' availability for this Saturday's match, Amorim said that “He still had some discomfort in the last few training sessions, but he showed the coaching staff that he wants to play and is ready for it. We will see which players are chosen, but 'Pote' is one of the players in the squad".

Sporting CP are currently the standout leaders in the Liga NOS table with 19 points, 4 more than SC Braga and SL Benfica.

“The players are doing well and know that they only need to win to maintain the lead, but whatever happens, at the end of this journey we will continue to lead. Now, if we win we are guaranteed to stay in the lead for two weeks and that is where we want to stay, but the focus is on how we want to do this; on how we want to play and maintain our momentum. We are still at the beginning of the season, so we face each game with maximum normalit”, promised Amorim.

They are also the only undefeated team in the league, and top scorers with 19 goals - as well as only having conceded 4 times. Amorim believes this is due to “the team's unity and the quality of the players".

“They are really good players and have grown a lot. The great strength of this team is the unity between everyone, and how they want to show that they are capable of fighting for victory every week".