The captain speaks at the start of the training camp in the Algarve

Before the first training session for Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lagos in the Algarve, captain Sebastián Coates spoke to journalists about the preparation for the new season.

However, first of all he began by sending "a big hug to Daniel Bragança," who is facing a long absence through injury, adding: "The group is all with him and we wish him a good recovery, so that he can come back stronger than ever."

The Uruguayan defender immediately outlined the main objectives for 2022/23, saying that "To prepare for the season, we have brought in new players -and we have to make them adapt to the ideas of the coach and the team as quickly as possible. This group is spectacular. We are all very happy to be part of Sporting CP and we are focused on preparing for what lies ahead."

One of the reinforcements is his fellow countryman, goalkeeper Franco Israel.

"I immediately got in touch with him to clarify all the questions that he had, and it's always good to have a compatriot there when you join a team. The first things he asked were about the club, the group and the work that we do."

Despite being asked about Sporting CP's goals for 2022/2023, the defender preferred to keep the focus on the immediate task at hand: Preparation for the new season.

"Right now, our goal is to prepare for the season so that we are in the best shape possible when the first game comes around. Then our focus is to go game by game, as we always say. Now we want to get in shape for what lies ahead."

Asked to also talk about the edition of O Clássico scheduled for Matchday 3, Coates reinforced the focus on preseason, stating that "Before that we have SC Braga and Rio Ave FC to play. We are only focused on preseason, and after that we will think about the first game.