The coach looks ahead to O Clássico against FC Porto

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim held a pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, previewing the first edition of 'O Clássico' this season against FC Porto. The Saturday 8:30pm kickoff at the Estádio do Dragão is expected to be a tough game, the coach says, but the focus is on taking all three points back to Lisbon.

“This week was strange and different for reasons that we all know, but we have reorganised ourselves, started to focus on the game and prepared for it in the best way possible. We know the importance of this game, because we have already had a draw this season and we are going to play at the home of the champions, but we had the normal preparation required for a club that want to win at every ground. In that aspect, it was a normal week," he said.

“FC Porto have many strengths. They are a team who are scoring a lot of goals, conceding few and are very competent in all aspects of the game, especially when they win the ball. We know what we're going to encounter and that we're going to be playing in a full stadium, but we like these types of challenges."

With a draw and a victory from the first two matchdays, Sporting CP are looking for three more points for their tally. Amorim said that he is not worried about the points gap compared to direct rivals, because he believes his side will get the win.

"It doesn't worry me at all. We know from the beginning that life as a coach is like this: When you win and when you lose, we are always under pressure. We will see. Our idea is to win and the idea is to get ahead of FC Porto and catch the top sides. If that doesn't happen, we'll be going for the win in the next game”.

The coach will be without Paulinho, who remains injured, but Sporting CP will also now be without Matheus Nunes, who has left the club.

“I will not say who will play in his place. Of course, that doesn't change much in terms of FC Porto's approach, but we'll keep the characteristics of the player who will play in Matheus Nunes' role for game time. We have several players who can play there: Pote, Morita and Mateus Fernandes. We have an idea: Someone will play there and will be prepared to help the team win the game”, said coach Leonino.

As for the departure of Matheus Nunes and possible movements in the transfer market, Amorim admitted that “it is difficult to sign at this time, because clubs don't want to lose their best players. We do not want players who are below our level at the moment. We have some players with potential that we have already identified and we might speed up their signing, but for now I have no idea and I'm trusting in those who are here already."

“The offer for Nunes was an attractive proposal and it is a great comfort for the club in financial terms, for all departments and for everything, and we will find solutions for his departure."

Asked if Mateus Fernandes could be the natural replacement, Amorim commented: “I don't know, it's still early. It would be a mistake to try to find another Matheus Nunes. We're going to look at the players. Mateus Fernandes is a player in our project and we believe in him a lot. We have to be careful not to push players beyond the stages they have to go through. He is still young, and Matheus Nunes was older when he moved up. There are different situations and we will see who will adapt there. There are also other players from the B team who can move up. What we want is for them to have competition among themselves."

The Sporting CP coach also spoke of the reintegration of Jovane Cabral, saying that “it was a matter of clarifying the situation with him."

"We were left with one less player and I always look at which players we have. I decided to talk with Jovane. I understood his idea, he understood mine and he is another player to help us. It's better to go get the players we have here to make up for some absences."