The coach analyses Liga Portugal opponents CS Marítimo

Sporting Clube de Portugal's next game sees them take on CS Marítimo on Sunday, on Liga Portugal Matchday 15. The two teams last met in December in the Taça da Liga, but Rúben Amorim is well aware that things could be different in this contest.

“We can take some things from that game, knowing that in the past, coach José Gomes played with a winger closing off the channel and a line of five in defence, then building with four, while in that game he played with three centre backs. We have taken that into account, as well as the individual characteristics and what we know about José Gomes. We have used everything to prepare for this game," the Sporting CP coach said in his pre-match press conference.

Amorim also noted that this match being an away fixture could also have an effect.

"In the last few games we have increased our intensity and it is important to score early, but we have to be aware that this happened at home and that we have had some difficulties on the road. It's not our stadium, our fans or our pitch, and every detail has an impact on our team, which has many young players in it."

"We have to do the same thing away as we do at home, because we have few away wins; we have to be consistent. A great team is not one that plays great games at home and always struggle away. A great team has to win away from home, even if they don't have a good game. We have to be consistent from the first minute onwards, start very strong and try to score first. That's what I'm always saying to the team, but now we're stronger and more consistent."

“The players are more prepared now," he continued. "The World Cup break was better than preseason, when we played a lot and trained a little. It went very well, we trained well and the team improved."

Luís Neto and Hidemasa Morita will not be at the game, but there will be two novelties in the squad: Jeremiah St. Juste, returning from injury, and winter signing Mateo Tanlongo, who was praised by the coach ahead of the match in Madeira.

“He is a young player with great potential, who has played in a league with a lot of pressure at a big team. He's only 19, but he already has that experience. He's an intelligent defensive midfielder and, from what we've seen, he has adapted well, picking up our ideas very well and very quickly. He is very fast and very intense, but he has to grow. We are very happy, but know that this type of player that we are looking for will always need some time."

Amorim also said that he was not looking ahead to the derby with SL Benfica on the next matchday.

“I'm more worried about CS Marítimo, I'm not thinking about the next game. We have to beat CS Marítimo and then fight in the next game, which is against the league leaders. We'll go one step at a time, but of course it's crucial for us to win both games. We're going to play to win the league until the end and we can't drop points because of our objectives: Not just the Liga Portugal, but also European competition."

A demanding month of January awaits, and the coach believes“it will be a crucial and decisive month, and there is no need to hide that fact. As a big club, this month will decide a lot. In addition to the league, we have to stay in Europe and fight to win the Taça da Liga, because it's important to win trophies, whatever they may be. Whatever will be, will be."

The Sporting CP boss also spoke about the winter transfer market and the continued speculation about players such as Pedro Porro and Marcus Edwards.

“I'm not afraid of anything. We have to to be aware of the moment the club and our league are in; here it is not possible to pay the fees that are paid abroad. We are prepared for this. The market is what it is, but these players are happy at Sporting CP and they know that they will only leave if their buyout clause is met."