The coach previews the game against FC Vizela

Sporting Clube de Portugal open their Liga Portugal campaign on Saturday, with the visit of FC Vizela to the Estádio José Alvalade. Speaking ahead of the game, coach Rúben Amorim talked about the preparations and expectations for the match and the season.

“The preseason was as it should be: Well planned, with many young players who asserted themselves and won their place in the squad. We grew. We have lost some players, but the base remained the same and that helps us to take steps forward in what we are doing. We won friendlies, but that's not worth anything. The objective is to beat FC Vizela and fight for all the trophies in Portugal. It was a good preseason with success in terms of the club's DNA, which is bringing through academy players,” he said in the press conference for the match.

“The team look very well, confident and ready to start the season. Sporting CP are candidates for the title. The only year I said that we weren't, was a very difficult year. I feel and believe that the team are capable of it. I only have one objective, which is to take things game-by-game,” emphasised the coach.

On the characteristics that new signing Gyokeres can bring to Sporting CP, he noted that the team can play a little differently due to the characteristics of the Swedish international forward.

“Gyokeres is a striker who, in addition to scoring goals, allows our team to have the ability to play a little deeper and to have someone who operates more alone in transitions. We are more complete, and the fact that we are incorporating young players makes it seem to me that we are starting a new three-year cycle. We want to win now, but we are doing the same cycle we had three years ago. There is a lot of hunger in training and that pleases me and will make the team grow a lot."

Amorim praised the ability of sporting director Hugo Viana to transmit the Sporting CP project in the transfer market.

“We are still below 50 percent, between sales and purchases. Last year, Porro left in the middle of the season, Sarabia, Palhinha, Matheus Nunes also departed and there were more changes than this year. Only Ugarte left from the regular starters, which allowed us to plan better. We went looking for young players who already had some experience to join the first team. Many kids came in and will have their spot. We set targets early and we had good sales. We didn't do anything in a hurry, so now it's time to beat FC Vizela. We're on the right track. We know it's going to be a tough year, but having a base will make it easier," he noted.

As for the options for Saturday, Nuno Santos will only be ready next week and St. Juste continues with his recovery plan.

“Nuno Santos is doing better, but he will only start training with the team next week. Next week he will be an option. We're trying to get St. Juste into top shape. We believe in him a lot, and we are doing the best for him. He is world class.”

Asked about the importance of starting the season well, Amorim was even more specific.

“We are aware of the eight points that we had dropped last year by the eighth matchday. We can't lose too many points. We don't have to think about the first four games, but rather think about FC Vizela. We have to lower our average of goals conceded and it's a matter of consistency,” he noted.

Finally, asked which position is the ideal one for Pedro Gonçalves, he answered that: “Pote will vary between midfield and forward; we have more options up front. We can change our way of playing here or there. He cannot be assured f always playing up front, in midfield or playing all the time. It will vary from game to game.”