The coach runs the rule over the game with CF Estrela da Amadora

Sporting Clube de Portugal host CF Estrela da Amadora on Matchday 10 of the Liga Portugal season, and coach Rúben Amorim predicts a close contest against the visitors.

“They are a team that don't concede many goals, play in a very compact 5-4-1 defensively and always have three very strong players up front. I think they will play with Ronaldo [Tavares], who is very powerful, they will look for transitions and we have to be very intelligent with the ball and always prepared to sprint back”, he began by telling journalists in his pre-match press conference.

“We have to move the ball quickly and everyone needs to stay calm, because they will use a compact block that will try to create difficulties for us, especially at the beginning of the game. We have to continue to play well, creating situations and difficulties for the opponents. It will be a difficult game against a team that know what they want from the game, and we are prepared for the challenge”.

“Geny [Catamo] is injured, so he might be out until the return from the international break. [Hidemasa] Morita could recover, but he won't play yet, and Jeremiah St. Juste has a virus -[Ricardo] Esgaio too, but he seems to have recovered more. Otherwise, everyone is ready”, he said.

Asked about the proximity of the derby with SL Benfica - scheduled for the following matchday -, Amorim highlighted that the game with CF Estrela da Amadora “is the most important”.

“We always have the same approach, regardless of the opponents, but we just have to think that if we don't beat CF Estrela da Amadora, first place will be at stake at the Estádio da Luz. For me it's very clear: this game is just as important, if not more important. FC Porto dropped points and we have to win. This is the most important game, because after this we still have a decisive game to come in the Europa League. There is still a lot of time until the derby and the players are focused on CF Estrela da Amadora”.

“It's a much more pleasant feeling to be where we are than last year, but it is still very early. The concern is not to take steps backwards. It’s about earning points after points, maintaining the position. This year, more than ever, it's down to results. My commitment to Sporting CP is total. We want to create a standard here of winning trophies every year and I think this is good for the club and is a sign of our demanding nature”.

Striker Viktor Gyökeres returns to league action after scoring his first hat-trick for the club. Looking at the Swede's current form, Amotim considers him to have been a reinforcement who has “completed the team”.

“I would say that the team has helped Viktor more, because for him to score goals, players like Trincão need to do what they do and create chances. We are much stronger with someone with Viktor's characteristics and he is a much better player with the quality of the players he has around him. He confirmed everything I thought, but he has had a greater performance and impact than what I was expecting - and I had expected a lot”.