The Sporting CP coach promises a revamped starting XI against Ajax

With a place in the Last 16 of the Champions League already secured, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim admitted in his pre-match press conference that he will use the game against AFC Ajax to field some less frequently used players.

“We are not going to change the way we play, but we are going to play with a few different players," he told the media.

"One of Gonçalo Esteves and Flávio Nazinho will start tomorrow, and João Virgínia will also be in there, because we have a decision to make at the end of the year and we have to watch him play right now,” said the coach.

“Our objective is much bigger than records and consecutive victories. We want to prepare our players for the Round of 16, bring everyone to the same level and give some young players the opportunity to start. We have a long-term project and we make use of every minute available. We know we have to honor the shirt that we wear, but there are certain moments that give us the opportunity to go further with the growth of everyone in our squad," he stressed.

“We are Sporting CP and the pressure on us is the same as always. The result in Alvalade affected us, but that also gave us strength,” he recalled.

“The only way for us to win the competitions we take part in is to prepare everyone and trust in everyone. I think we are going to have a great game tomorrow," he added.

"We have to win and should always be thinking about the future. Players who don't have that many minutes are hungry to play and deserve to play. Sometimes it's easy to say that the group is very united, but that's only because we believe in everyone a lot, and we're giving everyone the opportunity. When I say 'the opportunity,' I'm not taking responsibility away from them. Tomorrow the Sporting CP team will play to win."

The midfielder promises maximum focus against Ajax

Daniel Bragança addressed the media before a training session at the Johan Cruijff Arena, held on the eve of Sporting CP's game against Ajax.

The midfielder made clear his side's ambition for the match, saying that: “It will be a very difficult game because we are up against great teams in our group. There are no easy games in the Champions League, but we will do everything to win."

“We are a great club, and we represent Sporting CP. So we look at each game with the mentality of winning. Tomorrow will be no exception, and that is what we are going to try to do: Win, enjoy ourselves, evolve and grow in this competition," he stressed.

The young talent also spoke about what he considers he has to do to be a more regular starter: “Work harder and take every opportunity to be at my best level. Then it's up to the coach, and to us to prove, every day, that we are prepared to give our best."

Sporting CP lose 1-5 on the opening matchday in Europe

Sporting Clube de Portugal suffered a tough defeat to AFC Ajax in the opening game of the UEFA Champions League group stage, losing 1-5 at home to the Dutch side.

Fans flocked to the Estadio José Alvalade and filled the maximum capacity permitted by healthcare authorities for the game, which marked the team's return to the top European club competition. Sporting CP debuted their new third kit, and coach Rúben Amorim made just the one change to the lineup that began the game against FC Porto, with Gonçalo Inácio covering for the injured Sebastián Coates.

The start was a difficult one for the home side, who went behind after just two minutes: Antony took an initial shot, the ball swerved over Luís Neto, it hit Antonio Adán's post and fell for Haller, who only had to head it into the net. Shortly afterwards, Antony set up Haller in the heart of the area to make it 0-2.

From here, Sporting CP was forced to chase the result against a team who would resort to playing the ball around their own half, even with a high press employed by Os Leões.
The first Sporting CP chance was provided by Paulinho, who on 13 minutes went on a counterattack and then shot wide from the resulting corner.

Just 20 minutes in, another hard blow was suffered with Gonçalo Inácio going off injured, to be replaced by Ricardo Esgaio. This was followed by a shot by Gravenberch that Antonio Adán kept out, and a header by João Palhinha that went off target.

Finally, on 33 minutes, Sporting CP pulled a goal back, and it was Paulinho who scored it on his Champions League debut. Matheus Nunes found him with a great pass, and the striker did the rest.

Happiness for Sportinguistas was short-lived, however. A little more than five minutes before halftime, Ajax made it 1-3 through Berghuis. The score remained the same at the break, despite a header nodded just outside the post by Zouhair Feddal in stoppage time.

Amorim made moves for the second half, bringing on Matheus Reis and Pablo Sarabia to replace Rúben Vinagre and Jovane Cabral. Despite this, on 48 minutes more misfortune followed for Sporting CP: Paulinho headed into the back of the net for what would have been a magnificent goal, but it was disallowed for offside after a VAR check. Shortly after, Antony sent in another ball for Haller to take Ajax 1-4 ahead.

Pedro Porro then had two good chances, but on the first he hit the post and on the second it was goalkeeper Pasveer who kept the ball out.

The night concluded with another goal from Haller in the 63rd minute -his fourth of the game, as Sporting CP suffered a difficult start to their European campaign.

Os Leões return to the action this Sunday with a visit to GD Estoril Praia in the Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio (Ricardo Esgaio, 20'), Luís Neto [C], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Vinagre (Matheus Reis, 45'), Jovane Cabral ( Pablo Sarabia, 45'), Nuno Santos (Tiago Tomás, 60') and Paulinho (Daniel Bragança, 77').

The midfielder comments on the task ahead against AFC Ajax

At the press conference ahead of Sporting Clube de Portugal's game against AFC Ajax in the UEFA Champions League group stage, João Palhinha addressed the media.

"We analysed AFC Ajax, just like we analyse all the teams we face. They are a team who need no introduction. We see this as something new. Most of our players haven't played in this competition yet, but we are facing tomorrow's game with great motivation," he told reporters at the Auditorio Artur Agostinho.

"We are looking forward to the game starting and to hearing the UEFA Champions League anthem. I am sure that my teammates, the coach and all the staff feel the same. We are proud to be in this unique position," he added, also explaining that participating in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League "makes the players more experienced."

Asked if the duel with AFC Ajax is of special relevance, the Portuguese international midfielder stressed that "all games will be key games."

"We have a tough group. I've heard people belittle our group, but I really think that there are no favourites. We have a group of excellent teams who are used to these competitions. AFC Ajax, like us, are a team with many quality young players. We have many similarities between the two squads. We are two clubs who are committed to youth and have quality in our youth system. It will be a very difficult game, as will the games against Borussia Dortmund and Beşiktaş JK."

"The extra energy comes with representing this club, in any competition. Our thinking and motivation must always be high, because whoever represents this Club knows that they always enter the pitch trying to win," he added.

Finally, Palhinha spoke about his midfield partners, with a special focus on Matheus Nunes.

"We have adapted very well to each other. Matheus [Nunes] is an excellent player, as are Dani [Bragança], [Manuel] Ugarte or [Bruno] Tabata. All midfield players have different characteristics. Matheus is growing visibly, as is Dani and Ugarte. All the young players have grown, and that is due to the work of the coaching staff," he concluded.

Sporting CP play AFC Ajax in European action on Wednesday

Sporting Clube de Portugal welcome AFC Ajax this Wednesday for the first round of the UEFA Champions League group stage (8pm local time) and coach Rúben Amorim was present at the pre-match press conference.

"AFC Ajax are committed to youth and are known for creating great players, just like Sporting CP. But we are clubs in different times. Not long ago, they were in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, and they kept a lot of players. We would have to go through. several markets to get to the stage that AFC Ajax are in. We are similar clubs and similar teams in terms of youth and experience, but in this competition AFC Ajax or a much more experienced team. We face every game in the same way, whether in a national or European competition," he began by telling journalists at the Auditorio Artur Agostinho.

"In Famalicão we should have won the game, but we could also have lost. Against FC Porto we had a very good game. We're in a great moment. I think the team are prepared and should experience these moments. Having a Clássico and playing a few days later against AFC Ajax makes this team grow. Motivation will be high."

"Ajax play very good football, with rotations in their construction and wingers going down the flanks. Their coach knows the club's philosophy well and they have a very dangerous team who always have the ball, and we have to fight that," he said.

The coach confirmed that Gonçalo Inácio and Tiago Tomás will be available, but that Pedro Gonçalves and Sebastián Coates will not make the squad and it will be difficult to cover their absences.

"One was the top scorer and the best young player in the league last season, and the other was the best player in the league."

Having featured in the UEFA Champions League as a player, Amorim will make his debut in the competition as a coach. He said that "the anxiety and the desire to win are the same," despite it being a special encounter.

"Once the team goes out on the pitch and the referee blows the whistle, everything is the same. I have a bad record in Europe and I can only improve."

Finally, Amorim assured that Sporting CP's presence in the UEFA Champions League group stage will have a big say in the group's evolution.

"We will fight in every game and it's not worth looking at the maths, whether it is here or in the league. The aim is to see if we can fight amongst the best. For that to happen, we need to play great teams, like AFC Ajax. We want to be competitive and win the game."