“The team are prepared, as always," say the pair

Nuno Santos and Ricardo Esgaio spoke to journalists this week, as they continue to train at the Academia Sporting during the international break.

The two players explained the confidence and the good atmosphere that abounds in the squad, before a series of five games that will take place before the end of October.

“The team are prepared, as always. We have a fantastic group that are ready for adversity. As always, we are taking things game by game: In the Champions League, in Liga Portugal and in the cups,” said Santos, adding: “First we have a game against CF “Os Belenenses” in the Taça de Portugal. We respect our opponents, but it's a game that we have to win and gain confidence from, so that we can then move on to the Champions League, where we will face Besiktas JK with the greatest motivation."

“We have a small group, but with a lot of quality and we are even stronger this year. We are prepared for what is to come,” he continued.

Focused on the team and on Sporting CP's objectives, the winger had been praised recently for his performance and goal against FC Arouca.

“It was another goal and an important victory, but it represents only that. It was, above all, another victory -and the group needed that for morale. I like to play and I want to help the team."

Esgaio, who usually plays on the wing, has already been played in the centre of the defence due to absences for other candidates, but is willing to adapt. “Everyone knows me as a player. I will occupy any position to help the team achieve its goals," he insisted.

“We have had a quiet week, in which we were able to recover and get ready for what is to come. However, with our coach you never get a chance to take things easy; even if there is no competition, he likes to keep the intensity levels up and doesn't let the team relax. That's how we have been working to return to action with high motivation and fitness.

The defender also spoke of Pedro Gonçalves' return, saying that “Sporting CP needs everyone, and Pote is a great asset."

Esgaio, who has come back to the club after four seasons away, revealed that he found “a different Sporting CP” on his return, and was pleased to be able to have the support of Sportinguistas in the stands.

“It has been fantastic to play in front of them. Their support is amazing, as seen in Arouca in the rain. We are grateful for their willingness to help us, and I hope that they will always be with us."

Ferro and Santos preview game against LASK

Sporting CP assistant coach Emanuel Ferro and player Nuno Santos were at the Auditório Artur Agostinho of the Estádio José Alvalade on Wednesday for a pre-match press conference, ahead of the team's UEFA Europa League playoff against LASK.

The team met the Austrian side in the 2019/20 campaign, but Ferro was adamant that previous results count for little in such a high stakes tie.

"I don't think that any of the teams are thinking about something that happened in the past," he said. "We are preparing for a decisive game in a competition in which we want to reach the Group Stage. LASK have maintained their base of their best players. They are a very intense side. We are a different team, but we are a team who have worked with a lot of ambition. We believe that we are going to have a good game and achieve our objective."

Ferro added that "LASK are a very different side to Paços de Ferreira or Aberdeen FC". "We aren't too concerned about having scored more or fewer goals previously, because both teams are going to try to win the game tomorrow. We want to show our way of playing. The match tomorrow will be completely different to the two that have gone before."

Having several players back available, as well as coach Rúben Amorim, is a boost for Ferro and the team, as he told the media.

"It's a source of great satisfaction for the group, who performed well in recent games but are undoubtedly more satisfied, capable and comfortable of responding tomorrow's game with the return of players and staff members."

Nuno Santos was one such player sidelined through COVID-19, and he described the experience.

"It isn't easy catching this virus and having to be isolated and train by yourself for 14 days. I adapted as best I could, training and eating well. I'm a player who is focused, and that meant that I was able to play against Paços de Ferreira. Obviously the first few minutes weren't easy, but what matters is that we got the win."

"Our objective is to get into the Group Stage of the Europa League, and we are going to go out there to win -just like we did in our last two games," stated Santos. "We need to be used to playing, and what I want most is to play tomorrow and help the team. If that happens, then I am going to do things the same way as against Paços de Ferreira."

"Europa League games are always difficult, and we are going to be up against an intense side. We are going to have to have patience and keep the ball."

Sporting CP vs. LASK takes place at 8pm local time on Thursday at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Nuno Santos talks to journalists and Federico Varandas attends the session

Sporting CP's first preseason friendly takes place on Friday against Portimonense SC, part of a training camp for the squad in the Algarve. The game kicks off at 8:30pm (local time) at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, and will be the first chance to see some of the club's new signings in action.

One such player is Nuno Santos, who joined the club last week from Rio Ave. He was chosen to speak to the media on Thursday, after another intense session to get the squad ready for 2020/21.

"I think that we are going to give a good showing of ourselves," he told reporters. "We are training well; the sessions this week have been tough, and tomorrow will be a test for us to show our good football."

"We have a lot of quality and we are all here to work. We all want to earn our spot in the team, and to do that we need to show our qualities to the coach. The best players are the ones who will play," added the 25-year old.

Asked about what position he expects to occupy, in both friendlies and the Primeira Liga, Santos says that he can feature "both on the wing and in the middle". "I'm available wherever the coach wants me to play."

"This is an excellent group. I like being here a lot and I'm really happy to represent Sporting CP. We have a lot of quality, and in these friendly games the fans are going to see that."

Club president Frederico Varandas watched the session on Thursday, whilst Luciano Vietto joined up with the squad for the first time since their arrival in the Algarve. Tactical work was the main focus of the workout, helping to bring together established names and new arrivals.