The coach speaks after the 3-2 win over Portimonense

In his post-match press conference following a 3-2 win over Portimonense, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim discussed what was an eleventh league win in a row.

"It was a difficult game, in which we started well, but the two counterattacks by Portimonense SC left us a little uneasy. There was the goal situation. We are a team that is not used to being behind, especially in the second half, but that is the merit of the opposition. After half-time we came back stronger when it was 11 against 11, and the sending-off helped us; we put pressure on and the goals came with calm", he began by telling the media.

He also praised the star of the match, hat trick scorer Paulinho.

"It was his night because he scored three goals. He was decisive. It was a credit to Paulinho and the fans too, as when he wasn't in form they were always supporting him. But this doesn't end here. Now we move on to play CD Santa Clara".

Asked if 2021 was a perfect year, the coach commented that "I think 2022 is going to be the year, the continuation of our work. 2021 was a great year, but we have to do more and do better. We have to go game-by-game, that's how we think".

A game that takes place this Thursday between FC Porto and SL Benfica could change the situation at the top of the league table, and Amorim did not hide the fact that he would rather his club end the year as outright leaders.

"It's good to be in first place. Whatever happens is good, and I don't have a great preference for who wins that game. Many points will still be dropped. But I would like to have more of a lead in the table".

The forward leads a comeback in a 3-2 triumph

Sporting Clube de Portugal won 3-2 against Portimonense SC in their last game of 2021. A hat trick from Paulinho enabled the team to overcome an initial deficit, as they continued a run of domestic victories.

The game at the Estádio José Alvalade started with an early chance, as in the third minute Matheus Nunes made a drive towards goal -but allowed the ball to go just out of play. On seven minutes there was a strong shot by João Palhinha from outside the area, that goalkeeper Samuel Portugal was required to save.

It was 10 minutes into the match before Antonio Adán was called into action: Nakajima fired a hard shot goalwards, but the goalkeeper deflected the ball onto the crossbar. 

In the 20th minute, Pablo Sarabia had everything in his favour, but struck over the top with his first opportunity.

The deadlock would eventually be broken through an own goal by Matheus Reis, when the Sporting CP defender tried to intercept a cross and ended up turning it into his own net.

Paulinho and Pablo Sarabia led the charge in search of an immediate equaliser, but both would be denied.

Just past the half hour, Pedro Gonçalves called the goalkeeper into action again, and Portimonense SC held onto their lead into the interval -Sarabia and Nuno Santos coming close with their respective chances.

On their return from the dressing room, Sporting CP did not want to waste time and, in the first minute of the second half, Ricardo Esgaio shot just outside the right post. In minute 54, it was Paulinho who had an effort saved.

60 minutes in, coach Rúben Amorim brought on Geny Catamo, providing the 20-year-old with his debut for the first team. Shortly thereafter, Coates had a chance stifled by a last ditch challenge.

The equaliser would finally arrive, however, when Nuno Santos, on the left, crossed onto Paulinho's head - the striker making it 1-1.

What followed was a masterclass from Paulinho. With a quarter of an hour to go before the end of the game, the 29-year-old forward scored for a second time, following up on a Gonçalves shot.

In the lead for the first time, the team went looking for more. With five minutes to go, Paulinho scored the third from a Gonçalves cross from the right.

Lucas Possignolo got a late consolation goal for Portimonense SC, but the victory went to Sporting CP to round off 2021 top of the league.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio (Geny Catamo, 60'), João Palhinha (Daniel Bragança, 55'), Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves, Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 90').

The coach casts his eye over a Wednesday night fixture

In his last pre-match press conference of 2021, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the Liga Portugal game against Portimonense SC, scheduled for Wednesday at 9pm local time.

"It's going to be a difficult game against Portimonense SC. They are a team who play very well. They have taken more points away than they have at home, they defend well, they're good at set pieces and they have players up front who can create difficulties for the opposition", he told journalists ahead of the Matchday 16 contest.

"The Sporting CP players are prepared. We are used to the system that Portimonense SC play, and prepared for if they show up with three central defenders. Nakajima has been a very important player for them and can create problems, and we focused on that. We are treating the game against Portimonense SC as if it were a final: We have to win the game and play well. It's important to keep the fans behind the team, and they are always there for us. We have to be humble, be strong and have fun in the game".

The Sporting Clube de Portugal boss also revealed what he feels will be the keys to victory: "If we are strong in our buildup, we won't give them any chances or lose the ball in the first phase. I think we'll be able to push Portimonense SC back if we do that, and the team are used to doing that. We have to be strong in one against one situations. We have everything prepared and we are motivated. I think that we will win".

Regarding possible absentees, Amorim revealed that Tiago Tomás will come into the squad, but that any novelties may only be seen against CD Santa Clara next time out.

Asked also about the rotation of players in defensive positions, the coach praised the adaptability of his squad.

"It was important, when we had everyone available, to keep working on things. The players are getting more and more adapted to positions. We also have a goalkeeper, Antonio Adán, who has made some very important saves. But the team in general are defending very well, which is the reflection of a good team and the solidarity between the players. We have defended well as a team". he concluded.

Amorim reacted to the draw for the Taça de Portugal with a brief comment: "Playing against Leça FC will be a tough game. It's a cup game, and I still remember seeing them in the Primeira Liga. We'll be at full strength, very aware of the difficulties we may face, and we want to go through to the next round".

After a 2-0 win over Portimonense SC, the coach praises the handling of the game

After a Liga NOS Matchday 20 win against Portimonense SC, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim praised his team for their showing and admitted the importance of two goals scored in quick succession.

“It is always important. Those were decisive goals. For the second, we took advantage of a dead ball, pressed, won possession and finished. We can never expect the goal to happen sooner or later -that doesn't exist. We have to go looking for it and work hard, which is what we did, even though we had some chances in which we could have finished much better”, he said in his post-match press conference.

“In the first half we played well and always found a man free. When it was 2-0 we did much better than in other games in managing the game. In the second part the surface made things difficult, because we wanted to build from the back and many times we had to play through. I think this was an entirely fair result. Portimonense SC grew in the second half, but we managed the game well”, Amorim stated.

After explaining that Paulinho had dropped out of the squad due to discomfort felt in the final training session, and that it will be 'difficult' for him to feature against FC Porto next weekend, the coach singled out Zouhair Feddal for praise.

“He has adapted well. We knew him from his time at Real Betis and saw many games of his. The big surprise was his fitness, not his quality. He brings us a lot of commitment and quality, and he is very good on the ball. He marked many quality forwards in the Spanish league, and that makes players grow. He is a very important player for us”.

Finally, Amorim admitted that it is normal for Sporting CP fans to be confident, but stressed that the team's focus is always on the next game.

“Football is all about the moment, and I realise that some fans will never forgive us if we lose this advantage, but that is more a matter for the coach. The players are visibly growing, the squad is becoming more valuable and Sporting CP are now more of a club in all areas. Sporting CP always go out there to win. The only person who can deal with this problem is the coach and we are prepared for that. We are going game by game, without additional pressure. That's our idea”, he concluded.

Sporting CP see off Portimonense SC 2-0 at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal made it six league wins in a row on Matchday 20 of the Liga NOS season, beating Portimonense SC 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade. First half goals for Zouhair Feddal and Nuno Santos ensured the three points stayed with Sporting CP, who remain outright leaders.

With Paulinho out of the squad due to last-minute physical problems, Rúben Amorim kept Tiago Tomás in the eleven and bet on Nuno Santos returning to the starting lineup, in a game in which the pitch was in good condition, despite the heavy rain feel during the day and that fell with intensity throughout the first part.

With Paulinho out of the squad due to some last-minute discomfort, coach Rúben Amorim brought Santos back into the starting lineup.

The pitch was in good condition for the game, despite the heavy rainfall during the day and throughout the first half.

Sporting CP started the game strongly, building play patiently but also creating opportunities on goal. After 6 minutes, a run by Nuno Santos ended with a shot, saved by Samuel Portugal.

Just before the half hour, the opening goal finally arrived. Off a free kick sent in by Gonçalo Inácio, Coates headed on target. The rebound fell to Zouhair Feddal, who took advantage of a scramble in the area to prod the ball into the net. It was his first goal for Sporting CP since joining the club last summer.

Portimonense SC attempted a first half response, and had a goal disallowed for offside, but were stifled as Sporting CP controlled possession and eased into halftime.

As rain continued to fall going into the second half, Sporting CP adopted a more conservative approach to proceedings, and allowed Portimonense SC to have more of the ball. In an attempt to attack on the counter, coach Rúben Amorim brought Jovane Cabral on for Tiago Tomás.

The visitors had problems finishing their chances, and it was Os Leões who came closest to scoring again, from two efforts by Pedro Gonçalves: his first shot went wide, with his second forcing Samuel Portugal to make another good save.

In the final fifteen minutes, with Portimonense SC pushing forward in search of a goal, it was Jovane Cabral who almost made it 3-0 in another one-on-one, but in the end the score remained 2-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade.

With this result, Sporting CP have 54 points in Liga NOS, 13 more than nearest rivals - and next opponents - FC Porto.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán, Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates, Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha (Matheus Nunes, 87 '), João Mário, Nuno Mendes, Pedro Gonçalves (Daniel Bragança, 88'), Nuno Santos (Bruno Tabata, 71 ') and Tiago Tomás (Jovane Cabral, 62')