The coach talks on the eve of the game against GD Estoril Praia

Sporting Clube de Portugal take on GD Estoril Praia on Sunday (8:30pm) on Matchday 5 of the Liga Portugal season, and Rúben Amorim gave a press conference ahead of the away fixture for his side.

"We foresee many difficulties against a team who have nothing to lose," he told the media.

"They are having an excellent season, will play without responsibility and have assimilated their ideas well since last year, with a good coach. That gets the best out of the players. We are up against a very dangerous team. We played GD Estoril Praia in preseason and we know the team well. We will respond to everything that happens. It will be necessary to pay attention to the wind on dead balls, and every detail will count. I expect a very difficult game, but I know we will be prepared."

After admitting that the loss at home to AFC Ajax in the Champions League "was a very heavy blow," Amorim explained that the work done in recent days has been focused on improving performance.

"This week we looked at GD Estoril Praia, but we also looked at our own team. More than GD Estoril Praia, our preparation was about what we had to do, because that is what gives security to the players. We must show that we are an excellent team."

Asked about the project established for Sporting CP, the coach assured that nothing will change because of the team's involvement in European competition.

"Playing in the UEFA Champions League can't change anything about the project. It would be very dangerous to do that. We have to follow through with what we had thought planned, however much it hurts. I know the club and I know their ideas, and that's the path we will follow," he promised.

"There is nothing better than another game to turn a situation around. I want the team to show the same identity that we have had. I want them to feel confident about the process. I think the team are prepared. They know what they did wrong against AFC Ajax. We used the game in Famalicão to prepare this one, because GD Estoril Praia also sometimes defend with five at the back and a midfielder dropping in."

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."

The coach reflects on the 1-1 draw with FC Porto

Following the 1-1 draw (1-1) against FC Porto, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim analysed O Clássico and explained that the result was more unfair on his side.

"The opposite has happened before and there have been games that ended in a draw. This time around, we had more chances. That is neither here nor there, however, as we didn't control the game how we should have controlled against a mature team, but we could have killed the game off in the first half. There weren't any great opportunities for FC Porto in the second half either. After their goal, we looked for the win again, but it was very stop-start," he began by saying in his press conference at the Auditório Artur Agostinho.

"All unavailable players are missed, but those absent today were well replaced. I believed that I should bring on those who are fresher from the bench. We lacked some depth in the squad, but that is normal and part of our project. If it weren't, we would be buying players all the time and would neglect our commitment to youth. We were the better side and, compared to the Clássicos last season, there was an evolution."

Regarding the large number of fouls and cards shown to both sides, the coach stated "there are games for all tastes."

"Both coaches like intensity and our teams are aggressive. I've seen many Clássicos and derbies like that. It was very tactical, but there were good moments. There was individual quality from both sides and it ended up being entertaining. There are those who like very beautiful football with a lot of goals, and there are others who like the competition of these games."

Asked about Pablo Sarabia, the new signing who made his debut in the second half, Amorim said that "You could tell that he was off the pace, and making your debut always brings an extra nervousness. He lost some balls that he will not lose in the future. He has a lot of quality, he is very humble and he has absorbed a lot of information."

Finally, the coach underlines that Sporting CP's focus is to go game by game.

"Last year, despite the different calendar, we won in Braga, drew here with FC Porto and drew in Famalicão, just like this year. We have to win the next game, instead of thinking about the points that we have dropped. Our next game is against AFC Ajax, then we'll think about GD Estoril Praia. We don't have to think about anything else," he said.

The Sporting CP coach reviews the 1-1 draw with FC Famalicão

Rúben Amorim reflected on Sporting CP's 1-1 draw with FC Famalicão (1-1) in his post-match press conference, lamenting that his side “did not manage to impose our game."

“FC Famalicão dropped back a lot and took some depth away from us, whilst we put the ball where they wanted it and where we shouldn't have. We played a lot of balls inside and they made transitions there. The fact that the block was lower and we were making passes inside, without the defense being too high, meant that there was space between the lines that created a lot of problems for us, but the defensive problems came more from the offensive side, when we had the ball. Even so, we had opportunities, and FC Famalicão also had transitions. Obviously we believed we could win until the end, but it wasn't to be. Now it's about moving forward,” the coach began by saying.

After praising Antonio Adán, whom he said “had a great performance,” Amorim also spoke about João Palhinha and the yellow card that the midfielder saw in the 14th minute: “This always affects Palhinha a lot, and he then has to be careful because he picks up yellows easily, but nevertheless he had a good game."
The Sporting CP boss also took responsibility for the draw.

“When the whole team doesn't understand where we have to attack, it's the coach's fault and not so much the players' fault. Maybe they didn't get the information in the best way, but, even so, we were the team that always had the most of the ball. Then, with our transitions, when we don't make good decisions we make things more complicated."

“In football, everything changes very quickly. Now we have the international break, and when we return we will be very motivated for the game against FC Porto. It's a very long season. We have to look on the bright side: Last year we also drew here and, therefore, we are on the right path,” he concluded.

"Matheus Reis' red card changed everything"

At the end of Sporting Clube de Portugal 1-2 away win at SC Braga on Matchday 2 of the season, coach Rúben Amorim reviewed the game, which represented a fifth consecutive win over the northern outfit.

"Those five victories do not reflect the difference between the teams. We were the better side in the first half, scored the second goal early in the second half, and turned down the intensity a little before the sending off. Matheus [Reis]'s red card changed everything, because we were going to make changes to the team. SC Braga attacked, we defended well and we held onto the result until the end," he began by telling journalists at his post-match press conference, admitting that, "with fans in attendance, the game becomes more intense and emotional."

For the coach, the final result was a fair one on the balance of play.

"We were worthy winners. We withstood SC Braga's attacks well right after the sending off, which gives us confidence. After we made it 0-2, we made a mistake because we switched off a little. With one less player on the pitch, it's difficult. But we have to give credit to how Sporting CP performed until it was 0-2."

Despite a great start, with three wins in three games and the Supertaça trophy already in 2021/2022, Amorim is under no illusions that there is "much to improve". The objective, however, is always the same: To finish every match ahead on the scoresheet. "We want to win every game and we have a very good attitude. We are candidates to beat Belenenses SAD," he added.

Goalkeeper Antonio Adán made several high-level saves that helped Sporting CP claim the three points, and his coach praised the Spaniard as "an excellent goalkeeper who gives us a lot of confidence."

"Just the fact that he saves a dangerous shot relaxes the team. Sporting CP had a little luck again, and so we have to work hard. We have to be aware that we have many limitations and that we have to improve," he said.

The coach looks ahead to Friday's curtain raiser

In a Thursday press conference, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim previewed the season opener for his side against FC Vizela, which gets the Liga Portugal BWIN campaign underway this Friday at 8:15pm local time.

Keeping true to the ideas implemented last season, the coach said that his side will need to have their wits about them with the newly promoted team who visit the Estádio José Alvalade.

“They are a team that our coaching staff know well from CNS, just like we know about their coach. He said he told the players to just enjoy the game, but I know him well and I know that he comes here to win. Therefore, if we are not careful, we could drop points and even lose the game," warned Amorim, adding: “It will be a difficult match, between a team who have nothing to lose and another who have to win at home."

Fullbacks Pedro Porro and Nuno Mendes will be unavailable for the encounter, he confirmed, before underlining the difficulty that lies ahead.

"Every game is dangerous and we proved last year that anything is possible. We have to run more than FC Vizela, because if we run more than them, then we are stronger and closer to victory."

Believing that Sporting CP will make a strong start to 2021/22 League, Amorim also spoke of the support of the fans, saying that the team are "prepared" to receive criticism, but reminded journalists that the fans got behind the players when they went behind in the Supertaça.

“It is part of the game. The players have to grow, we are Sporting CP and we have to face things in the best way," he acknowledged, before fielding a question about the transfer market.

“I am very satisfied with the squad I have at my disposal. We have to improve several things, because not everything was perfect in the Supertaça, and there are players who will get fitter. We have the group prepared, but we can and must improve in all aspects. This season we're going to try to be more domineering.”

Asked about his own impact since joining Sporting CP last summer, the coach dismissed any effusive praise.

"I don't feel like a talisman at all. I have great players, a great technical team and I know I have some luck too."

Sporting CP face FC Vizela on Friday night.

The Sporting CP coach summed up a great 2020/21 season

At the end of the 5-1 victory against CS Marítimo that concluded Sporting Clube de Portugal's season, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the game and the 2020/2021 season for his team of champions.

"It was a game that we wanted to win. We wanted to sign off with a good showing after the defeat in the previous game. Pedro Gonçalves won the award for top scorer and João Pereira ended his career on the pitch. He had an excellent career and gave us a lot. We ended things in the best way," he told journalists at the Auditorio Artur Agostinho.

After guaranteeing that "next season has been planned for some time" and that Sporting CP "have a clear idea of what they want", Amorim commented on the possibility of some of his players being called up by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for the European Championships this summer, starting with Pedro Gonçalves.

"He deserves to be in there and so do others at Sporting CP. The choice is up to the coach, who will choose well. If Sporting CP players are picked, I will be very happy. If they are not picked, I will also be happy, because they will have great careers and won't be worn out."

Looking ahead to 2021/2022, the coach defined the first objective for his squad: to win the Supertaça.

"There is the Supertaça to win and from there we will go game-by-game, again. We will not have as much time to prepare for our games next season. We will have difficult competitions to play in. I don't want to set big goals for us. We will want to win every game. We are candidates to win the Supertaça and we will work with that in mind first."

"It is important to maintain our unity because it is one of the great strengths of Sporting CP, but we know that it comes from winning. There are three possible results that you can have. Everyone has to think that the team as a whole is the most important thing and we will pay a lot of attention to who we bring in to identify with this idea. They have to believe that they can be starters and if that happens the whole team will be motivated", he added.

Going back to João Pereira, Amorim wished success to his former teammate and player in his future endeavours.

"It was special to witness the end of his career, because I have known João since I was a kid. I played with him at junior level, we had holidays together and our families know each other well. It was strange to have João Pereira call me 'coach' and speak to me formally."

"He will not be part of my coaching staff. He will forge his own career and he will find his own coaching staff. I already have my team. He will follow his own path and we are here to help him in this transition, which is difficult. We will help João with his new life and he will be very happy."

Finally, Amorim was asked to choose three words to define the campaign.

"Effort, Dedication and Devotion, and then the fourth, which is Glory. The team are the manifestation of those words. I thank my players and the staff, who did an incredible job. In a month's time it will start all over again, and no one will be thinking about this title. I think that's a good thing; it's the way that things are at a big club."

The coach's reaction to the Liga NOS title win

The man who led Sporting CP to their first Liga NOS title in 19 seasons, Rúben Amorim, donned the club shirt for his post-match press conference following the 1-0 win against Boavista FC that confirmed the league was theirs. He was not alone in the press room at the Estádio José Alvalade, however: His coaching staff were alongside him, with Amorim's reasoning being that "When you win, everyone should be here."

The coach began by saying that "The journey is still ongoing," with two games still remaining.

"It has been a good season, but now we have to finish it off. I thank the Sportinguistas for their support. We have to focus and stick together, people have no idea of the club that we are when everyone is united."

Sporting CP did not start the campaign as title favourites, and Amorim acknowledged that it was only late on that they began to see it as a possibility.

"Towards the end of the season we started to have the notion that we could do it, and started doing the maths. However, in the moment that we became more relaxed we began to drop points -and from there everything changed. We felt some doubts about the team, but we turned things around. Congratulations to the players, the coaching staff and the club, because we were able to handle the difficult times."

In addition, he noted the motivational factor that a lack of belief from others provided.

"Every time that people doubted us in public, I showed it to the players, it helped us a lot to motivate the team, so these criticisms were actually part of this success."

"The bond between them and the connection between the young players and the veterans was key to our success. We had a very compact structure, a Sporting Director who knows me well, a close connection with the coaching staff. This is a great club and everything went well."

"They are very happy players; here and there they felt their inexperience, and that even happened in today's game -with the way we played and when the final whistle started to approach, the team's nervousness was very noticeable. That youth also took a lot of pressure off us at more difficult moments, however. It was part of the season, but it was a very important factor in our achievement."

The coach -in his first full season in a dugout- will now get a chance to guide Sporting CP in Europe's top club competition. He intends to stick around for the challenge.

"Next year there is the Champions League. We have a path to follow, but if this year was one of suffering, the next one will be even more -but we will be prepared for that. I will coach Sporting CP. I have a contract, I am very happy here and I will continue here," he promised.

The press room was invaded by several members of the squad, who doused their coach in water and celebrated with him at the end of a memorable night.

The Sporting CP coach felt his side were more than deserved winners against CD Nacional

After the final whistle in Saturday's game against CD Nacional, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim reflected on a 2-0 victory that he felt his side completely deserved.

"We produced a lot for a team who scored just two goals. We had opportunities to score more and CD Nacional had almost no chances", he said.

"The game was stopped many times and there were many fouls, but they were almost always against us. This time wasting created some anxiety amongst the team, but it was another day of suffering for Sportinguistas that ended well."

Amorim added that the introduction of Jovane Cabral 'unlocked' the game, allowing the team their breakthrough.

"The sending off of a CD Nacional player meant that there was less one man on the pitch, but it did not change the characteristics of the game and Sporting CP continued on top of things, trying to score. Jovane came in strong, holding the ball up. I have lost count of the number of games that players who have come off the bench have been decisive. That is their role; both Jovane and the rest of the team should be congratulated."

The coach also explained his decision to include Daniel Bragança in midfield, in the position usually occupied by João Mário.

"It was a tactical choice. João Mário has been playing and has had a great season, but I thought that the characteristics Bragança has were better for this game. CD Nacional would almost always be defending and Bragança provides a lot of speed on the ball. I thought that we would not need João Mário to slow down the game so much, but rather a player that varied things up. I think Bragança had a great game", he told journalists, before addressing the inevitable questions about title candidacy.

"I want the players to think that we can drop points at any ground. We have a 6-point lead and 12 points in play. As for the support of the fans, the team are grateful for it. The great biggest success of the coaching staff and these players was changing the dynamic of the club. It is very difficult to do this in one year, I am lucky to have a group of players who are at the level required of Sporting CP. I congratulate them, but there is still a long way to go."

The coach gave merit to his side's resilience in victory over SC Braga

After the full time whistle in Sporting Clube de Portugal's 0-1 win away to SC Braga, coach Rúben Amorim expressed his pride in his players -who battled against a numerical disadvantage when Gonçalo Inácio was sent off in the 18th minute.

"You have to give credit to the players. It was a very tough game against an excellent team. We were able to suffer," he said.

"We are good at defending in a lower block. Up to the 20-minute mark it was an even game. From then on, there was no game. There was one team attacking,  and another defending and trying to break out. We ended up scoring, we won and we have to keep going."

For Amorim, his absence from the dugout due to suspension had no influence on the game or the result.

"I have been suspended for other games. The team are doing well and the coaching staff know what to do. As we saw today, we have several leaders."

"This was another victory, and there is still a long way to go. We could lose at home to CD Nacional, just like we could lose at another ground. This was a normal game and Sporting CP’s third win over SC Braga this year, but we have to be aware that we can win at any ground and that we can lose at any ground."

On the changes he made at halftime, taking off Nuno Santos and Paulinho to replace them with Luís Neto and Matheus Nunes, he commented that "Neto is a very strong player, used to playing with the other centre backs. He is very aggressive and we have trained many times with ten men. We have to improve our offensive side with one player less. With Matheus [Nunes], it was like at the Dragão against FC Porto or SC Braga at Alvalade. He defends well and has the ability to go forward. It ended up working."
Sporting CP will have a change of goalkeeper against CD Nacional, with Antonio Adán having been shown a fifth yellow card of the season, and Amorim addressed the preparation required.

"We have to have our feet firmly on the ground. We can lose points in any game and that has to be in our heads. We have to prepare Max [Luís Maximiano], because Adán picked up a fifth yellow - I can't remember a goalkeeper receiving five yellow cards before. Max has a lot of talent, and this is how the players grow," he added.

"Our focus is on CD Nacional, and on recovering and preparing the players. Having these examples from these past few weeks, it would be a mistake for us not to go game by game. If we were three points from clinching the title, we would be candidates -because we always go out to win.

"We cannot ride this rollercoaster of emotions. I understand the supporters, but it is up to me to maintain my discernment at this point with a young group. This was a good victory, playing with a man down at an important stage of the season," he said.

Finally, Rúben Amorim explained the substitutions he made at halftime, taking out Nuno Santos and Paulinho to replace Luís Neto and Matheus Nunes. "Neto is a very strong player used to playing with the other central players. (...) He is very aggressive and we have trained many times with one less. We have to improve the offensive part with one less. Matheus [Nunes] was like in Dragão or Braga in Alvalade. He defends well and has the capacity to go forward. It ended up working, "he said.