Coates on extending his stay in Alvalade

Sebastián Coates was a largely unknown name for many Sporting fans when arriving at Alvalade this January, but the backing given by fellow Uruguayan and former teammate at Liverpool, Luís Suárez, has certainly rung true: "A player like Sebastián brings lot of quality to a team. I am certain he will be a great signing." Since arriving in the Portuguese capital, Sabastián truly has bossed the Sporting defence in an intimidating double-team with Rúben Semedo.

"All players dream of playing for a club that is fighting for titles, with ambitious objectives, and that made the difference for me", said Coates in an interview with the Sporting website after signing his loan extension, before adding a word on his odd forays forward: "Personally, my role is to defend, but If I can help in attack then I will."

Jorge Jesus' focus on defence has actually taken the Uruguayan by surprise, considering that goals are need to turn in wins. However, the final result can of course be decided by good defending. "The coach worries a lot about how we defend. Of course goals are needed to win, but he really worries about getting us all defending. Not every coach does that and it makes a big difference", said the defensive giant, finishing: "This is a great club with fans who are always pushing the players. I want to do my best for this shirt for us to get the results that we all want."

Alvalade president sits down with the Sporting president ahead of league showdown

You have to go back 42 years for the last time that Sporting and Benfica took the title race down to the last match of the season. It was in 1974, when millions waited for the final whistle. History isn't on Sporting's side, with the league leaders going into the decisive fixture tending to hold out and take the trophy, however Bruno de Carvalho sees things a little differently.

“Going into the last match of the season, we are two points behind first place. Of course it isn't the place we would prefer to be in and of course we would like to be in first. However, we are completely focused and we know anything could happen. That is what makes football such a beautiful game. While it is mathematically possible, anything can happen", commented the Alvalade president in an interview with the Sporting Journal this week, adding: "What I see is a Sporting team focused on our match and that believes that we can bring home a title that we have been missing for so long now. We will do everything we can to do that."

Sporting's hopes of silverware after the dust settles this weekend does however not just depend on what happens in Estádio Municipal de Braga. Meanwhile in Lisbon, Benfica will host Nacional, with Sporting needing the team from Madeira to at least steal a point.

“Looking at Benfica-Nacional, well from what I have seen and heard it seems like Nacional doesn't count for anything. It seems like Nacional doesn't care. That if what I have felt when listening to commentators associated with Benfica, but honestly I don't believe it", affirmed Carvalho, continuing: "Nacional are a good side and I don't think they want to be the side show for the league title. I know how hard Rui Alves has been working to put Nacional on the map and they are fighting for places further up the league now. Of course Benfica are motivated, because winning gives them the league, but Nacional are motivated as well."

The squad keep sharp with a 5-2 victory

Sporting Clube de Portugal played a training game on Saturday, at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo against UD Leiria.

Os Leões won 5-2 with goals from Ricardo Esgaio, Marcus Edwards, Lucas Anjos, Iván Fresneda and Rafael Besugo.

The starting team was made up of Diego Calai, Matheus Reis, Jeremiah St. Juste, Marcus Edwards, Iván Fresneda, Daniel Bragança, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Lucas Anjos, Rafael Besugo and Luís Gomes.

José Silva, Lucas Taibo, Pedro Silva, David Moreira, Alexandre Brito, Adam Arvelo, Samuel Justo and Rodrigo Marquês also participated.

Goalkeeper Vladan Kovačević trained separately in the gym.

The squad will have Sunday and Monday off, returning to work on Tuesday morning for a session that will be held without the players currently away on international duty.

The new coach confirms his staff and talks about the challenge ahead

João Pereira is Sporting Clube de Portugal's new coach, taking on the first team role after success with the Under-23s and B teams. A former player for the club in three different spells, he is now ready for the prestigious position of leading the reigning Liga Portugal champions.

Accompanying him on his coaching staff will be his second-in-charge, Luís Neto (a former Sporting CP player), Tiago Ferreira (former player and goalkeeping coach for the first team for several years) and those who have accompanied him in recent years: Tiago Teixeira, José Caldeira and António Pina (assistants) and Hugo Tecelão (goalkeeping coach).

“It is a source of pride, a privilege and an honour to be presented here as coach of Sporting CP. I want to thank the president, plus Hugo Viana and the entire board for the trust placed in me to lead this project. I also want to thank Ruben Amorim for everything he did for Portuguese football, but especially for what he did and achieved at Sporting CP. Ruben leaves behind a legacy here, and the legacy was not just his achievements, victories and records: It was also the unity he managed to create within the Sportinguista family. I know that all of this gives me a great responsibility, but this responsibility comes hand-in-hand with great ambition and great motivation to continue making Sporting CP a winning club and a club of the future," he began saying at his presentation.

“I would like to tell you to continue supporting the team as you have been doing, because together we will always be closer to victory”.

Pereira then responded to journalists' questions, highlighting his ambition as coach and his desire to give Sporting CP more silverware.

“As a player, Sporting CP gave me a lot. They allowed me to get called up to the national team, move to one of the best leagues in the world and return home twice. I only won one Super Taça and one Liga Portugal title with them, which was more given than earned. It's a regret that I have, so as a coach I would like to earn more trophies; because Sporting CP deserve it."

“If I had doubts and thought it could go wrong, I wouldn’t be here. It doesn't cross my mind that it could go badly. I know that we are going to go through some difficulties, but I have it in my head that it will work out," he stated.

“I asked the president and Hugo Viana to give me Luís Neto as my assistant, for all the experience he has as a player. He will help us a lot, in many aspects and will be very important for the future of Sporting CP. I place a lot of trust in him, as well as in the rest of the coaching staff; those who were never players and those who started as coaches very early.”

“We are all prepared. This process was being readied for a long time. The preparation was not done this last week; it would be a mistake if that were the case. It has been done in recent years and I am confident in what I can bring to the club”.

Pereira made clear that his mentality is like that which he had as a player, saying “I hate losing, I love winning, I'm very competitive, I want my teams to be fierce and I'm a person who is much calmer than when he was a player."

“The biggest mistake I could make would be wanting to imitate someone. In four and a half years, Ruben developed a great relationship with everyone. Mine won't be the same right now, but it will evolve and cement itself. If we continue to win, you will certainly have the same confidence in me as you had in him.”

The former player takes charge of the first team in a move backed by club president Frederico Varandas

João Pereira has been appointed as new coach of Sporting Clube de Portugal, taking charge of the team with immediate effect, and he was officially presented on Monday afternoon.

The ceremony took place in the VIP Hall of the Estádio José Alvalade and was attended by the entire board of the club, sporting director Hugo Viana and the coaching staff who will accompany the coach in this new challenge.

Club president Frederico Varandas revealed that the decision to appoint Pereira as successor to Ruben Amorim had been made a long time ago, and stated that Sporting CP will have a coach with “competence and leadership”, which will allow the club to continue growing and winning.

“This presentation is taking place seven months earlier than planned, but the choice was a simple and natural one, which began around four years ago. I have known João Pereira for over 13 years. As clinical director, he was my player on three different occasions and always demonstrated leadership, character and an unusual understanding of the game for a player. These are all decisive theoretical characteristics for someone being a coach. One thing is a project and another is a reality, so João will have to prove he has this," continued Varandas.

"In 2021 we invited him to return as a player, to end his career here. We also proposed the challenge of a new career for him and he accepted. He started out as an assistant with the Under-23s, coache the Under-23s for two years and then moved up to the B team. He grew as a coach, put together and perfected his coaching staff and won over the entire structure of the Academy with his competence and leadership."

"Today we are here and I can say that I have the same feeling that I had in this room about five years ago. I said it at the time and today I feel the same: I have little doubt that João Pereira, in four or five years, will be at one of the most powerful clubs in Europe. He will encounter a fabulous group, a fabulous captain, a fabulous staff and a club that will protect him and allow him to grow as a coach. Sporting CP are getting a coach who will allow him to continue growing.”

He also highlighted the total trust he has in Pereira, praising him for accepting the role in the middle of the season.

“High risk is about deciding something you believe in. Almost five years ago we presented a coach with eight games in the I Liga and today we are presenting one with zero games, but I am very comfortable and calm about that."

The departing coach talks about the win over SC Braga and bids farewell to Sporting CP

After the final whistle in the 2-4 victory at SC Braga, Ruben Amorim spoke in his final press conference as Sporting CP coach.

“It's difficult to sum everything up. This has been an incredible adventure. I encountered a very difficult context when we arrived at the club, but a very special one. It's very difficult to recreate what we had here. What I can say to the Sportinguistas is ‘thank you’. I did what I could, made some mistakes and showed stubbornness at times, but always with the team in mind. The club always came first and, apart from the mistake I made at the end of last season, this was the only time when I thought about myself more than the team; otherwise I wouldn't be able to do this,” he began by saying.

“Thank you. I’m sorry that this decision comes in the middle of the season but I felt that this was my moment. As for the club, this run has to continue; in the next matchday we can break the record for the best start ever.”

Regarding the game at Pedreira, Amorim highlighted SC Braga's “cleverness in knowing where to cover and counterattack”, but considered that his team “could have avoided the two goals conceded”. Overall, he considered that they were “fair winners”, especially due to the response they gave in the second half.

“There are things that cannot be explained. It seemed that, in the second half, Vitorino [Antunes], [Luís] Neto, [Sebastián] Coates, João Pereira, Matheus Nunes… all came on… It was special and much more important than what happened on Tuesday [the 4 -1 win over Manchester City]. Everyone who has been here in recent years was out there on the pitch with us, and there was no way they could lose this game. I was already a champion with the club I love, but this moment was unbelievable. The third and fourth goals had a very special meaning for me. It had to be like this. It would be like a film, in which everything worked out well. I leave here very happy,” he told the media, who themselves praised Amorim for his attitude and relationship with them over the last few years.

“I felt that if we scored a goal, our team would be fresher and we could turn things around. The difference in time between games had an influence. Until that goal we were very stagnant, lacking emotion, speed and even passion. It was a tough two weeks,” he commented, before highlighting the decisive goals from Morten Hjulmand and Conrad Harder.

“There was a great goal from a great player and captain, who arrived at Sporting CP a year ago. At halftime I heard him shouting in the dressing room. Conrad, because he is Nordic and wants things his way, gets frustrated when he plays, scores and then is put on the bench. In the moments when it was necessary, he was there. He will learn to deal with it, because there is a phenomenon who is playing ahead of him. He will go a long way.”

For the coach, victory in Braga became “one of the most remarkable moments, if not the most remarkable” of his time at Sporting CP, as he summarised it as “like telling our story in 90 minutes.”

Regarding the future of the club, who will have a new coach appointed shortly, Amorim reinforced his confidence in Sporting CP's current direction.

“I have confidence, because I really believe in the players and the new coach. I told the players that there are things that will be different, but the person who will be in my place has the same essence. This was being planned, but it had to be sooner than expected. Not everyone has what I had here: The players have to continue to be humble and they will having to lean on each other and pull certain players up. We also made a point of sharing information with everyone before we left. I will support the people here and this club is well run,” he said in his parting words.

A 2-4 triumph sees Sporting CP come back from behind in Rúben Amorim's final game in charge

Sporting Clube de Portugal equaled their best ever start to a Liga Portugal season with a stunning turnaround against SC Braga, winning 2-4 to make it 11 wins in as many games. Coming back from 2-0 down, goals from Hidemasa Morita, Morten Hjulmand and a brace from Conrad Harder made it a happy swansong for outgoing coach Rúben Amorim. He leaves the team top of the table with a perfect record thus far in 2024/25.

Up against an SC Braga who were looking to recover fourth place in the table, Amorim made just one change to the starting XI used in the epic European victory against Manchester City in midweek: Daniel Bragança came in for Morita.

Gonçalo Inácio returned to the squad, although Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards and Iván Fresneda were absentees.

The first opportunity went to the home team, as Franco Israel blocked Bruma's shot across the face of goal, and in the 20th minute SC Braga made it 1-0 through Ricardo Horta in unlikely fashion. Defensive confusion inside the area included the Sporting CP goalkeeper being knocked down on his goal line, and no foul was awarded as the ball was put into the net.

The setbacks only increased, as soon after Pedro Gonçalves was injured. He was replaced by Geny Catamo, and Maxi Araújo took the vacant place in the attacking trident.

Sporting CP reacted and created their first chance after the half-hour, but the well-crafted move ended with a finish from Matheus Reis that Braga's goalkeeper, Matheus, kept out.

On one of the first occasions that Viktor Gyökeres was successfully brought into play from deep, he dropped to the left and served Maxi Araújo with a pass into the box, but his teammate's left-footed shot went into the side netting.

SC Braga were more effective, however, and caught Sporting CP on the counter with a quick transition from Bruma. It was successfully finished again by captain Ricardo Horta, amidst further controversy about a potential handball.

Trailing 2-0 at the interval, Sporting CP looked for a reaction upon the restart, and brought on Jeremiah St. Juste in place of Zeno Debast. The attacking output increased, such as when Quenda sped forward and played a pass only slightly too far ahead of Gyökeres for him to get onto it before the goalkeeper.

Morita and Harder came on for Bragança and Maxi before the hour, and their impact was immediate. From the corner kick that followed, St. Juste rose highest to head against the post, but Morita was more precise and made it 1-2.

Catamo's sprint and delivery in towards Gyökeres -who arrived slightly late- kept the momentum going, and the winger himself had a go in the 71st minute that Matheus parried away. SC Braga were struggling to attack, and were trying to hang on for the win.

The persistence from Sporting CP paid off within the last ten minutes, when Morten Hjulmand made his move and, from distance, scored the equaliser with a captain's goal.

They always wanted more, and the goals didn't stop there. After the regulation 90 minutes, Harder did not hesitate to strike with a well-placed left footed effort that confirmed the comeback.

Os Leões rounded the game off with a fourth goal, again from Harder and this time from a counter that saw him go through on Matheus and tap the ball past him.

Sporting CP's first win at the Estádio Municipal de Braga since 2021/22 was an epic one, and the 2-4 triumph will live long in the memory.

After the international break, the team will close the month of November with three home games in three different competitions: Against Amarante FC in the Portuguese Cup (Nov. 22nd, 8:45pm), then at home against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League (Nov. 26th, 8pm), followed by CD Santa Clara (Nov. 30th, 8.30pm) in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Zeno Debast (Jeremiah St. Juste, 46'), Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis (Gonçalo Inácio, 80'), Geovany Quenda, Morten Hjulmand [C], Daniel Bragança (Hidemasa Morita, 56 '), Maxi Araújo (Conrad Harder, 56'), Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves (Geny Catamo, 25') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach previews his final game in charge of Sporting CP

Sporting Clube de Portugal travel to SC Braga on Sunday for their 11th Liga Portugal game of the season, and the final match in charge for outgoing coach Ruben Amorim. He spoke in the pre-match press conference to give his thoughts on the contest.

He admitted that the objective is to reach 11 consecutive wins at the start of the season, just like the club did in 1990/91.

"Equaling the record and having the chance to beat it is very important for us. The most important thing is to maintain and increase the distance between us and our rivals. Braga have always had a great meaning for me, and I also really enjoyed my time there. They were a club that gave me the opportunity to start my career at the highest level," he began telling journalists.

"We really want to win the game. The coaching staff and I want to leave the team off the back of a victory. I'm very focused on what we have to do on a very important weekend, in which there is a game between SL Benfica and FC Porto and in which we can gain points over one or both teams."

Regarding the fact that Sporting CP have two more days of recovery and preparation than their opponents, Amorim explained that "it could make a difference, but the SC Braga players and coach are already used to that. If we are not at our best, you won't notice the difference, but there's no way to say it doesn't have an influence. If we're competent and serious, it can make a small difference."

Despite the team coming off "a very positive and historic result" against Manchester City, the coach assured that maximum concentration will be required.

"If we are not prepared, we will suffer in Braga and we will not win the game. We have a very difficult job and if we do this, everyone will have a better feeling about this international break," he commented.

On his coaching Sporting CP for the last time, Amorim did not hide that "it was strange leaving the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo today knowing that I would not be back there. I didn't tidy up the office, and the club will have to send me my things. I said goodbye to everyone, but I'm not good with goodbyes and I think it's very strange. It's been almost five years of going to the same place every day, and it's very strange to leave in the car and know that I won't be back."

"I never thought I would like Sporting CP in this way. I will always like Sporting CP and that will never change, because of everything I've experienced here. I have a special affection and I will always support Sporting CP."

The Sporting CP coach reflects on his farewell home game win against Manchester City

In Rúben Amorim's last home game in charge, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Manchester City 4-1, and the coach talked about the momentus result at the Estádio José Alvalade.

"It's very big and it's been seen all over the world. We won by three goals. We went behind, but today it was written that it had to be like this. There's not much explanation for it. We couldn't get the ball in the first half, we were too hasty, they won all the duels and they pushed us further back, but missed chances. It was difficult, but we got the equaliser and that calmed everyone down. We changed things at half time, but the turnaround had nothing to do with that, because we scored from our first move and then we got the penalty from the second. Today, it just had to be like that. It was a special night, but we have to move on and think about the game in Braga," he began by telling journalists.

Remembering that he experienced "very memorable moments" in Alvalade, he commented that, "Four years ago we lost 1-4 to LASK and today we got this result. The way the players lifted me into the air ... I didn't expect anything else from them because I know what I did for them and, above all, what they did for me. It was destiny that I should bid farewell to Alvalade like that, but the best moment I've ever had here was when we lost to Manchester City and everyone applauded us. That had a much bigger impact than winning."

Regarding the future of the team and the club, Amorim has no doubt that Sportinguistas should be hopeful.

"It's always difficult to replace a coach, especially when you're winning. The coach who comes in will have a good legacy because he has very good people working with him, there's a very good atmosphere at the stadium, the team are in the playoff spots in the Champions League... The demands make it all very difficult, but there will be a lot of people supporting him and he'll never feel alone. That was very important for me; I never felt alone. There will be a structure at the club, which has been gained in recent years, a lot of support from the stands and an intelligent fanbase. I'm sure the fans will give the next coach time," he said.

Asked about the possibility of him being present at any eventual celebrations of a Liga Portugal title, Amorim explained that "I will always have a special connection with the club, but I won't come to Marquês to celebrate. I wouldn't have the courage to do that, but I would be very happy for them. Watching it would be like being there."

Sporting CP beat Manchester City 4-1 in an incredible Champions League night

A 4-1 win for Sporting Clube de Portugal against Manchester City shook up the UEFA Champions League and caused delight amongst Sportinguistas. Viktor Gyökeres' hat trick and Maxi Araújo's goal helped earn one of the most iconic European victories in the club's history.

A packed Estádio José Alvalade paid tribute to outgoing coach Rúben Amorim, who was taking charge of his final home fixture before joining Manchester United. The coach made two changes to the starting lineup, fielding Matheus Reis and Hidemasa Morita in place of Gonçalo Inácio and Daniel Bragança, whilst Manchester City presented a strong XI that included former Sporting CP player Matheus Nunes.

After observing a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the floods in the Valencia region of Spain, the game got underway.

The start was not a good one, and after just four minutes, a mistake by Hidemasa Morita at the back allowed Phil Foden to steal the ball and shoot past Franco Israel to put CIty ahead.

The Premier League side showed great dominance, especially in possession, but Sporting CP had a huge opportunity of their own in the eighth minute: Played through by Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyökeres closed in on goalkeeper Ederson and tried to chip him -only to fail to get enough lift on his effort.

Shortly afterwards, Erling Haaland's shot needed a great save by Franco Israel, and Savinho also tried his luck. Close to the half-hour, Foden's corner was headed by Erling Haaland, at the far post, but Gyökeres hooked the ball off the line. Franco Israel then kept out another effort from Haaland and Bernardo Silva, in the 36th minute, shot just wide.

Against the script, Sporting CP got the equaliser. Through the brilliant work by Geovany Quenda, a high-level assist gave Gyökeres another chance, and he shook off City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and finished clinically to make it 1-1.

Before the break, a counterattack ended up with a Francisco Trincão shot wide, and Matheus Nunes' shot was saved by Franco Israel.

The start of the second half ended up being one of the greatest in the history of Sporting CP. Just 20 seconds in, Pedro Gonçalves and Maxi Araújo combined for the latter to make it 2-1, handing the home side the lead.

In the next minute, Trincão was brought down in the area. Gyökeres stepped up and slotted away the penalty, increasing the advantage to 3-1.

Shaken by Sporting CP's two goals, Manchester City FC never managed to assert the control from the first half in the second period. They did, however, get a penalty of their own when the ball hit Ousmane Diomande's arm. Haaland's spot kick was struck firmly, but smashed against the crossbar -leading to a collective roar from the crowd.

With 15 minutes remaining, Maxi Araújo, Hidemasa Morita and Matheus Reis made way for Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança and Jeremiah St. Juste.

Gyökeres had a shot saved by Ederson, but completed his hat trick with a second penalty, when Geny Catamo was brought down by Nunes. This time he kept his shot low, converting inside the left stick.

Eduardo Quaresma and Conrad Harder came in for Geovany Quenda and Francisco Trincão, as more players got involved in a magical night at Alvalade.

The final score of 4-1 was celebrated long into the night, and keeps Sporting CP unbeaten in Europe this season.

Sporting CP: Franco Israel [GK], Zeno Debast, Ousmane Diomande, Matheus Reis (Jeremiah St. Juste, 74'), Geovany Quenda (Eduardo Quaresma, 85'), Morten Hjulmand [C], Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 74 '), Maxi Araújo (Geny Catamo, 74'), Francisco Trincão (Conrad Harder, 88'), Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres.