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 coach speaks before the game against GD Estoril Praia

Leaders Sporting CP host GD Estoril Praia on Monday in Liga Portugal, playing a side who have gone eight games unbeaten and lie seventh in the table.
Ahead of the match, coach Rui Borges talked about the difficulties that Sporting CP will face, but highlighted that they will be focused at a time when several of the regular starters remain unavailable.

“The strategic plan is to look much more at ourselves than at our opponents, who are really on a positive run, with very good dynamics, well organised, confident and have not lost since December. GD Estoril Praia are a team that will create difficulties for us, but they also have to be aware that they will face the side in first place and that they will also have a lot of difficulties at Alvalade," he began by saying.

“Viktor Gyökeres has recovered and can play 90 minutes, Morten Hjulmand and Jeremiah St. Juste are still out, Geny Catamo is still looking to get back to full fitness and Alexandre Brito is a doubt."

Borges will have to continue making adaptations, in a season in which 37 different players have already been used.

“We always say that one person's bad luck is another person's good luck. The young players have had the opportunity to work with us, to make their debuts and to make a dream come true," he commented.

“I always have to make adaptations: The line of four or five at the back, or the formation is very subjective. Therefore, more than the structure itself, it's about trying to adapt to the comfort of the players we have available and to individual behaviours and qualities."

Zeno Debast is one of the players who has adapted and has played further forward, receiving praise from Borges.

“He has adaptable characteristics. He realises that the team need this and that's why he tries to play a new position, helps and listens. He has had a huge capacity to learn and doesn't complain about not playing in his favoured position. He is always available and happy in his day-to-day life. He will easily be a leader and a good captain in the future.”
The coach also spoke about the phrase he said when he first arrived, addressing the team's inspiration and attitude.

“With inspiration, you've already seen it at times because, up until now, it hasn't been all bad. There was inspiration in several games and there was also attitude. It was only missing in the first half of the game against Gil Vicente FC. So I said it was the worst first half we've had since I arrived. I want to win and I know that sometimes we will win with attitude, which is what happened there. Because of all this, we don't have time to make beautiful music, but we have to have attitude and be effective, competent, and over time we will have better quality and for longer periods. This takes time, I won’t regret it, but in the future it will appear for longer.”

“We have not been able to implement our game idea and this can be seen if you look at the trajectory of this coaching staff. We haven't had time to train much, but, more than that, we haven't had the players available. Adding to this, the team was not created according to Rui Borges' model, it was created according to Ruben Amorim's style, and there had to be some adaptations. It's been a different challenge for us as a technical committee."

"We tried to adapt, but we are clearly far from Rui Borges' complete idea. Still, there's no point in me sitting here lamenting that. The coach has to find solutions and has to be able to adapt to the context, the moment and everything that involves coaching a team. It's all a challenge, but it makes me grow as a coach so that I can be more capable and better in the future."

Sporting CP beat Gil Vicente FC 0-1 to reach Taça de Portugal semifinals

Sporting Clube de Portugal secured a place in the semifinals of the Taça de Portugal after with a 0-1 win over Gil Vicente FC. Zeno Debast's long range shot proved decisive to the team's progressing to the next round, where they will face Rio Ave FC.

At the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, coach Rui Borges made  three changes to the side he fielded in the 2-2 draw with AVS Futebol SAD: Ricardo Esgaio and Matheus Reis replaced the injured Eduardo Quaresma, while Conrad Harder was chosen at centre forward to the detriment of Viktor Gyökeres, who started on the bench. Geny Catamo was available for the first time since February 2nd.

Gil Vicente FC - led by interim José Pedro Pinto - were coming off a tough series of five consecutive defeats - and three games without scoring - in Liga Portugal. However, they came out boldly in this cup fixture. In the first minute, striker Jorge Aguirre tested the reflexes of an attentive Rui Silva.

Sporting CP quickly responded, with dangerous cross-shots from Debast and, subsequently, Harder.

The home side made it difficult to create opportunities for Sporting CP, who always had more of the ball. Gil Vicente FC had some of their best chaces as soon as half an hour had passed. In the first, as a result of a rebound in the area, Aguirre was left alone, but Rui Silva smothered. Shortly after, Zé Carlos struck over the crossbar, then at the end of the first half Félix Correia wasted an attempt with a poor connection.

The score was 0-0 at half-time, and Rui Borges immediately brought on Gyökeres for the second half.

It could have started in the best possible way, as referee Cláudio Pereira signaled a penalty in favor of Sporting CP for handball, but after a VAR review, he reversed the decision as he considered that Jesús Castillo's arm was in a natural position.

Sporting CP threatened from a corner, with a header by captain Gonçalo Inácio going off target, and showed pressure and a sharpness up front in a way they hadn't managed until then.

Sporting CP finally got their goal in the 68th minute. From the left, Gyökeres set up Debast in the middle and the defender tried his luck with a shot from distance, which deflected off a defender and ended up in the back of the net.

With the score at 0-1, they could have immediately extended the lead, as there was no shortage of opportunities, followed by a sending off for a second booking for Gil Vicente FC's Zé Carlos.

A cross from Trincão found Gyökeres alone at the far post, but Brian Araújo denied him a goal, something he repeated when both the striker and the winger had opportunities. In between, off a direct free kick, Gyökeres shot very close to the angle.

Trincão tried his luck with a well-placed shot from the right that went close to the post.

Rui Borges had then made two substitutions: Geny Catamo returned (for Fresneda) and youngster Kauã Oliveira made his debut for the first team (for Alexandre Brito).

However, the home team began to become more effective, despite being outnumbered. They took advantage of set pieces to try to get back into the game, and almost managed to do so in the 88th minute. Captain Rúben Fernandes seemed to have scored, but it proved to be just a scare when the goal was denied after a lengthy VAR review for offside.

Os Leões progress to the semifinals, joining Rio Ave FC, FC Tirsense and SL Benfica, as they attempt to win the competition for the first time since 2018/19.

The focus now turns to Liga Portugal, as Sporting CP return to action on Monday (8:15 pm) at home to GD Estoril Praia.

The coach says what he expects from the cup game against Gil Vicente FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal play Gil Vicente FC this Thursday, in the quarter-finals of the Taça de Portugal. Coach Rui Borges gave his thoughts before the game in his pre-match press conference.

“Gil Vicente FC are a side that play very well, especially their attacking play -where they have a lot of mobility, a lot of quality and a good ability to make decisions. Therefore, I consider them a difficult team to face. They really enjoy their football and are not afraid of exposing themselves to mistakes," he analysed.

"They have a new coach, who hasn't changed the defensive or offensive structure much, but, in any case, due to the individual and collective quality they have, Gil Vicente FC will cause us many difficulties -so at no point can we afford to switch off. In addition to being a good team, they will certainly be motivated to reach the semifinals of the Taça de Portugal, which is a competition where, as a rule, smaller clubs gain courage and have greater ambition. All of this together leads us to think that it will be a difficult game, but, of course, we also have the ambition of reaching the semifinals."

Asked about his squad, he said that "We'll see if Geny Catamo can be an option or not."

“Pedro Gonçalves is not yet fit and Viktor Gyokeres is available, but we have to control the minutes he plays and continue to be careful. We would like to have everyone available, but we have to be strong and capable of fighting against all the setbacks we have to go through to the semifinals."

“We all feel the adversities, be they injuries or the amount of games, but, above all, I see the squad focused on the ultimate objective, which is to be two-time league champions. The group are calm, happy, focused and resilient amidst everything that has happened to us, in addition to being very human in terms of the connection between everyone. Despite everything, and despite the fact that at times we have not been as competent, we are still joint top of Liga Portugal, have our objective intact and it's down to us," continued Borges.

Asked about Sporting CP's dip in the second halves of recent games, the coach said that it was due to tiredness.

“We, the coaching staff, have to think about how we can be more intense, but we know that physical freshness leads us to be more alert in our behavior and it is natural that, as time goes by, we are not able to press as much. This makes the performance drop and gives more space to the opponents. I don’t ask them to drop off, and I think this is due to the physical tiredness that leads to mental tiredness as well.”

Borges was also asked about referees, making it clear what he meant after the last game.

“I spoke about VAR because I had already asked for the same criteria 15 days ago. I wasn't talking about the refereeing in that game, because the refereeing was good, I was talking about the moves requiring a VAR decision. I didn't say whether they were right or wrong, I just asked for the same criteria. As for those harmed or benefited, the president has already said, and rightly so, that in the 'league of truth', which you sometimes talk about, Sporting CP should have four or five more points, but I'm not going there and I didn't criticise the refereeing. I just ask for the same criteria for everyone, big or small.”

Spoils are shared in a 2-2 draw with AVS Futebol SAD

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 2-2 on their visit to AVS Futebol SAD, on Matchday 23 of the Liga Portugal season.

Rui Borges made several changes to his starting lineup, with Iván Fresneda, Zeno Debast, Alexandre Brito, Maxi Araújo, Viktor Gyökeres and Francisco Trincão in place of Ricardo Esgaio, Morten Hjulmand, João Simões, Matheus Reis, Conrad Harder and Biel -who had played in the Champions League in Dortmund.

For Brito, it was his debut as a starter, while Lucas Anjos, Afonso Moreira, Eduardo Felicíssimo and Manuel Mendonça were on the bench - the latter two seeking their first minutes for the senior side.

Sporting CP started the game well, looking to dominate the game, and created danger for the first time in the seventh minute. Gyökeres appeared on the left and tried to play the killer pass, but the attempt was cut out for a corner.

Soon after, Ousmane Diomande met an excellent cross from Francisco Trincão with a header into the back of the net. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but VAR changed the decision and awarded it.

AVS Futebol SAD reacted and threatened through Zé Luís, who on two different occasions required saves from Rui Silva. Shortly afterwards, Gyökeres advanced down the right and held the ball up, with possession eventually falling to Brito, who shot just wide.

The Swedish striker created an even clearer chance in the 21st minute, when he was played through by Francisco Trincão. He snaked through the opposition defence and forced Ochoa to make a spectacular intervention for a corner.

The home team also had an approach on goal, but Aderllan Santos missed the target.

On 33 minutes, Sporting CP doubled their lead. Trincão combined with Gyökeres, before a delivery to Maxi Araújo. He in turn helped Gyökeres to convert with a classy finish with his left foot. It was the 23rd goal of the season in Liga Portugal for the striker, and the 35th in all competitions.

Before the break, Diomande headed over the crossbar, and both Trincão and Debast's shots wide, and Sporting CP went into the interval 0-2 in front.

Rui Borges replaced Eduardo Quaresma with Matheus Reis for the second half, in his only change.

Getting the action back underway, Debast shot well off target, and Zé Luís did the same at the other end.

From there, things went south for Sporting CP. AVS Futebol SAD were awarded a penalty for a foul by Diomande, and Zé Luís converted to take the score to 1-2.

The task of maintaining the advantage became even more difficult for Sporting CP in the 78th minute, when referee Fábio Veríssimo, again with the help of VAR, showed a second yellow to Diomande, leaving the team down to ten men for the final moments.

In the 83rd minute, 18 year old Eduardo Felicíssimo debuted in place of Trincão, at the same time as Alexandre Brito was also replaced by Ricardo Esgaio.

Conrad Harder came on for Geovany Quenda in the first of seven additional minutes of stoppage time.

Late on, almost immediately before the final whistle, AVS Futebol SAD made it 2-2 through Gustavo and denied Sporting CP all three points.

Os Leões will play again at 8:45pm on Thursday, visiting Gil Vicente FC in the quarter-finals of Taça de Portugal.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Eduardo Quaresma (Matheus Reis, 45'), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio [C], Maxi Araújo, Iván Fresneda, Zeno Debast, Alexandre Brito (Ricardo Esgaio, 83'), Geovany Quenda (Conrad Harder, 90+1'), Francisco Trincão (Eduardo Felicíssimo, 83') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach laments the 2-2 draw away to AVS Futebol SAD

Following the 2-2 draw between Sporting Clube de Portugal and AVS Futebol SAD, coach Rui Borges gave a press conference to analyse the match.

"With everything we did in the first half, we deserved much more. It's a very harsh draw for us. In the first half we were far superior, with a lot of quality in our play. We created chances from which we could have increased the advantage. AVS Futebol SAD pressed more in the second half, but without creating any danger. Even with less possession and more losses of the ball, we controlled the game. What happened next was a situation that can happen, although some incidents were more inexplicable than others. We were harshly punished. Playing with ten men, it's normal that we dipped a little, with the conditions we had to face. The players did the best they could and AVS Futebol SAD ended up being happy," he told journalists.

Regarding the refereeing, Borges asked that Sporting CP's games be judged with "the same criteria" as others.

"I'm not saying that the referees are wrong or right, but I'm just asking for the same criteria. In every game there are incidents like that for the penalty, which allowed the opponents to get into the game. AVS Futebol SAD grew in strength because of things we don't control. In terms of the sending off, VAR can't notify the referee, because it's not a red card decision. I'm not going to criticise the referees, but I'd like the same criteria for Sporting CP as with everyone else."

Regarding the group's state of mind, the coach guaranteed that they would be "emotionally calm."

"There's no lack of control. We were switched on, but it's difficult when inside you feel that there has been injustice. It's like that with everyone, but I didn't feel that the team lost emotional balance. That's not why we drew," he said.

The coach looks at the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund

Rui Borges, coach of Sporting Clube de Portugal, spoke ahead of the game against BV Borussia 09 Dortmund; the return leg of the play-off to reach the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

“The difficulty is huge, as we are going to face a great team that are 0-3 up from the first leg," he acknowledged, before explaining his plan for the rematch.

“The big challenge is, and will continue to be, to gain more consistency throughout the game. A consistency that we had in the first half, where we were intense, competitive and clearly superior. We didn't have that in the second half, and against great teams these details make the difference. It is a difficult result to come back from, but the greatness of the club we represent means that we will never give up and will always do our best to win," he said.

Asked about the absences of Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres from the squad that arrived in Germany, Borges claimed that it was “just team management."

“Everything is a priority in terms of competitions, but we had some injuries that made our decisions difficult throughout this accumulation of games. On Sunday we will also have a very difficult game in the league, where we want to win again and we will have more absences: Morten [Hjulmand] and Ousmane [Diomande]. It is impossible not to have this squad management."

Despite the adversities, especially as a result of the various injuries that have plagued the squad, the coach outlined the ambition that will drive his team in Dortmund, where they will have young players José Silva, Eduardo Felicíssimo, Alexandre Brito, Manuel Mendonça, Afonso Moreira, Lucas Anjos and Rafael Nel all looking for experience.

“We will do our best. We want to respond and dignify the great club we represent. There is no time to regret things, but rather we have to find solutions."

“Tomorrow we will come into the game with great spirit, with a huge desire to win and without looking too much at the result of the first leg. We have to look at the game at hand, and do our best with our strategy and our ideas."

“We have to believe in our path and that, in the future, we will be very happy regardless of all the setbacks that have happened to us. We have to be more resilient and stronger, and this character also defines Sporting CP," he concluded.

The striker promises maximum effort in the Champions League playoff

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit BV Borussia 09 Dortmund on Wednesday (6:45 pm CET), to play the second leg of the play-off for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Speaking before the game, Conrad Harder assessed the difficulty of overcoming a 0-3 disadvantage from the first leg.

“I feel happy and honoured to play in the UEFA Champions League. Of course it's a difficult game, away from home and with a three-goal deficit, but we will do everything we can to win. The club, the team and our fans demand this," he highlighted, adding that, after the confirmation of Daniel Bragança’s serious injury, the group “want to win the game for him too."

A long list of absentees that includes Jeremiah St. Juste has been added to by Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres, who have not travelled to Germany.

“They are two very important players for us," acknowledged Harder. “We have a good team, which believes in itself. We will give everything for the victory. We feel prepared, and I will give my all on the pitch."

The coach talks after the draw with FC Arouca

Rui Borges expressed his disappointment with the 2-2 draw against FC Arouca in his post-match press conference following the Liga Portugal game.

“It was a very unfortunate game in every way: The own goal, the injuries, the penalty, the sending off... Many situations happened that changed the course of the game. We were trying to fight against them, so it is worth appreciating what the players did, even with ten men, in a game that could have gone either way," the coach began by saying, adding: "It was a difficult game, where everything happened to us, but we have to be able to deal with these things. We remain in first place, so we have to take that away, think game by game and do everything we can to stay first.”

“Today, I highlight the positive contribution from the group. Especially after the sending off. That's why the team ended up exhausted. I think that for everything they did, they deserved to have come out of this game with the three points."

“I’m still very motivated and confident. The belief is there. Like I said, we're still first, that's what we want and we have to hold on to that. The fans hae been important and they were important today, especially when we were left with ten men, and they were giving us that energy to make us believe that we were capable of turning the game around. Only together will we be able to overcome all these circumstances that happened to us," continued Borges.

He also spoke about the injuries to Daniel Bragança and Jeremiah St. Juste, saying that the midfielder's “could be something more delicate” and that the defender's is “more of a muscular problem”. Both will be absent for next week's European game.

"We will fight in that match. We will have to take some precautions, but we will not throw away the game. We will try to come up with strategies and ways to win, because we want to win the game, regardless of who plays.”