The coach looks back on the Europa League loss to Atalanta BC

After the defeat against Atalanta BC in Group D of the UEFA Europa League, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to provide his analysis of the match.

"The word 'if' doesn't count in football. A draw was the fairest option, but it didn't happen. In the first half we had a lot of difficulties; we didn't have the quality with the ball that we should have and when we didn't have it we had more problems," he acknowledged, before talking about a second half that he considered "completely different".

"It was mainly because we had the ball, because tactically we did the same things. We tried our best, Geny [Catamo] and Marcus [Edwards] did well in attacking the opposition and that changed the game a little. It was enough to have more time in control of the game and we were better then".

"There were two distinct halves and we didn't manage to score two goals in 'our' half, which for me made the difference in the game. We demonstrated, from the first minute of the second half, that we wanted to chase the win. In the first half we also wanted to, but we didn't achieve it because Atalanta BC were the better side. The urgency was always there, but sometimes we didn't get what we wanted. It's part of football", he summarised.

Once again, Amorim underlined that "in case of doubt, the domestic league is the priority," recalling the club's European experience last season.  “In Europe we were very good and in the league we made it easier for the opposition. We also have to learn from our mistakes".

"No one is more upset about losing tonight than the coach and the players, as we haven't lost in I don't know how long. We have to face it head on. I know that after last season we have to win and play well, I know that and there will be zero tolerance, but we do the maths only at the end. We are top of the league and nothing is lost in the Europa League. I wouldn't say that first place in the group was at risk. We have to win our games and whoever gets more points will go through. We're going to do our best to achieve that".

When asked about replacing Morten Hjulmand at halftime, Amorim explained that the Danish international midfielder "comes from a different team and a different league" and highlighted that now, at Sporting CP, he is "making the transformation to go and look for opponents further away than he's used to doing".

He also talked about Paulinho's starting in place of Marcus Edwards: "We thought they were going to be a very physical team, and we weren't going to have Sebastián Coates on set pieces and Paulinho was in great form. We made the decision looking at the characteristics of the opposition, but now it's easy to say that. Marcus is in great form because the coach insisted on him even after he had some poor games".

A Gyökeres penalty is not enough to take points in the UEFA Europa League

Sporting Clube de Portugal fell 1-2 to Atalanta BC in their second UEFA Europa League Group Stage game, in front of the best home attendance of the season at the Estádio José Alvalade. Some 42,301 spectators turned out to support the team, who put in a great performance that fell just short of earning points.

To face the side currently sixth in Serie A - just five points off the lead -, coach Rúben Amorim made three changes to his starting lineup: Iván Fresneda – making his debut in the first XI – replaced Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Reis did likewise for Sebastián Coates, and Paulinho joined the attack in place of Marcus Edwards. Hidemasa Morita played his 50th game for the club.

In the stands, the atmosphere was frenetic from the start with Alvalade roaring loudly, but on the field the play would be defined by patience and a lot of concentration. Before the first ten minutes had elapsed, Atalanta BC had two dangerous approaches: On the first, Ademola Lookman burst into the area but found no recipient for his pass, then captain Marten de Roon's header went wide.

Sporting CP tried to use their short ball output to invite the Italians on, and Atalanta BC responded with their usual man-to-man marking. The intention was to then look for Viktor Gyökeres up front or Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves between the lines , but there was little progression and the visitors had more of the ball.

As the minutes passed, Os Leões provided two quick attacks in which the only thing missing was better finishing. However, in response, after half an hour, Atalanta BC made it 0-1 with the first goal that Sporting CP had conceded in four games. Davide Zappacosta got to the line and a low cross to the heart of the area found a touch by Giorgio Scalvini. Soon after, Lookman threatened twice, but first shot over the crossbar and then had his effort met by solid opposition from Antonio Adán.

Before the break, Atalanta BC took the score to 0-2 through winger Matteo Ruggeri, who after a tackle went through on Adán and scored off a rebound from his own shot.

Looking to change the dynamic, Amorim made changes at halftime, bringing on Sebastián Coates, Geny Catamo and Marcus Edwards for Nuno Santos, Morten Hjulmand and Paulinho. The team restarted the contest more aggressive and forced Atalanta BC to resort to constant fouls to slow down their movement. From one of these set pieces, Sporting CP finally came very close to scoring, but Inácio's header off Edwards' cross went slightly wide.

There was a new energy and belief amongst Sporting CP, with the game being played almost exclusively in the Italian side's midfield and  the visitors now finding it very difficult to maintain possession. On two different moves in the area, Gyökeres looked for space to shoot, but his strikes ended up being blocked by a defender.

With Ricardo Esgaio replacing Fresneda, it was Matheus Reis' turn to try his luck on goal, and Musso intervened.

The breakthrough finally came from the penalty spot: Diomande shot rebounded onto Scalvini's arm and, after VAR reviewed the images, a penalty kick was awarded. Just like in Faro the previous weekend, it was Gyökeres who took responsibility and confidently dispatched the spot kick.

The shift in momentum led to a great series of chances at an equaliser, as Musso got the better of a one-on-one with Edwards and only the post prevented Geny from levelling.
Atalanta BC were trying to survive as best they could, punctuated by a shot from distance from the newly introduced Gianluca Scamacca that forced Adán to save.

In the end, although they had the better of the shots and possession, Sporting CP suffered their first defeat of 2023/24. Thus, with Atalanta BC taking the lead in the head-to-head duel between the two teams that won on the opening matchday of the group, Sporting CP are in second place, level with SK Sturm Graz.

This Sunday they return to Alvalade to host FC Arouca in Liga Portugal.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK] [C], Iván Fresneda (Ricardo Esgaio, 66'), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Matheus Reis (Daniel Bragança, 90+1'), Nuno Santos (Sebastián Coates, 46'), Morten Hjulmand (Marcus Edwards, 46'), Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Paulinho (Geny Catamo, 46') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach is honest in his assessment of Matchday 7

After the hard-fought 2-3 win away to SC Farense, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim attended a press conference to analyse the game and began by praising the strong support of the away fans in Faro.

"We have always had their support and today they were very important in difficult moments. On Thursday we will have more of them and we need the help of the fans", said the coach, before stating that "the key was the third goal, which unlocked the game".

"It was a game that was difficult, became easy and then, with two dead ball situations, was level. In the first half we could have been better with the ball, we were better in the second half, we created chances, we didn't score and SC Farense grew in strength, won two free kicks and two very good strikes from one player made all the difference. Then it was a case of trying to go 2-3 up, and we ended up achieving it".

"SC Farense outdid themselves. They played against a 'big' team and, when losing 0-2, they still managed to equalise. In the first half we didn't have the imagination or the calm that we should have had. Now we have to see where we could have been better and made the night easier, because the circumstances of the game dictated that. It didn't happen, but we ended up earning the three points", he told the media

Asked to comment on the penalty that resulted in Sporting CP's decisive third goal, Amorim reaffirmed that he does not talk about referees, adding: "It would be unfair to analyse the last incident and not all of them".

"We had everything we needed to have a peaceful night, but we made it trickier. It was a deserved win for Sporting CP, but at the same time an unfair defeat for SC Farense. If justice is about who created more opportunities and came closer to scoring, Sporting CP were clearly fair winners. If we talk about a team that was stoic in the way they defended, worked together, fought against everything that happened in the game and were always on the lookout for the counterattack, losing the three points was a little unfair on them. But football is about who scores the most goals".

Finally, Amorim addressed the early replacement of Sebastián Coates due to an injury and stressed that "no matter what happens, Coates will not play on Thursday. He felt a knock and he is very experienced, so he was able to take precautions".

A 90th minute strike gives Sporting CP a 2-3 triumph over SC Farense

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat SC Farense 2-3 on Liga Portugal Matchday 7, but had to push hard and only found a winner very close to the final whistle through Viktor Gyökeres.

Coach Rúben Amorim chose to make a single change from the team that beat Rio Ave FC 2-0, bringing back Gyökeres into the starting lineup in place of Paulinho.

SC Farense came into the game in 12th place and bolstered by the São Luís stadium, where they had accumulated three consecutive victories at home in all competitions.

Sporting CP started creating dangerous approaches on goal early on. Among the main threats were swerving crosses and two misplaced shots: One by Pedro Gonçalves from outside the area, and the other by Ricardo Esgaio with an acrobatic bicycle kick.

In these first 15 minutes, however, there was also an important setback for the Os Leões: Captain Sebastián Coates was forced off with an injury, and Matheus Reis came on in his place. Gonçalo Inácio took the central position in the defensive trio, Ousmane Diomande moved to the right and Reis occupied the left.

Sporting CP reacted and, just after twenty minutes, Gyökeres successfully converted a penalty to give them the lead. Furthermore, the ball hitting Gonçalo Silva's arm when Gonçalves' shot was heading towards goal, earned the SC Farense player a red card.

Nuno Santos, with a free kick, and Marcus Edwards, from outside the area, threatened without success, but Sporting CP – dominating play and reaching the final third with ease – did make it 0-2 after 35 minutes. Gonçalves met a loose ball off a corner with a low shot from the 'D'.

The resistant home side immediately responded with a goal, scored by Mattheus Oliveira from a direct free kick, and a match that seemed under Sporting CP's control quickly broke down during the final stretch of the first half -albeit with no impact on the scoreline. Even so, the best opportunities continued to belong to Sporting CP: Edwards and Gyökeres both had chances before the halftime whistle.

At the interval the decision was made to bring on striker Paulinho for Hjulmand, with Gonçalves retreating to midfield. Sporting CP started with more of the ball and promptly threatened the opponent's goal through a strike from Nuno Santos, but the story from the first half would be repeated and another direct free kick from Mattheus Oliveira, reestablished parity in the game.

Paulinho followed up by heading into the hands of Ricardo Velho and, immediately, Geny Catamo replaced Esgaio on the right wing before the hour.

The crosses into the box multiplied, although without a clear recipient until close to the 70th minute, when only a huge save by Ricardo Velho prevented Paulinho from scoring. In turn, in addition to being well organised, SC Farense - galvanised by their fans - took advantage of any opportunity to try a counterattack and, even down to ten men offered a good response.

After Inácio tried his luck from a distance, Gonçalves received the ball inside the area and shot across, coming very close to scoring. Soon after, Mattheus Oliveira appeared again at the other end and forced Antonio Adán into a save.

Amorim's final roll of the dice was the entry of Daniel Bragança for Nuno Santos, and it was on his team's last effort that they took the definitive lead: Edwards slinked into the area, was brought down and, once again, Gyökeres took responsibility from the spot, converting to make it 2-3 before time.

Having achieved their third consecutive victory in the league – the fourth consecutive win in all competitions – Sporting CP are outright leaders with 19 points, taking advantage of FC Porto's defeat in O Clássico away to SL Benfica.

Next up is a game against Atalanta BC in the second round of the UEFA Europa League group stage on Thursday afternoon.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GR], Ricardo Esgaio (Geny Catamo, 58’), Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C] (Matheus Reis, 12’), Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Santos (Daniel Bragança, 83’), Morten Hjulmand (Paulinho, 46’), Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Marcus Edwards and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach previews the latest Liga Portugal encounter

Ahead of Sporting CP's fourth game in the space of thirteen days, facing SC Farense at the Estádio São Luís, coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to discuss the trip to the south of Portugal. However, he would start by commenting on the draw for the Taça de Portugal, which put CD Olivais e Moscavide on the team's path to the final.

"It's a cup game, against a local team who are very close to us, which is good, because that way we don't have to make a long journey when we have a lot of games. They have a coach who did the Level I coaching course with me and we have to remember what happened to us last season. Obviously, Varzim SC were a Liga 3 club at the time, but we were eliminated and we really want to do better this year", he pointed out.

As for SC Farense, Amorim stated that "it's going to be a very difficult game, different from the match against Rio Ave FC and against a coach who is more experienced than all of us here at Sporting CP. They will be waiting for our transitions and every detail will count. They will be dangerous from dead balls, we cannot lose the ball and we have to have very long possessions. It’s a slightly narrower pitch than ours, so we have also narrowed our pitch in training and that makes a difference".

SC Farense are currently 11th with six points, with the eighth best attack (9 goals) and the seventh best defense (8 conceded).

"They are an experienced team, with nothing to lose, who have already beaten SC Braga, but we know what we have to do. Our idea involves having the ball, not losing it, creating opportunities and, above all, not conceding goals, because we have 90 minutes – or 100 with added time – to score once", he outlined.

"They have more freedom against big teams, they defend well and have more space to make transitions. They always play with a lot of intensity and have less responsibility and more space to attack against the big teams. I expect a SC Farense that want to win, but so do we and we want to maintain our position, which is first place in the table. That's the objective of the game. We want to finish the weekend in first place and that's down to us. If we win we will be top, whether outright or not, but that is the main thing".

As for his squad, Amorim said that "Viktor Gyökeres is fit for the game, and after a scare Ousmane Diomande has recovered. Jeremiah St. Juste continues to undertake his recovery and is getting closer to returning, and Afonso Moreira and João Muniz are injured".

The team are looking for their fourth consecutive victory and are still undefeated in 2023/24, helped by having competition in the squad.

"It is good to have several players in excellent form, but that is not only the forwards, because the defenders are doing well too. In midfield there is a very healthy fight for places and the pairing has been changed from game to game. I simply look at the characteristics and sometimes players who are in good form start on the bench because that game may not need them at the beginning. It is impossible to include all the players in form, because it can ruin the team's dynamics -which is the most important thing".

"What I feel is that we have been more consistent because we haven't conceded goals, we always end up scoring and we have controlled our games. Tomorrow is a different game and a difficult fixture, in which there will be a lot of battles. Maybe there will be times when we don't play very well and we have to adapt to all types of games".

The squad get ready for their Saturday fixture

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday. On the horizon is a trip to SC Farense, scheduled for Saturday at 8:30pm local time.

The work in Alcochete continues on Friday, with another training session scheduled for 10am. Then, at 1:45 pm, coach Rúben Amorim will hold a press conference at the Auditório Artur Agostinho to preview the Liga Portugal Matchday 7 contest, in which Sporting CP intend to continue their current run of victories.

The coach reacts to the win over Rio Ave FC

Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim was satisfied with the victory against Rio Ave FC, which keeps his side at the top of the Liga Portugal. In his post-match press conference, he highlighted the importance of keeping another clean sheet.

“Not conceding goals is a very important sign, because last year we conceded a lot and this year things are different. This past week has included an away trip, but we have a squad that allows us to prepare well for all the games and today we were very strong again," he explained to journalists.

"We started the game well and in the first half we could have scored more. In the second half we had to be intelligent, control the game and give Rio Ave FC more of the ball. It ended up being a game of two very different halves, but we were always closer to scoring the third than conceding to make it 2-1. In the second half we started well again and were doing a good job, we just didn't have the exuberance of the first half."

“More than scoring a lot -and we always want to score more goals- we want to concede few and be one of the best defences in the league,” he added.

There is the possibility of Sporting CP becoming outright leaders of Liga Portugal next weekend, with rivals SL Benfica and FC Porto playing one another. Amorim said of this: “I'm not going to be cheering anyone on. The season is very long and a lot will happen. I'm not going to worry about that. Whatever happens, it will be good for us because they are two of our rivals, but I will be more worried about José Mota's SC Farense."

“This team are prepared to win any game. We cannot think about anything beyond that. It’s about taking this game by game, not thinking so much about the league table."

The coach, who said he did not yet know the extent of Ousmane Diomande's injury and that Viktor Gyökeres should be fully ready for the next game, also praised Marcus Edwards' performance, noting that the English player can give even more.

“For me he has the potential to play for England. We try to help him, but it’s all in his hands and in his head.”

First half goals keep the team at the summit in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Rio Ave FC 2-0 in a Monday night fixture to close Matchday 6 of the Liga Portugal season, keeping them top of the table with five wins and one draw.

Coach Rúben Amorim made five changes to the starting XI that faced Sturm Graz in the Europa League. He fielded an initial lineup of Antonio Adán, Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Morten Hjulmand, Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos, Marcus Edwards, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

In front of 34,355 fans at the Estádio José Alvalade, the home team began the game well and chased an early goal. Sporting CP took the lead after just 10 minutes, as Marcus Edwards sent Hidemasa Morita through with a pass through the middle, and the Japanese broke into the area and crossed for Paulinho to finish.

Minutes later, Edwards sent a pass to the right for Pedro Gonçalves, and the winger crossed to the back post. Nuno Santos' first time shot was saved by Magrão to prevent a second Sporting CP goal.

The second goal arrived before the half-hour, when Morten Hjulmand won the ball back near the area, going on to set up Edwards. The Englishman got to the light, took Aderllan out of the equation and, from a tight angle, converted the chance to make it 2-0.

With the next five minutes, Gonçalves received the ball from Paulinho and hit the woodwork, going on to have a subsequent shot saved by Magrão. Gonçalves controlled poorly on the rebound and his shot went wide.

Adán continued to be almost a mere spectator, and only in the final five minutes of the first half did Rio Ave FC get a shot off: Fábio Ronaldo's strike flying over.

The break came later with 2-0 on the scoreboard, a fair advantage for Sporting CP, but, let's say, a short one given everything that happened in the first 45 minutes of the match.

In the second half, Sporting CP started well once again and immediately looked for a third goal. In the 48th minute, Magrão denied Sebastián Coates by holding his header.

Rio Ave FC had the ball in the net on 50 minutes from Costinha off a free kick, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Sporting CP were always looking to score a third goal, and it was only Magrão who denied Nuno Santos. Shortly after, another shot from Gonçalves flew over.

After the hour matk, Sporting CP tried to control the game and gave more of the ball to the opposition. Rio Ave FC once again approached the box, with former Sportinguista Leonardo Ruiz trying to surprise Adán, but from the first opportunity the ball went wide and on the second the Spanish goalkeeper caught the effort without difficulty.

Amorim then made two double substitutions: First Morten Hjulmand and Marcus Edwards were replaced by Daniel Bragança and Francisco Trincão, then it was Nuno Santos and Ricardo Esgaio's turn to make way for Matheus Reis and Geny Catamo.

In the last fifteen minutes, Sporting CP continued to control the game, and they were able to manage the result to claim their latest victory in Liga Portugal.

The team are next in action on Saturday, at 8:30 pm, away to SC Farense.

The coach talks before the game against Rio Ave FC

Sporting Clube de Portugal return to action in Liga Portugal this Monday, hosting Rio Ave FC. On the eve of the match, Rúben Amorim, gave a press conference to talk about the game.

"Having a balanced squad can help in these stages when European competitions have also started, but not only that: It increases the quality of training. Everyone knows they can come into the team or drop out of it, and we lacked that a little last year. We were aware of this, we have another year of work under our belts, and we have brought in three players, losing only Manuel Ugarte," explained the coach, before guaranteeing that against Rio Ave FC “those who are in the best shape and have the best characteristics will be the ones who play."

“We are carrying out a physical and tactical assessment of the players, looking at the opposition and handling this game by game. We aren't keeping anything in reserve, especially in the league, which will always be our priority, although we will play every game to win in any competition."

Sporting CP are looking for their third consecutive victory in all competitions, with the three games they have played this season at the Estádio José Alvalade all ending in victories. With five wins and one draw, this is already the best start for the team under Amorim.

He talked about what he expects from Luis Freire's Rio Ave, who have one win to their name.

“They are a team with an excellent coach, very intelligent, with a similar system of three central defenders and in which changing the characteristics of the forwards also changes their way of attacking. They like to have the ball and we have to press up on them. It’s a difficult, dangerous game, against a quality team. I don’t look so much at the results as at the way they play. There are teams with whom it is difficult to score, because they understand our way of playing well. We will be up against a team without responsibility, that will want to play well and with the ability to press high."

"I'm sure it will be a difficult game, but at home we play with 12 men. We have had very strong support from the fans. We will try to win and play well," he continued.

“We are at the beginning of the season; nothing has been done yet. Obviously we are playing well, but I think we can play better. There is a lot to work on, as we have conceded goals that we shouldn't have, like in Austria, so the players have to fight for their place. Winning games should be the norm for Sporting CP."

“Each game and each season has its own story. We have maintained the foundation of the team and it was important to start well in the FC Vizela game, in that difficult situation. Now, creating a different dynamic, the fans have also become more confident and everything is coming together. We have reset after last year."

Amorim revealed that Pedro Gonçalves will come back into the starting lineup, commenting that "He is a difficult player to bench, because he is good at defending and attacking, plays well as a midfielder and forward, and is very competitive. I understood that the characteristics of the two central midfielders and the forwards had to be different in the last game.”

Of players who also might return soon, Amorim explained that “We still don’t have a firm date for [Jeremiah] St. Juste, but he is clearly improving," in addition to adding that João Muniz and Afonso Moreira are injured and Viktor Gyökeres “is doubtful."

Of the latter, he said that “He is a forward, scores goals, has had excellent performances and attracts a lot of attention. He has been the most talked about reinforcement, but whether he has been the best or not is a moot point, as we are still on the sixth matchday."

Finally, asked to comment on the choices for The FIFA Puskás Award for goal of the year, in which Nuno Santos is nominated, Amorim also considered that Pedro Gonçalves' goal against Arsenal could have been among those chosen.

"I don’t want to pick between them, because it’s like choosing between one child’s goal or another’s. I would have liked them both to be there and I think they deserved it. I haven't voted yet, and I don't even know how voting works, but I would like to see Nuno Santos at a gala, because he dresses well,” he said, smiling.

The coach reflects on the Europa League win

After Sporting Clube de Portugal won 1-2 away at SK Sturm Graz, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match at the Stadion Graz Liebenau.

"We were the first Sporting CP side to win in Germany and we are the first to win in Austria. That's good, but it's not the most important thing. We showed that everyone can be a starter in the team and that was important. We really wanted to win: It was the first group game and winning makes the team grow. The first half was even, with a lot of struggle for us, with the opponents playing a more direct game. We started well in the second half, we conceded the goal, but we maintained our identity -with some mistakes, but with quality and competence. It was a fair result, at a difficult ground with a crowd that supported the opposition. We will certainly have the response to that in Alvalade. It was a good night and now we have to think about Rio Ave FC," he began by saying.

He also commented on the performance of some of the starters in the Thursday match.

"Several of today's players were starters in the first game of the season and performed quite well. When I look at the game, I am sure that if the other players were there today they would suffer. They came on in a phase in which there was more space. We didn't put anything at risk with the choice of starters; it was a very difficult game."

Asked about the performance of Iván Fresneda, who came on for the final quarter of an hour and played a second game for the club, Amorim highlighted the fact that he was introduced "at a difficult point" and that he responded "very well."

"He'll have time to get to know his teammates better, but I liked how he played. He's very mature, but he hasn't had much time yet. He did his job, did it well and helped the team win."

Commenting on Viktor Gyökeres, scorer of Sporting CP's first goal against SK Sturm Graz, Amorim considered that "he had more difficulty in the first half because of the tight marking of the central defenders. In the second half, with more space, he dropped more to the right side. He has very good fitness and I think he is in good shape. He took a knock and he is already recovering to be an option for the game against Rio Ave FC. He had a good performance -nothing special, just a normal game for him."

As for Geny Catamo, the coach was satisfied with what he saw and has no doubt that the young player "will grow."

"He's in a new position and will understand the moments of the game better in the future. It's in those moments that he still has some difficulties, but he worked hard. In the second half he had a great opportunity. I really liked Geny's performance, as well as that of the rest of the team," he underlined.
Finally, he commented on the work by SK Sturm Graz and the hostile atmosphere felt in the stadium.

 "It was the team that I expected, but with a different system. They returned to the diamond they usually use with a line of four and surprised us a little at the beginning of the game. They were aggressive and strong on their transitions, shots and set pieces. It was a difficult game, as I expected. The atmosphere reminded me of Eintracht Frankfurt. I liked the detail, with the team losing, of everyone standing up and supporting. It reminded me of my best moment at Sporting CP: The support in the 0-5 defeat against Manchester City."