Two second half goals give victory to Sporting CP

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat SK Sturm Graz 1-2 in their first UEFA Europa League Group Stage game. It was the club's first ever victory on Austrian soil.

At a Stadion Graz Liebenau that had hundreds of Sportinguistas present to support the team, coach Rúben Amorim made five changes to the starting XI: Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão and Paulinho were the new additions to the squad that took to the field against Moreirense FC.

Before the opening whistle, a minute's silence was observed for the victims of the recent earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya.

When the game got underway, the first chance to score went to Sporting CP after three minutes, when Daniel Bragança took a dangerous free kick and Sebastián Coates appeared in space to head wide. In response, Jusuf Gazibegović threatened at the other end and Coates had to cut across for a corner that resulted in a header from Otar Kiteishvili, saved by Antonio Adán.

On a pitch that was not in the best condition, the Austrians decided to play high up the field, putting pressure on Sporting CP's buildup play. Little by little, Os Leões began to control the action and got closer to the opposition goal. After Daniel Bragança's free kick into the hands of goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, Morten Hjulmand placed a set piece into the heart of the area and it went just around the post.

Paulinho met Matheus Reis' cross with an attempted header, which went just over the top, and the game went into halftime with the score at 0-0.

The start of the second half was intense from Sporting CP, with two great opportunities in the opening moments. On the first, Geny Catamo broke between two opposition players before shooting over, while Francisco Trincão had a header met by a save from Scherpen.

Completely against the flow of the match, SK Sturm Graz scored in the 58th minute: Kiteishvili's first shot hit the post and William Bøving turned in the rebound.
The equaliser could have come in the next minute, but Scherpen made a stop off Paulinho's shot on the turn.

Amorim brought on Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos to replace Trincão and Matheus Reis, in his first substitutions, as Sturm Graz' Scherpen continued to be tested. In the 66th minute, Paulinho's effort was parried and, off the rebound, Gonçalo Inácio's header was kept out by another save from the goalkeeper.

Finally, Sporting CP made it 1-1: Ousmane Diomande played over to Pedro Gonçalves with a quality ball and he took a defender out of the equation with a magical touch, before shooting on goal. Scherpen blocked, but Gyökeres followed up to score.

A triple change removed Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança and Morten Hjulmand and put Iván Fresneda, Marcus Edwards and Hidemasa Morita on. Sporting CP continued to push and finally managed to take the lead in the 84th minute: Gonçalves, with a direct free kick, placed the ball into the area, and it was left to Ousmane Diomande, to shoot into the back of the net -the ball taking a deflection off Coates on the way.

Tomi Horvat's dangerous shot went close to Adán's goal, but Sporting CP were able to control things and manage the victory until the end, earning their first three points in this edition of the UEFA Europa League.

Os Leões next host Rio Ave FC in Liga Portugal on Monday, September 25th at 8:15 pm, at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo (Iván Fresneda, 76'), Morten Hjulmand (Hidemasa Morita, 76'), Daniel Bragança (Marcus Edwards, 76') , Matheus Reis (Nuno Santos, 62'), Francisco Trincão (Pedro Gonçalves, 62'), Paulinho and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach previews the Europa League opener

Sporting Clube de Portugal start their UEFA Europa League campaign this Thursday with an away game against SK Sturm Graz.

Upon arrival in Austria, coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference to talk about the keys to victory.

"Only a Sporting CP at our best level will be able to bring the three points home. The objective is always to win and it is a source of extra motivation that Sporting CP have five defeats and two draws in Austria from our seven games. In order to win, we have to play very well and take the game to the terrain that we want. We have to have the ball and if we manage that, we will be closer to winning. It will be a very difficult game, but we have the desire to win, as always," he began by saying.

The coach of SK Sturm Graz, Christian Ilzer, named Sporting CP as complete favourites, something that Amorim rejected.

“That was kind of Christian. I've always had good players and that's why maybe there's that idea. We don't let ourselves be carried away by being favourites, as we know very well the challenge we face tomorrow. To overcome all the challenges, we have to have all our players at their best. We will make normal rotations according to the characteristics of the players. Some players who will be starters have already been so in the league."

"We want to have the ball. No one is tired, everyone is hungry to play, but we will bring in the best players for the characteristics of the game and the opponents."

"SK Sturm Graz will press all over the pitch. They are a very courageous team. The coach wants to put the pressure on the opponents. SK Sturm Graz were closer to getting into the Champions League than us, and Sporting CP have more appearances in the Europa League. We want to reach a level where we go into the Champions League every year and it didn't happen last year because of our own fault. The objective is to win the game and get through the group stage. What matters is what happens on the field of play, and it will be very difficult tomorrow. I don't care about favourites and I'm excited to see our team's response," he replied.

“Our opponents are good as a whole, but their  number 10, Otari Kiteishvili, impressed me in the offensive and also defensive aspects, with the way he presses and his fitness. They are very strong in duels, on set pieces, they have a very fast central defender, several players who play in different positions, very fast wingers... The way they press left me very impressed. We have to be strong with the ball to impose our identity. The pressing across the entire pitch and the speed with which they win the ball and counterattack are their characteristics,” he warned.

Amorim assured that Sporting CP are treating the Europa League with maximum ambition, although he did not hide the importance, above all, of Liga Portugal.

“The main objective is to be champions and we are going game-by-game for that, as that brings us Champions League football. Being champions is the ultimate objective and it is the most important thing, not only for the future and for the financial aspect. We want to advance in the Europa League, we have the cups as well, and everyone has to be prepared and feel important. Marcus [Edwards] and Trincão are international players, we are not talking about players that we will rotate in and that the team will suffer for having. The rotation will be done with one priority: Becoming champions. We want to be champions again, because that's what's most important; it has nothing to do with our opponents."

“The Champions League looks at Sporting CP as outsiders. The Europa League does not. The degree of difficulty is different. It's people's perception, also because Sporting CP have spent more time in the Europa League, have a different history in the competition and have reached very advanced stages in several editions. This gives a different status. In the Champions League, any away win is a very important result. As for us, we don't view competitions differently; there are also unknown opponents in the Europa League, but of great quality."

Amorim also revealed that Adán will be the starter in goal and that Coates will be part of the first eleven, before expressing his confidence in a Sporting CP side that, season after season, are increasingly prepared for the demands.

“Knowing whether you are more prepared or not has to do with time. It's still very early. Let's see in the future if we are better prepared. The team have more experience.The team have grown, we know better what we want from games. Before, we were searching for our identity more. The LASK game [Linz, in 2020/2021] never left our minds, it was perhaps the worst day we have had in Alvalade. It reminds us of where we started from. We are much more of a team now, but we know that those days can happen. We are more prepared now, let’s see if we can prove that tomorrow."

The midfielder addresses the media before the game against SK Sturm Graz

Daniel Bragança was confirmed as a starter against SK Sturm Graz by coach Rúben Amorim, whom he accompanied for a pre-match press conference on the eve of the Europa League game.

“We expect very competitive opponents who are comfortable playing at home and do a lot of pressing, but the coach has given us all the ideas to take to the field and try to win," Bragança told the media.

“We're going to face the Europa League in the best way, but we want to be focused on tomorrow's game and try to win. Being favourites is something that can only be seen on the pitch. That's where we have to show it and we have to be at our best to get the three points," he highlighted.

Afterwards, the young midfielder mentioned that the year he had spent out due to injury made him a stronger player, especially on a psychological level.

“We evolve a lot, because we overcome things we weren’t expecting. I grew both mentally and physically."

“After a very difficult year off, it has been very good so far this year. Preseason was more difficult in terms of pain, but that's completely over now and I feel pretty good. I feel prepared. Those feelings went away right from the start, when I returned to the pitch, and I already feel one hundred percent fit. It was a motivation for me that the coach praised my return, but we had several high-quality signings come in and the most important thing is that we are all prepared. We have a high-quality group and that is the most important thing.”

Bragança sees the competition in the midfield as a benefit for the team.

“I always look at it in the best way, because I have already been in the midfield with other great players. Competitiveness helps us to grow. I want to do my best and try to play as much as possible," he expressed.

The coach assesses the 3-0 win over Moreirense FC

At the end of Sporting Clube de Portugal's 3-0 victory over Moreirense FC, Rúben Amorim began his press conference by praising his players, especially for the work done in the first half.

"What I liked most was a phase in the first half when we had more difficulties. I liked the attitude of the players, who slowed play down when they had to do so. We have to settle the game down, not allow transitions and get into position. It was my favourite thing about tonight. They did what I said, despite the reaction from the fans in the stadium. It hadn't happened for a long time. I looked at them and thought we were growing. For better or worse, it's my choice, and it shows the team's maturity."

The coach then went on to analyse the match: "Moreirense FC did very well in the first half, they covered the spaces, but it became more difficult in the second half. We continued to play the same way, Moreirense FC's speed dropped a little , the team and the fans grew in strength. But we also had opportunities to go into the break ahead."

For Amorim, "the first half and the second half were two different games, both of which we must know how to play. Moreirense FC defended differently and that was enough for us to have some difficulty in the first ten minutes. Apart from the first ten minutes, we controlled the game well and had more space in the second half. The game seemed more fluid and easier also due to the scoreline."

Asked about the performance of Morten Hjulmand, who scored a goal, the coach expressed that he was very satisfied.

"I really liked his showing. He made a lot of tackles and he was very intelligent. He's going to improve a lot physically. He's going to increase his goal tally because he appears in the right places a lot, and he even hit the post before scoring. He has great ability with the ball, and that's his main role at Sporting CP. He's going to grow a lot," he assured.

Regarding Viktor Gyökeres, Rúben Amorim recalled that "he had several clubs that he could have gone to, and we must give credit to Hugo Viana and his connection with the president and the Board of Directors. They deserve the praise. I'm very happy that he runs a lot because it's the only thing that is mandatory here. I'm interested in them always breaking fitness records because it shows that they want to grow," he said.

Regarding Pedro Gonçalves, Amorim assured that he "gives everything and plays in all positions, which greatly harms him, even with the national team. I'm very proud to be his coach. He gives me an understanding of the game and helps the team. It's very difficult to have your best goalscorer do that, and he does."

Finally, the coach spoke again about the midfield.

"We talked a lot about Morten [Hjulmand], but Morita played very well. His growth has made him very complete. There's no definitive pairing in the midfield. It depends on the moment and the game. They are players with different characteristics and we are changing things. There will be rotation because there has to be or we won't be able to do well in all the competitions. It's a competitive and quality squad, and everyone has to play to be better in the future."

Sporting CP take an impressive 3-0 win at home

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Moreirense 3-0 on Matchday 6 of the Liga Portugal season, through second half goals from Morten Hjulmand, Viktor Gyökeres and Ousmane Diomande.

In front of yet another strong attendance at the Estádio José Alvalade, before the opening whistle, Sporting CP futsal players Guilherme Cintra, Bruno Maior, Duarte Correia, Tiago Macedo, Diogo Silva, Pedro Santos and Andriy Dzyalo were honoured for having been part of the Under-19s European Championship winning Portugal side.

Coach Rúben Amorim made one change in the starting XI from the team that began the game against SC Braga (Marcus Edwards replacing Paulinho). Sporting CP did not begin the game in the best way and allowed Moreirense FC to make some dangerous approaches, such as shots from João Camacho -saved by Antonio Adán- and from André Luís -which hit the post.

However, they quickly shored up and began to control the play. In response to the visitors' strong opening minutes, Sporting CP also hit the post: A free kick from Pedro Gonçalves was met by Hidemasa Morita at the back post, who struck the woodwork. The Japanese went for the rebound, but goalkeeper Kewin Silva saved for a corner.

The team's chances increased, including another strike against the post from distance by Morten Hjulmand, who had been set up by Viktor Gyökeres.

Soon after, Sporting CP had the ball in the net through Ricardo Esgaio, but the goal would not stand due to a marginal offside in the moment of Morita's pass.

Goalkeeper Kewin Silva made two great saves from attacks by Nuno Santos and Morita, keeping the score goalless at the end of the first half.

The second half started at full steam. After 48 minutes, Gyökeres came close to turning in Santos' cross with a well-aimed header, but his effort went slightly wide.

After that, Gonçalo Franco tried to score from a long distance, before Sporting CP finally broke the deadlock: Gyökeres played for Morten Hjulmand who, from outside the area, shot hard, low and into the back of the net for his first goal for the club.

It wasn't long before it was 2-0: Santos crossed perfectly into the heart of the area, where Gyökeres, alone, headed home.

The second goal further reassured the home team, who were very comfortable, and Amorim began to change the team, introducing Paulinho, Matheus Reis and Geny Catamo to replace Marcus Edwards, Nuno Santos and Ricardo Esgaio.

Paulinho went close to scoring again shortly afterwards, when, following a cross from Matheus Reis, he headed the ball against the post.

Francisco Trincão and Daniel Bragança then came on to replace Pedro Gonçalves and Hjulmand, but Sporting CP continued on top, with Sebastián Coates having several headers kept out by Kewin Silva.

Against ten men after Macarás was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, Sporting CP made it 3-0 in added time: Geny Catamo's corner was met by Ousmane Diomande to turn it in.

Sporting CP are now top of the Liga Portugal table, and will now go to Austria to face SK Sturm Graz in the first game of the UEFA Europa League group stage.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio (Geny Catamo, 75'), Morten Hjulmand (Daniel Bragança, 82'), Hidemasa Morita, Nuno Santos (Matheus Reis, 75'), Marcus Edwards (Paulinho, 75'), Pedro Gonçalves (Francisco Trincão, 82') and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach looks ahead to Sunday's game

Sporting Clube de Portugal host Moreirense FC on Liga Portugal Matchday 5 this weekend, at the Estádio José Alvalade on Sunday.

At the press conference ahead of the match, coach Rúben Amorim began by ensuring that "the preparation was the same" for the encounter, even though several international players had spent a long time away.

"We are adapting our training depending on the time we have between games. It was a good two weeks. Some players went away for their countries, whilst others should have stayed, like Morten [Hjulmand], who needed more time with the team. Others stayed , we had a training game, we worked on some routines. Iván [Fresneda] stayed, which is important for him to get used to the team, the ideas and life at the Academia. We made the most of the two weeks and we are ready for a good run that includes midweek games. That's what we want, as a club, and I need games for everyone to play. This year is the year in which it's been the most difficult for me to choose the starting XI," he began by telling journalists.

He described Moreirense FC as a "very well-drilled" team, even though they have only recently been promoted.

"They came up with a dynamic of victories in the Second Division and had more possession in Famalicão, for example. They are very organised when pressing. We are treating this very important game as if it were a final and we expect great difficulty. The strongest teams have had a lot of difficulties with Moreirense FC. I foresee a difficult game, but we have had good preparation."

Asked about Gonçalo Inácio's performance and two goals for the Portuguese national team, Amorim reminded the press that the central defender "is very strong on set pieces and, with crossers like those on the national team and those at Sporting CP, he is evolving in that aspect, but it's not something new."

Regarding Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyökeres, the coach explained that "they played games for their national teams, they come back with game time, they had time to rest and participated in two training sessions with the team, so they are at maximum strength."

Before revealing that the entire squad is fit except Jeremiah St. Juste, who is still recovering from injury, the coach spoke again about Paulinho and his remarkable start to the season.

"Players have good phases and bad phases. I'm happy for him , but the most important thing is what he has given to the team. He has scored goals, but the work he puts in is what he has always done and I have always defended him. He is a Sporting CP striker who scores goals and takes advantage of opportunities, but the commitment and way he helps the team are the same as in the past."

The pace of the calendar will increase with the start of the UEFA Europa League group stage, and Amorim highlighted the importance of rotation for the big teams.

"We will play against Moreirense FC and see how many days we have to prepare the next game, which will have different characteristics. It will be a normal choice of players, knowing that the main objective is to win, but we will have to do some rotation. The principle of great teams is that everyone has to be playing, because training it's very important and for no one to feel completely entitled to a place,"he stated.

Challenged to compare Iván Fresneda to Pedro Porro, he commented that "the biggest similarities are the fact that "they are both Spanish and with a lot of pace. The rest is quite different."

"Iván is very mature for an 18-year-old kid. Pedro Porro was less mature than him in understanding the game. Iván doesn't have Porro's one-on-one ability in attack, so he can never be the player that Porro was in the final third. Fresneda is better than Porro defending one-on-ones. Fresneda is better defensively, he has different characteristics when attacking, and I think that Iván is more physically robust to withstand several consecutive games, but that still has to be proven", he said.

Os Leões join the competition at the Group Stage

Sporting Clube de Portugal will face SC Farense and CD Tondela in the Group Stage of the Taça da Liga, as decided in the draw held this Monday.

The team will play in Group C, meeting SC Farense at the Estádio José Alvalade in their first game of the competition. They will then travel to play CD Tondela.

Only one team from the group advances to the semifinals.

Young talents cover for those away on international duty

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to work this Wednesday to carry out another training session at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete.

Due to the current series of international commitments for several players, Rúben Amorim was without 12 members of his squad who had been called up for their respective national teams: Franco Israel (Uruguay), Gonçalo Inácio (Portugal), Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast), João Muniz, Afonso Moreira and Rodrigo Ribeiro (Portugal under-19), Eduardo Quaresma and Dário Essugo (Portugal Under-21s), Hidemasa Morita (Japan), Morten Hjulmand (Denmark), Geny Catamo (Mozambique) and Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden).

To cover for this the coach called up several young players from the academy to work together with the main team. Among them were Guilherme Pires, João Pereira, Chico Lamba, Pedro Bondo, Diogo Cabral, Diogo Abreu, Rodrigo Marquês, Francisco Canário, Vando Félix and Alexandre Brito.

On Thursday, a training session is scheduled for 10 am behind closed doors in Alcochete.

The coach's assessment of the draw with SC Braga

Rúben Amorim talked following Sunday's 1-1- draw at SC Braga, saying in his post-match press conference that he felt Sporting CP were the better side.

“The feeling we leave here with is that we dropped two points. We have a lot to improve and we lacked some intensity, which we have previously gained throughout the season, but we had the better chances. We controlled things with and without the ball, but we made bad decisions and Braga ended up equalising,” said the coach, adding that: “We had the game in our hands and that's what makes me upset the most."

“We have the potential to be better, but we had two consistent halves and controlled things in both. We were always closer to scoring, with more space, we didn't let SC Braga create big chances and we were closer to winning the game. It didn’t happen and, therefore, we have to move on,” he continued by saying, also commenting that "the good energy at the start of the season will not change due to this draw."

He also made mention of Iván Fresneda's debut, praising the right back.

“He's a player we believe in a lot and that's why we went in for him. Despite his age he already has experience, he has adapted well and started well."

A late equaliser denies Sporting CP a perfect record on Matchday 4

Sporting Clube de Portugal drew 1-1 against SC Braga on Liga Portugal Matchday 4, in a game played at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

Rúben Amorim's starting lineup consisted of Antonio Adán, Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates, Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, Hidemasa Morita, Morten Hjulmand, Nuno Santos, Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyökeres and Paulinho.

Looking for their fourth victory in four games at the start of the campaign, Sporting CP began the game well, with the left wing a source of particular danger with Nuno Santos and Viktor Gyökeres arriving in the area. After six minutes the Swede appeared in a good position, but a delayed pass did not go find the right spot when Ricardo Esgaio was already lining up a shot.

Despite Sporting CP being the more expansive of the two sides, it ended up being SC Braga who came closest to scoring first, with a shot by Ricardo Horta which forced Antonio Adán to parry out in the 13th minute. Shortly after, Abel Ruiz had an opportunity, but Sporting CP captain Sebastián Coates intercepted the ball.

The response didn't take long in coming, and from a good collective play they managed to score. Pedro Gonçalves received a pass from Ousmane Diomande and, from the edge of the area, shot past Matheus to make it 0-1.

Not even five minutes later, Gyökeres nearly doubled the lead, but his header went wide.

Sporting CP had the ball in the net again through Morten Hjulmand, with a low shot from the middle, but referee Luís Godinho disallowed the strike for offside against Gonçalves and Paulinho.

Amorim immediately made a substitution at the beginning of the second half, introducing Marcus Edwards and taking Paulinho off.

The second half started identically to the first and with SC Braga trying to pull level, but without creating much danger. Gyökeres had a chance after receiving from Edwards, entering the area to shoot across the face of goal, and then Ricardo Esgaio followed up with another shot from the right.

A double substitution on the hour mark had Nuno Santos and Hjulmand replaced by Geny Catamo and Daniel Bragança, and ten minutes later Gonçalves was withdrawn for Francisco Trincão.

Going into the final ten minutes, SC Braga won a free kick on the edge of the area and managed to find an equaliser through Álvaro Djaló, leading to a desperate search for a winner.

Iván Fresneda came on to make his debut, having arrived at Sporting CP at the beginning of the week, but there was no change in the scoreline before the end.

Sporting CP and SC Braga played out a 1-1 draw going into the international break, and Os Leões now find themselves joint top of the Liga Portugal table -level on points with FC Porto and Boavista FC.

Their next game is scheduled for September 17th, in Alvalade, against Moreirense FC.