The coach's preview of the game against Casa Pia AC

This Thursday, Rúben Amorim previewed the Liga Portugal match against Casa Pia AC, which is scheduled for Friday at 8:15pm, at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior. The coach praised the opposing team, but believes that his side can take a good result away.

“Casa Pia AC are a very well organised team, with processes that have been used for some time and an excellent coach who has managed to bring quality and transmit stability to the team. They believe a lot in the process and you can see that, and that's why they concede few goals. Looking at their game against SC Farense, we realise that they are a team that, despite having only been in the top flight for a year, manage to control the moments well and do not feel anxious at all. Therefore, I foresee a very difficult game in which we will have to control their transitions well -which we had problems with last year and in the first game- but we are prepared. We know how Casa Pia AC play and we have studied all their movements in detail”, he began by saying.

“I expect a competitive game, but I also expect a victory for Sporting CP”, he underlined, commenting on what happened on Matchday 1 of Liga Portugal.

“The season will be quite difficult. We have already seen that how you start is very important, but there are no easy games and in the first round of matches there is always a lot of anxiety".

Without saying who will play this Friday, Amorim revealed that Morten Hjulmand has been called up and that "he is ready to be an option”.

“He was called up and tomorrow we'll see if he'll play. He has completely different characteristics from other midfielders and complements all the others very well. He's another option to help in a season that will be long and we couldn't be more satisfied with all the players we have for the midfield: Players with completely different characteristics, but all with their own quality”.

Amorim also spoke about the renewals of Pedro Gonçalves, Nuno Santos and Gonçalo Inácio.

“There was so much talk that they were going to leave, but they are mainstays at Sporting CP. They like being here, the atmosphere is very good and we have given preference to the renewal of important players. I couldn't be more satisfied, but they have to keep working to remain an option for us”.

Asked about the enthusiasm that Sportinguistas have shown for this season, the coach commented that it does not bring greater pressure.

“I think this is what should be normality at Sporting CP. There was some division before, but we are bringing everyone together and good results are the best fuel for a club to unite. Despite the fact that last season was less successful, we can see that the club have a direction, are growing in training players and in our structure. Sportinguistas, when they see a path, manage to stick together. The fans are behind the team and we have to respond. What I feel, even after last season, is a lot of support from the fans and I think that happens because they see that there is a way that we are going”.

Together through to 2027

Pedro Gonçalves and Sporting Clube de Portugal will continue together through to 2027, with the extension of the midfielder/forward's contract with an €80 million buyout clause.

"It's a feeling of pride. I'm very happy to continue at the club", he began by saying in an event celebrating the new deal.

Currently playing in his fourth consecutive season at the club, he said that his expectations for 2023/2024 are "the same as always".

"We're going into every game to win, because we know our capabilities, in addition to training hard every day for the next game. We are here to work", Gonçalves stated.

For him, another of the crucial points when it came to renewing was the support shown by the fans.

"It is quite important to me. We feel their support a lot and even commented about it in the dressing room when the stadium was sold out for this first home game. For us, after a season that wasn't so good, having them giving us this support right away is very motivating. We are very grateful; now we have to perform well for them to be with us until the end. We are always together".

In the three seasons in which he has represented Sporting CP, Gonçalves has been the team's top scorer in two, something that he himself considers to be the result of hard work.

"I always had the characteristics of a goalscorer, even in the junior and youth teams. I played in midfield but ended the season with a lot of goals. Even so, the most important thing is that the team do well and win. I will always give everything for the team; that is the objective", he guaranteed.

One thing that will change for the 25-year-old is his shirt number, as he swaps no. 28 for no. 8. "I like the number eight, which is legendary at this club", he said.

The young defender extends his contract at the club

Gonçalo Inácio has renewed his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal through to 2027, with his buyout clause rising from 45 million euros to 60 million.

The academy product, who has been at the club since 2012, confirmed the extension in an event attended by Sporting CP president, Frederico Varandas.

“It is an enormous source of pride to carry on with the Leão on my chest, as it has been for many years. I am very happy to stay here. I hope that there is even more to come”, he told the media.

The 21-year-old Portuguese international has appeared at every youth level at the club, eventually making his first team debut in 2020/2021. He now has 123 appearances, 11 goals and four trophies to his name: Liga Portugal (2020/2021), the Taça da Liga (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) and a Supertaça (2021).

“The biggest dream come true has been making it to the first team and becoming a league champion, but now I have to keep the focus on hard work, as I always have, and get more trophies”.

“It's very good for me that younger players see me as an example to follow. Since I arrived at Sporting CP, it has been a lot of responsibility. I want to get better and better and I want to be an example for the younger players, in the same way that I looked up to the older players”.

As a result of his rapid development, Inácio has managed to achieve a spot in the Portugal  national team and worn the captain's armband at Sporting CP.

“I have to work here, at the club, to reach the objective of being on the national team. One of the players who has helped me most is my teammate, Sebastián Coates. He's a great example to follow as a captain: Always helping, on and off the field”.

“I have a great commitment to this great club. We always count on the support of Sportinguistas, in all games and every day. They help us to be better”.

The squad continue working in Alcochete

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday, focused on preparing for Friday night's match (8:15pm local time) against Casa Pia AC at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior. The game will be the team's second in Liga Portugal this season.

The session was run by coach Rúben Amorim, with the squad committed to staying on a winning path after their victory in their official debut in 2023/2024. A press conference ahead of the game will take place on Thursday at 7pm.

The Sporting CP coach responds to a 3-2 win over FC Vizela

After the 3-2 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal over FC Vizela, Rúben Amorim spoke in a press conference and analysed the game.

"We started well, pushing FC Vizela into their half with our quality. We reached a 2-0 lead and had the game completely under control. We went into the break, Daniel Bragança didn't come back out due to a blow to the head, and we felt his absence. We always looked like we were going to score the third goal, and it looked like a defense-attack drill out there. FC Vizela got an equaliser and you could feel the anxiety. I play with soul and a lot of heart. We were happy in the end. You always have to be prepared. It was a beautiful night, with a great atmosphere, which turned into a problem and I'm afraid I have to pay attention to that aspect," he began by telling journalists.

"There is no justification for the drop in performance in the second half and for the two goals that we conceded, and the match became very strange. We conceded a goal, there wasn't time to settle down and we conceded another. We can't make it easy for the opposition. However, on days like these, when you win, not everything is bad."

Asked about the reactions from the Sporting CP fans, Amorim said that "in the first half, everyone was excited and there were several opportunities. Then, we started the second half badly and we conceded twice. When a team goes from 2-0 to 2-2, the fans are not satisfied. The pressure is always the same. We sold out the stadium and the Sportinguistas are getting behind the team. They simply reacted like supporters of a big club do. What happened today was football and the reaction of fans of a big club."

"We had chances, but we conceded two goals quickly. The substitutions didn't help us. I'm going to sleep a little easier because we won and because one of the substitutes scored a goal," he also stressed.

Responding to a question about Viktor Gyökeres, he said that "he always wants the ball in space and that makes him more dangerous. He gives us more aggression, which makes the team stronger." Then Amorim commented on starting debutant Geny Catamo's performance.

"He sometimes joins the defensive line, but usually acts as a winger. I took him off because he was tired and because I wanted more control of the game. I really liked his performance, he's much more grown up now. It's good that players rotate, even if they don't play too much, to gain maturity. We will improve him even more."

Finally, the coach set out his expectations for 2023/24: "I feel that we can be champions and that we will fight for the title, but it's all a box of surprises. I feel that the squad is stronger now. Despite there being some inexperience, the kids are very hungry. We are more complete in terms of forwards and we need an experienced midfielder to help us in these games that become difficult."

Sporting CP strike in the 99th minute to beat FC Vizela 3-2

Sporting Clube de Portugal beat FC Vizela by 3-2 in thrilling fashion in their first match of the 2023/24 Liga Portugal season. Debutant Viktor Gyökeres scored twice and Paulinho grabbed a stoppage time winner to give the team the three points.

Gyökeres was playing his first official game and Geny Catamo made his starting XI debut, whilst Daniel Bragança was playing for the first time since May 2022 - coming back from a long term injury.

After receiving the award for the best pitch in Liga Portugal in 2022/23, Sporting CP got the contest underway. They could have opened the scoring after just four minutes, when Pedro Gonçalves took a free-kick and Sebastián Coates, with a header, forced goalkeeper Fabijan Buntić into an excellent intervention.

Shortly afterwards, Gonçalves was unable to reach Gyökeres's ball by a matter of centimetres, then later it was Hidemasa Morita's turn to try to set up Ousmane Diomande without success. The pressure from Sporting CP was very high and FC Vizela were unable to bring the ball out well.

The feeling was that it was only a matter of time before Sporting CP scored, and they got the goal in the 14th minute: Matheus Reis crossed into the heart of the area and Gyökeres took the ball off a deflection, taking on the defence and firing the ball into the net.

In the very next minute, the Swede took advantage of a mistake by the opposition to steal the ball, sell an opponent a dummy and shoot with his right foot to make it 2-0.

The two goals calmed the pace of the match, even though it was Sporting CP that continued to control proceedings. More goals could have followed, such as from the 27th-minute counterattack in which Gonçalves struck into a defender and from Gyökeres' header which Fabijan Buntić saved.

The first attempt by FC Vizela of any danger came in the 42nd minute, when Tomás Silva - a Liga Portugal winner for Sporting CP in 2020/21 - set up fellow former Leão Nuno Moreira, and he missed the target. In response, Gonçalves found Gyökeres and he crossed to Bragança, who shot over the crossbar.

For FC Vizela, shots by Kiko Bondoso and Samu went wide and were saved by Antonio Adán, respectively, before the halftime whistle.

During the interval, Sporting CP Women players Alicia Correia, Ana Borges, Ana Capeta, Diana Silva, Fátima Pinto and Joana Martins, who participated in Portugal's historic campaign in the Women's World Cup, as well as Olivia Smith, who also participated representing Canada, were welcomed onto the pitch.

For the second half, Marcus Edwards replaced Bragança, whilst in the 55th minute coach Rúben Amorim made another change to bring on Ricardo Esgaio in place of Geny Catamo.

Gonçalves had two chances before the hour, missing the target on the first and being denied by a good save from Buntić the second time around. At the other end, Diogo Nascimento shot from distance and Adán covered.

In the 64th minute, Afonso Moreira came on to make his debut for the first team, joined by Paulinho as Matheus Reis and Francisco Trincão went off.

It was FC Vizela who reduced their deficit in the 75th minute, when a mistake by Adán allowed Samuel Essende to make it 2-1.

They did not stop there and, two minutes later, they leveled after a cross by Tomás Silva found Nuno Moreira to turn it into the net.

After many minutes of indecision and frustration, the winning goal arrived. In the ninth minute of stoppage time, a high ball went into the FC Vizela area, Gyökeres headed on, Coates got a touch and Paulinho took the chance to score.

The late goal earned Sporting CP a winning start to the Liga Portugal campaign, and their first three points in 2023/24. Next up is a visit Casa Pia AC on Friday, August 18th.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ousmane Diomande, Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo (Ricardo Esgaio, 55'), Hidemasa Morita, Daniel Bragança (Marcus Edwards, 46'), Matheus Reis (Afonso Moreira, 64', Luís Neto, 90+10'), Francisco Trincão (Paulinho, 64'), Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres.

The coach previews the game against FC Vizela

Sporting Clube de Portugal open their Liga Portugal campaign on Saturday, with the visit of FC Vizela to the Estádio José Alvalade. Speaking ahead of the game, coach Rúben Amorim talked about the preparations and expectations for the match and the season.

“The preseason was as it should be: Well planned, with many young players who asserted themselves and won their place in the squad. We grew. We have lost some players, but the base remained the same and that helps us to take steps forward in what we are doing. We won friendlies, but that's not worth anything. The objective is to beat FC Vizela and fight for all the trophies in Portugal. It was a good preseason with success in terms of the club's DNA, which is bringing through academy players,” he said in the press conference for the match.

“The team look very well, confident and ready to start the season. Sporting CP are candidates for the title. The only year I said that we weren't, was a very difficult year. I feel and believe that the team are capable of it. I only have one objective, which is to take things game-by-game,” emphasised the coach.

On the characteristics that new signing Gyokeres can bring to Sporting CP, he noted that the team can play a little differently due to the characteristics of the Swedish international forward.

“Gyokeres is a striker who, in addition to scoring goals, allows our team to have the ability to play a little deeper and to have someone who operates more alone in transitions. We are more complete, and the fact that we are incorporating young players makes it seem to me that we are starting a new three-year cycle. We want to win now, but we are doing the same cycle we had three years ago. There is a lot of hunger in training and that pleases me and will make the team grow a lot."

Amorim praised the ability of sporting director Hugo Viana to transmit the Sporting CP project in the transfer market.

“We are still below 50 percent, between sales and purchases. Last year, Porro left in the middle of the season, Sarabia, Palhinha, Matheus Nunes also departed and there were more changes than this year. Only Ugarte left from the regular starters, which allowed us to plan better. We went looking for young players who already had some experience to join the first team. Many kids came in and will have their spot. We set targets early and we had good sales. We didn't do anything in a hurry, so now it's time to beat FC Vizela. We're on the right track. We know it's going to be a tough year, but having a base will make it easier," he noted.

As for the options for Saturday, Nuno Santos will only be ready next week and St. Juste continues with his recovery plan.

“Nuno Santos is doing better, but he will only start training with the team next week. Next week he will be an option. We're trying to get St. Juste into top shape. We believe in him a lot, and we are doing the best for him. He is world class.”

Asked about the importance of starting the season well, Amorim was even more specific.

“We are aware of the eight points that we had dropped last year by the eighth matchday. We can't lose too many points. We don't have to think about the first four games, but rather think about FC Vizela. We have to lower our average of goals conceded and it's a matter of consistency,” he noted.

Finally, asked which position is the ideal one for Pedro Gonçalves, he answered that: “Pote will vary between midfield and forward; we have more options up front. We can change our way of playing here or there. He cannot be assured f always playing up front, in midfield or playing all the time. It will vary from game to game.”

Sporting CP lose 1-0 to Everton in a preseason friendly

The preparation for Sporting CP's 2023/24 season came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, in what was the team's final preseason friendly. Os Leões were the better side for much of the match, but failed to finish their chances in front of goal.

They travelled to England without the injured Sebastián Coates, Nuno Santos and Jeremiah St. Juste, and Rúben Amorim fielded a starting XI composed of Antonio Adán, Eduardo Quaresma, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo, Daniel Bragança, Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves and new signing Viktor Gyökeres.

On a cold afternoon with some rain falling on Merseyside, Sporting CP took control practically from the start of the match, and it didn't take long before they created danger. On a slick individual move on the right, Geny Catamo played the ball to Gyökeres and he crossed in, but Pedro Gonçalves' shot went just over the top. Soon after, it was Catamo himself who tried his luck, but without success.

The dominance was consistent throughout almost the entirety of the first half, even though the clear goalscoring opportunities were scarce. Everton -also playing their final game before the Premier League gets underway- rarely managed to get close to goal, with Antonio Adán little more than a mere spectator.

In the final 15 minutes, the duel gained more intensity and opportunities emerged. Gonçalves went through on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but shot weakly, and then Gyökeres, with a header in the six yard box, forced the England international into a save. Adán followed up with a stop from a long distance shot at the other end to deny Doucouré.

Unfortunately, a Calvert-Lewin penalty in stoppage time made it 1-0 to Everton before the break.

The only change at halftime was the introduction of Franco Israel in goal, and the first 25 minutes offered little in the way of chances. On 69 minutes, Rúben Amorim brought on Afonso Moreira, Marcus Edwards, Mateus Fernandes and Ricardo Esgaio to shake up the game.

Soon after, Everton FC almost doubled their lead when Amadou Onana hit the post. However, Os Leões were again more daring in their search for an equaliser  and almost managed to find it on two occasions. First, Afonso Moreira worked well in the area and shot very close to the target, and then Gonçalves hit the woodwork.

In the final stretch, Sporting CP had Everton on the ropes. Gonçalves was only denied by a lick of paint on the crossbar, and the home team hung on for victory.

The official start of the 2023/24 season is scheduled for next Saturday, August 12th, with the Sporting CP hosting FC Vizela on the opening day of the Liga Portugal campaign.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [C] [GK] (Franco Israel, 45'), Eduardo Quaresma (Ricardo Esgaio, 69'), Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo (Afonso Moreira, 69'), Daniel Bragança (Mateus Fernandes , 69'), Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Reis, Francisco Trincão (Marcus Edwards, 69'), Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres.

Sporting CP train before their friendly with Everton

Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training on Wednesday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo.

The squad began their preparations for the friendly against Everton FC at Goodison Park, in Liverpool, England, which takes place on Saturday afternoon. Thus far, the team have enjoyed a positive preseason with ever-increasing intensity.

Sporting CP will train again on Thursday morning.

The coach speaks after the win in the Troféu Cinco Violinos

Rúben Amorim was satisfied with his team's showing against Villarreal CF in the Troféu Cinco Violinos, as well as their efforts throughout the preseason. However, as he explained in his post-match interview, his focus is firmly on the start of the Liga Portugal season.

“The team have grown, we have a connection and a good atmosphere amongst ourselves. If we look at today's game, we can see that we had some moments of difficulty, but even so, we felt good, we were able to withstand pressure and we did what the game asked for, until the moment when we got on top of things and decided the contest. This is due to the growth of the team, which has increased maturity and consistency," he began by saying to Sporting TV.

"So far, the summer has been good, but what matters is the game against FC Vizela; that is our focus. Last year we didn't start out with wins, and this year we have to win the opening game."

“We really want to please the fans. I don't like to talk about the past, but our fourth place last season doesn't matter anymore -just like when we were champions it didn't matter the next season. We're going into the first matchday to win and to go straight to the top of the table," he continued.

"Starting the season with a victory is the only thing that interests us and for that we need the fans on our side. Without them, we have no chance, but with them we are candidates to win. I believe that we have the ability to beat every side in Portugal, and that is what we are going to try to do. We know that if the fans are behind us, like last year, for example against SL Benfica and Juventus FC, it will be very difficult for our opponents to beat us."

The coach also spoke of some individual players, in particular Geny Catamo and Eduardo Quaresma, saying that both "gained confidence in all of the training sessions."
“The coach doesn't pick the team. They themselves choose to play and I am here to do my job, which is to make them grow."

Amorim also commented on Viktor Gyökeres' adaptation, saying: “We already knew his characteristics, the adaptation was very quick and the understanding with his teammates has been very good. The season will be very long. He played two games against teams that gave him a lot of space, but he will experience other difficulties in the league. We are working on that."