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.
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.
Sporting Clube de Portugal play this Sunday in their fourth game in Liga Portugal, travelling to SC Braga. Coach Rúben Amorim does not expect an easy contest, but believes his team can continue with their perfect record so far.
“First of all, I want to congratulate SC Braga for entering the Champions League. It's always good to see other teams participating and that's good for the country as a whole. We also really wanted to be there, and there is no way to hide that, but there is nothing better than this game to continue our path towards reaching the Champions League next year,” he began by saying in his pre-match press conference.
“We want to have control of the game, knowing that we will face a team with very experienced players, who are doing very well in the league, and who have only had one defeat in this start to the season."
“If it has to be a game with a lot of goals, let it be because Sporting CP score a lot, but we know from last year that it is important not to concede," he explained.
"We always score goals, so the approach will be the same: Have the ball, create chances and stop players like Horta, Bruma, Abel Ruiz, João Moutinho and Pizzi. SC Braga have a lot of talented players, but we are prepared. As a coach, I don't want a game with a lot of goals, I want a victory for Sporting CP, and if there are a lot of goals, they should only be for Sporting CP."
After revealing that new signing Iván Fresneda would be in the squad, Amorim talked about what he expects from the Europa League group that Sporting CP were drawn in on Friday.
“Our objective is always to go through. We have to focus a lot on the league, and then go game by game, understanding what these games need, what type of players they require. We know that we have to rotate if we are to win every game. It's always a dangerous group, with difficult teams, difficult away trips and different pitches, but we are prepared. As for me, as a coach, it's great to be in European competitions. I would like to be in the Champions League, but for us it is good because everyone will play, feel useful, and we want to be active on all fronts."
Talking about the transfer market, he analysed Sporting CP's summer business.
“Things happened earlier for us. We sold players -one in January and another in a deal that had been planned for some time- and that allowed us to find the players we wanted. We also had a different margin that let us look for players of a different value. There was a guarantee that no one else would leave and that is what happened."
“We had Mateus Fernandes, who is a player we believed in a lot and who could have been with us, but, due to the number of midfielders we have and how he is at a point in his career where he must play, he was transferred. And Tanlongo also left to get more minutes. There were several young players who we believe went to clubs where they are going to play. We did everything very calmly, which helped all parties: The players who needed to play more and the players we wanted to sign. Therefore, it ended up being a calm transfer market."
"We have everything it takes to win trophies. We have the potential for that. We have a different squad relative to our rivals, we have a lot of youth, but we also have some players with experience."
Rúben Amorim also spoke about those called up for the Portuguese national team, saying that in addition to Gonçalo Inácio, there are “players from Sporting CP who should have already been called up, but weren't."
“The Sporting CP players have to go because they deserve to go, and then they have to fit into the coach’s ideas and be in his plans ahead of other players. The national team should not be a prize, nor should it be used to help the players psychologically, because it is always a key moment in everyone's career and because everyone enjoys going away with their country. Sporting CP players should not have that as a prize, they should have that opportunity."
"I like what national team coach Roberto Martínez said about Paulinho. He looks at him as a finisher and a goalscorer. As for me, it's a good sign because Paulinho was always accused of being an excellent striker who worked outside the penalty area, and having our country's coach say that he is a finisher and a player who works in the box makes me very happy."
The highly rated fullback joins Os Leões through to 2028
Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed right back Iván Fresneda from Real Valladolid through until 2028, with an €80 million release clause. The 18-year-old Spaniard is one of the most highly rated talents in Europe in his position, and comes to Lisbon keen to show his capabilities.
“It is a source of tremendous pride for me to be able to represent this great club and wear this shirt. I am very excited about this new stage of my career and I want to enjoy it to the fullest," he said at his official presentation on Wednesday.
Fresneda has already got to work, training with the squad immediately following his signing.
“I felt very good. My teammates welcomed me very well, I was able to talk to all of them, they were very kind to me," he explained, before revealing that he had consulted Pedro Porro, a former Sporting CP player, about the club.
“I spoke with Pedro and he gave me a lot of good information. He told me about the time he spent here, what he enjoyed, what people transmitted to him... and for me it was a step towards making the decision to come to this great club."
Coach Rúben Amorim was also an important factor in Fresneda joining Sporting CP.
“I spoke with him and he also conveyed a lot of confidence, explaining what he wants to see from us. My first feeling of being with him was also very good. That was another reason for me choosing to come to Sporting CP."
Fresneda had the experience of watching the win against FC Famalicão last weekend, and was taken aback by the atmosphere. He told the club media that “It was wonderful. They are incredible fans. I saw an almost full stadium, with everything beautiful that can be seen both outside and inside, and I enjoyed it a lot. I hope that I can experience the same thing with me on the pitch."
“I'm very excited to be here, I can't wait to play at the Estádio José Alvalade. I will give everything for this club. I will fight, improve and try to help the team. I want the fans to support us as they always do, as I had the pleasure of seeing the other day. They should believe in us, because we are also going to give our all on the pitch."
Of his own characteristics, Fresneda analysed that “I like having the ball. We are a team that likes to have the ball, to start off by gaining possession, and I think that can fit in very well with my game, because I like possession football. I think I can bring things to the attack and defensively I adapt very well. I am also good at one-on-ones defensively."
“We have goals as a team, and hopefully I can win many trophies here. I want to enjoy that with the fans and my teammates, and I'm ready for the next game, this Sunday, against SC Braga," he stated.
The coach talks about the win against FC Famalicão
In the aftermath of the win over FC Famalicão in Liga Portugal, Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim said that he was satisfied with the performance.
"It was a very difficult game, but the players were competent at all times and were always in control. In the first half we rotated the ball a lot to tyre out the opposition, we were intense in our reaction and created chances. We were very strong in controlling FC Famalicão's transitions, but we didn't have the quality we should have when we just needed to move to the wing. The ball was always one metre further forward than it should have been, and that makes a difference in these games," he began by saying in his post-match press conference.
“We scored in the second half, we controlled things to a certain extent and then, when the second goal didn't appear, we defended a little lower. This is also part of the process and we are improving in this aspect. But it was a completely fair victory."
The coach then praised the starting debut of Morten Hjulmand and his midfield partnership with Morita.
“He's everything we thought he would be, but he's going to improve a lot physically and he has to get to know his teammates well. The way he always plays the ball forward helps the team and that is very important. He is very smart at reading the spaces and understanding when to press or when to join the defensive line. He is a leader, and he was made captain in Italy at the age of 24. You don't get to do that if you are not a leader."
Amorim was also asked about Paulinho's form, as the striker was decisive by scoring the winning goal and has already found the net four times in three matches.
“When he was criticised, maybe he wasn't performing well, but now he is and everyone is excited. They sing his song all the time and that's football: A rollercoaster. Now, knowing that the bad moment of form is over, he also has to know that this good run can end too, and it is all about hard work. He's a guy who deserves it; he's playing a little out of position but maybe this is his position, because he plays a little looser there. He did his job and is scoring goals, but what matters is hard work and winning games, and he helps the team win."
Regarding the evolution of the team, given that Sporting CP now have five more points than at this stage last season, the coach admitted that these three victories in three games bring with them a good feeling, but he also made it clear that it is not time to relax.
“Obviously we're satisfied, but I don't sleep well and I'm always stressed -like all the coaches."
“The team are more mature. The new players fit our characteristics very well and I'm happy with that aspect. The difference of five points compared to the beginning of last season is very big, but we have to keep going."
“Maybe it's the hope of the fans and the way we look at games. Last year we dropped a lot of points at the beginning and then we were always chasing, with the fans very disappointed with the situation. This year there's something in the air that helps us. It's not just the quality of the players but rather everything that involves them, like the mental side. As I felt against Casa Pia AC and FC Vizela, today I felt that we were going to win the game ”, he underlined.
“The passion that the fans conveyed helped us a lot to be intense during this game. The team managed to keep a cool head and control things for 90 minutes. What I can promise is that next week will be just as difficult, but we hope that in the end the result will be the same."
Sporting Clube de Portugal continued their perfect start to the Liga Portugal season with a 1-0 home win against FC Famalicão on Matchday 3. Os Leões now move to three victories in as many games, in what is already the best opening to a campaign since Rúben Amorim took charge.
With Jeremiah St. Juste the only player unavailable for the game due to injury, Amorim made just one change to the starting lineup that he had fielded against Casa Pia AC. Summer reinforcement Morten Hjulmand made his first start in midfield, alongside Morita, moving Pedro Gonçalves into the attacking trio alongside Paulinho and Gyökeres.
The night was also a debut for the team's new third kit, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Estádio José Alvalade was once again sold out. The fans saw their team take the reins right from the opening whistle. They settled in the opposing midfield and tried to find a way through, mostly through crosses which did not have the desired results.
However, it was only a matter of time before chances arrived. In the first, the ball fell to Paulinho and he dragged it towards goal, but goalkeeper Luiz Júnior prevented the opener with an instinctive save. Shortly afterwards, Paulinho met another cross, but this time a last-gasp intervention from the defence denied him.
At the same time there were sporadic attacks by FC Famalicão, with little danger. That could not be said about Sporting CP's chances: Off a violent shot, Gyökeres forced a rebound and as the play continued Gonçalves also tried his luck, with Paulinho arriving slightly late for a final touch.
The end of the first half consisted mainly of stoppages that slowed down the play, but there was a close call from Gyökeres, who shot wide on the turn. The score remained unchanged at the interval, despite the dominance of the home side.
Sporting CP did not have to wait long after the restart for the opener, which came right at the beginning of the second half, in the 52nd minute. After Gonçalves had already threatened with a strike against the crossbar, Nuno Santos hit a free-kick into the area, Sebastián Coates headed on and Paulinho climbed higher than everyone else to score for the fourth time this season.
Even with a one-goal advantage, and with Geny Catamo and Matheus Reis brought on off the bench, Sporting CP continued to insist on attacking. Gyökeres came close to causing damage with a direct free kick, saved by Luiz Júnior, and shortly afterwards a move in the FC Famalicão area led the referee to consult VAR over possible handball, for which he did not award a penalty.
In the final minutes, Os Leões retreated and the away team had the ball for a longer period for the first time, but the best they managed was a long-range shot over the top. For Sporting CP, Daniel Bragança and Gonçalves were denied the team's second goal by excellent saves.
With this triumph, Sporting CP now have nine points, occupying the top of the table along with Vitória SC. Their next game is scheduled for Sunday, September 3rd, away to SC Braga.
The coach looks at the fixture against FC Famalicão
Rúben Amorim has no doubts that Sporting Clube de Portugal will have a tough time against FC Famalicão this Sunday at the Estádio José Alvalade, on Matchday 3 of the Liga Portugal season.
In his press conference ahead of the match, he explained his expectations of the fans and the opposition.
"We expect a good atmosphere at a full stadium, so I also want to thank the fans for the way they have supported us, after a difficult season, as well as explain to them that this will be a game where many things will happen. We will have to be patient. I believe we will dominate the play, but we need the support of the fans in good times and in bad times, as the games now do not last 90 minutes, but, maybe, 100. We are looking for the victory, we are going to give everything and we really want to win", the coach began by saying.
"FC Famalicão have an excellent coach and are always a team with very talented young players. They are the 'Portuguese Brighton' and we know that there will always be young people watching. The bigger the game, the smaller the responsibility for them and the more talent comes out, because they feel freer. In games with the big teams they always feel very comfortable. I expect a very difficult game, in which we will have to suffer, but I am convinced that we will win".
Questioned about who is going to feature, Amorim kept his cards close to his chest.
"In Midfield? I will not say who will play. Daniel Bragança has come back very well and Morten Hjulmand is also prepared to play".
Jeremiah St. Juste, meanwhile, is still not an option and Amorim does not want the centre-back's recovery to be rushed.
“St. Juste is on his way and we are preparing him. We're trying to get the best out of him. He is a world-class player and we want him to last for many years at Sporting CP, so we are doing our best for him".
He also spoke about the transfer market, which is still open, and stated that he is satisfied with the squad he has.
“We have several players for various positions. I don't know if our strategy will have an impact on the final standings. We were champions in a season with a lot of changes, but I think teams are champions more often when they keep their foundations for more years".
“When I arrived here, even with little investment, we always wanted to win trophies. That's in the club's DNA. I understand that greater investment increases the responsibility, but we have a way of working, we spend half of what we bring in from selling. The sales of Porro and Ugarte have allowed us to have a more peaceful transfer market than when there are no sales and no money. Therefore, I would say that the responsibility is the same, simply that more players being sold allows more players to come in, more security in what we do- So far it has gone well", he also said, before talking about the integration of Viktor Gyökeres and Morten Hjulmand.
“They are adapting very well and having a young group also helps them. They are two slightly different personalities, but we have invested a lot in team dinners (laughs) and that also helps them to find their place in the team. They've responded on the pitch and, even though people haven't seen much of Morten, he's more than just somebody adept at stealing the ball. He has a lot of quality on the ball and is different from the players we have. Viktor gives us a different dimension due to his characteristics. They live in a good country, they play in a big club, they are very well cared for and they are surrounded by excellent players, and I told them right away when we signed them not to look so much at the league table and to look more at the players we have. They couldn’t be happier and neither could we”.
Almost a full squad available in the session for Rúben Amorim
Sporting Clube de Portugal's players returned to work on Thursday morning at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo in Alcochete, with their Sunday meeting with FC Famalicão in mind.
The team play at home in an 8:30pm kickoff, and Rúben Amorim is preparing the Liga Portugal Matchday 3 contest determined to put another win on the board, in what has been a positive start to the campaign.
The only player unavailable for the session was Jeremiah St. Juste, who continues his treatment with the medical department.
The players work to keep their perfect record going
Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to training, with the focus on Sunday's home game against FC Famalicão at the Estádio José Alvalade on Liga Portugal Matchday 3. The squad are working hard to keep their perfect record in league action to date intact, following on from a 3-2 win against FC Vizela and 1-2 triumph away at Casa Pia AC.
In Monday's morning session, Daniel Bragança performed conditioning training and Jeremiah St. Juste underwent treatment with the medical department.
