Sporting CP play out a 1-0 triumph in the preseason fixture

In a Monday friendly that ended their preseason training camp in Lagos, Sporting Clube de Portugal beat Sunderland AFC 1-0, with Francisco Trincão scoring the only game of the contest.

The game was undertaken at a relatively slow pace, typical of this stage of the preparations for the new season, and the opening minutes passed without any major incidents, as both teams studied each other.

Conrad Harder provided the first breakthrough, as the Dane sprinted down the left off a pass from Zeno Debast, entered the area, rounded goalkeeper Blondy Nna Nouke and set up Trincão, who just needed to tap the ball in to open the scoring.

More composed after the goal, Sporting CP took control of the game, moving the ball around in the midfield and injecting some speed into the action, with Pedro Gonçalves, Trincão and Geovany Quenda alternating positions in the attacking setup. However, the team failed to create any real danger, stifled by Sunderland AFC's high press.

From the 20th minute onwards, the English side began to move higher upfield -albeit failing to trouble goalkeeper Rui Silva, who easily dealt with shots from Eliezer Mayenda and Chemsdine Talbi.

He had more to do five minutes before half-time, when he denied Habib Diarra with a top-notch save.

Close to the interval, following a corner, Gonçalves had a good opportunity to extend the lead. The ball bounced towards the midfielder, who tried to shoot but struck way off target.

The second half began with Sunderland AFC showing freshness, having completely overhauled their starting eleven. Meanwhile, Sporting CP remained unchanged.

It took just three minutes for Quenda to shake things up. Off a swift attack down the right, the winger forced Blondy Nna Nouke into a last ditch stop.

Shortly after, in the 55th minute Trincão made away on a quick transition. He delivered the ball to Gonçalves, wide open on the left. The No.8 tried to break through the sea of Sunderland players, but was eventually closed down.

Seven minutes later, following a set piece, Gonçalves was presented with another chance, which went wide.

Trincão curled a beautiful shot that grazed the right post, and Quenda smashed an effort that required a save from the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

On 74 minutes, Rayan Lucas came on, replacing Hidemasa Morita, with Diogo Travassos later stepping in for Eduardo Quaresma. Both youngsters took the opportunity to show Rui Borges their worth.

Harder remained active, despite the many kilometres he had accumulated throughout the match. The tireless Dane once again threatened with a run at speed from the left, which spun into the side netting.

Quenda was fouled close to the penalty area late on, and Trincão opted for a clever shot from the free kick, looking for his brace. The ball went just wide of goal, leaving the score at 1-0.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK], Matheus Reis (David Moreira, 90’), Hidemasa Morita (Rayan Lucas, 74’), Zeno Debast, Geovany Quenda, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincao, Conrad Harder, Gonçalo Inácio, Morten Hjulmand [C] and Eduardo Quaresma (Diogo Travassos, 77’).

The team play in front of fans for the first time this summer

Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 0-2 to Celtic FC in their first game in front of supporters in the 2025/26 preseason. Despite the defeat, there were good points to be taken from the summer fixture against the Scottish side.

The squad had played in the morning against Portimonense SC, and Rui Borges opted for a different starting eleven made up of goalkeeper Rui Silva; defenders Iván Fresneda, Jeremiah St. Juste, Eduardo Quaresma and Matheus Reis; midfielders Morten Hjulmand, João Simões and Pedro Gonçalves; and Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão and Rodrigo Ribeiro in the attack.

As expected at this stage of the summer, the match – played on a very hot afternoon – started at a somewhat slow pace, although the Scottish champions forced Rui Silva to make a good save in the ninth minute.

In the 14th minute, it was Matheus Reis who tested Kasper Schmeichel -son of the legendary goalkeeper who, in 1999/2000, won the league with Sporting CP. The Brazilian fullback appeared at the far post, in a great position to respond to Pedro Gonçalves's setup, but didn't connect with the ball well, shooting wide.

It was also from the right side that, four minutes later, Iván Fresneda and Francisco Trincão opened a path for João Simões' shot from the edge of the box, which was again saved. Following that, Rodrigo Ribeiro aimed for goal again, forcing another stop.

Midway through the first period, Celtic's Adam Idah had a clear opportunity to break the deadlock. Unmarked, the Irish centre forward took a weak shot, met with an easy save by Rui Silva.

Geny Catamo cut inside and, with his right foot, sent an effort towards Schmeichel, then Rui Silva who responded solidly to a Benjamin Nygren shot from inside the six yard box.

The best move of the first half was saved for the 38th minute: João Simões, teed up by Geny Catamo, got into the area, shot and came very close to opening the scoring -his strike going wide of the far post.

Three minutes before halftime, it was Rui Silva who was once again in the spotlight, denying Daizen Maeda with an excellent save.

The game went into the break with a Catamo shot over the crossbar, leaving the scoreline unchanged.

Rui Borges made just two changes at the start of the second half, with Franco Israel and Conrad Harder coming on for Rui Silva and Rodrigo Ribeiro. The Uruguayan barely had time to settle in before Celtic FC were given a penalty, after a foul by Jeremiah St. Juste. Franco Israel guessed the right way and even got a fingertip to the ball, but was unable to prevent Reo Hatate from scoring.

The game slowed down, only interrupted by a dazzling run from Conrad Harder, who appeared at speed on the left and shot hard against the right post.

Just before the hour, Giorgi Kochorashvili came in to replace Morten Hjulmand. The Georgian showed a good understanding with his teammates and also displayed several quality touches. In the 63rd minute, he passed the ball deep to Pedro Gonçalves who, with his left foot, curved an effort wide of the target.

In the 71st minute, Celtic FC extended their lead through Luke McCowan, who received the ball, slipped away and struck into the back of the net.

Alisson Santos replaced Pedro Gonçalves, to make his first appearance in front of fans. Later, Bruno Ramos, David Moreira and Rayan Lucas were all introduced to refresh the team, but the score would remain the same. That was despite Conrad Harder's attempt, in which a powerful shot went over the bar in stoppage time.

Sporting CP fans can see the team in action again on July 21st, at Estádio Algarve, against English side Sunderland AFC.

Sporting CP: Rui Silva [GK] (Franco Israel, 46’), Matheus Reis (Bruno Ramos, 86’), Jeremiah St. Juste (David Moreira, 86’), Pedro Gonçalves (Alisson Santos, 73’), Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Iván Fresneda, Morten Hjulmand [C] (Giorgi Kochorashvili, 58’), João Simões (Rayan Lucas, 86’), Eduardo Quaresma and Rodrigo Ribeiro (Conrad Harder, 46’).

The team draw 0-0 against their fellow Portuguese side

Sporting Clube de Portugal played the first of two preparation matches on Wednesday morning against Portimonense SC. The team coached by Rui Borges drew 0-0, in a fixture played behind closed doors.

The following starting XI was fielded: Diego Calai; Zeno Debast, Geovany Quenda, Maxi Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande, Biel, Rayan Lucas, Lucas Anjos, Manuel Mendonça and Diogo Travassos.

Francisco Silva, Samuel Justo and Alisson Santos were also used.

Five players meet Gran Turismo star José Cautela

At the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, football met motorsport for a memorable experience this past week. José Cautela, a driver who competes for Sporting Clube de Portugal at the wheel of a McLaren in Gran Turismo races, welcomed five players from the first team for an afternoon of on-track action.

Jeremiah St. Juste, Conrad Harder, Morten Hjulmand, Zeno Debast and Francisco Trincão accompanied Cautela on two laps each of the circuit.

"It was spectacular, really cool. It was my first time in a race car. When you're in the car it feels like you're going a little slower than when you see it go by," St. Juste explained after the experience as co-driver.

"On the corners I asked him when he was going to brake, and he said 'only at the last moment (laughs).' José asked me to keep my body tense and stiffen my neck."

Debast added that "José was very fast and I can't even imagine what it would be like with 20 more cars on the track. It must be incredible! When we see the car passing in front of us it's crazy, it's different from when we watch a Grand Prix on television."

The defender explained the importance of enjoying moments of relaxation with teammates as a break from their training routine.

"It's good for us to learn about other sports, try different things, and support each other within the club. It's also great for our mental health to have this kind of experience. It was wonderful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity," he said.

Cautela was very pleased with the spirit of the players and the intersection between two worlds he is passionate about.

"It's a dream come true. If, when I was a kid, someone had told me that I would be driving with the best Sporting CP players at Portimão, I wouldn't have believed it," shared the staunch Sportinguista, who will return to competition in November at Estoril.

"It was really cool and it's also great to see this association between sports. This is a new sport at the club, and it's good to be associated with football, which is obviously the biggest sport, although we are a huge sporting powerhouse, the biggest in Portugal and one of the biggest in the world," stated the driver.

"I think it was the most fun I've ever had in the car. It was a mix of emotions, but I think they all loved it. I spent the whole time talking about racing with Trincão. When I was braking, he was a bit quiet, and so was I, but then on the straights, he asked me how my career began. I loved being with them and the entire Sporting CP group. I asked them to come see me race in Estoril on the last weekend of November."

"I hope this motivates them," said Cautela. "We're all behind them. I asked them all for the third league title when we were arriving at the pit. They were fantastic, and I'm looking forward to next season. I had a great time last season, and I hope this year will be a happy one too."

The players spend time with fans during the preseason training camp

Geovany Quenda, Conrad Harder, and João Simões, in a collaboration between the Sporting Foundation and CASLAS - Centro de Assistência Social Lucinda Anino dos Santos, in Lagos, met several young fans at the hotel where Sporting CP are staying during their preseason camp.

The Sportinguistas were full of curiosity , asking several questions that were fielded by the players.

How did you feel playing against Manchester City?
Quenda: "It's a game that no Sporting fan will easily forget, it was very important for us at that time. I felt good and was confident."

What was it like to become two time champions?
Harder: "Becoming a two-time champion was an incredible feeling. I didn't expect how crazy it would be, and sharing it with all my teammates was spectacular. I hope to experience it again."
Simões: "We knew what we wanted from the start and we did it. We really enjoyed it, because we deserved it, after everything we'd been through during the season."

What is your daily routine?
Harder: "After training, I take an ice bath to help my legs recover. Then I have lunch, go home, take a nap and spend time with my family, with my girlfriend when she's here... or with Zeno [Debast]."

What influence did the Sporting CP academy system have?
Simões: "It was great. I lived with more than 50 Sporting CP players, all with the same dream of reaching the first team, and we are lucky to have made it here. We felt like a family. It was a time I will cherish for the rest of my life. I started playing because of my older brother's influence. I was three years old. I played for Silves FC, who were based very close by, then for Portimonense SC, and then I came to Sporting CP. It was all because of my father and especially my brother, and thankfully it's going well. I'm following my dream."

What was it like for Simões to score at the Estádio José Alvalade?
Simões. "It was a dream come true. There are no words to describe it. Quenda even gave me a hard time for crying (laughs), but it was a really good feeling. I was really happy."

How was Quenda's first team debut?
Quenda: "It was a huge honour to see my work recognised, but it wasn't a good game for me because we lost. And it was in a final, in last season's Supertaça Cândido Oliveira."

How does it feel to score in a final?
Harder: "It was incredible. Scoring in a final was something I'd dreamed of since I arrived. Helping the team and winning the trophy was special. It has to be the best goal of my career."

Who are the best players you've faced?
Quenda: "The best players I've ever faced? Maybe Maxi Araújo or Matheus Reis, because I'm always facing them in training,"

At the end of the meeting, João Simões highlighted the importance of the initiative.

"It's great to have the young kids here, because I remember myself at that age, curious to know what our idols do on a daily basis. It was a fantastic initiative. We also learned from them. We saw what it's like to be a child and how happy they are with a simple reaction from us," he explained.

"It's given us the chance to break up our routine of training, resting, training... And we have the opportunity to do a good deed. Even if it's a small thing, it's the least we can do for those who support us."

José Rocha, a member of the CASLAS board, whose main mission is to contribute to the inclusion and social promotion of younger population groups, people with disabilities and the elderly in the Lagos area, added that: "It's a day that will stay with the kids for the rest of their lives. They always have an image of football players as stars they want to emulate, who they want to be like, and this was an opportunity for them to connect with some Sporting CP players, and they're obviously delighted. They were already very anxious yesterday and today it was very difficult to keep them under control until we got here, they were all so excited,” he shared.

The new arrival is enjoying his initial days at Sporting CP

New signing Giorgi Kochorashvili spoke to reporters on Monday before Sporting Clube de Portugal's training session in Lagos. The midfielder talked about his first weeks at the club, and his eagerness to get the season underway.

"It's been incredible. Adapting has been very easy. Firstly, because everyone who works at the club has helped me. There's also been my teammates: It's been amazing sharing a dressing room with them. They help me with everything, not just on the pitch but off it too," he stated.

"It doesn't feel like I've only been here for two weeks; it feels like I've been playing for Sporting CP for two or three years. It's not an easy feeling to come across. I feel fully integrated already," added the Georgian.

"As for my aims; the answer is easy. I want to win the league. Becoming a champion is why I came here and it's also ingrained in the club," he stated ambitiously when asked about his expectations for the 2025/26 season.

"What I want is to help the team, because the most important thing is the badge that we wear on our chests. It doesn't just depend on me, it depends on everyone -including the fans. If we work together, we'll have a lot of fun, I'm sure. And if we can make dreams come true, then why not?" he underlined.

"I believe I can give a lot to the team. I'll always give my all on the pitch, and people will be able to judge me on that. I came here to enjoy myself, to play football, and to compete. I'll do whatever is asked of me. I said on day one that I'm here to contribute. There's a lot of invisible work in football as well: On the pitch, I believe I'll learn a lot from all my teammates and I think I'll help them gain a different perspective on the game," said the new signing.

When asked about teammate Morten Hjulmand, he was full of praise for the club captain.

"Training with Morten has already allowed me to see why he's the team's leader. I've been observing his movements, his quality, and I believe I'll learn a lot from him throughout the season."

Kochorashvili is eager about the possibility of feeling the support of the fans in Wednesday's friendly against Celtic FC.

"I'm excited, but we'll have to take it slow because the preseason has only just started. I'll adapt, I'll try to help my teammates, and I'm sure they'll help me too, showing what each of us can bring to the dressing room."

Finally, he spoke about the challenge of learning Portuguese.

"I still only speak very little, but I'll learn quickly. My teammates speak to me in Portuguese, and I try to learn. I understand everything; it's hard to speak it, but I'll get the hang of it quickly," he assured.

The team work to get ready for the coming season

Sporting Clube de Portugal continue preparing for the 2025/26 season, and on Monday the squad were out on the training pitch in Lagos.

The first 15 minutes of the session were open to the media who had travelled to follow the team in their preseason camp.

Coach Rui Borges held another morning training session. Ricardo Esgaio, assigned to the Performance Unit, and Pedro Gonçalves, authorised to be absent for personal reasons, did not participate in the work on the pitch.

The squad train on Tuesday in another session. Sporting CP face Celtic FC the following day, July 16th, at 7:30 pm, at Estádio Algarve.

Conrad Harder and Geovany Quenda get back to work

Sporting Clube de Portugal held their first training session in the Algarve on Sunday morning, as part of their preseason camp in the south of Portugal.

Under high temperatures, the group showed commitment, intensity and good vibes, with the intensity required at this stage of their preparations.

The highlight of the session was the return of Conrad Harder and Geovany Quenda, who joined up with the rest of the team to train under coach Rui Borges.

The players will be training on Monday morning, with the first 15 minutes open to the media.

The friendly match against Celtic FC is scheduled for 7:30 pm on July 16th, at the Estádio do Algarve - the first opportunity for Sporting CP fans to see the team in action before the start of the season.

The group begin their preseason stay in Lagos

Sporting Clube de Portugal arrived in Lagos early on Saturday evening, where the training camp for the 2025/26 season will take place. The squad coached by Rui Borges will have their first session in the Algarve on Sunday, behind closed doors.

Franco Israel, Rui Silva, Diego Calai, Francisco Silva, Matheus Reis, Eduardo Quaresma, Gonçalo Inácio, Ivan Fresneda, Jeremiah St. Juste, Ousmane Diomande, Ricardo Esgaio, Diogo Travassos, David Moreira, Zeno Debast, Hidemasa Morita, Morten Hjulmand, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Rayan Lucas, João Simões, Manuel Mendonça, Pedro Gonçalves, Geovany Quenda, Maximiliano Araújo, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Alisson Santos, Biel Teixeira, Lucas Anjos, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Conrad Harder are the players who have travelled to Southern Portugal.

Daniel Bragança and Nuno Santos have stayed behind in the club's Performance Unit.

Lagos has hosted the club's preparations in recent seasons. On Wednesday, July 16th, at 7:30pm, Sporting CP face Celtic FC at the Estádio do Algarve, in what will be the first opportunity for fans to see the team in action this summer. There will be another match on Monday, July 21st, at 8pm, against Sunderland AFC, at the same venue.

The squad play SCU Torreense and CD Nacional

To continue their preparation for the upcoming season, Sporting Clube de Portugal played two training matches on Friday at the Academia Cristiano Ronaldo. In games consisting of two 35-minute halves, the team beat SCU Torreense 1-0 in the morning and, in the afternoon, drew 1-1 with CD Nacional.

In the clash with SCU Torreense, a club that play in Liga 2, an own goal made the difference. Rui Borges opted for a starting XI composed of Francisco Silva, Jeremiah St. Juste, Pedro Gonçalves, Maxi Araújo, Geny Catamo, Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Biel, Morten Hjulmand, João Simões and Lucas Anjos.

Against CD Nacional -the Madeiran team who will be Sporting CP's opponent in the coming league season- the starting lineup was: Franco Israel, Matheus Reis, Hidemasa Morita, Francisco Trincão, Gonçalo Inácio, Alisson Santos, Eduardo Quaresma, Rayan Lucas, Mauro Couto, Diogo Travassos and Rodrigo Ribeiro. New signing Alisson Santos scored the Sporting CP goal.

All available players were used, as the first phase of preseason concluded. The squad will now move on to Lagos in the Algarve, training there through to July 21st.