The coach speaks after the resounding win over FC Porto
After Sporting CP became outright leaders of Liga Portugal with their 2-0 win against FC Porto, coach Rúben Amorim praised the team's good performance and their ability to take the three points.
“Today we were very strong in the duels and second balls. We read the moments of the game, understood when to press and when not to, and it went well. We could have scored more goals, but we won and that is the most important thing," considered the coach, who addressed the importance of Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, whose strike took him up to 17 goals for the season.
“Gyökeres has improved our team and the fans like him a lot, but we need to look at it the other way too. In the same way that Sporting CP improved Viktor, Viktor also improved Sporting CP; the two things are linked. But obviously he brought a different energy and ability, like many other players."
Amorim was then invited to comment on the performance of Eduardo Quaresma, who replaced the injured Sebastián Coates in defence and was given a standing ovation after an hour of play.
“It didn't surprise me. He can play these games when he's focused. What concerns me is that he maintains this level. All players with talent can have a good game, but only those with a certain mentality can play for a big team that always have to win. I'm very happy for him, he played a good game and lasted 60 minutes with a lack of match pace, but tomorrow he has to recover and regain the same level of concentration," he highlighted, explaining the reason why he decided to opt for the 21-year-old centre back to replace the captain.
“We did two days of tactical work and Coates was injured at the last minute in training. Quaresma spent the whole time doing tactical work with Diomande, because he was the one who was going there to play, and he knew everything. If it were Matheus Reis coming in, we would have had to change several things, so we made a like-for-like switch. Diomande feels comfortable in the middle and I have no doubts about Quaresma's ability. One player was left out and another came in so as not to change everything we had trained," he clarified, informing that“ Coates has a muscle injury and will be out of action for some time."
Amorim later acknowledged that although the Sportinguistas were “happy” with the triumph, it was necessary to keep their feet on the ground as these were only a further three points in a long journey.
“The team had a good game, but it's another league match and should be seen as a normal day. We have to move forward, as this is a marathon and we have to keep going."
Os Leões beat FC Porto 2-0 at home in Liga Portugal
Sporting Clube de Portugal made a statement of intent in Liga Portugal on Matchday 14, winning 2-0 against FC Porto in O Clássico. Rúben Amorim's men dominated for most of the match and were always the more dangerous of the two sides, and got the goals through Viktor Gyökeres and Pedro Gonçalves.
The previous match for Sporting CP had been a Europa League dead rubber against SK Sturm Graz, and Amorim made eight changes from the starting XI used in that game. Absent was captain Sebastián Coates, due to myalgia in his left leg.
The thousands of Sportinguistas who sold out the Estádio José Alvalade welcomed their team with deafening support and a colourful green and white combination of a mosaic and fireworks. They also paid tribute to Pedro Gonçalves, who was honoured for having completed the milestone of 150 games with the club by receiving a trophy and a shirt from President Frederico Varandas.
The home side had more possession of the ball in the initial moments, trying to explore the flanks and find space behind the defence. From precisely one such movement, 11 minutes in, Sporting CP took the lead. Matheus Reis sent Gyökeres through, the Swede took on FC Porto defender Pepe and found space to shoot, placing the ball between the near post and goalkeeper Diogo Costa to the euphoria of the fans.
After making it 1-0, they kept up the frenetic pace, and it was practically all Sporting CP, with Os Leões creating a lot of danger whenever the ball went to either Marcus Edwards or Gyökeres. The best scoring opportunity in the remainder of the first half hour came from Diomande, who could have extended the lead with a header in a free kick but missed the 2-0.
In the final stretch of the first half, FC Porto began to have more of the ball, but always had serious difficulties breaking down Sporting CP's solid defensive organisation. Only a Galeno header, masterfully saved by Adán, presented any real problems. That was right after Gyökeres had put the ball in the net but had his goal disallowed due to an alleged foul by Eduardo Quaresma.
During the interval, another tribute to Sporting CP athletes was made, celebrating the handball team's fourth Supertaça win after beating FC Porto in the semi-final and SL Benfica in the final the previous weekend.
The second half was barely underway before Pepe was sent off, reducing FC Porto to ten men. Sporting CP continued to press and, after Edwards had forced Diogo Costa into a big save, Gyökeres found himself in space and set up an easy tap in for Pedro Gonçalves, who only had to knock the ball across the line to make it 2-0.
Amorim made a change on the hour, bringing on Nuno Santos in exchange for Eduardo Quaresma. Shortly afterwards, Gonçalves came close to extending the lead and, off the resulting counterattack, Evanilson almost reduced the advantage.
Even with their numerical inferiority, FC Porto still managed to threaten, and had a goal for Evanilson disallowed for offside against the Brazilian.
Sporting CP's response didn't take long in coming, with Gyökeres starting the move again and serving up for Gonçalves. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, 'Pote' shot off-target.
In the second minute of added time, Paulinho could have made it 3-0, off a pass from the recently introduced Daniel Bragança, but once again the goal was disallowed for a foul by the midfielder.
Sporting CP took a victory that puts them back as outright leaders in Liga Portugal. Next up, they take on CD Tondela away from home, on Saturday, December 23rd, in Group C of the Taça da Liga.
Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Eduardo Quaresma (Nuno Santos, 61’), Geny Catamo (Ricardo Esgaio, 75’), Hidemasa Morita (Daniel Bragança, 84’), Morten Hjulmand, Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards (Paulinho, 75’), Pedro Gonçalves (Francisco Trincão, 84’) and Viktor Gyökeres.
The two teams will meet in February across two legs
Sporting Clube de Portugal will play BSC Young Boys in the playoff to decide which of the two sides gain access to the UEFA Europa League Last 16.
The draw, which took place in Nyon, Switzerland, pits Os Leões against a side who dropped out of the Champions League but finished in a position to enter the playoffs. Sporting CP finished second in their Europa League group.
The two legs will take place on February 15th and 22nd, respectively.
The squad have begun preparations for Monday's game
After the 3-0 victory against SK Sturm Graz, which rounded off the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, Sporting Clube de Portugal returned to work on Friday at the Academi Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the session, the players who played the most minutes against the Austrian side carried out recovery work, while the remaining members of the squad trained on the pitch with Monday's crunch clash against FC Porto on the horizon.
Jeremiah St. Juste, Iván Fresneda and Geny Catamo continued to undergo treatment.
The coach explains the approach to the Europa League dead rubber against SK Sturm Graz
This Thursday, Sporting Clube de Portugal host SK Sturm Graz on the sixth and final matchday for Group D in the Europa League.
Sporting CP have already confirmed their place in the playoff for the Round of 16 of the competition, but coach Rúben Amorim still sees the game as useful.
“Playing for a big club has a lot of good things, but there is also this aspect, that there are no days off and that we are always being judged on our last game. Therefore, we have to focus on that. The players also know that I change my opinion from one day to the next, because one player might have trained very well, so imagine how useful a game is. It's in their hands. They are the ones who make up the starting XI for the games. Sometimes, there are two players for a position and both deserve to play, and it's a little unfair, but we have a game to play and a lot to improve in all aspects: The defensive side, the pressure side, the ability to play between the lines... things that we already did very well and that now we lack a little, as well as the ability to understand the moments within the game," he told journalists.
"We have so much to improve for the future in the league, that we have to make the most of this game. Then we will have time to prepare for the next games," the coach began by saying, before commenting on the team's consistency in Europe.
“We had an obligation to progress in this competition due to the greatness of the club, because of the objectives we have and because we have a squad in which we have to have games to play them all."
“If we are not in several competitions, managing the group becomes more difficult. So we achieved an objective, but it wasn't what we wanted. We wanted first place in the group, we didn't achieve it, but we moved on and that was our minimum obligation in the group," he also said, revealing what he expects from this last group fixture.
"We are expecting opponents who press and who will want to win the game. Contrary to what I thought, in the first game SK Sturm Graz waited a little longer and didn't immediately jump into a high press, which is unusual. There are physically strong and have very fast players up front. I think it will be a different game than the first one. SK Sturm Graz will put pressure on us from the first minute, perhaps all the way to our goal, and we must be able to play like we have been doing. At certain times it will be a different game and we will have to have different responses. On the other hand, I think we could have a little more space between the lines and at the back. Let’s see what they have prepared for tomorrow, but I think it will be different from the first game."
On Monday there will be a Clássico against FC Porto at Alvalade, but Rúben Amorim made it clear that Sporting CP are not thinking about that yet.
“I still don’t know the XI we will have for Monday's game, because this one is the focus. There are players who will play less so that the team perform well and win the game, and so that they are physically prepared. Some need more time, others less, but no player can look at it and say 'I played 90 minutes on Thursday, so I won't play on Monday'."
"If the league game were on Sunday, it would have influence. It depends on their game, it depends on the idea, it depends on the opponent's game today. All this evaluation will be done, but I guarantee all the players that it doesn’t matter if they play 90 minutes now.”
“We have to win and we have to play well. Only in this way will they be able to play against FC Porto, but there are players who I know that, playing a game on the weekend and playing on Thursday, if they play every minute, in the third game of the week they suffer. These are the only calculations I make, but they are all ready to start against FC Porto." said the green and white coach.
The winter transfer window will open in January, and with that approaching, Amorim was already questioned about arrivals and departures -in particular, regarding Viktor Gyökeres.
“There is a buyout clause in his contract. It was said that, especially in January, players only leave through their buyout clause being met. If that happens, we won't be able to do anything about it. It's normal for clubs to pay attention to the level of players in Portugal because they go abroad and perform really well. They know that the players in our league are prepared for the best leagues in the world," he said, adding: “It’s clear that he will only leave through the clause being met, but we aren't thinking about replacing him now. We have been losing players that I thought would be very difficult to replace, like Matheus Nunes, who took the ball forward, Porro, who attacked on the right side, and now Viktor, who is the standout player, but we have had the ability to renew the team. So I don't lose hours of sleep over it. I did in the past, because there was always this idea that we would have to sell to survive, but, at the moment, there is no such thing, all we have to do is see if a club pays the clause."
In that case the players have to go. However, we will find a solution. We are increasingly prepared for this.”
The absences of Hidemasa Morita, Geny Catamo and Ousmane Diomande in January are almost certain due to their respective national team commitments, but Amorim revealed that Sporting CP will not go into the market to replace them because of that situation.
“We will have time to think about it, but the players who go away for competitions will not be replaced, because it is only a month. What we can do, depending on the market, is look at players not just for now, but thinking about the future. This is what we have been doing and we will maintain our policy. We have this problem that the international competitions take place now, but we have to think about the present and the future. There will be no reinforcements to replace these players, but what could happen is an adjustment to the squad thinking about the present and the future," he said.
Sporting CP host SK Sturm Graz this Thursday in a game with nothing on the line
Paulinho accompanied Rúben Amorim at the press conference previewing this Thursday's match against SK Sturm Graz in the Group D of the Europa League. The game is a mere formality, since everything has been decided in the group and Sporting CP already know that they will be in the playoff to access the Round of 16 of the competition, but the striker made it clear that it is still important game.
“Although the game does not change anything in the table, it is still very important for us, above all, to win again. Not just because the club demand it, but because it's good for the group. Even though the table won't change for us, it is still a very important game for us," Paulinho began by saying, noting that Sporting CP are not yet thinking about next Monday's contest.
"The game with FC Porto not has no impact on us. It's not in the equation yet. We are only interested in tomorrow's game and in winning tomorrow. We, the players, have to be motivated every day to represent Sporting CP and that is what will happen tomorrow."
“It doesn't make sense to think about Monday yet, and anyone who has been here for a long time knows that this would be bad for us and bad for the club. We are going to go out there to win tomorrow's and everyone will be on edge, without thinking about any other games."
The forward knows what Sporting CP will have to do and what to expect from SK Sturm Graz.
“They are a physically strong team, they have quality, play well and have fast players. Even though every game has a different story, we have to be at our best to be able to counteract a team that have already played with several systems, and we have to understand how to fit into them. It’s going to be a good challenge, which will demand a lot from us, but that’s good.”
Paulinho also spoke about having competition for a starting role this season, commenting that the team is what matters and a battle for places is good for the whole group.
“I've been working as I always have, to the fullest. We have to have competitiveness in the squad as it makes us better players, it demands more from us and it's good for the team. I work at the limit, as I always have, and then it is the manager who decides who plays. We have to be prepared for that."
When asked if he prefers to play alone or with another striker, in this case Viktor Gyökeres, Paulinho had no doubt about his response.
“I prefer to play and I've even played in goal. I want to play. The position is not very important, although, naturally, there are more routines worked on up front, but I feel good playing in any position."
The coach gives a post-mortem on the defeat to Vitória SC
At the end of Sporting Clube de Portugal's 3-2 defeat away at Vitória SC, coach Rúben Amorim talked about the match in his press conference.
"The team that scores the most goals, wins. We controlled the transitions very well in the first half. It was difficult for us to create chances, but they couldn't reach our area. When they managed to score, we equalised on the stroke of half time," he began by saying.
"In the second half , we knew we were going to face a Vitória SC who were very strong in transitions. Before we conceded to make it 2-1, we were very close to scoring, which would have changed the game. We drew level again and then conceded again. We didn't deserve to lose, we lost because of the details."
"We had to control the game better, but we didn't let Vitória SC create chances in the first half. Even in the second half when we had to risk a little more to get upfield. This game was different from the game against SL Benfica. We have to score more goals and we are to blame for conceding to make it 3-2 in a controlled situation. We could have also got the ball moving after Vitória SC's third goal," he said.
The coach guaranteed that Sporting CP "always have to win, regardless of our rivals' results, which don't change much."
Asked about the confusion that interrupted the match for a few minutes in the final stages, Amorim assured that Sporting CP "will not tolerate" certain behaviour.
"There was a problem with the ballboy and a person who pushed a Sporting CP player, which had already happened at other grounds, such as at Dragão. When situations like that exist, the Sporting CP players will not accept it. If we have to get in trouble, we will get in trouble. Sporting CP want to win and, therefore, sometimes, they lose their senses a little -like any team. When people come into it who have nothing to do with the game, and just want to cause trouble, the Sporting CP players will react."
Finally, he reminded journalists that there are still "many games left" and that "many teams will drop points."
"What concerns me is improving in moments when we are dominant and when we concede goals that make it difficult for us to turn the result around," he concluded.
The team suffer a 3-2 loss on the road to Vitória SC
Sporting Clube de Portugal fell to a shock 3-2 defeat on their visit to Vitória SC, on Matchday 13 of the Liga Portugal season.
For an evening game amidst rainy conditions in Guimarães, coach Rúben Amorim made two changes to the starting lineup from the match against Gil Vicente FC. Sebastián Coates was missing due to suspension, replaced by Matheus Reis, and Nuno Santos made way for Geny Catamo.
The first half was somewhat lacking in terms of opportunities on goal. Vitória SC's Jota tried his luck after three minutes, but Antonio Adán made an easy save, whilst Pedro Gonçalves caused the first scare for the away team and forced an excellent intervention by Bruno Varela.
Finally, in the 41st minute, Sporting CP broke the scoring with a free kick, as Gonçalves sent the ball into the area and Hidemasa Morita knocked on for Gonçalo Inácio to turn it across the line, with his first goal of 2023/24.
The second goal could have come soon after, when Gonçalves provided a delightful chip that was disallowed for offside from the pass from Marcus Edwards.
Vitória SC ended up equalising in the final moments of the first half, when referee João Pinheiro called a penalty against Adán for a foul on Ricardo Mangas. Tiago Silva converted the equaliser on the stroke of halftime.
Nuno Santos replaced Ricardo Esgaio for the second half. Vitória SC began strongly, creating danger in the 49th minute when Ricardo Mangas shot over.
A wetter playing surface changed the dynamic of the match. Sporting CP responded as Ousmane Diomande set free Geny Catamo down the right, the Mozambican teeing up Viktor Gyökeres -who missed the target. The Swede had another chance to score again in the 61st minute, off a Santos ball, but Tomás Ribeiro cut it out.
Francisco Trincão and Paulinho then came on to replace Marcus Edwards and Morten Hjulmand, and Sporting CP came close to scoring again: Trincão, after combining with Nuno Santos forced a good save from Bruno Varela.
At a time in which they were suffering, Vitória SC completed their turnaround in the 73rd minute. Following an excellent intervention by Adán off a shot by João Mendes, André Silva put in the rebound with a big deflection from Morita.
Sporting CP got back level with a quick attack, ending with Gonçalves assisting Santos to make it 2-2.
The pace was frenetic and this openness to the game permitted Vitória SC to score again, this time through Dani Silva, deep into the closing minutes.
Down 2-3, Sporting CP went after Vitória SC and almost conceded in the 88th minute, but Adán made a great save to deny Adrián Butzke.
In the eighth minute of extra time, a shot from Nuno Santos over the top represented the final chance of the game, and Sporting CP fell to a 3-2 loss.
The team remain leaders of Liga Portugal, and will now host SK Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [C] [GK], Ricardo Esgaio (Nuno Santos, 46'), Ousmane Domande, Gonçalo Inácio, Geny Catamo, Morten Hjulmand (Paulinho, 61'), Hidemasa Morita, Matheus Reis, Marcus Edwards (Francisco Trincão, 61'), Pedro Gonçalves and Viktor Gyökeres.
Sporting Clube de Portugal visit Vitória SC this Saturday for Matchday 13 of the Liga Portugal campaign. Before the trip to the Dom Afonso Henriques, coach Rúben Amorim held a press conference to preview the game with the side currently fifth in the division.
“There is no need to look further ahead, as what matters is beating Vitória SC. Looking at our calendar, we know that there are always very difficult games. It has been shown that every team can drop points, so there is nothing more than Vitória SC on our minds," he began by saying.
“We think about things game by game, but we have a clear objective for the end.”
Currently, Sporting CP top the table with 31 points.
“Tomorrow we will have a game where we will have to suffer, where every time Vitória SC make a transition we will have to sprint back, and we will need to be very fit. The ground is a stadium that is always difficult to play at but, for me, it is incredible because of the passion the fans have. I hope it's a good game and that there is a victory for Sporting CP," he stated.
Despite O Clássico coming up against FC Porto, the contest with Vitória SC is, at the moment, “the most important game."
“We are going to field the best team that we have, and the best way to win the next game is to first win the match we have in front of us," said Amorim, who confirmed the absences of captain Sebastián Coates (through an accumulation of yellow cards) and the injured Jeremiah St. Juste, Daniel Bragança and Iván Fresneda.
When asked about missing Coates, Amorim commented that “everyone has to step up to the plate.”
“Last year, against Arsenal, Seba didn't play, it was a moment of high pressure and we won. And as he gets older, there has to be rotation sometimes, and everyone has to push on. A club like Sporting CP cannot depend on just one player to be strong, nor have just one leader. The players are prepared for his absence, but football-wise it is difficult to ‘cover’ his dead ball threat and his ability to lead the line."
Regarding St. Juste, he called him “a special player and person."
As long as I am St. Juste's coach, he will not give up. Of course, it's difficult to look at him today in training and have the same conversations again, but he always comes back stronger. Now he has been unlucky.”
Then, addressing the average of one goal conceded per game, the coach stressed that “the whole team have to improve. Not just the goalkeepers, whom I believe in a lot."
“We analyse the goals conceded and look at things move-by-move, because just looking at the statistics sometimes fall short. Adán is working well, but he hasn't been lucky -just like we've been talking about with 'Pote'. We believe in them a lot, we are in first place and I am sure this aspect will also improve," he pointed out, before relativising the ‘fairness’ of Sporting CP’s first place in Liga Portugal.
“During the course of the season there will always be a team that are playing better; there are phases of the campaign. I think we're playing well, but we have to play better, with more speed. We have been very competent, but if we don't win tomorrow we may not be leaders, so the focus is on winning the game," said Amorim, redirecting his focus to the match in Guimarães.
"I don't look at the rivals, because I'm already missing not being worried about what happens in other games. We simply focus a lot on our own game, and if we win we will be top."
The coach reviews a comeback win against Gil Vicente FC
After Sporting CP's 3-1 win over Gil Vicente FC which made the team sole leaders of Liga Portugal, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the match. He considered that, despite having trailed, his team deserved the three points and could have come away with a better result.
“Although we started very well, Gil Vicente FC managed to slow the game down and made it 0-1 on perhaps the only occasion that they reached our goal. Then we regained control, scored the equaliser and in the second half we were clearly the better side”, he began by telling journalists.
“We managed to push the opponents towards their goal and, with the quality of our players -which with all due respect is different to that of Gil Vicente FC-, we managed to make a difference. It was a fair victory, which could have seen more goals from Sporting CP," he emphasised.
The coach acknowledged the importance of Viktor Gyökeres, who scored twice, but rejected the idea that the team depend too much on the striker.
“We are not 'hostages' to Viktor, but the influence he has had, not only for the goals, but also in stretching the game and exciting the fans, is huge. It's clear to everyone that he is the most influential player and has a prominent role, but the season is very long and everyone will have that role. If he is becoming an important player there is no way to hide it."
He later explained why he introduced Jeremiah St. Juste, Geny Catamo and Matheus Reis at half-time, justifying the decision with the need to change the team's way of playing.
“We had a very strong start, but then we conceded the goal and the game wasn't flowing. We tried to change the way we played, but to do that we had to switch players. It was a little unfair for those who came off [Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Santos], but the idea was to improve the team and we achieved it because we changed the opponent's reference points. This is a something in favour of the team now: We are able to change positions and this makes the task for the opponents more difficult."
St. Juste was only on the field for 22 minutes because of a bad fall in which he twisted his foot, but Amorim confirmed that he had not suffered damage to his knee or any muscle problem.
The coach also addressed the fact that this it was the team's fourth comeback from behind this season.
“This year is easier for us, because we are fighting for every trophy. That helps. Furthermore, not only do we have another capacity, but the fans are helping us. Even though we always want to win, when we suffer, the fans push us towards greater tranquility. We deserved the comeback, we continued to play as normal, we created many chances and turned things around with some degree of naturalness."
Finally, Amorim was also asked about what it was like to be back as outright leaders of Liga Portugal, a question to which he responded with a resounding “it's the same” as there are still many matches to be played.
“A lot of teams will still drop points. It's a very difficult league and this could change from matchday to matchday. We have our objective, but we go game-by-game. If we win the next match we will definitely be in the lead; that is the thinking process,” he concluded.
