The coach reviews the 1-1 draw with FC Porto

After the 1-1 draw for Sporting CP away at FC Porto, coach Rui Borges reviewed the game in his post-match press conference -beginning by highlighting the two different halves experienced at the Estádio do Dragão.

“In the first half we were better at all times. FC Porto only had two chances, due to our losing the ball. We controlled the game with and without the ball and deservedly led the way. Then, in the second half we didn't start very well, we lost confidence and in terms of energy we also dropped off,”, he reflected.

"Knowing that we were going to be playing with a lower block, we tried to adjust to shorten the width and avoid crosses. FC Porto had some approaches, but we were competent and the best opportunities in the second half were for us, through Quenda and Harder. We could have made it 0-2, we didn't and we ended up being in that low block until the end. We lost our discipline in the last five minutes and were punished with the equaliser. Despite everything, we deserved to have left here with the three points.”

Borges explained the changes he attempted in a second half that demanded more from the team in defensive terms.

“It's natural that FC Porto, losing 0-1, would be more intense and aggressive. We tried to adjust to be more capable in defensive terms, because it was putting more strain on the line of four. As the team responded, without the same intensity, we moved to a structure of five at the back that the team are used to. I don't believe we hindered ourselves, because even though they were closer to our goal, we could have made it 0-2. Credit also to FC Porto for believing until the end," he highlighted.

On Gyökeres' return, he commented that “He has been sidelined, and even though he is a competitive animal we have to take some care with him. The fans want it and I also wanted to have Gyökeres for 90 minutes. For now it is not possible. He started well, as did Morita. I' happy to be able to use them, albeit still with some caution, but it is what it is," he noted.

Regarding the forced departure of João Simões, Borges considered that “this is part of the game. It seems like a knock, rather than anything serious. We ended up losing a window for substitutions, but the team responded well. What makes me most upset is us losing our cool at the end and having two players sent off."

Sporting CP share the points in a 1-1 draw with FC Porto

On the brink of a win in O Clássico, Sporting Clube de Portugal had to settle for a 1-1 draw with FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão, as Iván Fresneda's first half strike was cancelled out by a stoppage time goal for the home side.

FC Porto had not won in four league games coming into the contest, and were still in search of a new identity under new coach Martín Anselmi. Sporting CP' Rui Borges made just one change to his lineup, as João Simões replaced the injured Geny Catamo. Both Hidemasa Morita and Viktor Gyökeres were back available on the bench, accompanied by new signing Biel Teixeira.

Sporting CP gave a first warning in the first three minutes, with a header from Morten Hjulmand at Diogo Costa off the opening corner of the game.

After Daniel Bragança put a ball across the face of goal, Rui Borges' team suffered yet another setback: Simões went off injured in the 23rd minute, with Zeno Debast coming on.

A mistake with the ball from Sporting CP could have had dire consequences, but the post denied Stephen Eustáquio a goal. FC Porto gained confidence, and an immediate attempt from distance by Samu hit the top netting.

In response, Trincão pulled in from the right and, from outside the area, shot low and wide. Dominance continued for Sporting CP, but there was still a lack of definition in the final third to cause real damage.

It was then that Geovany Quenda made a brilliant move to put his side ahead. He took his first opponent out of the way with class, went at the next one and overtook him at high speed, then inside the area, crossed to the feet of Iván Fresneda for the Spaniard to finish off just before the break. It was Fresneda's second goal in as many Liga Portugal games.

For the second half, FC Porto came out more aggressive, but the best opportunities belonged to Sporting CP. Totally surrounded, Maxi Araújo found his way out of a tight spot and released to Conrad Harder, who shot off target. Shortly afterwards, the centre forward tried his luck with a bicycle kick from a corner -again just wide.

From a dead ball, FC Porto found the net, but Tiago Djaló, who had put in the header, was offside. That was followed up by a Pepê header that Rui Silva countered with a great save.

With the home team taking greater risks and moving closer and closer to the area, Rui Borges brought on Morita and Gyökeres, placing Debast at the back to create a line of three defenders.

Quenda had a shot in the area and Gyökeres was also unable to finish from a chance in the box, as the game opened up.

After Gyökeres, on another one of his runs, tested Diogo Costa, FC Porto responded with the equaliser in the fourth of five minutes of added time: Fábio Vieira crossed, Samu cushioned it into the area, and Namaso sent it home to take the score to 1-1.

When Quenda had seemingly been fouled by Zé Pedro, protests and an increasingly tense atmosphere followed. Hjulmand and Matheus Reis received yellow cards, and the Brazilian defender received a second immediately afterwards and was sent off. Ousmane Diomande followed him for an incident with Fábio Vieira, for which he was shown a straight red.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Next up is a home fixture in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 qualifying play-offs, against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

The Sporting CP coach previews 'O Clássico' against FC Porto

At the Estádio José Alvalade, Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto meet in a Saturday encounter in Liga Portugal. The home team's coach, Rúben Amorim, spoke in a press conference on Friday to preview the match.

“FC Porto have changed a lot since the Supertaça”, he noted, specifying the new nuances in the opponents' game. “With Pepê and [Wenderson] Galeno on the same wing, they play in a completely different way. Just the fact that Galeno is at left-back creates a lot of difficulties for us in terms of the defensive approach. In terms of attack, we will play our way, which is very clear. It was difficult to prepare the defensive side, so we will stick to our principles", he explained, before pointing out the aspects that need to be improved compared to the extra time loss in the Supertaça.

“We have to defend better in key moments and be better at throw-ins and set pieces, but we also have room to improve with the ball”, he told journalists.

“We have to think that it is a long season, but this is a direct duel, we want to win it and we want to maintain our position. We have to forget what happened in the previous meeting with them, in the same way that we have to forget that we were champions last year. It is in the past".

“It has always been a 50/50 game, but now they look at Sporting CP differently. I think we have made things even. Tomorrow, we want to win and we are playing at home, which is an extra factor that helps. They are opponents who won two trophies against us not long ago; I am not saying it's a matter of revenge, but we want to change the course of those events", he pointed out.

As for his squad options, Amorim revealed that captain Morten Hjulmand and Nuno Santos are both called up. On the downside, defender Jeremiah St. Juste will continue to be absent, as he undergoes treatment without a set date for his return".

Sporting CP welcomed a new signing this past week, in left-back/winger Maxi Araújo. Amorim said he was “very pleased” with his first impressions of the Uruguayan in training. “He fits in very well with our project. He is a young player, at 24 years old, an international for his country, and plays in a position where we only had Nuno Santos. We adapted Geny Cantamo a little and Matheus Reis can also play there, but he has completely different characteristics. We needed another player and Nuno’s injury showed us that. He helps in positions at the back and further upfield".

Questioned about the transfer market, Amorim began by highlighting the club's efforts to keep key players.  “Viktor Gyökeres staying is perhaps more important than us spending his money on two forwards. Keeping players like Morten [Hjulmand], [Gonçalo] Inácio, Ousmane [Diomande], Viktor and Pedro Gonçalves is very important and this effort has been made by the club”.

“The important thing is that I am very satisfied and proud of what the club are doing, because we are doing our utmost to have the players we want. Whether a forward comes in or not, I am satisfied, because the club have done everything. The window is not yet closed and there is always hope. We will find solutions; we always have".

Asked to comment on the recent words from Cristiano Ronaldo, who wished Sporting CP all the best for the season, Rúben Amorim took the opportunity to outline the ambition that drives his team in 2024/25. “This team, with so many young players, will have a very long season, in which we have to win almost every game to become champions. We will have two derbies and two Clássicos, not to mention the cups and eight-plus Champions League games at a very high level. There are so many games of such a high calibre that, whatever happens, this team will be much stronger and the players will be better prepared at the end of the year. There is no hiding it: We really want to be two-time champions".

Amorim also addressed the recent callups to the Portuguese national team, which included four Sporting CP players: Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves, Francisco Trincão and first-timer Geovany Quenda. “I'm very happy. They are in very good form and I think they will help the team a lot. We are entering a new cycle. I don’t think anyone expected Quenda to break out at this point, but everyone could see that if he remained humble and worked hard it would be just a matter of time. It was already, I think it was deserved, as others also deserved it."

Amorim also gave a statement on the Champions League draw, saying that "The aim is always to get to the next stage. It would always be difficult, whatever the format. The format is different and it is good to have more games, for the development of our players. We were perhaps drawn against the strongest teams at home and then we will go away against teams where people feel there is more equality. It will be a tough season and all the players have to be prepared."