A Matheus Nunes goal in the 81st minute earns victory over SC Braga

Sporting Clube de Portugal overcame a stiff challenge on Matchday 29 of the Liga NOS season, beating SC Braga 0-1 despite playing for over 70 minutes with ten men. The only goal of the match was scored by second half substitute Matheus Nunes, 9 minutes from time.

The game was a meeting between the teams first and fourth in the league, held on a sodden pitch at the Estádio Municipal de Braga due to torrential rain in the warmup.
Coach Rúben Amorim, still suspended by the Portuguese football federation, changed two players in his starting XI: Zouhair Feddal and Nuno Santos came in for Matheus Reis and Tiago Tomás.

SC Braga started out as the slightly more offensive side, but the game quickly stabilised. Sporting CP enjoyed their usual possession game, building play through their centre backs, while the home side used high and aggressive pressure, as well as some dangerous crosses.

A Nuno Mendes delivery into the area caused problems for SC Braga, who cleared through defender Raul Silva, and a Pedro Porro corner flicked on by Paulinho was inches away from being turned in by Pedro Gonçalves.

For the hosts, Abel Ruiz went through on goal, with Antonio Adán smothering the threat. Castro would also strike wide soon after.

Sporting CP suffered a heavy blow in the 18th minute: Gonçalo Inácio, who had already been shown a yellow card after ten minutes, was booked for the second time, being sent off. With more than 70 minutes remaining, the team were reduced to ten men, and adjusted with Nuno Mendes switching to centre back and Nuno Santos occupying his place.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was Sporting CP who were strongest in front of goal immediately afterwards. Pedro Porro tried to surprise goalkeeper Matheus from distance, shooting wide.

However, as Sporting CP played deeper due to their lack of numbers, SC Braga began to attack more frequently. Fransérgio's header and Galeno's shot were both kept out by Adán, and Sebastián Coates was also very important in cutting out other opportunities.

The game went into halftime goalless, and Rúben Amorim made two reshuffles for Os Leões, taking off Nuno Santos and Paulinho for Luís Neto and Matheus Nunes -Nuno Mendes returning to his original position.

After a first 15 minutes without major incidents, Coates fell in the SC Braga box and appealed for a penalty kick, which was waved away. At the other end, Galeno's header was met with a magnificent intervention by Adán.

Tiago Tomás and Matheus Reis were introduced for Pedro Gonçalves and João Mário in further modifications, and after SC Braga threatened with an Al Musrati shot wide on 68 minutes, a Horta shot into the side netting and a Fransérgio drive that Adán saved, the game went into the final 10 minutes.

It was then that the key moment of the night arrived: Pedro Porro hit a direct free kick low to Matheus Nunes, unmarked on the right. The Sporting CP midfielder, inside the opposition area, shot hard at the near post and beat Matheus, breaking the deadlock.

From there, they resolutely defended SC Braga attempts to level, and held on through to the final whistle.

Sporting CP remain leaders of Liga NOS, and face CD Nacional on the next matchday of the season.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, João Palhinha, João Mário (Matheus Reis, 64'), Nuno Mendes (Gonzalo Plata, 90+1'), Pedro Gonçalves (Tiago Tomás, 64'), Nuno Santos (Luís Neto, 45') and Paulinho (Matheus Nunes, 45').

Sunday night's big game is previewed by the Sporting CP coach

Sporting Clube de Portugal will travel to fourth placed SC Braga this Sunday, on Matchday 29 of the Liga NOS season. Ahead of the game, in his pre-match press conference, coach Rúben Amorim said that he envisions a tough contest.

"It will be a difficult game against an excellent team, who have experience, who are still in the fight for the title, and who play very well. They have a formation that adapts to how we play, because they use a 4-4-2, but [Wenderson] Galeno is the fifth man in the wing", he explained.

"We know SC Braga well and they know us, so the game could be decided by a detail. We are working on this. We will be prepared: We know SC Braga's quality, but we are also aware of ours and we are going to play for the win".

Despite the importance of the game, Amorim says that it is "not decisive" and holds the same importance as always.

Sporting CP remain Liga NOS leaders with 70 points, four more than the team in second place, and remain undefeated in the competition. Despite their draw at home against Belenenses SAD (2-2) in midweek, their coach is convinced of the way forward.

"We are creating more chances and we have to shoot better on goal, but we are also giving opposing teams fewer opportunities. It is up to me to make sure that we continue on that path. When the results don't come, people have their doubts, but that's part of the game. You have good phases and others that are less good, and we have to face things naturally".

"Last time out, we were losing in the 82nd minute, we scored, we went to get the ball out of the net, tried our best, scored our second and once again ran to the halfway line. That to me is a sign of the team's vitality. They did their best and that is why the players are not responsible for the dropped points. I am very proud of them and we are on the right track," he stressed.

Asked about the side he will pick against SC Braga, Amorim talked about some of his players individually

"Paulinho is doing his job well, and is the best Portuguese striker around. Bruno Tabata will not travel to Braga due to injury, but  Zouhair Feddal is fit and part of the squad, after missing the last two games."

"We already have our starting XI decided, and the team are prepared. Whoever is chosen will be ready to have a great game in Braga."

The Sporting CP coach looked back on the triumph over SC Braga

After the final whistle in the victory over SC Braga, coach Rúben Amorim analysed the Liga NOS Matchday 12 contest.

"We knew it was going to be a very difficult game. SC Braga are a team that, when defending, transition well to attack. We started the game well and we had it under control, with more of the ball. Then SC Braga had the opportunity for Ricardo [Horta], in which Adán made a great save. From there, we lost our way a little bit", he explained.

"Then, in the second half, there was a goal disallowed for offside in which the defensive line did very well. We scored, we defended and Matheus Nunes did a very good job when he came on, as well as Šporar and the others. We were effective, and we are a very united team. We are prepared for everything and we ended up winning deservedly."

Amorim would further praise Adán, saying that "He is a great goalkeeper, who Hugo Viana managed to convince to come to a great club when he had other offers.”

"I am fully aware that we have a lot to improve,” he went on to say. “But I have to congratulate the players, who are doing an excellent job and give everything for the team, which is their obligation. It’s difficult, but we are on the right path because we are united."

Amorim also commented on the transfer market, explaining that it is not the right time to talk about potential targets and ensuring that, if players are brought in, it will be with a very clear objective.

"After a game like this, it is not a good thing to say that we need this player or that player. I am very satisfied with the group that I have. If there are changes, it will be with players for the Sporting CP project that I hope they will stay for many years," he said.

New year begins with victory over SC Braga (2-0)

Sporting Clube de Portugal kicked off 2021 in style with a 2-0 win over SC Braga at the Estádio José Alvalade. Both goals in the Liga NOS Matchday 12 encounter came in the second half, scored by Pedro Gonçalves and Matheus Nunes.

Rúben Amorim brought back Zouhair Feddal and Nuno Santos to his starting XI, replacing Gonçalo Inácio and Bruno Tabata -who had featured against Belenenses SAD. Sporting CP started the game with their usual high press, and in the third minute Nuno Santos was left almost completely alone on the attack. However, Ricardo Esgaio would dispossess him just before he could get a shot off.

Sporting CP had a penalty kick controversially waved away by referee Fábio Veríssimo, when Feddal was pushed by Rolando. 

Off a great cross by Pedro Porro from the right, Nuno Santos was just inches from providing the finish. Off the second ball, Feddal delivered a powerful shot off target. SC Braga responded with an attempt by Ricardo Horta Antonio Adán saved.

A second penalty kick was not given, this time for a handball by Fransérgio, before the 30 minute mark, as the decisions failed to go Sporting CP’s way.

The visitors grew in confidence when Ricardo Horta tested Adán again, and Al Musrati would go on to hit the post, but Sporting continued to threaten and had another penalty kick denied before the break: Raul Silva was adjudged not to have fouled Tiago Tomás in the Braga area.

After the halftime break, SC Braga’s Paulinho’s goal was disallowed for offside after a check of VAR, in the away team’s closest chance.

A few moments later Pedro Porro sent a free-kick into the hands of goalkeeper Matheus, but it would not be long before the deadlock was broken: A cross from Nuno Mendes on the left was met by Nuno Santos on the right, the latter perfectly positioned to set up Liga NOS’ top scorer Pedro Gonçalves for his 11th strike of the season.

Rúben Amorim decided to make changes with the score at 1-0, taking off Tiago Tomás and Nuno Santos for Andraž Šporar and Bruno Tabata. SC Braga came back with another chance for Horta, which Adán proved to be a match for.

The game settled down, and Sporting CP sealed the win on 78 minutes thanks to a Šporar counterattack. The shot by the Slovenian was saved, and second half substitute Matheus Nunes – slammed in the rebound for his first goal for the club.

The 2-0 result from a tricky tie keeps Sporting CP top of the table. Their next Liga NOS game is against CD Nacional away, on Matchday 13.
 
Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro, Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates [C], Zouhair Feddal, Nuno Mendes, João Palhinha, João Mário, Pedro Gonçalves (Matheus Nunes, 71 '), Nuno Santos (Bruno Tabata, 57 ') and Tiago Tomás (Andraž Šporar, 57').

The Sporting CP coach is undaunted by the fixture against SC Braga

Sporting Clube de Portugal play their first game of 2021 this Saturday, meeting SC Braga in a 6pm local time kickoff that is one of the biggest matches of the Liga NOS matchday. Speaking ahead of the contest, coach Rúben Amorim talked about what he expects to encounter.

"SC Braga have an excellent squad, a good coach and are a club who are used to these games, with experienced players who have a special connection between themselves. However,  we are prepared for what is another game in the league season, that is worth three more points," he told the media.

"I think it will be a good game, but even if it isn't, the most important thing is that Sporting CP win."

"I hope that our team are more inspired than that of SC Braga, and win the game," said the coach. "Other teams study us and we have days in which we are more inspired than others."

“We have to look at the results, look at the good and the bad points, and prepare the team for the other games. We have to take things game by game," continued Amorim. "I'm always expecting a great game from my team, because that's what they show during the week. We will have to wait and see how it goes tomorrow. The team will be well prepared and united, just as they have to be, but quality in football depends on everyone.”

"When teams have great moments, it is due to individuals, but also the collective strength of the squad. We are able to beat any team. We have to be at our best -and if we do that, we are capable of beating any team."

Asked about Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos, he commented that: "Pedro Gonçalves has been doing very well. He made an abnormally good start to the season, and with that raised the bar for himself. Nuno Santos has also done an incredible job, like everyone else, but for the last game he was left out because we have other players -like Tabata, who came in and did very well."

Amazing Win Against SC Braga/AAUM

Sporting CP's futsal team hosted and beat SC Braga / AAUM 7-2 for the 11th round of the Placard League.

With Gonçalo Portugal as the Lions goalkeeper and Alex Merlim out of Nuno Dias's options, the Lions strated to create goal opportunities before the timer hit the 10 minutes. 

The first goals of the match came from the Portuguese International, Pany Varela, with a beautiful chip over the keeper.

Right before the break, in just two minutes, the Lions had already scored three goals with the later two being scored by Cavinato and the Captain João Matos.

With 16 seconds to go, the Lions could not take their foot off the gás, and the fourth goal appeared naturally. Alex was the scorer this time. The result was set by the end of the first 20 minutes as the green and white team was ahead by 4.

After a strong first half, the second part of the game started with another green and white goal by Pauleta. Almost immediately after came the sixth goal following a beautiful play by Rocha, who dribbled two opponents and the opposing goalkeeper. 

The visiting team managed to score a goal after 7 minutes into the second half. Two minutes later, Alex scored the Lions 7th goal. 

In a one-way match, SC Braga/AAUM still managed to score their second goal however there was little they could do against a very strong Sporting CP who was constantly backed by chanting fans.