Sporting Scope 🦁💚

Matchday 1 of our new legacy ⚽️ Juntos sempre 💚

“My dream has come true. I’m at the club of my heart.” One of us 💚

Paulo Fonseca rules out a five-man backline for his base formation. 🗣️ “There’s so much to say about this… People talk a lot about systems, but I believe more in structures. And teams today show a flexibility that is required. For me, right now, I’m not very concerned about the structure. Especially because it changes depending on the moment of the game, the space… I’m more concerned with other things. With teaching our principles of play. And that’s what I’m going to focus on. But I don’t think it can, at this moment, be an option to continue with what was the last game. I’m not naturally a big fan of a five-man backline. But, at certain moments of the game, I might use it. With different players…”

Paulo Fonseca admits he will need some time to decide on the captain situation. 🗣️ “Naturally, I’m a coach who believes that leaders should be role models within the squad. And I think I need time to observe and get to know the players so that, based on that knowledge, I can decide whether that need [to change] exists or not.”

Paulo Fonseca enthusiastic about the squad and the future. 🗣️ “I think we have a bright future ahead of us. It will require a lot of dedication, but I fully believe in the squad. Today I already had the chance to take the first training session. And if I was already enthusiastic, today I became even more so. I fully believe that we are going to be stronger. Many of them are young, and there are many who are in Portugal for the first time… And this change is not easy. They come from different contexts. But time will show that the choices were the right ones and that this squad provides guarantees for the future of our club.”

Not the best intervention from Varandas, but the thought process behind the timing of the sack became a bit more clear. The decision was ultimately made after the Viseu game, but Paulo Fonseca only gave the green-light on the Thursday prior to the Casa Pia match. With a match the next day, there was absolutely no chance of destabilising the manager and the squad in that context. The focus was on the game. After Casa Pia, Rui Borges was then informed of the entire process and given the choice to stay until Shakhtar, rightfully. Sporting always comes in first place, and in that sense, the moment seems to have been handled correctly. As mentioned by Varandas, if Rui Borges has anything else to express, he is free to do so. We’ll see (or maybe not) if there is another side to the story.

Job done ✅ on to the new cycle!

Rodrigo Zalazar back to training with the squad ✅

Thank you for everything Mister 💚 Nothing but respect for you! All the best for your career, you deserve it.

🚨 Paulo Fonseca set to be new Sporting CP manager. Agreement reached between clubs, with Fonseca expected to make his debut at Alvalade vs Moreirense next weekend. [@Record_Portugal]

Time to bounce back! Vamos Sporting 💚

With little rest time, Rui Borges admits that few of the starters from the game against Académico Viseu will feature again in the starting XI for the Allianz Cup quarter-final against Marítimo. 🗣️ “The majority of the players who faced Académico probably won’t be available for this match. It’s not physically possible. There are open doors for our young players, who have made a good start to the season. They’re waiting for an opportunity. Almost certainly some of them will get that chance. I feel comfortable and confident in what they’re capable of”.

Taça de Portugal Draw 4th round: Sporting CP-União da Serra 5th round: Sporting CP/União da Serra-Atlético/Casa Pia

Thank you for your service. Varandas, the ball is on your side now.