Sporting CP aim for back-to-back appearances in #CLVolleyM group stage
News
Sporting CP LISBOA returned to the CEV Champions League last season after several years of absence and they performed well securing two wins from their six Round 4 matches, with a steady improvement throughout their campaign. They are now chasing a spot in the group stage again and this week they host Khilasedichi BAKU following their 3-2 victory last week in Azerbaijan’s capital city.
Last season, Sporting CP achieved a historic treble in Portugal, winning the Portuguese Championship, the Portuguese Cup and the Portuguese Super Cup. This season, the team has already won the Iberian Cup, defeating Spanish side and #CLVolleyM competitor CV Guaguas LAS PALMAS in the final, as well as the Portuguese Super Cup against SL Benfica.
Jan Galabov, Pedro Abecassis, Mads Jensen and Jan Pokersnik all left the Portuguese team during the summer break, with Sporting CP joined by young setter Diogo Almeida, middle blockers Aleksey Kovalchuk and Emiliano Molini, Beach Volleyball Olympians Jorge Alayo and Noslen Diaz, as well as experienced player João Rafael de Barros Ferreira and promising talent Yoisbel Galeno.
João Coelho“This is a decisive match in which only victory matters. Against a physically strong opponent, we need to perform at our best, with particular emphasis on the first touch. We expect an opponent under pressure following their defeat in the first leg and willing to take risks. We are highly motivated to progress to the next round and keep dreaming of reaching the group stage of the world’s top club competition.”
Head coach of Sporting CP
Jonas Aguenier“We are halfway through this qualification round. Our game in Baku was not perfect, and we almost paid the price of our inconsistency. With the new system, we know that we have to win this home game, whatever the score, and that is what we will focus on to go to the next round.”
Player of Sporting CP