Altimira reflects on first three months at Sporting: 'Here, a draw feels like a defeat'

Sergi Altimira has reflected on his first three months in a Sporting shirt. Speaking to the club's official media channels, the 25-year-old Spanish midfielder highlighted his rapid adaptation, the demanding standards at Alvalade, and the squad's resolve to make up for recently dropped league points.

Sporting's number 5, who has emerged as the most-used outfield player so far this season and leads the Portuguese league in ball recoveries, gave an overwhelmingly positive assessment of the campaign's opening months under manager Rui Borges, both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League.

"It has been a very good, very intense first three months of settling in. It's a new club and a new country, but I'm delighted with how things have gone. Now we just have to keep working because it's a long season," the midfielder said, underlining the speed of his integration: "I feel completely settled and have done for a few weeks now, so I'm really pleased with how we're playing, how things are developing, and how I've adapted to the club."

Altimira also praised the warm welcome he received in Lisbon: "I was surprised by the family atmosphere around the club. Everyone working here is so close to the players and always ready to help with anything we need. For a new signing coming in, that's something you truly appreciate."

Having arrived from Real Betis with LaLiga experience under his belt, the midfielder compared the competitive landscapes in Spain and Portugal, pointing out the distinct challenges found in the Portuguese top flight.

"It's a very different league. The pitches are different, and you face very physical opponents who sit deep against Sporting CP to take points off us. It's tough, and that makes it a very demanding league, but it's also highly competitive. We have to keep improving, especially in the league, to recover the points we've dropped recently," he explained.

Playing a pivotal role in the middle of the park—often likened to an octopus for his tackling reach—the Spaniard explained his effectiveness in a deeper midfield role: "I'm playing in a role that tends to be more defensive. I have that skill set, that instinct to win the ball back, which is crucial in this position. I've also been refining small positional details and feel I'm developing a lot. I'm happy with how it's going, and now it's about maintaining this standard or raising the bar even higher."

Looking at the midfield rotation, where he has shared minutes with Issa Doumbia, Pedro Lima, and Silas Andersen, alongside the imminent return of João Simões, Altimira highlighted the squad's scope for growth over the course of the season.

"There are a lot of changes in midfield and many new players. We have to keep working at it, and I think we'll understand each other and what the boss wants better and better. Fortunately, there is still plenty of the season left," the Spaniard concluded, stressing that the squad kept their standards high during the three-week break: "Above all, we must be demanding of ourselves and continue to train at maximum intensity."

The international break provided an opportunity to fine-tune tactical details and recharge batteries at Alvalade. Despite a depleted squad due to international call-ups, Sporting's focus remained firmly on maintaining top intensity in training to ensure strong performances once league action resumes.

With several new arrivals in the squad this season, the weight of the club's expectations was quickly understood. "There are many new faces, but we've all grasped the magnitude and demands of this club, both inside and outside the dressing room, and what the fans expect from us. Here, a draw feels like a defeat, and that says everything about the club and the standards expected. We're all fully aware of that and know we have to give our absolute all for this badge," the midfielder emphasised.

The start of the campaign brought early wake-up calls, notably on the opening weekend with a 2-2 draw against Estrela da Amadora after letting a 2-0 lead slip, followed by another 2-2 stalemate at home against Arouca.
"We always have to stay on our toes. You can win every pre-season game, but competitive matches are completely different. Opponents are tough, they battle, fight, and give everything to take points. We realised that right from matchday one. After that, the team improved significantly. Now we have several areas to address, especially from the last two games," he admitted, adding that the three-week hiatus "came at a good time" to "hit reset" and return refreshed.

His early appearances for the Lions have featured memorable highlights, including a 3-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Galatasaray and his first goal at Alvalade in a hard-fought 3-2 win against Vitória de Guimarães.

"At Betis, I had only ever scored away from home, so I didn't know what it felt like to score in front of our own supporters. I arrived here and scored straight away. It was truly special to help the team with a goal. I'm not really a prolific goalscorer, but whenever I can chip in, all the better," he recalled.

Next up is a demanding trip to Braga—an opponent that held Sporting to two draws last season and a side Altimira faced during his time with Betis. The target is crystal clear: get back to winning ways away from home.

For that challenge, the squad will once again count on their passionate travelling support, which Altimira was quick to praise: "The truth is they gave me a fantastic welcome. I really feel their support, both at home and away. It feels like we're always playing at Alvalade. We're extremely grateful for that (...) I hope that connection between the fans and the players stays strong and we keep pushing forward together."

Following a recent fixture that ended in deep frustration, a clear promise was made to the Sporting faithful for the remainder of the campaign, acknowledging that performances must improve.

With plenty of the season still ahead, the message is one of total commitment and determination to bounce back: "We can promise that we will give our absolute all. We finished the last match feeling deeply frustrated, and we know we have to do better. There is still time, and that's the most important thing—there's a long way to go and many games left. We promise we will leave everything on the pitch in every match."