Jorge Jesus with the press ahead of visit to V. Guimarães

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Rui Costa named for I Liga matchday 8

Rui Costa, 39, from the Porto Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting’s hosting of V. Guimarães, on I Liga matchday eight.

Miguel Aguilar and João Silva will act as linesmen.

Sporting-V. Guimarães will kick off at 20h30 on Sunday the 4th October, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus on his side's draw with Boavista

Speaking at the final whistle on Saturday, Jorge Jesus considered that his side did enough to claim the three points.

“We lost the chance to clear into first. We knew we could go clear, but we had to beat Boavista in a difficult game. Offensively, we created three chances which could have given us the win, but we were not effective. Defensively we played well, but we wanted to come away from here with a different result and we did what we could to deserve that”, affirmed the Sporting coach.

Speaking in greater depth about the game, Jesus analysed: “From my point of view there were two situations which should be looked at: the penalty against Paulo Vinícius for handball stopping Slimani from scoring and Slimani’s goal that was ruled out. I didn’t like the refereeing. Boavista kept fouling us to stop the game and they didn’t get many yellow cards, even when it would have been justified. They fought hard, but other than dead ball situations they didn’t get near our goal. They did well in defence and we didn’t know what to do. Having the mentality to win the league and winning every now and then are two different things and we are trying to teach the lads that.”

To finish, Jorge Jesus spoke about the return of William Carvalho: “William has been out for two months and he needs to play to get back up to speed. He could have played regardless of the result. He will play more on Thursday and, bit by bit, we will try and use the quality he has, which is really important for the team.”

Sporting held to goalless draw by Boavista

Sporting missed out on the chance to go clear at the top of I Liga this weekend, after being held to a goalless draw in Estádio do Bessa.

The team from Alvalade had Boavista pinned back in defence almost immediately from the off, with some steady build-up down the flanks holding down long spells of possession but creating very few clear chances on goal. In fact, it was actually the hosts who created the first notable opportunity, when Zé Manuel headed wide following a free-kick.

Sporting continued to dominate possession and were having a relatively easy time in arriving to the edge of the Boavista 18-yard box, but the final penetrating pass was proving hard to come by. On 29 minutes, Slimani did put the ball in the back of the net, but referee Artur Soares Dias ruled out the Algerian’s effort for an alleged foul. Another chance quickly followed when Montero linked up with a cross from João Mário, but Nuno Henrique threw himself in front of the effort to keep the scoreboard blank. Slimani again came close just before the break with a header, but Mika did well to stretch out a hand and keep the scores tied at the break.

The second-half was much of the same, with Sporting holding on to the ball and showing patience in the build-up, but coming up against a Boavista defensive wall in the final third. With Teo Gutiérrez on the pitch in place of Montero, Sporting created a superb chance when Slimani floated a pass to the far post which Gelson Martins put back across goal, but the Colombian forward blazed his shot wide of the mark.

William Carvalho made a long awaited return from injury in the 69th minute, coming on in place of João Mário in midfield. A minute later, Carlos Mané found a rare inch of space, but the Portuguese international was unable to find the target. Slimani followed a couple of minutes later after controlling well, but the Boavista keeper did well to rush out and deny the Algerian from a tight angle. Adrien saw a free-kick deflect off the wall and harmlessly away in the 90^th minute, before João Pereira had the last roll of the dice of the evening with shot that ended up going out for a throw in.

Despite the dropped points, Sporting remains at the top of I Liga, level on 14 points with FC Porto.

Gelson Martins reflects on Sporting's draw with Boavista

Gelson Martins spoke briefly with radio journalists after Sporting’s draw with Boavista on Saturday night.

"We started well, but we slipped up when it came to finishing”, opened the Alvalade younger, going on to add that the result does little to influence the title race: “We didn’t want this result, but our objectives are the same. We are still at the top and we want to be champions.”

Jorge Jesus names squad of 19

Jorge Jesus has included a total of 19 players in his squad to face Boavista, in I Liga matchday six:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Marcelo Boeck;
Defenders: Ricardo Esgaio, João Pereira, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Tobias Figueiredo and Jefferson;
Midfielders: Adrien, Aquilani, William Carvalho and João Mário;
Forwards: Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Carlos Mané, Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani.

Boavista-Sporting will get underway at 20h45 on Saturday the 26th of September, in Estádio do Bessa.

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Jorge Jesus ahead of Saturday's visit to Boavista

“It was a good week for us, with William and Ewerton coming back”, opened Jorge Jesus in Friday’s pre-match press conference, ahead of what the Sporting coach sees as a tough weekend trip north to take on Boavista

While visits to Estádio do Bessa is never an easy task, the Alvalade boss is looking to build on recent results: “After a win, things always go that bit better, but we are going to take on a good team who are recovering well. They are a team with a long history and it will be a hard game, like they all are in this league. Boavista throw everything they can at you, but we are ready.”

Jesus also commented on his possible squad for tomorrow: “William is included and he is recovering quicker than Ewerton. Thing could change tomorrow, but I will decide tomorrow. His (William) characteristics will fit into the way we play. Good players get into any team.”

The Sporting coach also spoke about Fredy Montero’s recent scoring form, as well as Gelson Martins’ spell with the senior squad and the inclusion of Matheus Pereira: “The lads win their place during the week and on the pitch, which goes for those who normally play and for those who are coming in for the first time. It is good to know that we have two players like Teo and Montero, who are both quality players for both the team and the squad. Gelson Martins has been playing well and he is a young lad with a lot of potential, just like Mateus. We believe in their potential and they will get their chance. We are really happy with Gelson.”

Boavista-Sporting will kick-off at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio do Bessa, Porto.

Artur Soares Dias named for I Liga matchday six

Artur Soares Dias, 36, from the Porto Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting's visit to Boavista, on I Liga matchday six.

Rui Licínio and Bruno Rodrigues will act as linesmen.

Boavista-Sporting will kick off at 20h45 on Saturday the 26th of September, in Estádio do Bessa (Porto).

Jorge Jesus reflects on another three I Liga points

“It was hard to win against a side that defended well”, opened Jorge Jesus in a post-match press conference after his side’s battling victory against Nacional on Monday night.

For the Sporting coach, the key to unlocking the three points was some calm nerves in the closing stages: “We never showed anxiety and that it why we scored. Only a team that keeps their calm can make the difference when it matters. In the first-half we had trouble finding space. Montero was important to remedy that.”

Reflecting on the win, Jesus added: “You have to battle to win. There are no easy games and that is why we are at the top of the table. It was important to win and we want to fight for the title until the end. The lads deserve a pat on the back for playing as a team like they did. To win the league you have to suffer sometimes and the fans really got behind us.”

Montero scores late winner to keep Sporting ahead of the pack

Jorge Jesus’ side were only interested in a win this Monday evening against Nacional that would keep Sporting at the top of the I Liga table and no other result looked likely, with the team from Alvalade holding down long spells of possession and pegging the visitors back into their final third.

Chance after chance failed to put the ball in the ball of the net, with Gelson, Slimani and Jefferson all coming close in the first-half. However, the pressure soon paid off, when Sequeira was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. A man down, the visitors could do little more than bunker down in defence, while Sporting continued to press for a goal.

The second-half was much of the game, with Jorge Jesus’ charges piling on the pressure but struggling to create space to get a shot away against a closed Nacional defence. Nerves began to show in the crowd, but some calm, collective play finally got its reward four minutes from time, when Montero found a yard to tuck away the winner.

The result keeps Sporting in 1st, tied on 13 points with FC Porto. Sporting are next in action at the weekend against Boavista, in Estádio do Bessa.