Bruno César reflects on Saturday's Liga NOS draw

"We did everything we could, but Tondela closed ranks", said Bruno César after his side's draw in Saturday evening.

For the Brazilian, there is still plenty of time to close the gap on the league leaders: "In the first-half we didn't play like we have been. In the second-half we took control, but we let a goal in from a counter attack and then they just kept stopping play like Borussia Dortmund did. We just have to focus on our football now."

Jorge Jesus on Liga NOS matchday 8

The opposition might be different, but Jorge Jesus has the same idea: three points.

"The players are only thinking about getting the win. We had an experience against Tondela last year which didn't go well for us. They are the image of their coach [Petit], meaning they are aggressive", opened Jesus ahead of the weekend's Liga NOS encounter, going on to answer a question his recent changes out wide in defence: "We are learning and that isn't something that happens in a couple of months. If being the most consistent team is what is needed to win the league, then we want to be more consistent."

Bas Dost looks ahead to the weekend's hosting of Tondela

Bas Dost was picked to accompany Jorge Jesus in looking ahead to the weekend's hosting of Tondela this Friday. While analysing the game, the Dutchman also couldn't turn down the chance to share his thoughts on refereeing: "We are expecting a win. We are playing really good football and with the exception of the match in Guimarães we have been doing well. I scored against Sweden in the last minute, but the referee said I had pushed a defender, which didn't happen. The game thing happened in the Champions League with Coates's goal, which also wasn't a foul. In the Santiago Bernabéu, with Ronaldo's goal, that wasn't a foul either. This is nothing to do with Portuguese football of course, because that all happened in the Champions League and with the Dutch national team."

Also sharing his thoughts on his time in Portugal so far, Bas Dost has already fell in love with Alvalade: "I am learning Portuguese, but it will take a while until I am comfortable. I love the people, the stadium and the weather. I was playing for Wolfsburg, who would get around 30,000 people in the stadium. In Alvalade we always have between 40 and 45 thousand. The fans sing for the whole match and we want to pay them back with goals."

Beto guarantees that Tuesday's loss is a thing of the past

The Sporting squad have well and truly put Tuesday's defeat to Dormund behind them and Beto is convinced that Saturday's hosting of Tondela is the perfect way to brush off the dust.

"It will be a hard game like they all are and Tondela will try and play to their strengths, but we will be playing at home again with the fans motivating us. We are confident that we will get the three points", said Beto in an interview with Sporting TV, adding: "The squad is feeling really together right now. We have a good group and we will push through the highs and the lows. We want to trigger a good run of wins now."

Alvalade startlet adds to his Youth Player of the Month with I Liga Player of the Month title

There were very few doubts about his talent, but nobody expected Gelson to burst on to the scene the way he has this season. In recognition of his superb showings so far this season, the Alvalade startlet has now added the I Liga Player of the Month for August and September to his Youth Player of the Month for the same period.

André Silva claimed second (for both awards), while Alvalade skipper Adrien Silva came in 3rd. Gelson dominated the nomination, with a total of 20.67% of the vote.

Professional Football Players Syndicate nominates Alvalade starlet

Gelson Martins has been one of Alvalade's top performers so far this season, so it comes as little surprise that the Sporting sensation scooped the Professional Football Players Syndicate's Liga NOS Young Player of the Month award for August and September, ahead of André Silva and Gonçalo Guedes.

The winner of the award is named after scores from the daily sports newspapers (A Bola, O Jogo and Record) and the Professional Football Players Syndicate.

"We have no idea how we let in three goals"

While congratulating Guimarães for coming back from three-nil down, Jorge Jesus considered the draw as a harsh reflection of his side's performance.

"We were a quality side for 75 minutes, with some really dynamic, quick and creative football. We scored three and everyone was probably expecting us to score four. Up until the penalty we controlled the match. It was us who played for the win, although Vit. Guimarães deserve merit for what they did in the final stages", said Jorge Jesus in his post-match conference, adding: "With tiredness hurting us we lost a bit of aggressiveness and we couldn't win the second balls. It was all Sporting for 75 minutes and we have no idea how we let in three goals. It is a shame, because we deserved to win. I congratulate Vit. Guimarães, because they believed they could get back into it."

Sporting CP dominates for 74 minutes before conceding three

It was an extremely harsh final result after how Sporting dominated in D. Afonso Henriques. In fact, Jorge Jesus' side led 3-0 at one point, before two goals from Marega in the space of just a minute gave Vit. Guimarães the momentum to snatch a draw.

The encounter got off to a well balanced start, with neither team really willing to throw anything forward. Guimarães did have a half chance early on when a well placed pass picked out Marega, but the winger took a poor first touch and was able to capitalise. After 20 minutes Jorge Jesus' side took control, holding down long spells of possession and probing forward almost at will. The first big chance came from a snap shot by Adrien, denied by a fine save from Douglas.

The opportunity was a warning for the coming goal and who else but Gelson to rip open the Guimarães defence with a dazzling run and shot that Douglas parried into the path of Markovic for the opener. The goal triggered an avanlance of attacking football from the team from Alvalade and Rúben Semedo came close to doubling the lead, but his looping header ended up with wrong side of the post after a corner from Bryan Ruiz. However it didn't take long for Sporting to find the back of the net for a second time, when Coates made the most of Douglas' miscalculated run off his line. There was however bad news for Jesus at the end of the first-half, when Adrien was forced off through injury (replaced by Elias).

Sporting looked even more dominant after the break and chances naturally followed. First it was Markovic to break through on goal, but the Serbian was unable to beat the isolated Guimarães keeper. It was Elias who fired in Sporting's third, with a well placed effort from outside of the area.

The result looked secure, however a penalty against William Carvalho saw Marega pull one back from the spot in the 74th minute to give the hosts a lift. Just one minute later, the winger on loan from FC Porto converted on a cross to put his side back into contention. Soares scored the equaliser with one minute to play after latching on to a free-kick.

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to Saturday's visit to Guimarães

Sporting will travel to Guimarães tomorrow for what is always a tricky encounter. While Sporting have been in blistering form, Vitória are having a solid start to the campaign, having tallied 10 points. 

Jorge Jesus proved well aware of the difficulties awaiting, but guaranteed that his team have done their homework in preparation to go for the three points: "We have to be as careful as possible when traveling to Guimarães. It is a hard stadium to go to and win, but we are ready for what they will throw at us. Our objective is the three points."

Gelson Martins was also an inevitable talking point in the day's press conference, after the youngster was given his first international senior cap. "Gelson had a great season last year and this year he is making a name for himself, but he still has a long way to go. He is a young lad who knows how good he is and right now he is the only player in Portugal who can bring magic, creativity, speed and the positioning he has learnt at Sporting. It won't be long before Rúben Semedo is called up as well", finished Jesus.

Sales information for Liga NOS matchday seven

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 7, between Vitória Sport Clube and Sporting Clube de Portugal will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket office as follows:

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY (10H TO 20H) | Gamebox 2016/2017 holders
FRIDAY (10H TO 15H) | Club Members
FRIDAY (15H ÀS 20H) | General public

Club members must show a valid Gamebox or Member card (August 2016 fees applicable), with each card valid for one ticket. Each person may bring a maximum of four cards.

V. Guimarães vs. Sporting will get underway at 18h15 on Saturday the 1st of October, in Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques. Tickets are for the North Goal End and are priced at 15€ each.