Gelson Martins on Sporting's 2-1 win against FC Porto on Sunday night

Gelson Martins was the player chosen to speak with the press after Sporting's 2-1 win against Fc Porto this Sunday and the Alvalade younger was more than clear on his interpretation of the encounter: "It was a deserved win. We didn't start well, but we improved and had a good game overall."

Avoiding commenting on the sending off of Jorge Jesus, Gelson added a word on how the season has been developing so far: "We have made a good start, but it is still really early in the season. We still have a lot of matches to play and we have to make sure we don't get carried away. I hope this season is the big one for me and that is what I am working hard every day for."

Jorge Jesus on Sunday's classic and Sporting's transfer activity

Jorge Jesus saw down with the media this Saturday afternoon, for one of the most eagerly awaited press conferences of the Liga NOS campaign so far, with Sporting busy in the transfer market and FC Porto visiting Alvalade on Sunday.

"It is a classic, at the beginning of the season. Normally both teams know everything there is to know about each other and I know exactly what FC Porto can do. It will be an intense game, with both sides with their own strategy and tactics. We will try and impose ourselves on the match and if we do then we will be one step closer to getting the three points", opened the Sporting coach, going on to speak about João Mário's expected absence tomorrow: "I am not surprised. Some things you just can't get surprised about. What would surprise me is if we were not selling players at this price on the back of the success we have had. João Mário had an offer that isn't normal in this club or Portugal for that matter. I don't know if anything had been decided, but I do know that he is in Italy. What is there to talk about? Until he signs, nothing is decided. What has to be said is that he is a quality player and that is why a price has been agreed, but Sporting isn't just João Mário. Some of the other players have big teams looking at them as well. I wouldn't say we are weaker without João Mário. He is a young player with a bright future ahead of him and I wish him the best of luck if everything works out, but Sporting will still be here tomorrow and we have plenty of quality players."

Nuno Espírito Santo has already taken on Jorge Jesus on six occasions and has the unenviable record of having lost all six. However, Jesus is not expecting an easy afternoon' work: "How two teams balance up to each other can be down to the coaches and tactics can make the difference. Nuno was always at a disadvantage in the other matches, with weaker teams, but that is different now. We both have quality players to work with."

Sporting has certainly been busy in the transfer market, bringing in Campbell, André and Douglas and Jorge Jesus was kind enough to clear up some questions in relation to his squad for tomorrow: "Slimani will play. He has always done his best and been a great professional. I don't know what will happen with Slimani and that isn't down to me. My job is to get the best out of the players that I have available. Joel Campbell has all of his paperwork done and he will be in the squad. Douglas and André aren't ready yet."

Jesus saved his last words for pre-match predictions: "When two teams are balanced in football, their are no favourites. Both sides have their strong points and the lads are used to these big occasions. I wouldn't say FC Porto are stronger this season. We were in first when they came here last year, but you can't make any predictions after just three matches. What I will say is that FC Porto look strong, just like they did last season."

João de Deus thought his side deserved more from Wednesday's Ledman LigaPro encounter

João de Deus wa left frustrated by his side's draw this Wednesday night, after a dominating performance in Familicão.

“It was a hard match at the beginning, because we were not very well organised. However, we feel frustrated, because we deserved the win here today. We won't point the finer of blame at anyone and the lads did well to fight back. A lot of work went into our defensive performance today and Famalicão were caught off-side a lot, which is credit to that. We are doing some interesting stuff with a very young team", the Sporting B coach at the final whistle.

Goal from Ivanildo splits the points in Famalicão

Usually an away draw in Ledman LigaPro is a good result, but Sporting B could have come away with more this Wednesday..

It was however the hosts who got off the the stronger start and their 14th minute goal courtesy of Diego Medeiros was largely deserved, following a fatal error from Guilherme Ramos at the back.

From then on it was all Sporting, while Familicão looked little more than a shadow of the team that burst out of the blocks for the start of the encounter. Leading the Alvalade search for an equaliser was the 16-year old Elves Baldé, creating havoc for the duration as part of an attacking pairing with Leonardo Ruiz.

Sporting B finally drew level in the second-half through the centre-back Ivanildo Fernandes, who made the most of the rebound after an effort from range from Guima. João de Deus' side continued to pile on the pressure, but Vítor Braga had an inspired finish to the encounter to keep the points split.

Full house expected in Estádio José Alvalade for Liga NOS matchday 3

The last 5,000 tickets for the weekend's hosting of FC Porto, on Liga NOS matchday 3, went on sale this Monday morning.

Tickets are priced as follows:
CENTRAL - STAND A | Member (40€) or fan accompanying a Member (65€)
CENTRAL - STAND B | Member (35€) or fan accompanying a Member (55€)

Tickets for the match are certain to sell out. This match is classified as high risk, with children under the age of three prohibited and all spectators requiring a valid ticket (Gamebox 2016/2017 or match ticket). The applicable membership fee for the match is July 2016. Gates will open two hours before kick-off.

Jorge Jesus happy with his side's showing against Paços de Ferreira

Missing from the win against Paços de Ferreira, João Mário was inevitably one of issues put to the Sporting coach at the final whistle on Saturday.

"João Mário isn't here because of how he is physically. It would have been a risk to use him today. João Mário is a Sporting player and we have to make sure he doesn't pick up an injury when he could be moving. I didn't want him getting injured. If he improve, then he will play against FC Porto", affirmed Jorge Jesus, adding a work on the match itself: "Defensively we are more solid and you can only win games if you are well organised at the back. Paços didn't have a single opportunity. Offensively we have to do better and find our form from last season. We played against a team that has traditionally been tricky for us and it is important that we hae started off with a couple of wins. I thought Coates and Semedo did really well."

William Carvalho pleased with Sporting's second Liga NOS win

"The lads deserve a pat on the back for how we played. Our objective was to win and it is never easy to do that here", said William Carvalho at the final whistle this Saturday, adding a word on transfer speculation and his future in Lisbon: "(I am) focused on Sporting."

Sporting B to host Fafe at the Academy this weekend

Sporting B will host Fafe at the Academy this Saturday, in a 16h00 kick-off on Ledman LigaPro matchday three.

“You can expect to see a stronger Sporting side than the one you saw 15 days ago (against Portimonense, thanks to the lads who have just arrived", said João de Deus in a pre-match press conference this Friday, going on to highlight the return of Jovane Cabral.

However, the Sporting B coach is not expecting an easy encounter: “We know that Fafe are a hard team and they can do some interesting stuff in attack. We will have to focus in defence."

Adrien on Sporting's I Liga 2016/17 debut

Adrien Silva spoke briefly with the press this Saturday evening after his side's win against Marítimo.

"It was an intense match, but we did well. At this stage of the season I thought it was a good pace and we made sure Marítimo couldn't do anything on the counter-attack", said the Sporting skipper, before answering a question on transfer rumours regarding João Mãrio: "Goodbye? No. He played today and he played well. You could see he is happy by the way he played and I don't think this was his last match."

Jorge Jesus satisfied with opening day win

“It was a hard match. It was 36 degrees at kick-off, which is really hot for a team that plays pressing football like we do. Some of the lads felt that and it impacted on how we plated", opened Jesus in his post-match press conference this Saturday, going on to analysis the match itself in greater depth: "Marítimo are a really well managed team and they caused some issues down the wing. (after the break) we took charge and Marítimo fell off a bit. William helped the pace a bit and that was important, but we won and that is what matters."

“No team starts the season in their best form. That comes step by step and the lads will develop with time", finished the Alalade boss.