FC Porto visit Alvalade on matchday 3, before matchday 13 trip to Benfica

The official fixture list for the 2016/17 National Championship campaign was released this Saturday. Sporting will open with a hosting of Marítimo on August the 14th, before visiting Paços de Ferreira on matchday 2. A hosting of FC Porto awaits on matchday three.

Rui Patrício was named as Goalkeeper of the Season at the draw and the Alvalade shotstopper couldn't be happier: "I want to thank everyone for this trophy, but to also say that it isn't only mine. It is for the whole squad

Fixture list in full:

Matchday 1 (14/8): Sporting CP - Marítimo (22/1) matchday 18

Matchday 2 (21/8): Paços de Ferreira - Sporting CP (28/1) matchday 19

Matchday 3 (28/8): Sporting CP - FC Porto (5/2) matchday 20

Matchday 4 (11/9): Sporting CP - Moreirense (12/2) matchday 21

Matchday 5 (18/9): Rio Ave - Sporting CP (19/2) matchday 22

Matchday 6 (25/9): Sporting CP - Estoril (26/2) matchday 23

Matchday 7 (2/10): V. Guimarães - Sporting CP (5/3) matchday 24

Matchday 8 (23/10): Sporting CP - Tondela (11/3) matchday 25

Matchday 9 (30/10): Nacional - Sporting CP (19/2) matchday 26

Matchday 10 (6/11): Sporting CP - Arouca (2/4) matchday 27

Matchday 11 (27/11): Boavista - Sporting CP (9/4) matchday 28

Matchday 12 (4/12): Sporting CP - V. Setúbal (15/4) matchday 29

Matchday 13 (11/12): Benfica - Sporting CP (23/4) matchday 30

Matchday 14 (18/12): Sporting CP - Sp. Braga (30/4) matchday 31

Matchday 15 (21/12): Belenenses - Sporting CP (7/5) matchday 32

Matchday 16 (8/1): Sporting CP - Feirense (14/5) matchday 33

Matchday 17 (15/1): Chaves - Sporting CP (21/5) matchday 34

Octávio Machado on the lack of punishment for Benfica

Octávio Machado gave a hard-hitting press conference following Sunday's Liga NOS fixtures, in what were the last of the season.

"Penalties are only against Benfica after the 95th minute, when they are already winning 5-0. It happened in the first match against Estoril when it was 0-0 and it happened again today, against Nacional. In the last match of the season, the decisive match, another penalty was not given when the game was 0-0", said Sporting's director of football.

Jorge Jesus proud of his team as Liga NOS campaign comes to a close with 4-0 win in Braga

Jorge Jesus paid a fitting tribute to his team and the fans in his post-match interview this Saturday, after watching Sporting dismantle Braga on the last game of a season taken right down to the wire.

"We did what we had to do throughout the season. It was a real show of the power and quality of this squad. We had to win and that is exactly what we did. It is never easy here, especially to win 4-0", opened Jesus, adding: "The best doesn't always win. The best was Sporting."

The Alvalade boss of course could not close the season without a word for the fans: "They supported us right up until the last second. It isn't natural for a team to win 86 points and not be champion."

Jorge Jesus includes entire squad for Liga NOS climax

Coach Jorge Jesus has named all available 27 players to form his squad for this Sunday's visit to Braga, on Liga NOS matchday 34:

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: Schelotto, Naldo, João Pereira, Jefferson, Ewerton, Ricardo Esgaio, Sebastián Coates, Paulo Oliveira, Ruben Semedo, Tobias Figueiredo and Marvin Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William Carvalho, Alberto Aquilani, Adrien Silva, André Martins, João Mário, Bruno Paulista and Bruno César

Forwards: Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Teo Gutiérrez, Hernán Barcos and Slimani

Sp. Braga-Sporting CP will kick- off at 17h00 on Sunday the 15th of May, in the Braga Municipal Stadium.

Alvalade midfielder scoops Players' Syndicate award

João Mário was named as the Professional Football Players' Syndicate Young Player of the Month for April this week, tallying 18.36% of votes cast to finish ahead of Diogo Jota (Paços de Ferreira) with 12.98% and Renato Sanches (Benfica) with 10.79%.

The results are based on the vote of members of the Players' Syndicate, as well as journalists from A Bola, O Jogo and Record newspapers.

It was actually João Mário's second award in two days, after winning the Player of the Month award attributed by Liga NOS coaches and fans through Samsung's official website.

Useful information for fans travelling to Braga

The club has released the following information for fans travelling to Braga on the last game of the season:
 
– The club's Organised Fan Groups should gather at Estádio José Alvalade by 09h00.

– Fans travelling in their own cars are advised to park near to the Braga Municipal Stadium, preferentially in the Dechathlon carpark.

Tickets for the last match of the season on sale as of Wednesday

Sporting will travel to the Braga Municipal Stadium, for a 17h00 kick-off on Sunday the 15th of May, on Liga NOS matchda 34 (last game of the season).

Tickets are on sale as follows:

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2015/2016 and who have held a Member Gamebox for 13 years (100%)
THURSDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2015/2016 and who have held a Member Gamebox from 7 to 12 years
FRIDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2015/2016 and who have held a Member Gamebox for 1 to 6 years
SATURDAY | Club Members in general

Until tickets sell out, the Estádio José Alvalade ticket office will be open from 10h00 to 20h00.

€20 | Sector A16 + A15
€30 | Sector A14
€60 | Sector A13

A valid Member Gamebox must be shown on purchase of tickets (with April 2016 fees paid. Each Member Gamebox is valid for 1 ticket. Each person can bring a maximum of 4 cards.