Jorge Jesus praises the performance of his youngsters and sets the tone for the future

Jorge Jesus used his pre-match press conference this weekend to set out his approach for the rest of the season, highlighting the importance of bringing through you players and securing a Champions League spot.

"We are finding our way right now with these younger players, while looking towards the future. We have already got a few months of work under our belt with them now. Rúben Semedo and Gelson are already started in the team and the three that have come back from loan [Daniel Podence, Francisco Geraldes and João Palhinha] will be part of the future of this club. We are playing better now and I think we did very well in the second-half against FC Porto. Hopefully we will carry on in the same tone now and push for a Champions League spot", opened the Alvalade boss.

Focusing on Moreirense in particular, Jesus warned against underestimating Augusto Inácio's team who have already claimed the League Cup this season: "This will be a game typical of some of the others we have already had this season. They are on an upward curve right now, they have won a title and they have played well against the big sides in the league. It won't be an easy game, but hopefully we will show what we have been doing during the week on the training pitch and get the win."

Jesus finished with another analysis of his long term plans for the club: "To win titles you need individual quality. As this club has a lot of quality coming through the youth team, it is easier to make that happen. We have to find the right balance between bringing through young players and expectations. For example, Alan Ruiz and Bas Dost were priority and we are really happy with the investment we have made in them. We are improving and claiming back our confidence now."

Alvalade trio ready for action after return from loan spells

Francisco Geraldes, João Palhinha and Daniel Podence all spoke with Sporting TV this weekend, looking ahead to the weekend's visit to Moreirense after spending spells out on loan.

Geraldes and Podence made their return to the Portuguese capital in January, after six months with with weekend's opposition. "Moreirense have a good team and you can see that from the fact that they won the League Cup. I can give the lads some tips on what to do because I was there, but the most important thing is how they paly as a team", affirmed the midfielder, backed up by the winger: "I am sure it will be a hard match. I know the Moreirense team well and they are a quality side. We will have to give it everything. We can't start thinking it will be easy, because a shirt doesn't win games."

João Palhinha was also in the service of Moreirense last season and is looking for Sporting CP to get back to winning form this weekend: "In the dressing room we all know it won't be easy. We will have to improve one some things from how we played against FC Porto, but we have been working hard during the week and I am sure we will respond well."

Sales information for Liga NOS machday 21

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 21 against Moreirense Futebol Clube will go on sale as follows:

THURSDAY (FROM 10H TO 20H) | Club Members only
FRIDAY (FROM 10H TO 20H) | General public

The first day of sales is exclusively for Sporting Clube de Portugal Club Members. A valid Gamebox or Member card must be presented, with each card valid for one ticket (January 2017 fees applicable). Each person may bring a maximum of 4 cards.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18h00 on Sunday the 12th of February, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. Tickets are priced at 15€ each.

Jorge Jesus praises his side's second-half rally in Estádio do Dragão

Speaking in his post-match press conference at the final whistle in Estádio do Dragão on Saturday, Jorge Jesus dismissed the final result, particularly after his side's spirited second-half display.

"It was a great game between two good teams, with two really distinct halves. FC Porto, particularly in the first-half, scored two. They didn't dominate us, but they scored two goals from situations where we should have done better. In the second-half we completely dominated and we had chances, but Casillas won the game for them. FC Porto didn't win because they were better, the fair result would have been a draw", opened the Sporting CP coach, adding: "It isn't easy to be losing 2-0 and play like we did. There was a clear foul against Palhinha in the second-half and a handball in the area, which are two situations which influenced the game. Despite that we can't take merit away from FC Porto or Sporting CP. We used a very young team today and maybe we paid for that a bit."

Sporting CP dominate, only to be frustrated by an inspired Casillas

Both Jorge Jesus and Nuno Espírito Santo rang the changes for the weekend's classic, with Matheus Pereira starting for Sporting CP and Soares making his debut. The difference between the two sides at the final whistle rested largely on the former Vit. Guimarães' killer instinct in front of goal, as well as some brilliant saves from Casillas in the second-half.

Sporting CP's efforts to bring the points back to Lisbon were dealt a heavy blow after just six minutes, when Corona whipped in a deep cross that Soares headed on after beating the off-side trap.

The strike shook a sense of urgency into Sporting CP's attacking play, but Casillas was on hand time nad time again to frustrate Jorge Jesus' side. FC Porto rarely created clear opportunities to extend their lead, but Soares again did the damage just before the break, linking up with a pass from Brahimi to make it 2-0.

After the restart and with Alan Ruiz on for Matheus Pereira, Sporting CP began to peg FC Porto back and chances soon followed. First it was Bryan Ruiz, with a header pushed away by Casillas, before Gelson Martins fired a shot high and wide after controlling well.

Sporting CP's dominance finally got its reward on the hour mark, with a fantastic strike from Alan Ruiz after controlling with his chest from a Bas Dost pass. Coates, who just this week secured a permanent move to Alvalade, looked to have equalised minutes later, but Casillas got down well to turn his header around the post.

Jorge Jesus confident going into the weekend's visit to FC Porto

Jorge Jesus will lead his squad up to FC Porto this Saturday (20:30), on Liga NOS matchday 20. For the Sporting CP coach, confidence is the dominant feeling pulsing through Alvalade.

"A classic is always that little bit more important. We are two really good sides, regardless of what the league standings show. We will go into this feeling confident. Winning in Porto isn't something new for us, but we know it will be complicated. What matters is that we show personality and stick to our strategy", opened Jesus, continuing: "There is so such thing as a game of life or death in football. Teams go through their ups and downs throughout the season and a win can provide a real lift. We have to take each game as it comes right now and we can win in Porto."

With William Carvalho forced out, Jesus is likely to bring in Palhinha. "William has been a key player for over the past year and a half, so we won't hide that. However Palhinha, if he plays, will definitely do well. This is how players grow and we believe in him", affirmed the Sporting CP coach, adding a word on the recent contracts agreed with Gelson Martins and Sebastián Coates: "They are two crucial players for us. Coates was only here on loan, but we seem to have moved on from that. Gelson was a different situation and we were not worried about losing him. The president's decision gives that extra bit of stability for us."

Recommendations ofr fan travelling to FC Porto

Sporting CP has released the following information for fans travelling to FC Porto this weekend:

- Those travelling with the club's Organised Fan Groups should meet at Estádio José Alvalade at 12h00. This will ensure that all coaches can depart at 12h30.

- Parking for Sporting CP fans will be in the STCP carpark near to Estádio do Dragão, where fans will be escorted at 18h00. If all fans do not arrive on time, the escort will leave at 19h30 and all fans will not enter the stadium in time for kick-off.

- Fans travelling in their own vehicles should meet at the STCP carpark.

Sales information for the visit to FC Porto

Considering the limited number of tickets available for the 'Classic', on Liga NOS matchday 20, ticket takes will proceed as follows

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 and a Member Gamebox for 14 years (100%)
THURSDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 and Member Gamebox for 8 to 13 years
FRIDAY | Club members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 and Member Gamebox for 1 to 7 years

Ticket offices will be open from 10h00 to 20h00, with tickets priced as follows::

FAN ZONE | €25
SECTOR 46 | €35

A valid Gamebox must be presented upon purchase, with each card valid for 1 ticket. Each person may present a maximum of 4 cards.

Futebol Clube do Porto vs. Sporting Clube de Portugal will kick off at 20h30 on Saturday the 4th of February, in Estádio do Dragão.

Alvalade winger in the limelight around Europe

Gelson Martins' wonder goal against Paços de Ferreira this weekend has been attracting the attention of the press around the world, including from the Spanish publication, As.

In addition to footage of the goal, the journalist affirmed "Sporting CP's jewel, who is wanted by half of Europe, pulled off this wonder against Paços de Ferreira", in an article with the title "Excellence of Gelson Martins. Chips the goalkeeper and scores!"

To relive Gelson's goal, you can find the original article here.

Jorge Jesus praises his side's return to winning form

Speaking in his post-match press conference on Saturday after his side's return to business as usual, with a 4-2 win against Paços de Ferreira, coach Jorge Jesus proved understandably pleased with the performance.

"It was a great first-half, maybe the best this season in Alvalade. We scored three quality goals and were great technically and tactically. We played some quick and creative football again, a lot of which was down to Alan [Ruiz] while he could keep up physically. We did the hardest part and went 2-0 in front. Our emotional levels were a bit low, which happens when you don't win. I told the lads at half-time that it was important to score one more, but we then let in two goals and it shook us a bit", said the Sporting CP coach, going on to reflect on the booking of William Carvalho and the resulting absence from the coming visit to FC Porto: "It was a shame. He hardly touched the player and all he did was step on the end of his boot. The match against FC Porto isn't decisive, but we will have to play well."