Jorge Jesus confirms the return of Geraldes and Podence and looks ahead to the weekend's action

Opening his Friday afternoon press conference with an analysis of his squad, Jorge Jesus revealed that Francisco Geraldes and Daniel Podence are on their way back to Lisbon after a spell out on loan: "Geraldes and Podence have been authorised to come back. Not because of how we are playing right now, but because they have developed over the last six months and we think they can bring something extra. They are quality players who have the potential to be part of the future of this club. In a squad of 24, a total of 11 players are from our youth system."

Jorge Jesus went on to lend his backing to the current reshaping of the squad and an investment in youth players: "Last year, when we were doing well, nobody accused me of not investing in young players. This season we have already used Rúben Semedo and Gelson Martins a lot and two more players can break through now. Some players have left us this January because they were focused on other objectives and in those cases myself and the board have decided what to do."

Speaking more directly about the weekend's opposition, Jesus proved confident keeping the three points in Alvalade: "Paços de Ferreira are a well balanced team, with objectives different to ours. They are really good from set pieces and we will have to give away to least amount of fouls possible, which will limit their chances on goal. The fans have been great in showing belief in us and I am sure they will be with us tomorrow as well."

Octávio Machado speaks about recent events on the pitch

Sporting's director for football, Octávio Machado, sat down with the press this weekend to speak about Sporting CP's current form and standing in Liga NOS. Refereeing was inevitably the overtone of his comments, but the Alvalade director did not dismiss the influence of some of Sporting CP's recent performances.

Disallowed goal denies Sporting CP of a deserved three points

Sporting CP were held to a 2-2 draw in Estádio dos Barreiros this weekend, on Liga NOS matchday 18. A disallowed goal for a wrong offside call against Alan Ruiz dictated the final result, after a spirited display which saw Sporting CP come from behind twice.

Jorge Jesus made five changes to his last 11 (Patrício, Schelotto, Zeegelaar, Bruno César and a debut for João Palhinha) and Sporting CP started the encounter well. However, some sloppy passes forced Paulo Oliveira into making a foul and Éber Bessa converted on the resulting free-kick with low shot that wrong footed Rui Patrício.

The early below did little to unsettle Sporting CP and the team from Alvalade continued to pile forward in search of goal, courtesy mostly of some darting runs from Schelotto and Gelson Martins down the right. However, Marítimo largely limited Sporting CP's chances to dead ball situations, but it was precisely from one such incident that the equaliser came, when Bas Dost rose highest to head in from an Adrien Silva cross.

Sporting CP would have been expected to take charge after the equaliser, but it was actually down the other end that the next few opportunities materialised. Dyego Sousa hit Patrício's crossbar in the 31st minute, just before Raúl Silva made the most of yard of space to put Marítimo back into the lead.

The second-half was much of the same, with the hosts relying on the counter-attack. Edgar Costa has two good chances, but Sporting CP grew into the action again after the introduction of Alan Ruiz [on for Zeegelaar]. With Campbell and William Carvalho also on off the bench [for Palhinha and Bryan Ruiz], the team from Alvalade began to up the tempo and Bruno César dragged on a cross back on the hour mark that Gelson did well to control and slot home.

Neither outfit was able to seriously threaten in the dying stages, with the exception of a goal from Alan Ruiz that was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Jorge Jesus on the weekend's Liga NOS action

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press this Friday ahead of the weekend's Liga NOS matchday 18 trip to Marítimo (Saturday, at 18h15).

Although a tough challenge, the Sporting CP coach is fully focused on the three points: "The match will be difficult for a few reasons. Firstly, because we are a bit behind in the league and we cannot drop any more points. On top of that, Marítimo are really strong at home. However, we are ready and we know we cannot let more points slip away", opened Jesus, continuing: "I wouldn't say that everything is lost right now, but we have to take on our responsibilities. As a coach, I am responsible for results, but this will not be a season to forget. Every coach goes through bad spells and this isn't the first time it has happened to me. The only way to get out of it is if we all show a bit of confidence, especially the players. We had a superb season last year and we created some big expectations, but obviously the book stops with me. I trust my players to get out of the situation we are in."

To finish, Jesus spoke about president Bruno de Carvalho's visit to the dressing room after the first loss in Chaves: "Presidents go into the dressing room before and after the match, which is completely normal. I couldn't be there and the president usually speaks to me at the end of the match. I wasn't there, so he spoke with the team captains (Adrien Silva and William Carvalho). The president is the head of the club and he has every right to do that, because the coach wasn't there. Our relationship honestly couldn't be better."

Raúl José on the weekend's draw in Chaves

Speaking with Sporting TV in reflection the weekend's draw with GD Chaves, assistant coach Raúl José, stepping in for the suspended Jorge Jesus, showed confidence in the Alvalade squad.

"We were really close to winning the game. We were losing, but we came from behind. But for a bit of bad luck, we would have won the three points. However the lads are feeling confident that we will get into the Portuguese Cup semi-finals. We have to improve in relation to a few details over the course of the match", said Raúl José.

Adrien and William Carvalho highlight the squad's confidence and clarify Bruno de Carvalho's visit to the dressing rooms

Alvalade skippers spoke with the press this weekend following Saturday's draw with Chaves, looking ahead to the coming Portuguese Cup tie against the same team.

"On Tuesday the only thing we can think about is winning. We know it will be a hard game against a well organised team, but we are motivated. We are all frustrated by bad results, but we have been putting the work in and we will carry on doing so", affirmed Adrien at the final whistle, followed by William Carvalho in the same tone: "We are all feeling motivated, despite not getting the result we wanted. Of course we feel frustrated, but I am sure we will respond well."

In relation to news in the press, the midfield pair guaranteed that nothing our of the ordinary took place in the dressing rooms at the final whistle with president Bruno de Carvalho. "Let me take the opportunity to clarify what is being said: the president came to the dressing room to show his dissatisfaction and as the captains of the team we spoke with him, that's all", said Adrien, with William adding: "While there are still points to win, we will believe in ourselves, because we are good enough. the president came to the dressing room to speak about the result, but it was a normal conversation. We listened to him and I am sure that on Tuesday we will go out there and get a good result."

Sporting CP held to a draw after another Bas Dost double

History shows that Sporting CP have a tough time in Chaves, with the team from Alvalade having won just two previous visits in thirteen attempts for tonight.

Although the thermometer read just three degrees at kick-off, the encounter got off to an intense start and after three minutes Rafa opened the scoring with a header from close range, linking up cross from Perdigão. The hosts couldn't believe their luck and Sporting CP took advantage of the resulting disorganisation to take the initiative and push forward. William set Bas Dost through on goal, but the Dutchman's shot failed to threaten. Holding down possession, although without creating many clear chances on goal, Sporting CP limited Chaves to just a single opportunity for the rest of the half, when Fábio Martins broke away down the left just after the half-hour mark and fired a shot just wide.

Alan Ruiz tried his luck from range just before the break, with what was the warning shot for his side's equaliser. Who else but Bas Dost, who sneaked ahead of his defender to head in a cross from Gelson Martins. Half-time saw Jorge Jesus switch out Alan Ruiz and Campbell for André and Bryan Ruiz and his side again pushed forward. The first real chance of the half came came when William picked out André, who passed on to Adrien for the Alvalade skipper to test Ricardo in the Chaves goal. The left flank was the source of almost all of Sporting CP's forays forward and it was from there that Bryan Ruiz fired in a cross that André came up just an inch short of latching on to-

With Sporting CP completely dominating, a second yellow card for Rúben Semedo sentenced the team from Alvalade to playing the last 18 minutes with 10 men. Shaking off the blow, Sporting CP again pushed forward and Bruno César and André linked up down the left, with the Brazilian then setting up Bas Dost for his second goal of the evening.

The turnaround looked complete and the Dutchman was taken off for Paulo Oliveira, but a wonder strike from Fábio Martins at the death ended up splitting the points.

Jorge Jesus names squad for first of double header against Chaves

Jorge Jesus has names his squad for Liga NOS matchday 17, kicking-off at 18h15 on Saturday the 14th of January.

Squad list in full:

1 - Rui Patrício
3 - Markovic
4 - Jefferson
7 - Joel Campbell
8 - Petrovic
10 - Bryan Ruiz
11 - Bruno César
13 - Sebastian Coates
14 - William Carvalho
15 - Paulo Oliveira
16 - André Felipe
19 - Douglas Teixeira
20 - Castaignos
22 - Elias Trindade
23 - Adrien Silva
26 - Azbe Jug
28 - Bas Dost
30 - Bruno Paulista
31 - Marvin Zeegelaar
34 - Beto Pimparel
35 - Rúben Semedo
47 - Ricardo Esgaio
66 - João Palhinha
73 - Matheus Pereira
77 - Gelson Martins
99 - Alan Ruiz

Filipe Chaby scoops similar award for Ledman LigaPro

The Sporting CP winger has yet again scooped an award, this time as the Liga NOS Youth Player of the Month for December.

Gelson had already claimed the nomination for August and September, this time tallying 16.34% of the vote to beat Nélson Semedo (Benfica - 13,67%) and Daniel Podence (Moreirense - 11.1%).

Meanwhile Filips Chaby claimed the same award for Ledman LigaPro.

Sales for two coming encounters against GD Chaves (Liga NOS and Portuguese Cup)

Sporting Clube de Portugal has began sales for the two coming matches against GD Chaves as follows:

LIGA NOS MATCHDAY 17

. Price: 13€
. Kick-off: 14th of January (Saturday) at 18h15

PORTUGUESE CUP QUARTER-FINAL

. Price: 5€
. Kick-off: 17th of January (Tuesday) at 20h15

Both matches will be played in Estádio Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira, Chaves. Sales in Estádio José Alvalade are as follows:

WEDNESDAY (10H TO 20H) | Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017
THURSDAY (10H TO 20H) | Members
FRIDAY (10H TO 14H) | General Public

A valid Gamebox or Member card must be presented on the first two days of sales (December 2016 fees paid), with each card valid for one ticket. Each person may be bring a maximum of 4 cards.