Fifth round sets up 2014/15 final repeat

Sporting will travel to Braga for the Portuguese fifth round. The fixture has been penciled in for the 15th to the 17th of December, in the AXA Stadium.

“This is the kind of thing the draw can throw at you are Sporting is ready for it. It is a replay of last year's final. Unfortunately it isn't in Alvlade, but we will be going for the win, said Sporting SAD representative Sancho Freitas at the draw.

Hortically, the two sides have already met on 16 occasions in the Portuguese Cup, with Sporitng having won nine and drawn three. Here is a complete run down of the previous encounters:

- 1958/59, 1st leg quarter-finals - Sporting-Sp. Braga, 6-2

Goals: Vadinho (3), Hugo, Faustino Pinto and Morais; Fernando Mendonça (2)

- 1958/59, 2nd leg quarter-finals - Sp. Braga-Sporting, 1-3

Goals: Ferreirinha; Vadinho and Diego (2)

- 1960/61, 1st leg last-16 - Sp. Braga-Sporting, 1-6

Goals: Teixeira; Figueiredo (3), David Júlio, Diego and Hugo

- 1960/61, 2nd leg last-16 - Sporting-Sp. Braga, 9-0

Goals: Diego (3), Figueiredo (3) and Fernando Puglia (3)

- 1965/66, 1st leg semi-finals - Sp. Braga-Sporting, 1-1

Goals: Bino; Morais

- 1965/66, 2nd leg semi-finals - Sporting-Sp. Braga, 1-1

Goals: Oliveira Duarte; Perrichon

- 1965/66, semi-final replay – Sp. Braga-Sporting, 1-0

Goal: Perrichon

- 1969/70, 1st leg quarter-finals – Sporting-Sp. Braga, 6-1

Goals: Marinho (3), Gonçalves and Nélson Fernandes (2); Fernando

- 1969/70, 2nd leg quarter-finals - Sp. Braga-Sporting, 0-2

Goals: Lourenço and Marinho

- 1980/81, 2nd round – Sp. Braga-Sporting, 4-2

Goals: Cavungi, Jacques, Malheiro and Germano; Jordão (2)

- 1981/82, Final - Sporting-Sp. Braga, 4-0

Goals: Oliveira (2), Jordão and Manuel Fernandes

- 1993/94, 5th round - Sporting-Sp. Braga, 2-1

Marcadores: Figo and Iordanov; Fernando Pires

- 1997/98, quarter-finals – Sp. Braga-Sporting, 3-1

Goals: Bruno, Formoso and Karoglan; Giménez

- 2011/12, 4th round - Sporting-Sp. Braga, 2-0

Goals: Capel and Insúa

- 2014/15, Final - Sporting-Sp. Braga, 2-2 (3-1, penalties)

Goals: Slimani and Montero; Éder and Rafa 

 

Draw in full:

- V. Setúbal (I)-Rio Ave (I)

- Desp. Aves (II)-Nacional (I)

- Boavista (I)-Académica (I)

- Gil Vicente (II)-Portimonense (II)

- Feirense (II)-FC Porto (I)

- Sp. Braga (I)-SPORTING

- Estoril (I)-Penafiel (II)

- Amarante (CPP)-Arouca (I)

Slimani on the reasons behind his recent goalscoring form

Back and forward between Sporting and Algeria, Islam Slimani is making quite the name for himself in front of goal. Striking twice in his nation's win against Tanzania, the Alvalade forward also secured his side's passage in the Portuguese Cup with what was his 10th goal in 8 games.

“We played really well and we got the win. It was a fair win and we dominated the whole match", said Slimani in a flash interview at the final whistle, adding: "It is a real honour to represent a club with such a great history. I am scoring a lot of goals, but that only happens because the whole team helps and because of what we have been doing in training. Nobody can play on their own and thanks to my teammates I have been scoring."

João Mário reacts to his side's Portuguese Cup derby win

João Mário put in a brilliant performance in his side's 2-1 Portuguese Cup win over Benfica on Saturday night.

“It was a really hard game and I think this was the first time we have come from behind. We reacted well and turned the result around. Benfica did well but I really want to speak about our team, because this was our third win against our main rival. Now we have to focus on keeping this up", said the midfielder at the final whistle, continuing: "We are feeling confident of course, but you only beat a team like Benfica with hard work. We prepared well and we believe in the work we are doing. We were the better side for the whole game."

Jorge Jesus reflects on his third Lisbon derby win of the season

For Jorge Jesus, Saturday's Portuguese Cup win against Benfica, which was Sporting's third Lisbon derby victory already this season, the final result was more than fair reflection of his side's dominance over the full 120 minutes.

“We were fair winners, because we were the team that showed the most quality during the entire game. In the first-half we hit the post and Benfica scored from their only shot. The game was balanced, but then Sporting understood what had to be done. We fought back and the draw was fair at half-time. In the second-half and in extra-time we had the most chances. We played as a team, we were the most aware, the most balanced and the most confident", opened the Alvalade coach in a flash interview at the final whistle.

Jesus went on to reflect on some of his changes made over the course of the evening and how Benfica set out for the encounter: "Why did I move João Mário into the middle? I know why I did of course and it made a difference. I wasn't surprised by Benficca. Gaitán in that position was something I did in a few times, the same with Talisca and Pizzi. Nothing was really new and we were the better organised team. This is a team with soul, discipline and we think as a collective."

To finish, Jorge Jesus affirmed: "Never had I thought that against the champion we would win three times. The Sporting president believed in me and I am doing my job."

First in the Super Cup, then Liga NOS and now in the Portuguese Cup...

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's Portuguese Cup derby, the Benfica coach Rui Vitória, by sheer coincidence, arrived half an hour late and opened his conference after Jorge Jesus had already shared his thoughts. Ten times the Benfica coach said "win", six times the name "Sporting" and another six more "team". It turns out that Vitória was right: Sporting, the better team on the night, won.

With the introduction of Fredy Montero in place of Teo Gutiérrez in the starting line-up, the team from Alvalade got off to the stronger start and on four minutes Slimani hammered a header against the woodwork after a cross from the left. However, Benfica's luck was in from what was their first attack of the evening, when Mitroglou opened the scoring in the seventh minute after a long pass by Gaitán and some good ball control from Pizzi.

The encounter was yet to find its shape, but the goal went on to define what would be the theme for most of the first-half, seeing Benfica drop back and close ranks, breaking forward on the occasional counter-attack. With the evening's visitors inviting Sporting to take the initiative, the game was soon all one-way traffic and after good opportunities for Slimani in the 32nd minute and Jefferson in the 39th, only denied by some heroics from Júlio César, a thoroughly deserved equaliser came just before the break, when Adrien fired in a calculated volley.

Up stepped Jorge Jesus at the restart with his usual magic, introducing Gelson for Montero down the right and pulling João Mário into the middle. A good half-hour of Sporting pressure followed, but a more clinical touch was missing in the final third and the scoreboard remained stubbornly deadlocked. Benfica introduced André Almeida into the action, balancing out the midfield contest, and did have two shots on goal through Talisca and Eliseu, but it was Sporting who were really pushing for the win. Slimani could have finished it two minutes before the regulation ninety, but Júlio César pulled out a memorable stop from point-blank range to take encounter to extra-time.

Ricardo Esgaio and Tobias Figueiredo were introduced for Jefferson and Ewerton, as tired legs took hold in both camps. At last Sporting's technical, tactical, individual and collective dominance got its reward in the 112th minute, when Slimani struck to effectively secure the win. Samaris was shown a second yellow card for protesting the goal, before Benfica also saw claims rightly waved away for a nonexistent penalty.

For the first time in 61 years, Sporting has beaten Benfica for a third consecutive time.

Jorge Jesus ahead of Saturday's Portuguese Cup derby

While recent results and home turf will both play to Jorge Jesus' advantage tomorrow night when his side host Benfica in the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup, the Sporting boss sees form on the day as the decisive factor in the final result. “We have won both games against Benfica, so naturally we are confident, but what matters in a derby is how the teams play on the day. The league table or the past don't make that much difference. It will be a passionate game and I hope that everybody shows the right kind of respect on the pitch", explained Jesus in his usual pre-match press conference.

Following the same logic, the Alvalade boss was keen to brush aside the assertion of a favourite to clinch the result: "I don't think we can say there is a favourite, because both teams have very similar objectives. It is the moment that makes the difference when it comes down to it. Obviously playing in front of our fans, on our pitch, is more attractive for us than playing in the Luz, but the players still have to respond. This is a Sporting-Benfica derby in a knock-out competition which has to be decided tomorrow, so the game takes on other characteristics. The lads have been working as usual, although some of them, Bryan and Slimani for example, are a bit touch and go. Tomorrow I will be able to take a look at them and make a decision, but we are all ready for just another match."

Asked if beating his former employer is that extra bit special compared to any other match, Jesus played it cool: "I like beating every team. I am the Sporting coach and for me every opponent is special, because this is my team. Sometimes one game or another leaves more of a mark, but not because of the opponent."

The Portuguese Cup 4th round between Sporting and Benfica will kick off at 20h00 on Saturday the 21st of November, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Sporting-Benfica in the Portuguese Cup

Turnstiles will open two hours before kick-off for Saturday's Portuguese cup encounter between Sporting and Benfica.

Additional security measures are expected for the match, including further controls on entering the carpark.

We appeal for all fans to arrive as early as possible to the stadium in order to avoid long waits.