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."