“Guimarães are a good side and their position in the league doesn’t reflect that”, opened Jorge Jesus in his habitual pre-match press conference this Saturday.

While Sunday’s opposition may be languishing down in 15th in I Liga, the Sporting coach was careful to warn of the danger posed: “They have technically gifted players and they are trying to fight back with a young coach in Sérgio Conceição. I am expecting them to defend well and to be really aggressive, but they are also dangerous and really quick going forward. We have to deal with what they can throw at us and make the most of our players who can make the difference in this kind of match. We are ready.”

Jesus also used the conference to reflect on three issues attracting the headlines as of late, namely Carrillo, the leaking of documents supposedly from the club and William missing out on a national call up.

“The technical team, squad and administration did everything possible to reach an agreement and that didn’t happen. It is an issue that is being dealt with by SAD. If you asked me if we are less competitive, well we won the first official trophy of the season, we are at the top of the league with FC Porto and all we have missed out on is the Champions League. Carrillo was a quality player, but I started the season without two quality players in Ewerton and William and you didn’t hear me complaining. I will find solutions and that is what I was hired to do at Sporting.”

“All of the documents which have come out which are related to Sporting are intended to hide what we have been doing. The first trophy of the season was won by Sporting, right now we are at the top of the league with FC Porto and all that it is trying to do is take away from that.”

“It is normal that William isn’t included and he wasn’t expecting to be. It is important for the national team and for Sporting that he has time to prepare properly.”

Sporting-V. Guimarães will get underway at 20h30 on Sunday, in Estádio José Alvalade.