Jorge Jesus's side concede harsh Champions League loss to Dormund in Alvalade

Sporting CP slipped to a harsh defeat to Borussia Dortmund this Tuesday night (2-1), on Champions League matchday 3.

The encounter got off to a contentious start, with referee Damir Skomina turning away a penalty appeal against following a foul on Bas Dost in the 9th minute. To add insult to injury, the German visitors took the lead shortly after, when Aubameyang wrestled free of Rúben Semedo and chipped over Rui Patrício for the opening goal of the evening. Both sides battled for midfield dominance and Sporting did get the edge and started to slowly work further up the pitch. On 32 minutes, Markovic and Elias linked up to release the Brazilian on goal, only for the Borussia keeper to pull off a fine stop.

The pressure looked to have paid off in the 39th minute after Sebastian Coates put the ball in the back of the net, but the evening's official ruled out the strike for an alleged foul by Bas Dost on the goalkeeper with a decision that could have went either way. Two minutes before the break, Weigl doubled his side's lead to give Borussia what was a harsh 2-0 margin going in at half-time.

Jorge Jesus's side came out motivated after the break and were immediately on the attack. However, perhaps a touch facilitation on the part of the referee and time wasting by Borussia sapped the sting out of the evening. However, Sporting were determined to restore a lifeline and on 50 minutes Gelson Martins came painfully close after a move with Bas Dost. However, Sporting's first and what would be only strike came after Bruno César was introduced to the action. It was a back pass that resulted in the goal, with the Brazilian blasting in from a free-kick deep inside the 18-yard box, but it was not enough to salvage points from an evening in which Sporting had a good handful of chances to find the back of the net.

William Carvalho highlights Dortmunds's effectiveness in front of goal

"We will respond in our next match", affirmed William Carvalho after Sporting's 2-1 loss to Dortmund on Tuesday night, on Champions League matchday 3.

Reflecting on the action, the Sporting midfielder added: "We did well, but they had two chances and scored two goals in the first-half. Football can be like like. In the second-half we had a lot of chances, but we didn't make the most of it. It was a harsh result, but we still believe we can qualify."

Tiago Fernandes still optimistic on UEFA Youth League knock-out stage chances

Tiago Fernandes was obviously frustrated with his side's UEFA Youth League draw against Borussia Dortmund this Tuesday night, but the Sporting under-19 coach isn't throwing in the towel in just yet.

Sporting held to third consecutive Youth League draw

A third UEFA Youth League encounter and a third successive draw. Sporting's under-19's came away with a last-minute point from Madrid and were denied by Legia of the win at the death. It was again a case of split points against Borussia Dortmund this Tuesday, although the goals were not left to the last minute.

Abdu Conté was one of Sporting's star performers on the day, with an energetic performance down the left. With the Alvalade side dominating from the off, a goal was inevitable. It was Conté who created the opener with a dashing run through the middle and a pass to Pedro Ferreira, who blasted home a minute before half-time.

Tiago Fernandes's side were also the dominating force after the break and Bubacar Djaló came just inches close of making it two. However, a lack of efficiency in front of goal can always prove costly in the game and football and this encounter was no exception, with Gabriel Kyeremateng making the most of a failure to clear to snatch back possession and split the points.

Bas Dost shares his thoughts on a well known adversary

Sporting's inside man when it comes to German football, having spent four seasons with Wolfsburg, Bas Dost was the obvious choice to speak ahead of Tuesday's Champions League hosting of Borussia Dortmund.

"I have played a lot of times against Borussia and I have scored a few against them too. It won't be easy, but we are properly prepared and we will do our best", said the Sporting striker, continuing with a word of thanks to the fans for their support since his arrival in the Portuguese capital: "I scored in our last game and I want to do it again tomorrow. I haven't given any advice to my coach and honestly he doesn't need it. He is ready for tomorrow. Our objective is to win in Alvalade, even if it is against Borussia or Real Madrid."

Jorge Jesus expecting a thriller against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night

Getting straight to the point in his pre-match press conference this Monday evening, ahead of the hosting of Borussia Dortmund on Champions League matchday 3, Jorge Jesus cast doubt on what would usually be his probable choice of Rúben Semedo: "He is still a bit limited, but we will look at him again tomorrow."

In relation to Tuesday's opposition, the Sporting boss is expecting a typical Champions League encounter: "The draw put us in a group with two of the competition's strongest teams. We have confidence in our ability and tomorrow could be crucial for who qualifies for the next round, but both teams have objectives past this match. Borussia are really strong in attack and I am sure we will see some goals tomorrow."

Speaking about what is a packed Dortmund medical room, Jorge Jesus cautioned against underestimating the German visitors. "Since the start of the season their strikers have been well above the average. They have a really strong squad with a coach that has his own style and that makes a difference. It will he hard, but the most important thing is the win, although a draw wouldn't be the end of the world. We are feeling confidence, like we were in Madrid", added Jesus, continuing on the tone of his side's memorable showing in the Spanish capital: "We have to praise Sporting for what we did there. We lost and we had a very good chance of getting some points from that match. We are facing another really strong team, but we want to repeat what we showed on matchday 1 tomorrow. It doesn't really matter if Dortmund are better than Real Madrid or now, what matters is that we are on the same level that we have been so far."

Asked about how he will be following the action, serving a suspension, Jesus noted: "The important decisions have already been made and I have my colleagues to decide what happens in specific moments of the match."

Sales news for coming fixtures

on Friday the 14th of October, Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin ticket sales at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices as follows:

BORUSSIA DORTMUND | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY 4

14TH TO 19TH OF OCTOBER: Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017

20TH TO 25TH OF OCTOBER: Club Members

26TH TO 31ST OF OCTOBER: General public

Two types of tickets are available: GREEN ZONE (€44.90) and ORANGE ZONE (€48.10). There are limited numbers of Orange Zone tickets and these tickets are mixed with home fans. A valid Gamebox or Member card must be shown during the first two phases of sales, with September 2016 paid. Each card is valid for 1 ticket and each person may present a maximum of 4 cards. For security reasons, ticket sales will follow an order previously established with UEFA.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19h45 on the 2nd of November.

FC AROUCA | LIGA NOS MATCHDAY 10

Tickers start from €5 for Members and €22  for fans. Family tickets are available from €21 and are valid for 3 people, one of which must be a Club Member. Kick-off is scheduled for the 6th of November at 20h15.

Update on sales of Champions League group stage tickets

Sporting Clube de Portugal has issued the following update in relation to ticket sales for the coming Champions League fixtures in Estádio José Alvalade.

MATCHDAY 3 | SPORTING CP vs BORUSSIA DORTMUND

A total of 41,000 (82% of capacity) have already been sold and a sell-out is expected for the first time in European competitions.

Tickets are still available from €35 (Member) and €55 (fan) for the Central - B Stand.

This match is included in all Gamebox 2016/2017 packages.

MATCHDAY 5 | SPORTING CP vs REAL MADRID

The first phase of sales has finished. Only non-renewed special seats can purchase tickets up until the 25th of October.

The second phase of sales will begin on the 26th of October, will all non-renewed special seats going on sale.

An additional third phase of sales will begin on the 15th of November, depending on the return of tickets from Real Madrid and Champions League sponsors.

News on tickets for B. Dortmund and Real Madrid

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin ticket sales tomorrow for Champions League Group Stage matchday 3 and 5.

MATCHDAY 3

SPORTING CP vs BORUSSIA DORTMUND

18th of October (Tuesday) at 19h45

MATCHDAY 5

SPORTING CP vs REAL MADRID CF

22nd of November (Tuesday) at 19h45

Just 15,000 tickets are still available. Both matches are included in GAMEBOX 2016/2017 and all tickets for the visiting clubs and respective institutions have already been issued. Tickets are expected to sell out.

Children under the age of 3 are not permitted to attend the match and all fans must have a valid ticket (Gamebox 2016/2017 or ticket). The membership fee applicable for the matches in September 2016 (for Borussia Dortmund) and October 2016 (for Real Madrid CF).

Sporting CP to visit Spanish giants on the 14th of September

Sporting faces a tricky Champions League campaign, after being placed in the same group as Real Madrid, Borussia Dormund and Legia Warsaw.

Sporting will open with a visit to Real Madrid, before hosting Legia Warsaw. The two encounters with Dortmund are scheduled for the 18th of October ans 12th of November, before Sporting hosts Real Madrid on the 22nd of November and finishing with a visit to Poland on the 7th of December.

Group F fixtures in full:

14th of September: Real Madrid - Sporting CP / Legia Warsaw – B.Dortmund

27th of September: Sporting CP – Legia Warsaw / B.Dortmund – Real Madrid

18th of October: Sporting CP – B.Dortmund / Real Madrid – Legia Warsaw

2nd of November: B. Dortmund – Sporting CP / Legia Warsaw – Real Madrid

22nd of November: Sporting CP – Real Madrid / B.Dortmund – Legia Warsaw

7th of December: Legia Warsaw – Sporting CP / Real Madrid – B. Dortmund