Adrien Silva on Sporting CP's hosting of Real Madrid

Author of both of Sporting CP's goals against Real Madrid this season, Adrien was the understandable choice to speak with press after Tuesday's Champions League encounter.

"It feels like we are repeating ourselves, but honestly we did out best. We showed our quality and we created chances, but if you don't put the goals away you pay for it in the end. The result isn't what we deserved, but football can be like that", opened the Sporting CP captain, going on to speak about the sending off of João Pereira: "With 11 it was hard, but it was even worse with 10. It forces you to double up on everything, but the lads made the sacrifice and did the club proud."

William Carvalho and Gelson Martins on Tuesday's Champions League encounter

"Obviously playing with less numbers is hard, but honestly I didn't see what happened", said William Carvalho at the final whistle on Tuesday, before reflecting on Sporting CP's European campaign so far this season: "We have done well, despite not getting into the next round. The fans have really been behind us and we have to thank them for that."

Gelson Martins again attracted the limelight with another classy performance and the young winger was also sought after by the press at the final whistle. "We started well and we equalised. We didn't get the result but I thought we reacted well to the occasion. I didn't see what happened (in relation to the sending off of João Pereira), but it made things harder for us", said Martins, adding a word on the praise aimed at him by Zidane: "I won't get carried away by it, but of course I am happy. Real Madrid looking at me doesn't bother me. I have five years left on my contract with Sporting CP and I intend to see them out."

Manchester United legend takes milestone number before watching Alvalade host Real Madrid

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona is officially Sporting CP's 150,000th Club Member, announced by Bruno de Carvalho before kick-off against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

"I love being in this stadium. Thank you all and I wish you the best. You are a great team", said Cantona in an interview on the pitch, before receiving a commemorative plaque from the Alvalade president.

Alvalade sets new crowd record with the hosting of the Galácticos

Sporting CP missed out to Real Madrid on Champions League matchday 5 this Tuesday, dashing any lingering hope of securing a place in the knock-out stages of the competition.

After just two minutes Adrien Silva found a yard of space in front of goal and was about to pull the trigger before Sergio Ramos scrambled back and cleared away. In response Cristiano Ronaldo tested Patrício with a dazzling turn and low shot, before a spell of well disputed football saw neither team create any clear opportunities to pull ahead.

The first goal of the evening was made to wait until a minute before the half-hour mark, when a Modric cross was scuffed by Cristiano Ronaldo deep inside the area. Varana was quickest to react and their was little Patrício could do from such close range. It was a harsh reflection of the action so far in front of a massive total of 50,046 fans and Jorge Jesus's side were not about to throw in the towel. Three minutes later Bruno César came agonizingly close to leveling for Sporting CP, before the Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos again put in a last ditch tackle.

Sporting CP's hopes of a comeback were dealt a heavy blow when João Pereira was given his matching ordered in the 64th minute after a tangle with Kovacic, but the reduction to 10 men actually blew new wind into the Alvalade sails. Fávio Coentrão, who had come on for the struggling Marcelo in the 71st minute, cut out classy touch from Joel Campbell with an obvious handball and Adrien Silva stepped up to finish from the penalty spot with his usual class.

Zidane rang the chances with the introduction of Benzema for Isco and it was the Frenchman who finally put Sporting CP's battling effort to bed, netting an 87th minute header after a cross from Sergio Ramos.

Jaime Marta Soares on the visit of the giants from the Spanish capital

A Sporting committee made up of Bruno de Carvalho, Luís Roque, José Quintela, Artur Torres Pereira, Rui Caeiro, Bruno Mascarenhas and Jaime Marta Soares hosted a special lunch for their Real Madrid counterparts this Tuesday, ahead of the evening's Champions League encounter.

Speaking about the relationships between Alvalade and the Santiago Bernabéu, Sporting General Assembly president Jaime Marta Soares affirmed: "Football is played on the pitch, but the level of respect between the two institutions and directors is really important as well. The way we were hosted in Madrid was brilliant and we had to repay that here today. This is a great moment between Real Madrid and Sporting CP...It isn't every day that that you play against Real Madrid and have the chance to see the best players produced here on display. Ronaldo is 'Made in Sporting' and the whole world knows him, just like Figo and the other 10 of our lads who won the European Championship with Portugal."

Madrid international relations director Emilio Butragueño on the relationship between the two clubs

Speaking with the press following an institutional lunch between Sporting CP and Real Madrid this Tuesday, The Spanish giants' head of international relations, Emilio Butragueño, reflected on the blossoming relationship being crafted between the teams from the two Iberian capitals.

"The relationship between Sporting CP and Real Madrid is fantastic. We are delighted to be here and Sporting CP are great hosts. These matches are a great chance to really strengthen the relationships between clubs and here are two big names who have to work together for the sake of football", said Butragueño, adding a word on the first-leg in Madrid: "Sporting CP played really well and put us under pressure. We had a bit of luck at the end, which you need on occasions like that. Of course the individual quality of some of our players helped a low as well. We are expecting something similar today, against a team that has to get something from the game."

Questions about CR7 were inevitable and the Madrid representative was happy to oblige: "Cristiano means a lot to us. He started here and he is really thankful to Sporting CP. He is always showing that. For him this will be a special night, but he is a great professional and I hope that makes the difference for us."

Rui Patrício preparing to face off against the world's best

Still beaming after celebrating 10 years defending the Alvalade goal, Rui Patrício was the player chosen to accompany Jorge Jesus in the press room, ahead of Tuesday's hosting of Real Madrid.

"We want the final result to be different to what happened in the Santiago Bernabéu. We showed what we can do in Madrid and we are capable of doing it again tomorrow, but all we want is the win", said the Sporting CP shotstopper, going on to talk about the prospect of facing Cristiano Ronaldo: "He is the complete athlete. There is nothing I can say against him. We can score a million ways and we will have to focus a lot of him. Every single one of us will have to do our best and we will do everything we can to get the win."

Jorge Jesus welcomes the challenge of a visit from the European champions

"We feel confident as well and I say that knowing we will be taking on the best team in the world. We believe in ourselves and since the draw we have been dreaming of qualifying for the next round", opened Jorge Jesus in his Champions League pre-match press conference this Monday afternoon.

Although the Alvalade boss is refusing to throw in the towel, with nothing else but a win capable of keeping qualification hopes alive, he does recognise that the odds are stacked against his team: "It has been getting harder, but we are still dreaming. Our intention tomorrow will be to play as well as we did in Madrid, but of course it will be hard. Madrid know a lot more about our team now. Playing in front of our fans will give us that extra bit of passion, but for Real Madrid it doesn't mean much and that is why they are the best. Everyone knows where they are at their best, they have the World Player of the Year and best goalscorer."

Tomorrow also promises to be the stage or a battle between Cristiano Gelson. For Jorge Jesus, this is the perfect opportunity for the Alvalade starlet to show what he can do against the world's best: "He (Ronaldo) is really strong right now in terms of goals. His talent is all down to how professional he is and the passion he shows for the game. When he finishes his contract with Real Madrid he will be 37 or 38. It would be great if he came back home with the same passion, but for now all we an do is imagine it. Gelson will have a shot in the Champions League to show what he can do. The game will be broadcast around the world and the lad will have his chance. Everyone in Portugal already knows who he is and the rest of the world will as well, similar to what happened with Figo. Of course him and Figo are different, but that doesn't mean they can't follow the same path."

Squad out on the Sporting Academy training pitch before facing European champions

Just over 24 hours before hosting Real Madrid in Alvalade, Jorge Jesus had his squad out on the training pitch for a session that president Bruno de Carvalho also took part in. A total of 27 players were available, with only Spalvis out through injury.

Jorge Jesus will be as near as he ever will be to full strength tomorrow when his side takes on the Galácticos, with only a win enough for his side to continue dreaming of a place in the Champions League knock-out stages. 

Sporting shotstopper celebrates a decade in the Sporting CP senior team

It was exactly a decade ago today, on the 19th of December 2006, that Rui Patrício stepped in for the injured Ricardo and Tiago to make his senior team debut. It really was a special night for the Alvalade hero, as he pulled off a penalty save in the 75th minute to guarantee the three points for his team. Now, 387 matches later, Patrício is 6th overall in terms of most games played in a green and white shirt.

"I remember the win, because we won of course and because it was my starting debut. It is a special night for any player and we call dream of getting into the first team. Ten years ago I made by debut and I am still in the team. I am really proud of that and so are my friends and family that have always supported me", said Patrício in reflection on a decade of action. 

Patrício's teammates of course didn't let the day go by unnoticed: