Jorge Jesus back with full squad in preparation for Champions League showdown

Just a few hours after Sporting CP put five past Praiense in the Portuguese Cup 4th round, Jorge Jesus had his squad out on the training pitch early doors in preparation for next week's hosting of Real Madrid.

Jorge Jesus this time had all of his players available, with everybody now back after international duty.

Beto makes Alvalade Sporting CP Alvalade debut

Beto made his first start in Alvalade this week, in Sporting CP's win against Praiense.

"It was my debut in a Sporting shirt in this stadium. I had already played here as the opposition though, unfortunately. I was a really passionate moment for me. We let in a really good goal early on, but we responded well. We played seriously and competitively and I am proud to have made my debut", said Beto at the final whistle, adding: "This match was a good opportunity to to give a few minutes to some of the lads who have been playing less and that is how we find out form. We showed respect for Praiense and that reflects well on the lads."

Jorge Jesus praises his squad's Portuguese Cup performance on Thursday night

Jorge Jesus sat down with Sporting TV after his side's Portuguese Cup win this Thursday, in a match which saw the Alvalade boss rotate the majority of his squad.

"We pretty much conceded right at the beginning of the match and that gave Praiense a lift. After that we slowly took control and they couldn't keep up the pace physically. I thought it was a really enjoyable game and we showed a lot of quality in terms of positioning. After the break I just told the lads to carry on, but we were having a bit of a hard time finding space at the back. It became a lot easier as soon as we started scoring", opened Jesus, going on to reflect on the performance of what was a very different starting line-up: "We have 24 or 25 players in the squad and we have to believe in all of them. If we do, then there are certain times when everyone will get their chance. A few of the lads really responded well today I thought. André came on well and he is a good goalscorer. He is a bit different to some of the other players and doesn't get on the ball that much, but when he does he scored. He reminds me f Liedson and I hope he shows some belief in himself."

To finish Jorge Jesus looked ahead to next week's hosting of Real Madrid: "Everybody wants to be in the squad and everyone wants to see the match, which is why the stadium will be full. We will be facing the best team in the world, the European champion, and we will have to be as good as we were in Madrid."

Sporting CP cruise through Portuguese Cup fourth round after scoring five

Sporting CP took another step down the long road to Jamor this Thursday night, with a 5-1 win against Praiense in the Portuguese Cup fourth round.

Despite the evening starting with a brilliant goal for the team from the Azores courtsy of Filipe Andrade, a bit of patience soon resulted in an avalanche of attacking football that the lower league visitors could do little to stop. Paulo Oliveira restored the deadlock with a 21st minute header, before Matheus Pereira saw his close range finish ruled out for offside four minutes later. Praiense had a chance to pull ahead again three minutes later when Stebh cut in from the right, however Ricardo Esgaio managed to get back and put in a last minute clearance ahead of Filipe Andrade at the far post.

The first-half started with a goal for Sporting, when Luciano Serpa brought down Bruno César for a spot kick converted on by Adrien. The goal triggered wave after wave of forays forward and it was Bruno César himself who next found the back of the net, rounding off a superb collective move three minutes after the hour mark. It was also a memorable night for André Felipe, who came off the bench for Luc Castaignos and struck just a minute later, before finding a second with two minutes left on the clock.

A final word must of course be said for Francisco Agatão's Praiense, who battled the ods in an entertaining game of football worth of a cup tie.

Leonardo Ruiz speaks to ZeroZero about his time so far with Sporting CP

On loan from Atlético Nacional, Leonardo Ruiz has been making quite impact with Sporting CP's B team, having so far netted six goals in 10 matches. Speaking in an interview with the website ZeroZero, the Colombian striker looked back on his time so far in the Portuguese capital.

"I have been putting in the work and when you do that it pays off on the pitch. I try to make the most of the chances the coach gives me by scoring, that is my job. I have been made to feel really welcome and it is thanks to the coaching staff that it has been so easy to fit in here", said Ruiz, going on to affirm his intentions of getting into Jorge Jesus's side and to reveal who his own Alvalade heroes are: “That is my objective and I am working as hard as I can to make that happen. I am trying to make the most of my opportunities to make sure I am ready. I really look up to Bas Dost. He is a really good striker and I see a lot of how he plays im me. Internationally I really like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Falcão.”

Jorge Jesus announces Portuguese Cup fourth round squad

Squad to face Praiense:

2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
4 – Jefferson
8 – Petrovic
11 – Bruno César
15 – Paulo Oliveira
16 – André Souza
19 – Douglas
20 – Luc Castaignos
22 – Elias Trindade
23 – Adrien Silva
25 – Meli
26 – Azbe Jug
34 – Beto
35 – Rúben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
73 – Matheus Pereira
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to the Portuguese Cup fourth round hosting of Praiense

Sporting CP will host Praiense in Estádio José Alvalade this Thursday night, in the Portuguese Cup 4th round. Despite the prospect of an easier night against lower league opposition, coach Jorge Jesus has still been pushing his squad hard on the training pitch.

"Every team loves this competition. We all want to get to the final, because it is such a great day out for the team and the fans. Praiense hae won eight of their last 10 games in the league and they are doing some good stuff. Honestly, we have a lot more to lose than they do. We will show respect for our opponent and we have been working as hard as we did for Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid", opened the Sporting coach, going on to reflect on the recent international break that saw 12 of his players absent: "We have used the break to push the pace a bit for the lads. Players like Alan Ruiz, Castaignos, Elias and some of the others have benefited from that. We will make changes of course, especially because some of the players haven't actually arrived back yet."

Gelson Martins has been one of the stand-out performers of the season and the youngster certainly hasn't been missing of Jesus's radar: "He is a young lad who is still growing tactically, physically and emotionally. He knows exactly what it means to play for Sporting and a lot of the lads his age who get so much attention don't know how to deal with it. He just has to keep working hard during the week like he always does, because he is certainly blessed with talent. If that isn't enough then we are here to support him."

The return of Jonathan Silva has also been floated by the rumour mill this week and Jorge Jesus was more than happy to share his thoughts: "I was more than happy with the possibility of him going back to Argentina so he could be selected for the Olympic Games, which is something we both wanted for him. He has been playing with Boca, who are a great side, and we have a lot of faith in him."

Jorge Jesus receives award in an emotional annual ceremony

Jorge Jesus was another one of the big names to speak at a packed awards ceremony this week, with 1500 fans gathered to hear what the Alvalade coach had to say as he scooped an award of his own.

"I club like this one has to have such a good fan base. I am really proud of winning an award here tonight and it is a tribute to a lot of people, despite it being me who receives it. I want to thank the players and the president. He believed in me and gave me the opportunity to be here", said Jesus.

Alvalade and Dortmund mascots backing fair-play

Jubas, the Sporting Clube de Portugal mascot, and Emma, his Borussia Dortmund equivalent, haven taken it on themselves to back the spirit of fair-play.

On the 1st of November Sporting CP travelled to Germany to face Borussia Dortmund and it was the perfect occasion for the two mascots to meet. Jubas of course made the most of the chance to visit the city, guided by Emma.

Emma thanked Jubas for his visit by giving him an official Borussia Dormund shirt.

Sales to begin on Monday the 14th of November

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin ticket sales on Monday the 14th of November as follows:

SC PRAIENSE | PORTUGUESE CUP

Portuguese Cup round 4 will be played at 20h15 on Thursday the 17th of November, with tickets starting at 5€ for Club Members and 8€ for fans. As this is a Portuguese Cup match, ticket revenue is divided between the clubs and the Portuguese Football Federation. Gamebox holders can purchase tickets for 4€ for Stand A of Estádio José Alvalade – Stand B will be closed.

LEGIA WARSAW | CHMAPIONS LEAGUE

Sales exclusively for Sporting Clube de Portugal Club Members (with October 2016 fees paid). Tickets cost 30€ for what is the last match of the Champions League group stage, to be played on the 7th of December in Warsaw.

Additional information will be issued on Tuesday the 15th of November in relation to ticket sales for Champions League matchday 5 against Real Madrid CF.