Pedro Marques on target twice in Gil Vicente draw

Pedro Marques continued his fine scoring form this weekend, grabbing a brace in a draw against Gil Vicente after the visitors to the Sporting Academy scored a last gasp goal.

"Even though we scored, it wasn't enough. I am upset because we didn't win. That is what we wanted to do", said the forward, who has now scored three goals in a week after a fantastic strike against Real Madrid in the UEFA Youth League.

A visit to Desportivo das Aves awaits next week, which for Pedro Marques is the perfect opportunity to start climbing the Ledman LigaPro table: "We can't let our guard down now. We have to roll out sleeves up and put the work in to get the win."

Sporting B see points snatched away by late Gil Vicente equaliser

João de Deus' side haven't had the easiest start to the season, with the league standings speaking for themselves after seven matches: one win, one draw and four loses. The statistics however are a harsh reflection of what have been some solid performances, worthy of much more.

Up this weekend for Sporting B at the Academy was Gil Vicente. Reinforcements were brought in from the senior squad, with Ricardo Esgaio coming in and putting on the captain's armband, accompanied by Bruno Paulista and Matheus Pereira.

The first-half was largely uneventful for the most part, before coming alive just before the break. In fact, Pedro Silva was only called into action for his first save of the afternoon after 30 minutes, following a free-kick by Bruno Silva. At the other end, the Gil Vicente keeper Júlio was also given a quiet start, only being called into action after 36 minutes when Guima floated in a cross that was headed towards goal by Ronaldo Tavares.

Sporting CP pushed the pace just before half-time and both Pedro Delgado and Matheus Pereira tried their luck from range, but to no effect.

Fifteen minutes in the dressing room with João de Deus proved to be just what the players needed and Sporting B came out looking like a different side. Playing higher liners, the Alvalade side began to carve out more space going forward. However, a cool head was missing in the final third and good build up play only occasionally turned into clear chances.

One minute before the half-hour mark Ricardinho made the most of a hashed clearance from Pedro Empis inside the area to give Gil Vicente what was largely an undeserved lead, against the run of play.

Who better than Pedro Marques, the forward from Belenenses who captured attention in midweek for his UEFA Youth League goal against Real Madrid, to level the scoring, with a hammering header after a cross from Pedro Empis.

On 71 minutes Pedro Marques completed the Sporting B comeback with a fantastic turn and snap shot on goal after a counter-attack lead by Matheus.

The fans were out of their seats ready to dash off to beat the traffic with the three points sealed, but Gil Vicente had other ideas and on 90 minutes a kind deflection was enough to wrong foot Pedro Silva and level for the visitors.

Jorge Jesus expecting a strong Rio Ave on Sunday

Sporting CP will be back in domestic action this Sunday, facing a difficult trip to Rio Ave after a testing encounter against Real Madrid. For Jorge Jesus, his side have to now reset their sights on Liga NOS.

"Wednesday and tomorrow will be different stories. We have to fully focus on tomorrow. It is nice to hear people from the world of football praising us, particularly the Spanish press, but we have to keep our focus on Rio Ave now. Real Madrid defends one way and Rio Ave will defend another. We will have less space than we did on Wednesday. Every game in Vila do Conde is hard and this one will be as well", affirmed the Sporting coach, going to talk about how we is likely to manage his squad after such an exhausting visit to the Spanish capital: "The only way to manage the players to keep them at there best is to make a few changes here and there. We will train tomorrow as well and I will see how the lads are feeling. The players covered a lot of ground against Real Madrid, both physically and physiologically. Marvin and Bryan struggled to finish the match, so we will see."

Jesus also spoke about the two sending offs he has already received this season: "I think about everything involved in the game, but it would be hard for me to change. Its not me that's wrong, it is the bureaucracy involved in football. It seems like people want to change football into an opera, where we all have to be quiet. Football isn't like that, it is an emotionally charged sport. I am sure I will be sent off more, that is just how I am."

Bruno César looks ahead to Sunday's clash with Rio Ave

Bruno César was the player chosen to accompany Jorge Jesus to share his pre-match thoughts this Saturday, ahead of the weekend's visit to Rio Ave. For the Brazilian, who has been in absolutely storming form so far this season, his side will have to put their memorable showing against Real Madrid behind them if they are to claim the points against Rio Ave.

"We played really well against Real Madrid, but we have to change our focus now. We know how important the match in Vila do Conde is and it will be hard. We have four wins in four matches so far and we want to defend that run. It will be tough, but if we want to win the league then we have to win these matches", opened César, going on to reflect on the trip to the Spanish capital: "Scoring in the Bernabéu was special, completely different to anything I have ever experienced, but I was upset by the result. It would have been even better if we hadn't lost."

Jorge Jesus side receive much deserved applause from the world press for performance in Madrid

Wednesday's newspapers were full of thoroughly deserved press for Sporting, after Jorge Jesus' side came just seconds away from a memorable in the Santiago Bernabéu.

El Mundo highlighted the role of the Sporting coach in masterminding his side's performance: “Jorge Jesus gave Zidane a lesson in tactics and strategy. A magnificent Sporting that deserved to be leading at half-time.”

The Madrid press also suggested that Marcelo go for a check-up after being twisted every which way by Gelson. Tomás Roncero, journalist for AS, was full of praise for the Sporting youngster too: "Gelson Martins (just 21 years old) looked like Figo's son, bringing memories of Figo's performance down the right wing in the 1994 UEFA Cup. William Carvalho is a Yaya Touré but 10 years younger. Adrien Silva is a captain full of guts and talent."

On British shores, The Sun noted the coordinated showing of the Sporting back-line and the fantastic showing of Sebastian ‘El Patrón’ Coates. In Italy, Gazzetta dello Sport added: "(Real Madrid were frozen like) an iceberg that only melted in the last minute, thanks to Ronaldo and Morata.”

Argentina's Olé called Madrid's win a “Champion's miracle", while Lance in Brazil noted Zidane's as having got off at the speed of a turtle. Likewise, Globo said said: "Bruno César silenced the Spanish capital."

Bruno César reflects on his goal in the Bernabéu

The author of Sporting's strike in the Bernabéu on Wednesday night, Bruno César spoke with the press at the final whistle.

"We came here with the intention of going for the win. Everything went well until the last five minutes. We played really well and we showed what we are capable of. Now we have to focus on our coming matches. Of course we are upset, but we stood toe to toe against against a team you can't even compare. We can be proud of what we did", said the Brazilian.

Gelson Martins on Sporting's performance against Real Madrid on Wednesday night

Gelson Martins has been without doubt one of Sporting's star performers under the watchful eye of Jorge Jesus and he certainly didn't disappoint with his showing against Real Madrid.

Reflecting on his side's performance in the Spanish capital, the skillful youngster affirmed: "Of course the team if frustrated with the result. We started well and took control. We showed that we are not inferior and that we could have won. It was hard to take those two goals. We thought we controlled the game and had done enough to win. We trained hard for the game and we knew what we had to do. A win or draw would have been nice, but we still have a long way to go."

Adrien Silva praises his side and the fans for Wednesday's showing in the Spanish capital

The Alvalade skipper was the first voice of the Sporting dressing room to speak about his side's showing against Real Madrid, in a night that could have gone down in history as an unlikely win against the reigning European champion.

"It is hard to come away from the Santiago Bernabéu with a loss like this. After the way we played and the quality and personality we showed, with so many chances against a club like Real Madrid. We had the best chances and we fought really hard. Our fans were brilliant and that shows how together we all are", affirmed Adrien Silva.

Jorge Jesus reflects on his side's performance in the Spanish capital

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press after watching his side come just seconds from what would have been one of the most memorable victories in the club's history.

"It would have been a lot harder for Real Madrid if I would have still been on the bench in the final stages. We played really well against the European champion. All we were missing was a bit of experience in the Champions League. We were not playing against a team that ignores the little details and if you get distracted then anything can happen. We managed to completely block out their offensive game and we were really good up until the 85th minute, but then the substitutions took away from of positioning a bit. James Rodríguez coming on shifted our structure a bit and we didn't' have the experience to defend the result, but we can be happy with having only lost in the last minute", opened the Alvalade boss in his post-match press conference.

Jesus went on to praise his team's performance, having pushed the European champion to the limit: "We know what we can do, regardless of who we play against. Real couldn't get anywhere near our goal and they only did so through a free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. We were really strong in defence and we played really well. The 5 or 6 thousand fans that travelled with us deserve to travel back to Lisbon feeling proud."

Jesus' side lead for 89 minutes against the European champions

Sporting came just seconds away from writing yet another glorious chapter in the club's history on Wednesday night, with a brave Champions League performance in the Bernabéu that saw Sporting lead until one minute before the end of regulation time. However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Morata had other ideas, scoring two last gasp goals to snatch away what would have been thoroughly deserved points.

Football can be cruel sometimes, but Jesus' side did themselves proud with a performance that was thanked by the thousands of Sporting fans who made the trip across the Spanish border to support their side.

Madrid on the other hand had to wait until just seconds before the final whistle, after having been frustrated by the classy duo of William Carvalho and Adrien Silva in the middle of the park.

Leading the attack, Gelson Martins was in absolutely unstoppable form and was constantly aiming his sights at Casilla. It was through the Alvalade starlet that most of Sporting's attacks materialised.

Of course Bryan Ruiz's magic with the ball at his feet was a constant source of danger for Real Mardid, but it was Bruno César who set Sporting on what would have been an historic victory with a shot across the face of goal in the 48th minute that the Madrid keeper was unable to keep out.

The result looked to have been secured, before Ronaldo netted what was a heartbreaking yet brilliant free-kick squeezed in at the post. Patrício managed to get a hand to the shot, but not even the Alvalade shotstopper could keep out such as well-placed effort.

Deep into added time Morata popped up with a header inside the box to complete the turn around and snatch the points.