Fábio Martins welcomes international break to give squad time to gel

Fábio Martins took a moment to speak with the press after Sporting B's loss on Monday night, highlighting the importance of giving his team time to gel.

"We are just missing finishing. We have lost three games at home now and we will have to sort that out, but we will make the most of the break in the season now to fix a few things. A lot of new players have come in and we need time", said the 20-year old.

Gelson Martins on Sporting's 2-1 win against FC Porto on Sunday night

Gelson Martins was the player chosen to speak with the press after Sporting's 2-1 win against Fc Porto this Sunday and the Alvalade younger was more than clear on his interpretation of the encounter: "It was a deserved win. We didn't start well, but we improved and had a good game overall."

Avoiding commenting on the sending off of Jorge Jesus, Gelson added a word on how the season has been developing so far: "We have made a good start, but it is still really early in the season. We still have a lot of matches to play and we have to make sure we don't get carried away. I hope this season is the big one for me and that is what I am working hard every day for."

Agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for the transfer of Luc Castaignos

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for the permanent transfer of Luc Castaignos. The athlete has signed a contract valid for three seasons, with an additional optional season and a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Luc Castaignos the best of professional and personal success.

Win in first classic of the season moves Sporting top of Liga NOS

Sporting turned in a convincing win against the visiting FC Porto this weekend, with three points that puts the team from Alvalade top of Liga NOS.

Jesus set his side out with Bryan Ruiz working the space behind Slimani, when Bruno César and Gelson Martins occupied the space out wide. It was actually FC Porto who made the better start to the encounter, with Felipe netting after 8 minutes. However, Jorge Jesus' side brushed off the early setback and drew level just five minutes later, when Slimani popped up in the right place at the right time to make the most of a Bruno César free-kick ricocheted off the post and out to the big Algerian for his 56th goal in a Sporting shirt.

FC Porto's roaring start soon faded under a mature performance by Jorge Jesus' men right across the park and Gelson scored a second to give Sporting a thoroughly deserved lead. With the hosts dominating possession, the 49,399 fans who had packed out Alvalade saw out a relatively uneventful second-half, with the exception of a baffling sending off for Jorge Jesus and the team doctor Frederico Varandas. However, the blow to the Sporting bench did little to upset the action on the pitch and their was still time for Campbell and Paulista to come off the bench and finish off proceedings with showings that look promising for the coming campaign.

Luc Castaignos pleased with his move to the Portuguese capital

It has been a busy weekend in the transfer market for Sporting, with Luc Castaignos following Bas Dost with a move from the Budesliga to I Liga. The second Dutch forward to sign this weekend, Castaignos has penned a three-year deal, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

"I chose Sporting because it is one of the big clubs in Portugal. I am still young and I think this is the perfect place for me to play and learn. Portuguese football is really good and the players are good, that is why I decided to come here", said Castaignos in his first Alvalade interview, adding a word on his style on the pitch: "I am quick and I score a few goals, but I am not the kind of player who stays in the box. I like to look for space. I won't promise anything, but I will help the team fight for the title."

Jesus on his side's 2-1 win against FC Porto on Sunday night

Jorge Jesus had warned that an FC Porto visit is never easy, but a mature performance from his side saw Sporting come from behind and secure the spoils from the first classic of the current Liga NOS campaign.

"We were losing pretty much from the start and that was down in part to our positioning. Slimani and Bryan Ruiz didn't have a lot of chances and we didn't have the opportunity to do what we usually do, which took away from our quality a bit. However our tactics made the difference and we were winning at half-time. In the second-half we did well to manage the result. FC Porto didn't create a single chance on goal. Bruno Paulista was to give a bit of help to Adrien and I thought we were tactically better disciplined than FC Porto. The fans were brilliant tonight as well", said Jesus in his post-match press conference.

Jesus was actually given his marking orders in the second-half with baffling decision from the referee. "I didn't say anything to the referee. I was no where near him. The rules say that coaches can't say anything, but the coach is part of the match. As long as we don't interfere with the referee's job then I don't see why we can't speak, especially when it is with our own players. All I said was that it was that the foul should have been the other way around and I was sent off", reflected the Sporting coach.

Transfer activity was inevitably a focus off the press conference and first up was Slimani's situation: "I am not sure. I have been a coach for a long time and this is normal. A lot of clubs have been putting bids in for a lot of players and it puts a lot of pressure on us, but it is a sign of the lads' quality. With the exception of João Mário, all of the other players are part of the squad. Not just anyone can turn up here and take players and the president knows what I think and I know what he thinks."

Next up was Bas Dost: "In some ways he is similar to Slimani, but there is only one Slimani. Even with everything that is going on, he has been a great professional for the club and the team. He knows that he will only leave if Sporting wants him to."

Adrien was next: "He is also attracting attention, just like William Carvalho, Rui Patrício and Slimani and like João Mário was. It is the consequence of our success. We didn't win the league last season, but we finished second and the national team had influenced things as well."

Agreement with VFL Wolfsburg for the transfer of Bas Dost

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with VFL Wolfsburg for the permanent transfer of the player Bas Dost. The athlete has signed a contract valid for four years, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Bas Dost the best of professional and personal success.

Agreement with Inter Milan for the transfer of Pedro Delgado

Sporting Clube de Portugal- Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Inter Milan for the permanent transfer of the player Pedro Delgado, with Sporting SAD remaining with 50% of the athlete's economic rights. The player has signed a contract valid for three seasons, with an additional optional season and a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Pedro Delgado the best of professional and personal success.

Bas Dost pens four-year deal to secure move to Alvalade

Bas Dost secured a move to Alvalade this weekend, on a contract valid for four years. Standing at an imposing 1.96m, the Dutchman made a name for himself with some deadly finishing for Wolfsburg.

"Some offers came from England as well, but Sporting was the club that followed me most. The club never hid their interest in me. That was important in my decision and I am happy with the option I took", said Bas Dost in his first interview in a Sporting shirt, going on to speak about Ricky van Wolfswinkel's tips for life in Lisbon: "He told me about the great football played here and about the atmosphere in the stadium. That really made me want to get out onto the pitch. I already know Bryan Ruiz from when he played for [2009-2011] and I know Douglas and of course the players that won the Euro."

Club reaches agreement with Inter Milan for the transfer of João Mário

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Inter Milan for the permanent transfer of the player João Mário for 45,000,000.00€, with 5,000,000.00€ subject to objectives.

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD wishes João Mário the best of personal and professional success.