Ruben Semedo highlights work put in during testing pre-season campaign

Speaking after Sporting's draw against Nice on Friday evening, Rúben Semedo affirmed that his side are in good form ahead of the start of official action.

"Pre-season is for putting the work in. The team did well tonight, even though we were tired. We hae chances to score which is a good sign and now we will focus on Marítimo. We are ready to start the season", said the defender, going on to comment on his personal form: "I'm still not at by best, but I feel good. It is great to play with Coates, because he is a great player. The whole team played well tonight and we did out job."

Sporting CP reaches agreement with Beto

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Beto for a contract valid for two seasons, with an additional optional season and a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

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

Jesus happy with his side's showing against Betis

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press after his side's encounter with Betis on Thursday evening, in a game which saw Marcelo Meli make his debut.

"Not everything went well, but some things did. When you use 22 players in a match, which is what you do in pre-season, then it is only normal that some things don't click in defence. We were almost always good in attack. These games are exactly for this, because we can't make so many changes in the league and this is a chance to look at the new players and what they can do. I am not worried about the results. Offensively we did what we have been doing in training and in defence we didn't, but I enjoyed the match", said Jesus at the final whistle.

Reflecting on Marcelo Meli's debut, the Sporting coach affirmed: "If it would have been an official match then Meli wouldn't have played. He only arrived four days ago. He doesn't even know everyone's names yet, but I liked what I saw. Of course he isn't up to speed, but he positions himself well and has a good pass."

Sporting take early lead but Spanish side snatch win courtesy of a hattrick

Sporting lost out to Betis in Estádio Algarve this Thursday, in a match which Sporting actually scored first through Alan Ruiz, only to be outdone by a hattrick from Ruben Castro.

The first chance of the encounter fell to the team from Alvalade, when Schelotto and Alan Ruiz linked up for Schelotto to fire his shot high. Sporting's solid start to the game was asking for a goal and it wasn't long in coming, when Bryan Ruiz broke away down the right in the 17th minute and drove in a low cross that Alan Ruiz finished off with the easiest of finishes.

Betis responded 10 minutes later, when Tony Sanabria led a breakaway after Bryan Ruiz slipped up in possession, ending in a cross put away with a header by Ruben Castro. To add insult to injury, Betis netted again a minute later, in a show of efficiency in front of goal by the in-form Ruben Castro.

The game settled after the early three goals, with Jorge Jesus' side looking the more dominant. However, neither side really managed to boss proceedings, largely due to some heavy and sometimes excessive tackling.

Jorge Jesus rang the changes at the break, bringing off Coates, Schelotto, William Carvalho and Bryan Ruiz for Paulo Oliveira, João Pereira, Petrovic and Podence. The move however failed to give Sporting a lift and Ruben Catro netted his third with some persistant play after Rui Patrício managed to stop his initial effort.

Losing by two, Jesus introduced Marvin, Paulista, Alan Ruiz, Bruno César and Gelson for Jefferson, Palhinha, Slimani, Iuri and Meli and Sporting took the initiative with some pressing play up front. However clear chances were few and far between.

Slimani struck with 15 minutes left with a beautiful header to give Sporting hope of at least snatching a draw, however Betis' clinical touch in front of goal had already done the damage. 

Bruno Paulista pleased with Sporting's pre-season preparations

Bruno Paulista made a much awaited return this Thursday, after an extensive spell out with injury.

"We have a good squad and everyone has made me feel really welcome", said Paulista in an interview with Sporting TV after the encounter with Betis, adding: "Betis are a good side, but we played well and we winning. Unfortunately we made some mistakes and they scored three goals from the three chances they had. Now we hae to get ready for tomorrow's match against Nice."

Sporting CP to face Betis and Nice on Thursday and Friday of this week

Sporting's pre-season will continue in the Algarve this week, with an encounter against the Spanish side Betis on Thursday (20h) and the French side Nice on Friday (20h30). Tickets are on sale at the usual sales points (FNAC, Worten, CTT, Sport Zone, Garvetur, Sporting Supporters' Club/Algarve) and will be on sale at Estádio Algarve on matchday.

Tickets are priced at 10€ for the West Goal End and 20€ for the West Stand. Children under the age of three cannot enter the stadium, while children from the age of 3 to 12 can enter free of charge.

Rúben Semedo and Spalvis with medical department

Sporting's medical department notes the following:

Rúben Semedo: Twisted left ankle - treatment

Spalvis: Underwent surgery for torn knee ligaments and is expected to be in recovery for 6 months

Liam Jordan arrive at Alvalade on loan move and is looking to make his mark

The South African player Liam Jordan completed a loan moe to Alvalade from Bidvest Wits University Football Club this week, ready for Sporting B's coming campaign. The 18-year old attacking midfielder spoke in an interview about the move with the Sporting Journal, revealing his hopes on building on the opportunity to shine in Lisbon.

"Playing in Europe is a dream for any South African player. To do it with Sporting is fantastic and now I will prepare myself as best as I can to help the club. I like to score goals and to do my bit to get results", said Jordan, finishing with a word on his hopes of reaching the first team.

Players loaned from Bidvest Wits University Football Club

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Bidvest Wits University Football Club for the loan of the player Liam Jordan for the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Liam Jordan the best of professional and personal success.

Sporting coach happy with improving performances with two weeks until official action

Jorge Jesus was understandably satisfied with his side's performance against Wolsburg this Saturday night, conquering a fifth consecutive Five Violins Trophy in the process. Happy with what he saw from a much changed squad, the Sporting coach opened: "We calmed a lot of nerves today. I know what team I have available to me and I know what players I have, so I am not worried at all about pre-season results. What we need to do at this stage is push the pace and the lads will be ready. We brought Adrien and João Mário off at the break, because they were already really fatigued. It was an intensive match tonight, but we still have two weeks and the squad will be better when the 13th of August comes around."

Reflecting on the game itself, Jorge Jesus again praised his team and spoke about what the trophy means to him: "This is a tribute to the Five Violins. They were known for their quality, it was like music when they played together. Today we played our own kind of music too. We showed quality in attack and defence, against a good side to be honest. We made a lot of changes and that makes it harder, but we steadied again in the last 10 minutes. You could see a huge difference in the lads tonight compared to the start of pre-season. They know where to position themselves now and are tactically more creative."

Finishing with a word on new signing Marcelo Meli, who was presented to the fans yesterday, Jesus foi was direct: "From a financial point of view, these players are good finds that need a lot of work. It is easy to go out their and spend millions, but we want to bring in players and get the best out of them."