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."

Adrien on Sporting's pre-season campaign and transfer rumours

Adrien made his first pre-season appearance this Saturday with a dominating showing against Wolfsburg.

"It was an important match to get us up to speed. Even the lads who came on in the second-half did well. After such a long break it is always hard to come back, but that it what we are doing", said the Alvalade skipper in a flash interview at the final whistle, adding a word on transfer rumours floating around: "The same thing happens every year, it is part of being in football. Of course we want to keep the best players here and the club knows what to do."

Adrien finished with a response to a question on João Mário: "João feels good here and everyone likes him. Everything else is up to him and Sporting. Just like João, I am happy here as well. People making bids is part of the profession, but I am happy here."

Five Violins Trophy stays in Alvalade after convincing showing against Wolfsburg

Sporting continued their pre-season preparations with a solid showing against Wolfsburg this Saturday, on an evening which saw new signing Marcelo Meli presented to the fans.

Jorge Jesus pulled out the big guns for the encounter, including his four Euro 2016 winners (Rui Patrício, Adrien, João Mário and William Carvalho), along side Schelotto, Sebastian Coates, Rúben Semedo and Marvin Zeegelaar in defence, Bruno César down the left and Bryan Ruiz in support of Islam Slimani.

Although no clear chances materialised in the opening stages, Sporting CP's dominance was obvious, pushing the pace as had been promised by Jorge Jesus in his pre-match press conference. With Wolfsburg struggling to find their footing, a goal was inevitable and who else but Islam Slimani to open the scoreboard, with the Algerian slotting from close range after a pass from Bruno César and a fatal error by Dante that left Slimani unmarked.

It was just the first of three probes forward by the Brazilian midfielder, the next of which came through an effort from range that finished just wide. César broke into the area with a daring run four minutes after the half-hour mark and looked to be through on goal, before being brought down by Trash for a penalty. Spot kick specialist Adrien Silva obliged with the conversion, doubling Sporting's lead over a largely helpless looking German side.

At the back Rúben Semedo and Coates did a fine job at mopping up the odd Wolfsburg attack in the first-half, however Rui Patrício was called into a brilliant stop just before the break from a shot from outside of the box by Ricardo Rodríguez.

Jesus rang the changes at the break at the total of 10 substitutions made by the Sporting boss had the inevitable effect of taking the sting out of the game. First off was João Mário, for the introduction of Iuri Medeiros, before Adrien and Slimani were replaced by Palhinha and Alan Ruiz.

Ten minutes later Zeegelar and Schelotto switched out with Jefferson and João Pereira.

Wolfsburg made the most of the opportunity to get back into the game and started to test Patrício, particularly after a wave of five changes in the 76th minute: Ruben Semedo, William Carvalho, Bryan Ruiz, Bruno César and Coates off for Ewerton, Aquillani, Podence, Matheus and Naldo.

Wolfsburg did grab a consolation goal 12 minutes before time, but it was a deserved win for Jesus' side to keep the Five Violins Trophy in Alvalade.

Extension of player's loan to Boca Juniors

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD have reached an agreement with Boca Juniors for the extension of the loan of Jonathan Silva until the end of the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Jonathan Silva the best of personal and professional success.

Sporting SAD and Augusto Inácio end formal contract

In light of the new regulations approved by the Portuguese Professional Football League, which prohibit club employees from taking part in television programmes as commentators, Augusto Inácio has considered his continued participation in the media in defence of transparency in football as fundamental.

In showing his passion for the club and in refusing to accept that his freedom of expression should be restricted, Augusto Inácio has decided to terminate his formal contract with Sporting CP.

Sporting CP thanks Augusto Inácio for his professionalism and work developed in the various roles he was asked to take on and we wish him the best of personal and professional success. Sporting will always be his home.

Jorge Jesus comments on FourFourTwo world rankings

A question of art, work and a touch of science. That is how coach Jorge Jesus reacted to a recent publication by the British magazine FourFourTwo, which named the Alvalade boss as the 10th best coach in the world.

“Of course I am happy. This isn't the first time that FourFourTwo puts me in the top-10 in the world. Last year I was 15th and this year I am 10th, which brings extra responsibility", said Jesus in an exclusive interview with Sporting TV.

For the Alvalade boss, 10th is of course not enough. " I know what I can do. I know I have been important for the clubs where I have worked and for bringing in new ideas. I still have a lot to win. I wouldn't say I am in the middle of my career, but I am still a long way from finishing", affirmed Jesus, adding: "This award is a reflection of how I train. A coach is a bit like a player and to be a good coach you have to add a touch of art, but the biggest part of the game is the science behind it. I built a few strategic moments about 20 years ago which are still used today. The lads who work with me say that I am different and I know I am. This is art."

Sporting CP to take on Wolfsburg on Saturday

Jorge Jesus had 28 players out on the squad early morning on Friday, in preparation for Saturday's Five Violins Trophy hosting of Wolfsburg.

After a lecture from the boss, the squad went through some warm-up and passing exercises.

Petrovic was back out on the pitch, after recovering from a knock picked up against Villarreal earlier in the week.

Jesus will also have his euro 2016 winners, Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, João Mário and Adrien Silva available this weekend.

Four Four Two publishes ranking of world top-50, with Jesus climbing five places

The popular English football magazine Four Four Two this week published its annual ranking of the world's top-50 coaches, in a list which sees Jorge Jesus named as Portugal's best coach and the 10th best overall (up five places from 2015).

Jesus finished ahead of Benfica's Rui Vitória (39th) and the Portuguese national team coach Fernando Santos (34th).

"From an individual point of view, Jesus oversaw remarkable transformations in the productivity of several players, most notably club captain Adrien Silva, midfielder Joao Mario and striker Islam Slimani, all of whom reached levels few thought were possible", notes the article.

Former international official in Alvalade to reflect on the rules introduced this year

The former international referee, Pedro Henriques, was in Estádio José Alvalade this week for a seminar on the new rules introduced by the International Board on the 1st of June this year.

"A lot of changes were made. The Rules of the Game are better organised now. The idea today was to speak about the most relevant changes, but just the fact that UEFA and FIFA have changed something is good. We are talking about organisations that are very reluctant to change anything at all, despite clubs insisting, as was the case with Sporting and video referees. This is a good sign though and we are on the right track", said Henriques at the event.

Patrício, Adrien, William Carvalho and João Mário in training

Sporting's quartet of Euro 2016, Rui Patrício, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho and João Mário, were out on the training pitch this Wednesday, after a well-earned break.

Patrício, Adrien and William were in Alvalade for the presentation match against Lyon at the weekend, however only Patrício saw action.

The four give Jorge Jesus extra options ahead of Saturday's Five Violins Trophy hosting of Wolfsburg in Alvalade, with Sporting looking to win the trophy for the 5th time.