Sporting CP regain Liga NOS top spot and guarantee Champions League spot

Sporting CP beat U. Madeira 2-0 this Saturday, claiming a three points that not only moved Jesus' side back to the top of the Liga NOS pile, but which also secured automatic qualification for next year's Champions League.

It was obvious from early on that Sporting would go on the attack and it wasn't long before U. Madeira were on the back foot, with some sensational play between William, João Mário and Teo Gutiérrez ending up in a pass that was just out of Slimani's reach. However, the afternoon's visitors gathered their thoughts and rallied down the other end, with Danilo Dias firing a warning shot toward's goal.

U. Madeira actually looked relatively well organised in defence, with a backline sitting deep in preparation for the coming Sporting onslaught. Jorge Jesus' charges of course proved more than capable of dismantling their well organised visitors, with well drilled set pieces looking particularly venomous. It was from a set piece that the game's first goal materialised, when João Mário found Bruno César with a corner. The Brazilian obliged with a pass to the edge of the box for Adrien, who released Marvin down the wing for cross that Teo Gutiérrez headed home. To their credit, U. Madeira picked themselves up and two minutes later Danilo Dias could well have leveled, where it not for an absolutely superb diving save from Rui Patrício to deny Dias' curled effort.

The Visitors' rally did little to phase Sporting and in the 19th minute the ball was again in the back of the net, this time with João Mário converting on another killer cross from Marvin Zeegelaar. Some tight defending from Sporting smartly denied U. Madeira's hopes going forward, while long spells of possession through the middle and speed down the wings kept the opportunities on goal coming. Slimani (28’) and Teo Gutiérrez (38’) both fired shots over the bar before the break and Coates deserved a goal after a tantalising dribble forward and shot that the visitor's keeper managed to keep out.

The second-half started with a nervy moment for Jesus' side, when Rúben Semedo almost the ball into the back of his own net. Down the other end, Schelotto found Slimani, but the Algerian sliced the resulting shot wide. Possibly the game's clearest opportunity came in the 52nd minute, when Slimani battled back possession and put the ball out wide to Adrien. The Sporting skipper responded with a cross timed to perfection and Teo fired towards goal, but Gudiño somehow managed to parry away for a corner.

Fully aware of the importance of the coming visit to FC Porto, Jorge Jesus used the two-goal cushion as a chance to manage his squad, bringing on Bryan Ruiz for João Mário. The Costa Rican almost responded to his introduction with one of his typically sensational moments, but his 61st minute overhead kick lacked power. Adrien had the whole stadium out of their seats six minutes later with a looping volley that crashed against the post and harmlessly away.

João de Deus after his side's loss in Vila das Aves, after an unbeaten run of six matches

Six matches later, Sporting B's run in Ledman LigPro was finally brought to an end, courtesy of a 3-0 defeat by Desportivo das Aves.

“We are frustrated. It was a heavy defeat. We were the better sid at the start, but after that some things conditioned the game and our opponent was better than us. We have to carry on working to turn around for our next match", said João de Deus in a post-match conference, adding a word on the two red cards brandished to his side: "I can't say much. I have learnt from the 30 day suspension that I took that we can't say anything. The two penalties look fair, I doubt doubt that. I do wonder why a player can't come back onto the pitch while another is being seen to by the doctor, but that is up to the referee to decide as he sees best."

Skipeer Domingos Duarte on Sporting B's loss to Desp. Aves

Sporting B conceded a heavy defeat on Ledman LigaPro matchday 43 this Saturday, in a match which saw the team from Alvalade reduced to nine men.

Domingos Duarte was on hand to reflect at the final whistle, but the Sporting youngster preferred to avoid comment on the afternoon's refereeing: “The first goal was a lapse in concentration from us, which can happen sometimes.We started well and we had a good first-half, but after the break we let a second goal in and it was impossible to come back with two players being sent off. It isn't up to us to speak about referees."

Sporting B defeated after two penalties and two red cards

Sporting B suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Desp. Aves this Saturday. Tarcisio, Nelson Pedroso and Fernando Silva were on target for the visitors, in an afternoon which saw Tomas Rukas and Ivanildo Fernandes sent off. Aves' last two goals were scored from the penalty spot.

Fixtures announced for Liga NOS matchday 32

FC Porto-Sporting CP has been penciled in for 18h30 on Saturday the 30th of April, announced today by the League of Professional Football Clubs.

Liga NOS matchday 32 fixtures in full:

- Benfica-V. Guimarães (29th of April, 19h)

- Sp. Braga-V. Setúbal (29th of April, 21h)

- Tondela-Rio Ave (30th of April, 16h)

- Belenenses-P. Ferreira (30th of April, 16h)

- FC Porto-SPORTING CP (30th of April, 18h30)

- Moreirense-Boavista (1st of May, 16h)

- Estoril-Marítimo (1st of May, 16h)

- Arouca-Nacional (1st of May, 18h15)

- U. Madeira-Académica (1st of May, 20h30) 

Rui Costa named for Liga NOS matchday 31

Rui Costa, 39, fron the Porto Football Association, has been named for Sporting's hosting of U. Madeira, on Liga NOS matchday 31.

Álvaro Mesquita and Tiago Costa will act as linesmen.

This will be Costa's 4th Sporting match of the season, after Sporting CP-V. Guimarães (matchday 8), Marítimo-Sporting CP (matchday 12) and Sporting CP-Boavista (matchday 23).

Sporting CP-U. Madeira will get underway at 18h30 on Saturday the 23rd of April, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Sales begin on Tuesday

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 31, between Sporting CP and União da Madeira, will go on sale on Tuesday as follows:

STAND A
Central – 20€ for Members and 32€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 27€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 22€ for fans
Under-23/Senior – 10€ for Members
Anti-crisis (Sector A9 and A11) - 5€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Members

STAND B
Central – 15€ for Members and 21€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Members and 16€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Members and 13€ for fans
Under-23/Senior – 7€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Members

Family Ticket - 21€ (3 people) / 25€ (4 people

SALES POINTS

ESTÁDIO JOSÉ ALVALADE TICKET OFFICES
- 19th to the 22nd of April: from 10h to 20h
- 23rd of April (matchday): from 10h until half-time

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- payment methods available: Multibanco, VISA and Mastercard
- Multibanco option only available up to 24 hours before kick-off
- PDF ticket: must be printed on A4 (can be in black and white)

STADIUM REGULATIONS
- Entry prohibited to children under the age of 3
- Children over the age of 3 (inclusive) require a ticket
- Under-11 Member Ticket: from 3 (inclusive) until 11 and valid for any sector
- Under-23 Member Ticket: from 11 (inclusive) until 23 and with different prices for Stand A and B
- Senor Member Ticket: from the age of 65 (inclusive) and with different prices for Stand A and B
- Non-renewed special seats have preference up to 72 hours before kick-off
- Fan tickets purchased on matchday are subject to a 3€ tax
- Match included in all Gamebox 2015/2016 packages
- Member fee applicable: March 2016

FAMILY TICKET
- Available for all Goal End North sectors – Stand A and B
- Family of 3 (Member + Adult + Under-11): 21€
- Family of 4 (Member + Adult + Under-23 + Under-11): 25€
- Additional tickets for the Family of 4 option (maximum of 2): Adult (10€) and Under-23 (5€)
- Members with a Gamebox can use this promotion (replacing their usual seat)
- Category B Members can only purchase this product for Stand B

ANTI-CRISIS TICKET
- Sector A9 + A11 (limited to 734 tickets) for the special price of 5€
- Exclusive for Members with fees paid up to date
- Available for all membership categories

João de Deus on his side's win against Benfica B

The Sporting B coach was understandably pleased with his side's dominating showing against Benfica B this Sunday.

“It was above all else a great exhibition with a full crowd. People who have been watching us for a while have seen us go through a tough spell, but today we were brilliant. The only thing missing was more goals, because we could have scored three or four with the way we played. It is a real pleasure to manage these players", affirmed João de Deus at the final whistle, adding: "Our strategy was basically to force Benfica to play wide, because that is exactly where they do not feel comfortable. We played an almost perfect game, with the exception of the penalty that Stojkovic saved."

Matheus Pereira strikes twice to beat Benfica in B derby

João de Deus' side put in a dominating performance against Benfica B this Sunday, keeping Sporting's Lisbon rivals in the relegation zone in the process. Matheus Pereira stole the show with two strikes, however Daniel Podence was also key to unlocking the Benfica B defence with the crucial pass for both goals.

The first-half got off to a slow start, with Benfica attempting to build from the back against a Sporting side that did a fine job of pestering the visitors with some high pressure defending. With the ball at their feet, Sporting B looked extremely dangerous and it wasn't long before chances on goal followed. The first came from a bursting run down the left flank by Podence, but Gauld should have done better when connecting with the resulting cross.

A couple of minutes later, it was the same formula out wide that drew a penalty and the first goal of the afternoon, when a Benfica defender cut out Podence's cross with his arm. Matheus Pereira stepped up for the conversion and the senior team regular smartly tucked away the chance. Benfica responded with one of their sparing chances of the afternoon, in fact with a penalty of their own, but Diogo Gonçalves was denied Stojkovic from the 12-yard spot.

Sporting dominated the result of the half with some strategic play and chances again began to creep in. Podence came up just inches short of a spectacular goal after some good link up play with Matheus, but the narrow lead maintained as the interval whistle sounded.

The second-half brought total dominance for João de Deus' charges, but the first chance actually fell to Benfica, when a well rehearsed corner called Stojkovic into action for possibly the best save of the encounter. The opportunity saw the visitors open up and Sporting wasted little time in exploiting the extra space, with Matheus' pace punishing Benfica with the skillful winger's second goal of the afternoon.

Although holding a 2-0 lead, Sporting continued to press, particularly after Ruben Dias was given his marching orders for a foul on Mama Baldé. Matheus Pereira and Daniel Podence again linked up late on for one final opportunity, but the Benfica keeper parried away for a corner.

Assistant coach Raúl José on win against Moreirense

Raúl José stepped in for Jorge Jesus in Saturday's post match interview, after Jorge Jesus was shown red in the last 15 minutes against Morirense.

“It didn't look to me like he deserved to be sent off and that is all I have to say about it", opened Rául José, adding a word on the weekend's opposition: "We were expecting a hard game. We did out job and we won the three points. Moreirense are a really aggressive side who play some direct football, but I thought we controlled the match well."