Sales begin on Wednesday

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 30, between Moreirense Futebol Clube and Sporting Clube de Portugal, will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices (from 10h to 20h) as follows:

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2015/2016

THURSDAY | Club Members

FRIDAY | General Public

Kick-off is scheduled for 20h45 this Saturday, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. Tickers are priced at 13€ (North Goal End) or 20€ (Central).

João de Deus on his side's 2-0 win against Gil Vicente

João de Deus was understandably happy with his side's 2-0 win against Gil Vicente this weekend, although his side could well have won by a bigger margin.

"It was a completely deserved win. I think we showed a bit of tiredness after playing on Sunday, Wednesday and then Sunday again, but we still could have scored six or seven today. We didn't, but we are pushing up the table and I am obviously happy about that", said the Sporting B coach, adding a word on his team's progress thi season: "Some of the lads were struggling for a place a few months ago, but they have earned their opportunity and today they are consistent players. I don't like to point out individuals, but two examples of that are Rúben Ribeiro and Mama Baldé. They are consistent players who contribute to the overall quality of the team."

Daniel Podence reflects on Sporting B's win against Gil Vicente

One of the crucial pieces of Sporting B's recent string of results, Daniel Podence was again in fine form against Gil Vicente. Speaking with radio journalists following the afternoon's action, the young striker was keen to thank his teammates: "It is always nice to score and to play well, especially when the team wins, but if it wasn't for the rest of the team I wouldn't be able to live my dream. It was a great win against a really difficult team. It was really competitive and the first-half was really balanced, but we scored from a well rehearsed play and then Francisco Geraldes pulled off a brilliant pass to set me up."

Naldo and Podence on target to continue Sporting B revival

João de Deus was back on the bench this weekend after serving a suspension and the Sporting B coach's side paid tribute with yet another win in what is becoming a solid run of results. With a virtually unchanged 11 - the only alteration being the introduction of Nalo in place of Rukas - Sporting B again dominated, showing some classy stuff against one of Ledman LigaPro's stronger sides.

The encounter got off to a sluggish start, with neither team willing to risk too much going forward. The first notable opportunity came after a link up between Fábio Martins and Daniel Podence, but the former's shot ended up high of the cross bar. Gil Vicente's only chance of the half came a couple of minutes later, with a move down the right flank ending up in a dangerous cross that was however headed over.

The clearest chances were made to wait until jsut before half-time, both falling to Sporting B. The first came from a quick break lead by Podence after his side stole back possession, eventually releasing  Francisco Geraldes through on goal for a shot that pulled the best save of the half out of the keeper. The second came through Daniel Podence after an excellent cross from Rúben Ribeiro down the left, but the striker was unable to find the mark.

The second-half brought with it the expected forays forward for both sides in search of the three points. Opening proceedings was Francisco Geraldes with a shot just wide of the post, before Ryal Gauld found space out wide and floated in a cross that Naldo converted on to finally open the scoring. The goal actually opened up play even further and Gil Vicente took control for a spell as Sporting B fell back, however João de Deus' side were looking particularly cool when closing down the visitors' attacks and never really looked like conceding.

Gil Vicente's most notable spell came through a more physical approach to the afternoon, but it was Sporting B who struck. the visitors pushed a little to high in search of points and the team from Alvalade made the most of it to use the space off the back line. First Pondence put a shot wide, before turning creator and picking out Geraldes with a superb pass that the youngster carmly put past the stranded Gil Vicente keeper to seal the points.

William Carvalho on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

William Carvalho rounded off a week which saw him celebrate his 24th birthday with a goal against Marítimo on Saturday, in a match which also saw him step in as skipper in place of the suspended Adrien Silva.

“We played really well. We were really powerful in attack and strong in defence. We showed a lot of heart and we are in the fight for the title. It was nice to score and help the team, but the most important thing now is that we focus on our next match", said the Portuguese international, going on to add a word for the fans: "Yey again we have their help. They have been absolutely fantastic this year and I hope it carries on."

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

Jorge Jesus was understandably pleased with another clinical display in front of goal on Saturday night, this time with his team easing past Marítimo.

“It was a good win. It was as hard as we thought it would be, based on how Marítimo have been playing. They are a well structured side and they showed that tonight. We were very pragmatic I thought, although we didn't have as many chances as we usually do. We know we can't make mistakes at this stage of the season and that obviously brings a bit of anxiety with it. We have five games to go and we are in the fight", opened Jorge Jesus in his pre-match press conference.

Again questioned about the influence of pressure on his side, Jesus played it cool: "The players don't know how the other matches are going and I never want to know either. Any team playing for the title has to be ready all the time and that it what makes the difference. This team has been a good surprise for me and we have built the mentality of a champion in just eight months, which normally takes years."

Teo Gutiérrez's reaction after win against Marítimo

Teo Gutiérrez continued with his rich streak of scoring form this weekend, this time with Sporting's opener against Marítimo after having already netted twice against both Arouca and Belenenses.

“Thankfully we got another win, which was important to keep us in the fight. We have our objectives and we have five more finals to play. We know that we aren't in first, but we will keep putting the work in. We are a team that goes for the win, no matter where we play", said the Colombian striker, going on to comment on his current form: "Thanks to my teammates and the coaching staff things are going well. Sporting is always under a lot of pressure, but the work we have been doing gives us confidence and you can see that on the pitch. I will carry on doing my best to help the team and the fans getting behind us has been really important. We know what we have to do until the end of the season."

Sporting put three past Marítimo to keep up the pressure on Liga NOS top spot

Sporting CP beat Marítimo 3-1 this Saturday night, with an effective performance in front of goal that keeps up the pressure on the league leaders with five matches still to play.

Jorge Jesus' side tried to replicate their early strikes against Arouca and Belenenses and chances certainly were not lacking in the opening exchanges, with Salin called into action on several occasion. The first real opportunity come from a header from Bryan Ruiz, but the Costa Rican was unable to find the mark after a a cross from Teo Gutiérrez. In reply Marítimo had to shots of their own, however both efforts floated harmlessly over Rui Patrício's crossbar.

Marítimo's strategy essentially boiled down to an attempt to stretch play, but Sporting's calculated defensive positioning and high pressure marking smothered out the visitors' good intentions. In fact, it was only for a bit of hestitation that Maritimo didn't concede a goal earlier, with Slimani taking just a second to long to get his shots away. More practical was Bruno César's foray forward, as the Brazilian floated in from what is for him an unusual left-back position to blast a shot just wide in the 29th minute. Despite the one way traffic towards the Marítimo goal, the team from Madeira responded with a couple of efforts down the other end, however Patrício made a pair of smart saves to match.

In reply, Sporting finally found the back of the net, courtesy in part to a wicked deflection off João Diogo from a Teo Gutiérrez shot. Although the initial effort did seem to be heading goalwards, the ball looped over Salin to finally do justice to the scoreboard, three minutes before the break.

The second-half got underway with three corners for Sporting, but it was from open play that Jorge Jesus' side doubled their lead. William, given the responsibility of filling in more forward position along side Aquilani in the absence of the suspended Adrien, broke forward and put a left footed shot across the face of Salin and in at the far post.

The 50 minute mark saw Marítimo start to waver under the hail of Sporting's attacking football and dominance in possession, inviting the hosts to come forward in search of a third. It was Slimani who typically obliged, left with an envious tap in after João Mário's initial shot has been blocked by the Marítimo defence.

With the game simmering towards the inevitable conclusion, concentration began to slip and Ghazaryan made the most of a loose ball at the edge of the area to pull a goal back with nine minutes to play. However, the late consolation made little difference and their was still time for Matheus to leave a golden opportunity wanting in front of Salin.

Jorge Jesus includes 19 for Liga NOS matchday 29

Jorge Jesus has included a total of 19 players in his squad to face Marítimo, on Liga NOS matchday 29.

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: Schelotto, Ricardo Esgaio, Coates, Ruben Semedo, Tobias Figueiredo and Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William, Aquilani, João Mário and Bruno César

Forwards: Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Teo Gutiérrez, Hernán Barcos and Slimani

Jorge Jesus' pre-match press conference ahead of hosting of Marítimo

Jorge Jesus was with the press this Friday evening, to speak about Saturday's 20h45 hosting of Marítimo, in Estádio José Alvalade. Affirming that the weekend's encounter is sure to bring with it a fair share of difficulties, the Sporting coach also spoke about the end of the disciplinary process against Slimani and Teo Gutierrez's impressive form. 

"Marítimo are traditionally a hard team to face for anyone. They are a good team with a good coach and good players. We will be playing against a well motivated Marítimo team who will want to take points away from Alvalade. We will have to find a way to reach of objectives tomorrow", opened Jesus.

Asked about the feeling in the Sporting camp, the Alvalade coach proved happy with the support shown for his squad: "The fans have been extraordinary and they believe in the team and our quality to fight for the title. When I said we would be fighting for the title, but maybe most people didn't believe it. Now they do. Sporting is a huge club with a lot of fans and have everything needed to be a big club in every way."

Another of the themes touched on by Jesus was the conclusion of the disciplinary process against Islam Slimani and Teo Gutierrez's brilliant goal scoring form. "Two or three months ago I said that I didn't believe that Slimani would be punished. For me, this decision is just a bit off because it has come so late", said Jesus about the Algerian, before commenting on Teo: "Teo isn't a surprise for anyone. When he signed for us from what was a good side in Argentina, he was also playing a lot for Colombia, which is one of the best side's in the world in terms of strikers. They have Falcão, Jackson and Bacca, but Teo always played."