Find out more about who Sporting could face in the Europa League knock-out stages

Sporting secured second place in Europa League Group H this Thursday, courtesy of a memorable 3-1 over Besiktas in Lisbon. Lokomotiv Moscow topped the group, leaving Sporting with 13 possible opponents in the next round, to be drawn on Monday in Nyon.

Possible opponents:

- Manchester United (England)

- Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)

- Olympiacos (Greece)

- Molde (Norway)

- Liverpool (England)

- Krasnodar (Russia)

- Napoli (Italy)

- Rapid Vienna (Austria)

- Lazio (Italy)

- Tottenham (England)

- Basel (Switzerland)

- Athl. Bilbao (Spain)

- Schalke 04 (Germany)

Memorable comeback sees Sporting through to the Europa League knock-out stages

With just 25 minutes left on the clock, the odds were certainly stacked against Sporting: Lokomotiv held a lead a lead in Albania and Besiktas were 1-0 up in Alvalade. However, Jorge Jesus' side once again showed a cool head that has been so characteristic of this season, coming back to win 3-1 and secure a place in the next round of the Europa League.

It was Sporting who made the stronger start of the two sides, creating a chance almost from the off with a delicate first touch from Montero and a shot from João Mário to test Zengin. However, Besiktas soon found their footing, courtesy largely of some aggressive midfield play and high pressure defending that saw a fair share of passes miss the mark. Again Montero was the instigator up front for Sporting with a dangerous shot that was deflected wide, before the the visiting Turks saw a few chances of their own go wanting.

Clean chances on goal for Besiktas were few and far between, but the Turkish outfit did a commendable job of smothering the space down the middle. Reading the game, Jorge Jesus introduced  Gelson Martins into the action in place of Montero, bringing João Mário into a more central role in a move that saw Sporting almost instantly improve.

Sporting started the second-half with more possession, but passes continued to go wayward. Quaresma made the most of a hashed counter-attack to put a ball across the face of goal that Mario Gomez comfortably converted on to open scoring. Facing an uphill battle, Jesus brought on Teo Gutiérrez and the tables soon turned in the hosts' favour. After a warning shot on 63 minutes that ended up just over the bar, Slimani struck three minutes later after showing nerve to stretch for a pass from Ruiz to beat the onrushing Zengin. On 72 minutes, Bryan Ruiz completed the turnaround with a low drive that the Besiktas keeper could to little to keep put.

Besiktas could do little but admire the Sporting rally, as Gelson's speed and Teo's movement carved holes in the their defence as the clock ticked over. It was actually the two substitutes who finally finished off the Turks, with showing some brilliant composure to wrong-foot a defender and score Sporting's third.

The win sees Sporting finish in second place in Group H with 10 points, being Lokomotiv Moscow.

Gelson Martins and Bryan Ruiz on Thursday's Europa League win

"We kept looking for the win. We fell behind but we showed character and we didn't give up", is how Gelson summed up his side's 3-1 win against Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Bryan Ruiz was also on hand to share his thoughts on the win. "It wasn't an easy game. Besiktas are a great side, but we knew we had to win tonight. It was made that bit harder when we conceded, but we carried on working and we are really happy right now", said the Costa Rican at the final whistle, adding: "We have some tough matches coming up in the league and the cup. We are hoping for another win on Sunday and we will push on from there."

Jorge Jesus praises his team's fighting spirit in 3-1 comeback against Besiktas

Jorge Jesus was understandably full of praise for his side at the final whistle of Thursday's comeback against Besiktas, securing a place in the Europa League knock-out stages.

“The lads worked really hard to win 3-1 after being 1-0 down. We didn't just lay down and accept defeat. I want to highlight the quality of this squad. We played against the top team in Turkey and the second placed team in Russia. Our group had two really strong teams and it really wasn't a Europa League group. We are through, which was our goal, without risking what we are doing domestically", opened Jorge Jesus.

The Sporting coach went on to dedicate the win to president Bruno de Carvalho, before casting his thoughts to coming fixtures: "This one was for the players, the fans and especially the president, because he has changed this club over the last two years. In February the team will be stronger in every competition, because have some time now to work. However, what matters most now is our next game on Sunday."

Jorge Jesus included 18 for Besiktas showdown

Jorge Jesus has named a squad of 18 to face Besiktas this Thursday night, on matchday six of Europa League Group H.

Squad list in full:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Marcelo Boeck;

Defenders: João Pereira, Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Tobias Figueiredo and Jefferson;

Midfielders: William, Adrien, Aquilani and João Mário;

Forwards: Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Fredy Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani.

Sporting-Besiktas will kick off on Thursday the 10th of December at 20h05, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Esgaio ahead of Thursday's hosting ofao encontro Besiktas

Tomorrow's hosting of Besiktas has a place in the next round of the Europa League riding on it and only three points will do the trick for the team from Alvalade. For Esgaio, his side have more than enough quality to overcome the powerful Turkish visitors.

“Of course it will be a hard game. Besiktas are a good team, but we will work hard to reach our objective. We know that they are an excellent team, with excellent players. Quaresma? He is a quality player, he is Portuguese and everyone knows him, but we are all focused on what we have to do to get the three points. The squad is more and more confident with every game we play and that is really important", affirmed the young wing-back, going on to add a word on Jorge Jesus' policy of rotation: "All of the lads are ready to play and the team that plays is the one that the boss believes is the best for each particular game. We all do our best to make sure we take our chances when we get them."

André Carrillo

With consideration to constant attention being given to the issue, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD would like to note the following:

1. No deal agreement with the player André Carrillo has been reached for the renewal of his contact.

2. The disciplinary process against André Carrillo is underway and is awaiting the testimony of the parties involved.

3. The player is still suspended from all sports activity.

Ponde strike secures three points a week ahead of encounter with FC Porto B

Sporting B fought to a battling 1-0 win over Desp. Aves this Wednesday afternoon, II Liga matchday 20.

Just as coach João de Deus had predicted in his pre-match press conference, the match was indeed decided in the detail, particularly by fatigue setting in after the break.

The encounter's opening opportunity belonged to Alexandre Guedes in the 12th minute, triggering a spell of play that saw Sporting B begin to unlock what was always going to be a stubborn Desp. Aves defence. On 25 minutes, Cristian Ponde opened the scoring after making the most of a failed shot by Labyad following some brilliant play by Ryan Gauld down the left. Six minutes before the break Pedró hammered a shot off Pedro Silva's bar, before two completely uncalled for heavy tackles on Podence and Mama Baldé left a blemish on the game, particularly after the horrific injuries picked up earlier in the season by Riquicho and King from similar circumstances.

Desp. Aves looked better in the second-half and came close to an equaliser on several occasions, particularly from deadball situations. However, Sporting B weathered the storm and again took a grip of proceedings going in to the last fifteen minutes. Sacko and Labyad both came close, before Quim tried an effort from range. Desp. Aves did actually have the ball in the back of the net at the death, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside and Sporting B came away with the narrow win at the final whistle.

João de Deus' pre-match press conference ahead of II Liga matchday 20

João de Deus saw down with the press this Tuesday to share his thoughts on the midweek hosting of Desportivo das Aves, in what he sees as the perfect chance for his side to show what they can do against quality opposition.

“What I hope to do and what the players hope to do is to play as well as we have in our last four matches. Wins help the team grow and only consecutive wins can help the lads develop a winning mentality", explained the Alvalade coach, adding: “They (Desportivo das Aves (have some quality players and some are really gifted individually. It will be a hard game and I think it will be decided in the details, particularly the physical side of things with us having games in midweek."

Tiago Antunes for II Liga matchday 20

Tiago Antunes, 34, from the Coimbra Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting B's hosting of Desp. Aves, on II Liga matchday 20.

Pedro Miguel Ribeiro and Paulo Brás will act as linesmen.

This will be the first time Tiago Antunes officiates over a Sporting B encounter this season.

Sporting B-Desp. Aves will get underway at 15h00 on Wednesday the 9th of November, in the CGD Stadium Aurélio Pereira, at the Sporting Academy.