Jorge Jesus looks ahead to the weekend's Liga NOS action

Speaking in his pre-match press conference this Friday, coach Jorge Jesus accepted that last weekend's loss at the hands of Belenenses brought to an end one of the club's objectives for the 2016/17 campaign.

"The team really felt the loss, because we were on the back of a good run of games, with nine wins and two draws. It was a special day with a lot of families at the stadium, even though we are out of the title race. It was hard for us to lose like that, but players and coaches have to learn to live with both wins and loses. We have totalled 33 points in the second half of the season, which is at the same level as the teams at the top of the table. The match against Belenenses has stopped us going for 42 points, which is what we did last season", said Jesus.

Next on his list for analysis was the weekend's visit to 9th place Feirense: "This is one of the last games of the season and the win will be important for us. Feirense is a chance for us to pick up where we left off. It will be a hard game, like they all are in this league. Feirense have had a great season by their standards, built around intensity and good defensive organisation. "

About president Bruno de Carvalho's statement midweek, Jesus is in agreement: "The president said what he said and I have nothing to add. I agree with him and what we have to do now is pick ourselves up for the match against Feirense. The president took the right approach."

Liga NOS matchday 33 tickets on sale on Thursday and Friday

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 33, between Clube Desportivo Feirense and Sporting Clube de Portugal, will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices on Thursday the 11th of May and Friday the 12th of May from 10h00 to 20h00.

Tickets are for the south stand and are priced at €19.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20h30 on Saturday the 13th of May, in Estádio Marcolino Castro.

Bruno de Carvalho on recent loses

Speaking with the press this week, the Sporting CP president Bruno de Carvalho didn't spare criticism of last weekend's defeat at the hands of Os Belenenses.

"It wasn't want we wanted. The fans came out in force and the only thing we can do is apologise. This match has nothing to do with what Sporting CP is. The fans don't deserve what they saw. I'm no interested in how we did going forward, I am interested in winning. This club cannot be this. We all have to reflect on today, including directors, coaches and athletes. There is no excuse for giving such a bad day to the fans when we had a full stadium of fans", said Bruno de Carvalho, adding: "Unfortunately at the end of the match I can not say that the fans are happy. The fans believe in this project, more than the coach or the players, and they have been fantastic despite what has been a terrible season."

To finish the Alvalade president commented on the recent UEFA Futsal Cup final loss: "I cannot arrive in Kazakhstan and see Sporting CP beaten so badly in the final of that competition and then come to Alvalade and see another defeat full of mistakes. As president, I am saying that enough is enough. Everything has to be different next season. Sporting CP has to win, not make excuses."

Varzim's win against Famalicão guarantees Sporting CP B's place in II Liga

With a brilliant turn around triggered by the arrival of Luís Martins in the Sporting CP B hotseat, a much deserved place in next season's Ledman LigPro competition was secured by Varzim's 1-0 against Famalicão this weekend.

Jorge Jesus reflects on the weekend's loss to Belenenses

After watching his side let in three goals against Os Belenenses on Sunday, Jorge Jesus was never going to be happy in his post-match press conference. "We let in a penalty at a time when we were dominating. After that we let in two more from set pieces. Belenenses scored whenever they had the chance", opened the Alvalade coach, continuing: "We were slow, especially in the first-half. We just couldn't find the space to create clear opportunities. We have been playing really good football recently, but it just didn't happen for us today. The substitutions [Castaignos, Francisco Geraldes and Joel Campbell] didn't work and we didn't improve. In fact, I would say the changes damaged us a bit in terms of positioning."

With two matches to go and the battle for 2nd in Liga NOS thrown open by the weekend's previous results, Jesus was understandably surprised by what was only a third home loss of the season: "Belenenses were not better than us, but they were fortunate. We came into this on the back of a good run and nobody was expecting today. This kind of match gives us important experience and if we would have scored another goal it would have been a lot easier. We didn't take advantage of FC Porto's draw, but it wasn't because we didn't press. It was down to a lack of quality."

Sporting CP let in three against Belenenses, despite dominating possession

Sporting CP were unbeaten in 10 years in the season's regular match dedicated to the club's female supporters, but Belenenses had other ideas, sinking Sporting CP to an unexpected 3-1 defeat in the 11h45 kick-off.

Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares host event in Alvalade

The Sporting CP and OS Belenenses chiefs Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares were the ideal example of fair play between rival clubs in an event this Saturday. Alvalade and Belenenses skippers Adrien Silva and Tiago Caeiro were also on hand, in an initiative geared around discussing football in general and building up institutional relations between the two Lisbon sides.

Around two dozens youngsters also joined in the occasion, taking photographs in a mix of both sides' kits.

Jorge Jesus on the early kick-off, his possible starting XI and the video assistant referee

The kick-off time was inevitably the focus of questions in this Saturday's pre-match press conference, with Sporting CP hosting cross-town rivals Os Belenenses at 11h45.

"This will be a different match because we are playing in the morning, but the fans have turned out anyway and it will be a sell out. It is Mother's Day as well, so it will be nice occasion. Sporting CP is playing some really attractive football right now and although we are a way off our objectives, the fans are showing they believe in the future. This is a Lisbon derby and although Belenenses aren't doing very well in the league it will be a hard fought game. I remember the game last year, when William Carvalho won it for us with a penalty in the last minute", opened Jorge Jesus in his meeting with the press.

The absence of Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence and Alan Ruiz was largely brushed off by the Alvalade coach, who has other options available: "Results define the team I use. Belenenses will be relaxed and I am sure they are feeling confident, but of course we have done what we have to do on the training pitch. We shifted our training times a bit, but physically nothing really changed. Francisco Geraldes could come in for us, just like João Palhinha and Podence have, if I think that is the best decision. Strategically having a few players out makes a difference, but our overall system will be the same."

Sporting CP announced the signing of André Pinto this week and Jesus was keen to highlight the importance of the new Alvalade acquisition: "Having André with us is important for Sporting CP. He hasn't been working with the first team, so bringing him over earlier means we can help him get into form. He is with us already, thanks to the great relationship that exists between Sporting CP and Sporting de Braga”.

Jorge Jesus finished with a world of praise for the introduction of the video assistant referee for next season's league campaign: "Both Sporting CP and the Portuguese Football Federation deserve to be congratulated for this decision. the video assistant referee is really important for Portuguese football. We have great coaches and clubs in this country, but we don't have the financial resources others do and it is important that we are on the cutting edge of technology. It won't fix everything, but it will certainly help."

Sebastián Coates at the Estoril Open with several teammates

Sporting CP's Uruguayan centre-back Sebastián Coates spoke with the press this weekend, and the defensive giant was quick to confirm his stay in Alvalade: "Hopefully I will be here for years to come and I am very happy in Portugal. Sporting CP is a really important club and I have a good life here."

Coates and several other players are at the Estoril Open to watch this year's ATP World Tour, giving the squad a chance to reflect on next season's campaign: "Of course we had other objectives at the start of the season which we didn't achieve, but we have other things to focus on. We are always motivated at Sporting CP and we are all focused on winning the matches we have left, to get ready for next season as well as possible. I really like Tennis and I was here last year as well. It is nice to get away from football sometines."

Luís Martins shakes of derby draw with praise for his players

Sporting CP B coach Luís Martins praised his side's attitude in the Lisbon reserve derby this Friday, despite the points being split at the final whistle: "We were well prepared. We didn't let the goals get to us and reacted really well. We didn't play our best quality football, but we can't do that 100% of the time of course. However, we got a point and this was only the first match in which we haven't won all three points at home. I am happy with our consistency and to see the players learning and growing. The lads are more confident now and ready to respond."

The Colombian striker Leonardo Ruiz mirrored his coach's comments: "We felt good and did our best. It was a realyl good match and we showed that we are well prepared for anything."