Jorge Jesus announces squad for CTT Cup matchday 3

Jorge Jesus has announced his squad list for Wednesday night's visit to Estádio do Bonfim, to take on V. Setúbal on CTT Cup Group A matchday 3:

26-Azbe Jug
34-Beto
3-Markovic
4-Jefferson
7-Campbell
10-Bryan Ruiz
11-Bruno César
13-Coates
14-William Carvalho
15-Paulo Oliveira
16-André Felipe
19-Douglas
20-Castaignos
22-Elias
23-Adrien
28-Bas Dost
47-Ricardo Esgaio
77-Gelson Martins

Information regarding the transfer of João Pereira

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Trabzonspor Kulübü for the permanent transfer of the player João Pereira.

Sporting SAD wishes João Pereira the best of professional and personal success.

Jorge Jesus on Wednesday's CTT Cup showdown with Setúbal

Speaking with the press before Wednesday's final CTT Cup Group A encounter, Jorge Jesus relayed his confidence in securing the result needed to get into the semi-finals.

"We need the result to get into the final four and well all know that. We have two wins and we need another result on the way to the final, which is what we have been working on in training. We are feeling confident and the lads have been responding well during the week. It will be a hard game, but we feel we will get over this hurdle", affirmed the Sporting coach, adding: "Vitória de Setúbal also have a chance of qualifying, although it depends on the other match, but we have everything we need to get a good result. This is an important phase for us and we are battling on all fronts, but that is exactly where we want to be."

Sales news for the CTT Cup and Liga NOS

Sporting Clube de Portugal has begun ticket sales as follows:

VITÓRIA DE SETÚBAL (CTT CUP MATCHDAY 3)

. Exclusive for Sporting Clube de Portugal members
. Member fee applicable: December 2016
. Tickets priced at 7.5€ and are for the South Goal End
. Kick-off is at 20h15 on the 4th of January, in Setúbal

FEIRENSE (16ª JORNADA LIGA NOS)

. Tickets from 5€ (members) or 17€ (fans)
. Member fee applicable: December 2016
. Match included in Gamebox 2016/2017
. Kick-off is at 20h15 on the 8th of January, in Estádio José Alvalade

Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices will be open from 10h00 to 20h00.

Slimani speaks with The Guardian after half a season with the English champions, Leicester

Islam Slimani spoke in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian this week, reflecting on his time with Leicester so far and his experience in the Portuguese capital before his big move to the English champions.

"Sporting CP was vital for my career, it was difficult to grow in Algeria. I grew a lot in Sporting CP and it is a club that was really important in my life", said the imposing forward, adding a word on his time in the Premier League so far: "My way of playing fits in with the style in England, but I still need to adapt, particularly in terms of speed. The defenders are really strong and hard here."

Jorge Jesus satisfied with his side's performance but is looking for better finishing

A satisfactory performance with some spells of attractive football, despite a frustrating number of wasted chances on goal. That is how Jorge Jesus saw Friday's CTT Cup win against Varzim, which projected his side to the top of Group A.

Last match of 2016 sees Sporting CP tally three more points in this season's League Cup campaign

Sporting Clube de Portugal took control of CTT Cup Group A with a 1-0 win against a stubborn Varzim side this Friday night, courtesy of a 19th minute strike from Gelson Martins.

Jorge Jesus started the encounter with Luc Castaignos and Bas Dost leading the attack, while Gelson Martins dropped out right and Joel Campbell roamed down the left, leaving Adrien Silva and William Carvalho to occupy the heart of midfield. Sporting CP's setup actually fitted in well with the lower league visitors' 4x3x3 formation and both sides were able to play open football for extensive periods. The difference on the night was an unstoppable strike from Gelson Martins, after he burst into the box to link up with Ricardo Esgaio and fire a shot into the roof of the net.

Despite the narrow result, Sporting CP dominated for the full 90 minutes, limiting Varzim to just a handful of attacks and giving Beto an easy night between the Alvalade posts.

First-half penalty from Rui Miguel keeps the points in Coimbra

João de Deus' side were presented with the difficult task of a trip to Coimbra to face Académica this Friday, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 20. A first-half penalty conceded by Ivanildo Fernandes and converted by Rui Miguel was all that split the sides at the final whistle.

Squad list for CTT Cup Group A matchday 2

Jorge Jesus has announced his squad for CTT Cup Group A matchday 2, getting underway at 21h15 on Friday the 30th of December:

26 – Azbe Jug
34 – Beto Pimparel

3 – Lazar Markovic
4 – Jefferson Moreira
7 – Joel Campbell
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
16 – André Felipe
19 – Douglas Teixeira
20 – Luc Castaignos
22 – Elias Trindade
23 – Adrien Silva
28 – Bas Dost
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
77 – Gelson Martins

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to Friday's CTT Cup encounter