Rui Patrício on his inclusion in the Ballon D'Or race

"Obviously any player would feel really proud and I am no exception. I will carry on working hard, because our objective is to keep improving and to win every title possible", said Patrício in an interview with Sporting TV after finding out about his nomination for the Ballon D'Or short list.

The Alvalade keeper also took the opportunity to look ahead to Liga NOS matchday 9: "Our last result wasn't what we wanted, but we we will go to Madeira for the win. It will be hard, like it always is in Madeira, but we are going there to get the win."

Sporting CP held to draw in Alvalade

Sporting CP were held to a draw this Saturday evening by Tonela (1-1), on Liga NOS matchday 8.

The game was in many ways a reflection of the midweek Champions League hosting of Borussia Dortmund, with Jorge Jesus's side struggling to get a foothold in the first-half against a team that looked happy to sap away time.

The usual suspect Gelson Martins looked the most likely to score in the early exchanges and actually hammered a shot against the post after just four minutes. The next opportunity was made to wait until the 21st minute, when a cross from Schelotto ended with a header high over the bar from Bas Dost. One minute before the break Schelotto carved out another chance, this time with Bryan Ruiz arriving just a second to late to convert.

With Bruno César introduced at the restart, there was a clear improvement from Sporting CP and chances soon began to follow. A goal looked likely, but it was Tondela who struck, when Jaílson put in a hopeful cross that ended up with Jhon Murillo for a simple finish (74').

With the fans feeling disgruntled with Tondela's far from deserved goal, Jesus introduced Campbell to the action four minutes later and the Costa Rican soon pulled a stop out of Cláudio with a header. Tondela dropped back in an effort to defend what would have been a precious three points and time wasting became the theme of the evening, with a touch of facilitation from referee Rui Costa. Five minutes into added time Campbell struck to avoid what would have been an extremely harsh defeat.

Jorge Jesus on Saturday's draw against Tondela

Jorge Jesus was far from sparing at the final whistle on Saturday when reflecting on the evening's refereeing, before dismissing a potential gap of five points between his side and Benfica.

“We had a tough match and we came into it on the back of a very intense week. We lacked pace and our dynamic in attack in the first-half and Tondela did well in defence. In the second-half we started putting the pressure on and created a lot of chances. We reacted well despite some tired legs, but that is no excuse. There were a lot of interruptions and Tondela did what they had to do, while the referee let them. Obviously we would prefer to have the same amount of points as Benfica or to be ahead of them, but we are fighting to close the difference. It could be five points, but there is still a lot of football to play", said Jesus.

Bruno César reflects on Saturday's Liga NOS draw

"We did everything we could, but Tondela closed ranks", said Bruno César after his side's draw in Saturday evening.

For the Brazilian, there is still plenty of time to close the gap on the league leaders: "In the first-half we didn't play like we have been. In the second-half we took control, but we let a goal in from a counter attack and then they just kept stopping play like Borussia Dortmund did. We just have to focus on our football now."

Jorge Jesus on Liga NOS matchday 8

The opposition might be different, but Jorge Jesus has the same idea: three points.

"The players are only thinking about getting the win. We had an experience against Tondela last year which didn't go well for us. They are the image of their coach [Petit], meaning they are aggressive", opened Jesus ahead of the weekend's Liga NOS encounter, going on to answer a question his recent changes out wide in defence: "We are learning and that isn't something that happens in a couple of months. If being the most consistent team is what is needed to win the league, then we want to be more consistent."

Bas Dost looks ahead to the weekend's hosting of Tondela

Bas Dost was picked to accompany Jorge Jesus in looking ahead to the weekend's hosting of Tondela this Friday. While analysing the game, the Dutchman also couldn't turn down the chance to share his thoughts on refereeing: "We are expecting a win. We are playing really good football and with the exception of the match in Guimarães we have been doing well. I scored against Sweden in the last minute, but the referee said I had pushed a defender, which didn't happen. The game thing happened in the Champions League with Coates's goal, which also wasn't a foul. In the Santiago Bernabéu, with Ronaldo's goal, that wasn't a foul either. This is nothing to do with Portuguese football of course, because that all happened in the Champions League and with the Dutch national team."

Also sharing his thoughts on his time in Portugal so far, Bas Dost has already fell in love with Alvalade: "I am learning Portuguese, but it will take a while until I am comfortable. I love the people, the stadium and the weather. I was playing for Wolfsburg, who would get around 30,000 people in the stadium. In Alvalade we always have between 40 and 45 thousand. The fans sing for the whole match and we want to pay them back with goals."

Beto guarantees that Tuesday's loss is a thing of the past

The Sporting squad have well and truly put Tuesday's defeat to Dormund behind them and Beto is convinced that Saturday's hosting of Tondela is the perfect way to brush off the dust.

"It will be a hard game like they all are and Tondela will try and play to their strengths, but we will be playing at home again with the fans motivating us. We are confident that we will get the three points", said Beto in an interview with Sporting TV, adding: "The squad is feeling really together right now. We have a good group and we will push through the highs and the lows. We want to trigger a good run of wins now."

Professional Football Players Syndicate nominates Alvalade starlet

Gelson Martins has been one of Alvalade's top performers so far this season, so it comes as little surprise that the Sporting sensation scooped the Professional Football Players Syndicate's Liga NOS Young Player of the Month award for August and September, ahead of André Silva and Gonçalo Guedes.

The winner of the award is named after scores from the daily sports newspapers (A Bola, O Jogo and Record) and the Professional Football Players Syndicate.

Sales news for coming fixtures

on Friday the 14th of October, Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin ticket sales at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices as follows:

BORUSSIA DORTMUND | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY 4

14TH TO 19TH OF OCTOBER: Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017

20TH TO 25TH OF OCTOBER: Club Members

26TH TO 31ST OF OCTOBER: General public

Two types of tickets are available: GREEN ZONE (€44.90) and ORANGE ZONE (€48.10). There are limited numbers of Orange Zone tickets and these tickets are mixed with home fans. A valid Gamebox or Member card must be shown during the first two phases of sales, with September 2016 paid. Each card is valid for 1 ticket and each person may present a maximum of 4 cards. For security reasons, ticket sales will follow an order previously established with UEFA.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19h45 on the 2nd of November.

FC AROUCA | LIGA NOS MATCHDAY 10

Tickers start from €5 for Members and €22  for fans. Family tickets are available from €21 and are valid for 3 people, one of which must be a Club Member. Kick-off is scheduled for the 6th of November at 20h15.

Sales information for the Portuguese Cup 3rd round and Liga NOS matchday 8

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin sales of tickets for Famalicão and Tondela on Wednesday the 12th of October as follows:

FAMALICÃO | PORTUGUESE CUP
Tickets are priced at 5€ and are exclusively on sale for Sporting Clube de Portugal members with September 2016 fees paid. Sales will be from 10:00 to 20:00. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:15 on Thursday, in the Famalicão Municipal Stadium.

TONDELA | LIGA NOS
Tickets start from 5€ for members and 22€ for fans. Family Tickets will be available for 21€ and are valid for 3 people (one of which must be a club member). Kick-off is scheduled for 18:15 on Saturday the 22nd of October.