Sporting CP surprised by Rio Ave with three first-half strikes

Jorge Jesus had issued the warning in his pre-match press conference: Rio Ave were going to close down the place more than Real Madrid. That is exactly what happened, with Rio Ave pressing high and putting in one of their finest performances to go in at the break with a staggering 3-0 lead.

The opening exchanges proved to be a reflection of the rest of the encounter, with the hosts pressing hard when Sporting took possession. A forced error from Rúben Semedo saw the defender scuff his clearance and Gil Dias broke away down the right wing and put the first chance of the evening across the face of goal. In response Alan Ruiz tied his luck from range down the other end, but Cássio was having a brilliant night in the Rio Ave goal and made one of a string of decent saves. It honestly only looked like a matter of time before Rio Ave's high-tempo play broke the Sporting backline and their goal came through Tarantini, after an excellent sprint forward by Roderick with the ball at his feet.

A reaction from Jesus' side was expected, but the midweek visit to the Spanish capital was still wearing hard on tired legs and wholes began to appear while clambering back to defend against Rio Ave's relentless counter attacking. Seven minutes later, Gil Dias beat the offside trap and set up Guedes for his side's second. With the team from Alvalade totally disorientated, Rio Ave made it three seven minutes later, again with Gil Gias turned playmaker and again with Guedes with the finish.

Attempting to salvage something from the evening, Jesus rang the changes at the break, bringing on Bryan Ruiz and Bas Dost for Campbell and Alan Ruiz. The substitutions did eventually make a difference and Sporting put together a chance a minute after the hour-mark, but Bryan Ruiz slashed his half volley to the wrong side of the post. The Costa Rican's shot triggered a better final half-hour from sporting and Bas Dost pulled a goal back, but it was too little too late after such a devastating first-half.

Jorge Jesus includes 19 for trip to Rio Ave

Jorge Jesus has announced his squad for Sunday's Liga NOS matchday 5 trip to Vila do Conde to face Rio Ave.

Squad list full:

1 - Rui Patrício 
2 - Ezequiel Schelotto
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
21 - João Pereira
22 - Elias Trindade
23 - Adrien Silva
28 - Bas Dost
34 - Beto Pimparel
35 - Ruben Semedo
77 - Gelson Martins 
99 - Alan Ruiz

Jorge Jesus expecting a strong Rio Ave on Sunday

Sporting CP will be back in domestic action this Sunday, facing a difficult trip to Rio Ave after a testing encounter against Real Madrid. For Jorge Jesus, his side have to now reset their sights on Liga NOS.

"Wednesday and tomorrow will be different stories. We have to fully focus on tomorrow. It is nice to hear people from the world of football praising us, particularly the Spanish press, but we have to keep our focus on Rio Ave now. Real Madrid defends one way and Rio Ave will defend another. We will have less space than we did on Wednesday. Every game in Vila do Conde is hard and this one will be as well", affirmed the Sporting coach, going to talk about how we is likely to manage his squad after such an exhausting visit to the Spanish capital: "The only way to manage the players to keep them at there best is to make a few changes here and there. We will train tomorrow as well and I will see how the lads are feeling. The players covered a lot of ground against Real Madrid, both physically and physiologically. Marvin and Bryan struggled to finish the match, so we will see."

Jesus also spoke about the two sending offs he has already received this season: "I think about everything involved in the game, but it would be hard for me to change. Its not me that's wrong, it is the bureaucracy involved in football. It seems like people want to change football into an opera, where we all have to be quiet. Football isn't like that, it is an emotionally charged sport. I am sure I will be sent off more, that is just how I am."

Bruno César looks ahead to Sunday's clash with Rio Ave

Bruno César was the player chosen to accompany Jorge Jesus to share his pre-match thoughts this Saturday, ahead of the weekend's visit to Rio Ave. For the Brazilian, who has been in absolutely storming form so far this season, his side will have to put their memorable showing against Real Madrid behind them if they are to claim the points against Rio Ave.

"We played really well against Real Madrid, but we have to change our focus now. We know how important the match in Vila do Conde is and it will be hard. We have four wins in four matches so far and we want to defend that run. It will be tough, but if we want to win the league then we have to win these matches", opened César, going on to reflect on the trip to the Spanish capital: "Scoring in the Bernabéu was special, completely different to anything I have ever experienced, but I was upset by the result. It would have been even better if we hadn't lost."

Information on ticket sales for Liga NOS matchday 5

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 5, between Rio Ave Futebol Clube and Sporting Clube de Portugal, will go on sale as follows:

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017 (from 10h to 20h)
THURSDAY | Club Members (from 10h to 20h)
FRIDAY | General public (from 10h to 20h)

Gamebox or Member cards must be shown on the first two days of sales (with August 2016 fees paid), with each card valid for one ticket. Each person can bring a maximum of four cards.

The match is scheduled for Sunday the 18th of September in at 20h15, in Vila do Conde. Tickets are priced at 20€.

Sporting dominate in a match which saw four debuts

Sporting claimed a convincing 3-0 win against Moreirense this Saturday, to move clear at the top of Liga NOS ahead of a midweek Champions League visit to Madrid. The two matches may not appear immediately related, but Jorge Jesus' changes in the second-half made it clear that the Alvalade boss is looking to take a fresh side to the Spanish capital.

After wreaking havoc against FC Porto two weeks ago, Gelson once again showed just why he is becoming a regular feature, with another eye-catching performance down the wing. Bas Dost will of course be excused for taking time to settle in his first appearance in a green and white shirt, but the Dutchman did toast his debut with a goal of his own after the break.

It was Gelson who opened the scoring, with a darting run into the middle picked out by a pass from William for a well-controlled first touch and cool finish from close range.

Moreirense had actually started their spiral towards defeat five minutes earlier (22'), when Neto saw a yellow card for protesting a decision from the evening's official. Twelve minutes later, Neto went in hard on William and was shown a much deserved second booking and the resulting red card. Sporting did secure a first-half goal, but it was only after the break that Jesus' side really made the most of the numerical advantage.

Boosted by what was an evidently brilliant half-time intervention from Jorge Jesus, it was the Alvalade new recruits' turn to shine. Bas Dost came painfully close just a minute after the restart, but the giant striker would have to wait for his debut goal. First it was Campbell to open his account, when the Costa Rican found a yard of space with some fine movement and nodded in a brilliant floating cross from Alan Ruiz (52'). Five minutes later, Bost got his goal with some persistent work in the box.

Leading by three and playing against ten, Jesus' side oozed confidence and piled forward. Markovic (60'), Elias (67') and André (78') were also given run-outs, in what was a showing of the depth and quality of a new-look Sporting side ahead of what is sure to be an exciting visit to Madrid.

Elias on his second Alvalade debut

Elias made his Alvalade debut this Saturday, albeit for the second time, in Sporting's 3-0 win against Moreirense this Saturday.

Asked how he feels to be back in a green and white shirt, the Brazilian couldn't be happier. "I am really happy to be back. It is a totally different team and we will fight for the title. I thought we played really well today and I felt good. After the sending off it was a lot easier", said Elias, before commenting on the differences between his two spells at Alvalade: "I don't like to compare things. Everything is good in some way. Things are different now though, with the coach, president and us fighting for the title."

Jorge Jesus happy with his side's performance against Moreirense

Jorge Jesus spoke with the press after Saturday's 3-0 win against Moreirense, in what was a game of two halves for his much-changed side.

"We had some good spells. It looked a lot easier after our third goal and we took our foot off the accelerator a bit. Some of the lads are just back from the international break as well. I thought we passed the ball around well. Bas Dost is still getting to know the team and you could see that a bit in the first-half and it was the same with Campbell. We spoke at half-time and we improved after that. We gave some of the new faces to play and they did well", opened Jesus.

Speaking in further depth about his new signings, the Sporting coach added: "Bas Dost loosened up in the second-half. He didn't really know where to position himself before that. He was a lot of experience, but a debut is always tough and you could see that in everyone. Markovic looked the most confident, but he already knows Portuguese football. He is still a long way off the player that I know he can be though. All of the new players are creative and we have to give them time on the pitch. This squad gives us confidence to make choices, especially with us being in the Champions League. We will face the European champions next week, but we know what we are capable of and we are feeling confident."

Jorge Jesus expecting a tough challenge from Moreirense on Saturday

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press this Friday for his habitual pre-match press conference, ahead of Liga NOS matchday 4 against Moreirense. The weekend's visitors might not be one of Portugal's biggest names, however the Alvalade boss warned that his side will have to take the fixture seriously if they are to come away with three points.

"We will approach this game the same way we did with our other home matches this season. The most important thing is that we can live up to our potential and so far this season the team has been brilliant at doing that. That is what matters and that is what we have been working on during the week", opened Jorge, adding: "We will respect our opponent and they have some good young and talented players that are looking to make a name for themselves in this league. We will face a team that tries to keep organised in defence, but we are ready."

Preparing for the first encounter after a busy summer transfer market that has resulted in a notably different Alvalade squad, Jesus affirmed: "We are a privileged club, with some really talented players that left and some that didn't. João Mário and Slimani showed a great attitude and the same can be said of Adrien, William and Rui Patrício. These lads grew up here and the passion they have for the club makes them think a bit differently. They are 100% with us."

To finish, Jesus fended off a question on a coming midweek visit to the Spanish capital: "Honestly I wouldn't even have remembered the game against Real Madrid. We are focused on our next opponent, which is Moreirense."

João Pereira battles back spot in the Alvalade defence and is expecting a tough challenge this weekend

Looking ahead to this weekend's Liga NOS matchday 4 hosting of Moreirense, João Pereira is expecting a tough afternoon's work against what is typically stobborn opposition.

"It will be hard. We wanted to win every game, but especially now that we are at the top of the league. Moreirense are an organised team with a new coach and it will be hard for us, but we are favourites and we have to show why on the pitch", affirmed the wing-back, adding a word on the squad's return after the recent international break: "The break was good for integrating the new players, even though Markovic and Bas Dost arrived a bit later on."