Young Sporting fan gets the new season underway

He might be just five years old, but he has already captured the hearts of every Sporting fan with his brave fight against cancer. Dressed in a full Sporting strip, Francisco signed his first contract with the club in a ceremony with president Bruno de Carvalho.

"We have the pleasure of signing Francisco, whose job it is to kick off the first match of the season", said Bruno de Carvalho, going on to speak about Alvalade's latest signing: "He is the big signing of the night. He is a big name who will show everyone what Sporting is all about. The club is 110 years old and it is with people like Francisco that we will easily last another 110.

The dream was complete when little Francisco led the team out in front of 30,000 fans and made his way to the centre spot to get the game underway.

Rui Patrício on Sporting's 2016/17 Alvalade debut

Rui Patrício returned to Alvalade after his Euro 2016 heroics this Saturday, for Sporting's official presentation match.

"We have to improve a bit. We were better than we have been, but there is still a bit of pre-season work to do", said the Sporting shotstopper, adding a word on his unexpected appearance against Lyon: "I wasn't here for the rest of the pre-season and this is the chance to get some mistakes out of our system. If we have to make mistakes, then it is best to do it now. We want to win everything we are involved in this season and that is what we are setting out to do."

Sporting CP officially presented to the fans for 2016/17 campaign

Alvalade hosted the French side Lyon in the 2016/17 season's official presentation match this Saturday, with the privilege of the kick-off given to five-year old Franciso in representation of the fans.

Jesus fielded his usual defensive four (Schelotto, Coates, Ruben Semedo and Zeegelaar), behind a midfielder composed of Petrovic, Bryan Ruiz, Gelson martins and Bruno César, while Barcos and Alan Ruiz led the attack. Defending the Sporting goal was Azbe Jug.

The game got off to a typically lukewarm start for a pre-season friendly, but the first chance of the evening did fall to Sporting, when Alan Ruiz whipped in a free-kick that eventually ended up with Gelson close to the touchline. The youngster did well to pass his defender and charge into dangerous territory, before releasing Barcos for a shot that hammered off Lyon's lefthand post.

Little by the little Lyon tried to push their way out of defence, but some shooting from range kept the French visitors pegged in, with Schelotto, Alan Ruiz (23) and Bruno César (45) all trying their luck.

The second-half proved to be a typical example of the old football anecdote that you have to take your chances. Although Sporting could have taken the lead through a chipped effort by Alan Ruiz (47’), it was Lyon who took the lead, when Alexandre Lacazette headed in on 53 minutes after a cross by Rafael that Rui Patrício (on for Azbe Jug) could do little to keep out.

A wave of late substitutes sapped any real pace out of both sides in the final stages, with the only incident of note being a header from Naldo finding the inside of the post with twenty minutes on the clock after a cross from Iuri Medeiros (70’).

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's hosting of Lyon on Saturday

Jorge Jesus was in the Alvalade auditorium for his first press conference of the season this Saturday, following the hosting of Lyon.

"We played against the French league runner-up, who are a good side. They scored, just like we could have. We were better than we have been and I would say it was our best performance so far", opened the Alvalade boss, continuing: "Next week the lads who were with Portugal in Euro 2016 will be back in training. Rui Patrício was an exception. He wasn't to play, he told me he was here and that he wanted to play. We are in the market as well, looking at some players.

Asked about transfer rumours flying around in the press, particularly about Van Persie, Jesus played it cool: "Van Persie earns a lot. Of course anybody would be interested in having such a quality player, but we would have to sell the stadium to pay for him."

New Alvalade pitch hosts first game of the new season

Sporting officially unveiled the 2016/17 football squad with a hosting of Lyon this Saturday night, on a brand new Alvalade pitch.

The party got underway at 19h20, when the players first made their appearance in front of 30,000

Rui Patrício, the first player to come out of the dressing room, was given a fantastic ovation, followed by a similar reaction for fellow Portuguese national team heroes Adrien and William Carvalho.

Match against Lyon to start 45 minutes before kick-off

With just 48 hours to go until Sporting's first encounter in Alvalade this season, the club would like to announce that the players will be out on the pitch at 19H45 (45 minutes before kick-off), for an official presentation to the fans.

Sporting to host O. Lyon in Alvalade this Saturday

Tickets for this season's official presentation match, which will see Alvalade host O. Lyon on Saturday the 23rd of July. Tickets are priced from 11€ to 25€ for Club Members and from 15€ to 37€ for fans.

This match is included in the Gamebox 2016/2017 package.

Sporting CP to host French giants in presentation match

Sporting will debut Alvalade's new pitch, which is currently being laid, against the French side Olympique Lyon, at 19h30 on the 23rd of July.

Also announced this week was this season's Five Violins Trophy match, will will see Wolfsburg visit Alvalade at 19h30 on the 30th of July.