Matheus Pereira focuses attention on the Europa League ahead of Sunday's derby

Sporting forward Matheus Pereira was the player chosen to speak in this week’s Europa League pre-match press conference, ahead of Thursday’s hosting of Skënderbeu.

“We always take each game as it comes and our only priority is the match against Skënderbeu and winning the three points. We will start thinking about the derby against Benfica on Friday. I am not thinking about if I can earn a place against Benfica tomorrow, I just want to help the team, keep developing and to win the game”, opened the Alvalade youngster.

In parallel, Matheus also spoke about the last couple of weeks with the senior squad, stressing that he continues with his feet firmly planted on the ground: “I have enjoyed it and I feel like I can carry on contributing to what the coach wants, with the help of my teammates. The lads who have gone into the senior team came from the youth system and through the B team, which is a good thing, but the intensity is different and there are some world class players in the squad. Naldo, Jefferson, Bruno Paulista and Ewerton have really helped me, which is normal because we are all Brazilian and it is easier for us to communicate, but the whole squad has been great with me.”

“When I scored my first goal I was really happy and I honestly couldn’t believe it. I want to carry on now”, finished the striker, reflecting on his brace in the Portuguese Cup at the weekend.
Sporting-Skënderbeu will kick off at 18h00 on Thursday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Clayton Pisani (Malta) for Europa League matchday 3

The Maltese referee Clayton Pisani, 37, has been named by UEFA to take charge of Europa League Group H matchday three against Skënderbeu.

Alan Camilleri and Mitchell Scerri will act as linesmen, with Marco Borg and Philip Farrugia as additional referees. Edward Spiteri will be the fourth referee.

As noted by UEFA, the Hungarian Márton Esterházy will be the match delegate and the Ukrainian Vladimir Petrov the referee observer.

Sporting-Skënderbeu will get underway at 18h00 on the 22nd of October, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Europa League gets underway in Alvalade on the 17th of September

Sporting will begin this year’s Europa League campaign with the hosting of Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, in a 20h05 kick-off in Estádio José Alvalade, on the 17th of September.

Jorge Jesus’ side will finish the group stages with the reception of Besiktas on the 10th of December, also at 20h05.

Group H fixture list in full:
Matchday 1 (17/9, 20h05): SPORTING-Lokomotiv and Skënderbeu-Besiktas
Matchday 2 (1/10, 18h): Besiktas-SPORTING and Lokomotiv-Skënderbeu
Matchday 3 (22/10, 18h): SPORTING-Skënderbeu and Lokomotiv-Besiktas
Matchday 4 (5/11, 20h05): Skënderbeu-SPORTING and Besiktas-Lokomotiv
Matchday 5 (26/11, 18h): Besiktas-Skënderbeu and Lokomotiv-SPORTING
Matchday 6 (10/12, 20h05): Skënderbeu-Lokomotiv and SPORTING-Besiktas

Sporting drawn in Europa League Group H

Sporting has been given a tasking challenge in Europa League Group H, with encounters with Ricardo Quaresma’s Bresiktas, Lokomotiv Moscow and the Albanian side Skënderbeu awaiting.

Europa League draw in full:

Group A: Ajax, Celtic, Fenerbahce and Molde
Group B: Rubin Kazan, Liverpool, Bordeaux and Sion
Group C: B. Dortmund, PAOK, Krasnodar and Gabala
Group D: Napoli, Club Brugge, Legia Warsaw and Midtjylland
Group E: Villarreal, Viktoria Plzen, Rapid Viena and Dynamo Minsk
Group F: Marseilles, Sp. Braga, Slovan Liberec and Groningen
Group G: Dnipro, Lazio, Saint-Etiénne and Rosenborg
Group H: SPORTING, Besiktas, Lokomotiv Moscow and Skënderbeu
Group I: Basel, Fiorentina, Lech Poznan and Belenenses
Group J: Tottenham, Anderlecht, Monaco and Qarabag
Group K: Schalke 04, Apoel, Sparta Praga and Asteras Tripoli
Group L: Athl. Bilbao, AZ, Augsburg and Partizan Belgrade

Alvalade director of football comments on Group H

Sporting’s director of football, Octávio Machado, was at the Europa League draw this week, which pitted Sporting in Group H alongside Besiktas, Lokomotiv Moscow and Skënderben.

Speaking after the draw, the Alvalade director first reflected in elimination from the Champions League by CSKA Moscow. “We should have been here yesterday, not today. We were the better team and we created chances, but football can be like that. With all due to respect to UEFA, who do their best, we were disadvantaged”, said Octávio Machado, before reflecting on the draw itself: “As for Lokomotiv, it reminds me of what happened. I hope to see Sporting in the Europa League playing with dedication and doing Portuguese football proud.”