Jesus announces squad for CTT Cup matchday 1

Jorge Jesus has announced his squad list for CTT Cup matchday 1, which will see Sporting CP host Arouca in Alvalade at 18h15 on Wednesday.

Squad list in full:

34 – Beto Pimparel
26 – Azbe Jug

3 – Lazar Markovic
4 – Jefferson
7 – Joel Campbell
8 – Petrovic
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
15 – Paulo Oliveira
16 – André Felipe
19 – Douglas Teixeira
20 – Luc Castaignos
21 – João Pereira
22 – Elias Trindade
25 – Marcelo Meli
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
73 – Matheus Pereira
99 – Alan Ruiz

Jorge Jesus looking to set the pace in CTT Cup opener

Three games stand in between Sporting CP and a place in the CTT Cup knock-out stages. In Jorge Jesus' way are Varzim, Arouca and V. Setúbal and the Alvalade coach is looking to start off on the right foot this week against Lito Vidigal's team.

Update on Ezequiel Schelotto

Sporting CP's medical department has issued the following clinical update:

Ezequiel Schelotto: picked up a calf muscle injury and is expected to be out for four weeks.

Joel Campbell on Saturday's Liga NOS win against Boavista

Joel Campbell was given a chance to show what he can do this Saturday, with a place in the starting line-up against Boavista.

"It was a good game and we got the three points, which was important for us. It was a hard against a good team, but we did what we had to", said the Costa Rican striker at the final whistle, adding: "We were really focused at the start and we put Real Madrid behind us. We are on the right track and these three points will lift us going forward now."

Solo strike from Bas Dost secures the three points in Estádio do Bessa

Sporting CP claimed a thoroughly deserved win in Estádio do Bessa this Saturday night, courtesy of a header from Bas Dost after a stroke of brilliance from Gelson Martins.

It was the Dutch hitman's seventh Liga NOS goal, who found the back of the net after hitting the post a few minutes earlier. It was actually a very different side fielded by Jorge Jesus, with Joel Campbell playing off Dost and Bruno César and Gelson roaming the flanks in what was a much more dynamic Alvalade offence.

Sporting CP really did dominate from start to finish, with a performance that was only soured by an extremely exaggerated sending off of Rúben Semedo (two bookable offences).

Jorge Jesus happy with three points in Estádio do Bessa

Jorge Jesus was evidently pleased with his side's win in Estádio do Bessa this Saturday, although the final result was short of reflecting Sporting CP's dominance.

"We had a really good first-half, with three excellent opportunities and a goal. We showed really good quality going forward and in defence we were great throughout. We didn't play as well in the second-half, but we secured the win", opened the Sporting CP coach, going on to speak about the difficulties of alternating between Champions League and domestic action: "We beat Arouca 3-0 after the match against Borussia Dortmund. We played really well in the first-half today, but we didn't dominate as much in the second. That is normal though, with the lads still being a bit tired."

finishing with a comment on the sending off of Rúben Semedo, Jesus was understandably displeased : "He (Semedo) was only shown a second-half because of pressure from the Boavista players. Honestly I didn't like the refereeing, although there were no major incidents. That referee has a great career ahead of him, but today I didn't like how he managed the game."

Jesus announces squad for trip north to face Boavista

Jorge Jesus has announced his squad to travel to Estádio do Bessa, on Liga NOS matchday 11:

1 - Rui Patrício
2 - Ezequiel Schelotto
3 - Lazar Markovic
7 - Joel Campbell
10 - Bryan Ruiz
11 - Bruno César
13 - Sebastian Coates
14 - William Carvalho
15 - Paulo Oliveira
16 - André Felipe
20 - Luc Castaignos
21 - João Pereira
22 - Elias Trindade
23 - Adrien Silva
28 - Bas Dost
31 - Marvin Zeegelaar
34 - Beto Pimparel
35 - Rúben Semedo
77 - Gelson Martins
99 - Alan Ruiz

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on the weekend's trip north

Jorge Jesus was in the press room at the Sporting Academy this Friday afternoon, looking ahead to what is always a tricky visit to Bessa to face Boavista.

"It will be a hard match, not only because of Boavista's quality but also their history. It is a really charismatic stadium. Boavista are doing the best with the characteristics that their squad has and they will want to take points off us. However we know what we are capable of and some of the lads are showing signs of good form now. We are feeling confident. Last year we drew there, but this year we want the three points", opened the Alvalade coach, going on to look at the weekend's opponent in further depth: "With their current coach they haven't lost a game, with the exception of in extra-time in the Cup. They will want points and they are aggressive in defence, especially at home. Naturally the game will be different to the one with Real Madrid, especially in how we get ourselves prepared."

Jorge Jesus also added an analysis of how his squad has developed so far during the current campaign: "The best is yet to come. You can only get the best out of a squad by working hard on the training ground and we have had more sessions with the lads nows. I am talking particularly about the lads who arrived this season, who are really well integrated into the squad now. The teams I manage are normally better in the second half of the season and we are developing really well."

Sales information for coming two home fixtures

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin ticket sales this Monday for two coming home fixtures (ticket offices open from 10h00 to 20h00) as follows:

CTT CUP - AROUCA | WEDNESDAY 30TH OF NOVEMBER AT 18H15

This match is not included in Gamebox packages. Tickets start at 3€ for Gamebox holders, 6€ for Club Members and 9€ for fans. Members need to have paid October fees to take advantage of discount prices. Only Stand A will be open for the match.

LIGA NOS - SETÚBAL | SATURDAY 3RD OF DECEMBER AT 18H15

Sporting CP vs Vitória FC, on Liga NOS matchday 12, is this season's Supporters' Club match. Tickets will only be available for the central stand, priced from 16€ for Club Members and from 22€ for fans. Members need to have paid November fees to take advantage of discount prices.

Jorge Jesus's side on the road in the Portuguese Cup last-16

Sporting CP will travel to Vitória Futebol Clube (Vitória de Setúbal) in the Portuguese Cup last-16, in what is the only encounter between two Liga NOS teams.

The fixture will be played between the 13th and 15th od December in Estádio do Bonfim.

Sporting CP's director for football, Octávio Machado, was at the draw and noted: “It is a respectable opponent and I have a lot of personal admiration for them. It will be a hard match, but we want to get into the final of the Portuguese Cup. We will do everything we can to win this."

Draw in full:

Leixões - Tondela

Real Massamá - Benfica

Estoril Praia - Sanjoanense

Torrense - Chaves

SC Braga - SC Covilhã

Académica - Penafiel

V. Setúbal - SPORTING

V. Guimarães - Vilafranquense