Alvalade trio ready for action after return from loan spells

Francisco Geraldes, João Palhinha and Daniel Podence all spoke with Sporting TV this weekend, looking ahead to the weekend's visit to Moreirense after spending spells out on loan.

Geraldes and Podence made their return to the Portuguese capital in January, after six months with with weekend's opposition. "Moreirense have a good team and you can see that from the fact that they won the League Cup. I can give the lads some tips on what to do because I was there, but the most important thing is how they paly as a team", affirmed the midfielder, backed up by the winger: "I am sure it will be a hard match. I know the Moreirense team well and they are a quality side. We will have to give it everything. We can't start thinking it will be easy, because a shirt doesn't win games."

João Palhinha was also in the service of Moreirense last season and is looking for Sporting CP to get back to winning form this weekend: "In the dressing room we all know it won't be easy. We will have to improve one some things from how we played against FC Porto, but we have been working hard during the week and I am sure we will respond well."

Jonathan Silva in exclusive interview with Record

Jonathan Silva spoke with the Record daily sports newspaper this week, in a reflection on a return to Alvalade after a period out on loan.

"I feel great physically and in terms of my football. I would say I am a tough player and I feel like I will be ready when I come back. To sign for a club like Sporting CP after playing for Boca Juniors has taught me a lot. I am ready. Hopefully I am earn a place in the team and make the most of the chances that the coach gives me. I believe I am read for everything asked of me. That is what I am focusing on now."

Paulo Oliveira speaks with Sporting TV in a lengthy interview

Paulo Oliveira sat down for an extensive interview with Sporting TV this week. In a relaxed discussion, the central defender started with an appeal for trust.

"Have confidence in the players. They have the quality and character needed and sooner or later they will make everybody smile. Through this negative period we have got together and it is down to us to find solutions. We haven't had to change a lot, because everything we have always done has been with professionalism and sincerity", said Oliveira, going on to respond to a question on how he views himself personally: "I am a relaxed and hard working kind of person. That is part of my personality and I don't want to change it. We mature as we get holder and that is how I approach things. My main characteristic is reading the game and I try my best to understand what might happen."

Oliveira already has a Portuguese Cup and Super Cup to his name in Alvalade and that final win in Jamor is one of his most memorable moments. "The fans really believe in the club and when we win it is great to see how they celebrate. The Portuguese Cup, with the way it was won where we thought everything was lost, was really special", continued the defender, adding an analysis on some of the toughest strikers he has ever faced: "I remember Diego Costa when we played against Chelsea, but also Bas Dost while he was at Wolfsburg. We have spoken about it already and we laughed about a tackle I made that almost ended up with an own goal. It is funny, but thankfully now he plays for my team."

Paulo Oliveira hasn't been a regular this season, but he sees that as a sign of the healthy competition available across the squad: "Sporting CP hsa a lot of quality options for the same position. We fight for a place in the team and it is up to us as players to show that we deserve the confidence of the coach and the president. It is a healthy bit of competition between us."

Francisco Geraldes on his return to Alvalade

Francisco Geraldes sat down with Sporting TV this Wednesday to share his thoughts on his return to Alvalade.

"I am learning a lot every day and that is why I am here", opened the youngster, affirming that he always felt close to the club while away on loan: "Octávio [Machado] called me a lot. I never felt dar away. Sporting CP always gave me a lot of attention and showed a lot of interest in how I was doing."

To finish, Geraldes affirmed that the spirit in the dressing room is solid and that last weekend's loss to FC Porto is already a distant memory: "The squad will always stand together. People couldn't shake us if they tried. We didn't get the points from the game (FC Porto), but we will fight hard in our coming games. If we play like we did in the second-half, then we will win a lot."

João Palhinha highlights the support given by Jorge Jesus

João Palhinha has been attracting the limelight since his return to Alvalade and introduction into first team action, alongside fellow Sporting CP Academy graduates Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Francisco Geraldes, Rúben Semedo and Daniel Podence. 

Sales information for Liga NOS machday 21

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 21 against Moreirense Futebol Clube will go on sale as follows:

THURSDAY (FROM 10H TO 20H) | Club Members only
FRIDAY (FROM 10H TO 20H) | General public

The first day of sales is exclusively for Sporting Clube de Portugal Club Members. A valid Gamebox or Member card must be presented, with each card valid for one ticket (January 2017 fees applicable). Each person may bring a maximum of 4 cards.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18h00 on Sunday the 12th of February, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. Tickets are priced at 15€ each.

Clinical information for Sporting CP's profesional squad

The Sporting Clube de Portugal medical department has released the following clinical update:

Joel Campbell: strain in the right adductor muscles

Bruno César: myalgia in right thigh

Jefferson: fit

André Felipe

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Sport Clube Corinthians Paulista and Sport Club do Recife for the transfer of the player André Felipe to Sport Club do Recife. Sporting SAD has transferred the 50% of the player's economic rights held for a fee of 1,200,000.00 euros.

Sporting SAD wishes André Felipe the best of personal and professional success.

Jorge Jesus praises his side's second-half rally in Estádio do Dragão

Speaking in his post-match press conference at the final whistle in Estádio do Dragão on Saturday, Jorge Jesus dismissed the final result, particularly after his side's spirited second-half display.

"It was a great game between two good teams, with two really distinct halves. FC Porto, particularly in the first-half, scored two. They didn't dominate us, but they scored two goals from situations where we should have done better. In the second-half we completely dominated and we had chances, but Casillas won the game for them. FC Porto didn't win because they were better, the fair result would have been a draw", opened the Sporting CP coach, adding: "It isn't easy to be losing 2-0 and play like we did. There was a clear foul against Palhinha in the second-half and a handball in the area, which are two situations which influenced the game. Despite that we can't take merit away from FC Porto or Sporting CP. We used a very young team today and maybe we paid for that a bit."

Sporting CP dominate, only to be frustrated by an inspired Casillas

Both Jorge Jesus and Nuno Espírito Santo rang the changes for the weekend's classic, with Matheus Pereira starting for Sporting CP and Soares making his debut. The difference between the two sides at the final whistle rested largely on the former Vit. Guimarães' killer instinct in front of goal, as well as some brilliant saves from Casillas in the second-half.

Sporting CP's efforts to bring the points back to Lisbon were dealt a heavy blow after just six minutes, when Corona whipped in a deep cross that Soares headed on after beating the off-side trap.

The strike shook a sense of urgency into Sporting CP's attacking play, but Casillas was on hand time nad time again to frustrate Jorge Jesus' side. FC Porto rarely created clear opportunities to extend their lead, but Soares again did the damage just before the break, linking up with a pass from Brahimi to make it 2-0.

After the restart and with Alan Ruiz on for Matheus Pereira, Sporting CP began to peg FC Porto back and chances soon followed. First it was Bryan Ruiz, with a header pushed away by Casillas, before Gelson Martins fired a shot high and wide after controlling well.

Sporting CP's dominance finally got its reward on the hour mark, with a fantastic strike from Alan Ruiz after controlling with his chest from a Bas Dost pass. Coates, who just this week secured a permanent move to Alvalade, looked to have equalised minutes later, but Casillas got down well to turn his header around the post.