Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on Wednesday's visit to Dortmund

Speaking at a press conference in Signal Iduna Park ahead of his side's encounter with Borussia Dortmund, Jorge Jesus brushed off any pre-match pressure with a dose of confidence in securing a good result.

"We don't have as much pressure on us, because of the group we are in. We are fighting for qualification against two teams who are theoretically stronger than us. We are trying to qualify, but we have to be humble enough to accept that Dormund are who have a bigger reputation on the European level than us", opened Jesus, adding a word on his belief in his players: "I fully believe in the squad, even though we haven't won in the past three matches. We know what we have to do and every good team goes through its highs and lows. The same thing is happening in the Bundesliga with Dortmund."

Looking ahead to the encounter and what is one of Europe's most intimidating atmospheres, the Alvalade coach said: "Borrusia aren't only a difficult opponent because of their stadium, but because they are a quality team. They are one of the best in the Bundesliga and Europe. They are really strong in attack and everyone has trouble stopping them. We will try to keep ourselves organised in defence."

Recommendations for fans travelling to Germany

Sporting Clube de Portugal has issued the following recommendations for fans travelling to Dortmund for this Wednesday's Champions League encounter with Borussia Dormund:

• Sporting's fans will gather at Alter Markt (Old Market) in the centre of the town.
• The area is served by the Metro system (U – UBahn U46 U45).
• Signal Duna Park is the official name of Borussia Dormund's stadium and is served by various modes of public transport.
• The area will be supervised by both German and Portuguese police, as well as representatives of Sporting CP.
• Fans are to meet by 17:00 and will begin the journey to the stadium at 19:00.
• Should Sporting CP fans have tickets for areas other than those sold in Alvalade, fans will be permitted access after security validation by the host club.
• Our fans have been fantastic when it comes to avoiding the use of pyrotechnic devices and we encourage all fans to continue to act as an example, particularly considering the fines and potential closure of the stadium for use of such devices.

Information from the club's medical department

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

Jefferson - twisted right ankle - in treatment

Spalvis - recovering from knee surgery - in treatment

Bruno Paulista - recovering from dental surgery - in treatment

Adrien and Petrovic participated in the first 15 minutes of training with no restrictions.

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's recent run of draws after a stalemate in Madeira

Sporting CP were held a third consecutive league draw this week. Speaking with the press at the final whistle after the deadlock with Nacional, Jorge Jesus insisted that his team will find their scoring form sooner rather than later.

"We started really strong. We had a fair few chances to get ahead in the first-half, including a penalty. We carried on looking for a goal in the second-half, but the game was very stop-start. We were able to play football in the first-half, but then came a lot of fouls, which is part of what teams looking to defend the result do. The lads did what they could and I thought we showed a good attitude. Of course we were missing a bit of emotional balance at times, but we did everything we could", said the sporting coach going on to reflect on what is now a considerable margin to the top of Liga NOS: "We are seven points off and we have to try our best to turn that around. We will try and push the lads hard during the week, particularly the ones who didn't spend pre-season with us. Defensively we didn't let in any goals and we have to score."

Sporting CP held by Nacional on a foggy night in Madeira

Sporting were held to a stalemate in Madeira this Friday night by Nacional, in a match which saw both teams come together in a tribute to the fight against brest cancer and strokes.

Jorge Jesus made two changes to his side that took on Tondela last weekend, introducing Lazar Markovic and Bruno César for André Filipe and Elias. Sporting did look the most likely to score right from the off and a brilliant chance went wanting in the 8th minute thanks to a last ditch tackle, when William Carvalho saw a penalty saved after a push on Sebastian Coates inside the area.

The team from Alvalade were also looking sure in defence, thanks largely to some calculated defending by Sebastian Coates. On 14 minutes the big Uruguayan dispossessed Hamzaoiu, just before the Algerian broke through against Rui Patrício.

Choupana's typical fog shrouded the stadium half-way through the first 45, but it wasn't enough to slow Sporting's forays forward. Next up it was Gelson Martins with a darting run in the 21st minute, but his shot across the face of goal was denied by a sensational save from Rui Silva. The fans were up celebrating what looked to be a certain goal on the half-hour mark when Bas Dost connected, but the big Dutchman wasted his golden opportunity to open the scoring.

Manuel Machado's dug in after the break and Sporting's attacks slowed. Meanwhile, Nacional started establishing a bulkhead down the other end. On 64 minutes, Ricardo Gomes raced away from Coates and almost got the better of Rui Patrício.

Jesus responded with the replacement of Markovic and Bryan Ruiz for Alan Ruiz and Campbell, but it was Bruno César who came closest in the dying stages, testing his luck on 58’, 74’ and 82’.

Ricardo Gomes had an opportunity to steal the points in the 89th minute, but the Cape Verdean was unable to find the target with his header after getting slightly ahead of Rui Patrício.

Information for Club Members and fans

Sporting Clube de Portugal headed to Madeira today, ahead of Friday's encounter with Nacional.

The club will hold a some special initiatives for the local and traveling fans:

- Ticket sales for 10€ (with a free postcard gift), from 11h to 17h, at the Hotel Meliá Madeira Mare;

- Autograph session at 15h00 at the same place with one of the players.

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to a tasking trip to Madeira

After last week's slip up to Tondela, Jorge Jesus's side takes aim at Nacional, with a usually difficult trip to Madeira awaiting on Friday.

"It is hard to play against Nacional. It is hard to play Choupana. The big sides have a tough time in this stadium, but we are ready for a competitive match. To come away from Madeira with three points we will have to play well on the attack, like we did against Guimarães. We will face a Nacional team that will play like they usually do", opened the Sporting coach in his pre-match press conference this Thursday afternoon.

For Jesus, it was a meeting of reflection with the press, with the Alvalade boss going on to speak about how his team approaches each game: "We try to get the best out of the team. You can look at that as a strategy for each individual game, but what we do is believe in our players and the way we play. Of course we could look to take advantage of Nacional's weaker points, but the fact that they are letting in goals doesn't mean much.

Sporting CP will take on Nacional at 21h00 on Friday, on Liga NOS matchday 9.

Information from the club's medical department

Sporting's medical department has released the following clinical update:

Petrovic - muscle injury to the left thigh - in treatment

Jefferson - twisted right ankle - in treatment

Adrien - recovering from knee surgery and a muscle injury to the left thigh

Spalvis - recovering from knee surgery

Bruno Paulista - recovering from dental surgery

Real Madrid sold out

Sporting Clube de Portugal has announced the following in relation to Champions League ticket sales:

MATCHDAY 4 | BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs SPORTING CP

Following the first two phases of sales for Club Members, the remaining tickets are on sale to the general public, priced at 44.90€ each. Kick-off is scheduled for Wednesday the 2nd of November at 20h45CET. ticket offices are open from 10h to 20h until Monday the 31st of October.

MATCHDAY 5 | SPORTING CP vs REAL MADRID CF

The second phase of sales (exclusively for Club Members) has finished, with Estádio José Alvalade sold out for the return of the World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. The stadium will without doubt have its best Champions League crowd ever and the best since the stadium's inauguration on the 6th of August 2003. A third phase of sales may take place, depending on the return of tickets from Real Madrid or the Champions League sponsors.

Estádio José Alvalade set for yet another sell-out

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin the second stage of ticket sales for the Champions League hosting of Real Madrid CF.

The phase is exclusively for Sporting Clube de Portugal members (with October 2016 fee paid), with tickets only available for Central Stand A and priced at €50 each. Ticket offices are open from 10h to 20h.