William Carvalho highlights Dortmunds's effectiveness in front of goal

"We will respond in our next match", affirmed William Carvalho after Sporting's 2-1 loss to Dortmund on Tuesday night, on Champions League matchday 3.

Reflecting on the action, the Sporting midfielder added: "We did well, but they had two chances and scored two goals in the first-half. Football can be like like. In the second-half we had a lot of chances, but we didn't make the most of it. It was a harsh result, but we still believe we can qualify."

Bas Dost shares his thoughts on a well known adversary

Sporting's inside man when it comes to German football, having spent four seasons with Wolfsburg, Bas Dost was the obvious choice to speak ahead of Tuesday's Champions League hosting of Borussia Dortmund.

"I have played a lot of times against Borussia and I have scored a few against them too. It won't be easy, but we are properly prepared and we will do our best", said the Sporting striker, continuing with a word of thanks to the fans for their support since his arrival in the Portuguese capital: "I scored in our last game and I want to do it again tomorrow. I haven't given any advice to my coach and honestly he doesn't need it. He is ready for tomorrow. Our objective is to win in Alvalade, even if it is against Borussia or Real Madrid."

Jorge Jesus expecting a thriller against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night

Getting straight to the point in his pre-match press conference this Monday evening, ahead of the hosting of Borussia Dortmund on Champions League matchday 3, Jorge Jesus cast doubt on what would usually be his probable choice of Rúben Semedo: "He is still a bit limited, but we will look at him again tomorrow."

In relation to Tuesday's opposition, the Sporting boss is expecting a typical Champions League encounter: "The draw put us in a group with two of the competition's strongest teams. We have confidence in our ability and tomorrow could be crucial for who qualifies for the next round, but both teams have objectives past this match. Borussia are really strong in attack and I am sure we will see some goals tomorrow."

Speaking about what is a packed Dortmund medical room, Jorge Jesus cautioned against underestimating the German visitors. "Since the start of the season their strikers have been well above the average. They have a really strong squad with a coach that has his own style and that makes a difference. It will he hard, but the most important thing is the win, although a draw wouldn't be the end of the world. We are feeling confidence, like we were in Madrid", added Jesus, continuing on the tone of his side's memorable showing in the Spanish capital: "We have to praise Sporting for what we did there. We lost and we had a very good chance of getting some points from that match. We are facing another really strong team, but we want to repeat what we showed on matchday 1 tomorrow. It doesn't really matter if Dortmund are better than Real Madrid or now, what matters is that we are on the same level that we have been so far."

Asked about how he will be following the action, serving a suspension, Jesus noted: "The important decisions have already been made and I have my colleagues to decide what happens in specific moments of the match."

Professional Football Players Syndicate nominates Alvalade starlet

Gelson Martins has been one of Alvalade's top performers so far this season, so it comes as little surprise that the Sporting sensation scooped the Professional Football Players Syndicate's Liga NOS Young Player of the Month award for August and September, ahead of André Silva and Gonçalo Guedes.

The winner of the award is named after scores from the daily sports newspapers (A Bola, O Jogo and Record) and the Professional Football Players Syndicate.

Update from the Alvalade treatment room

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

Petrovic: muscle injury to the left thigh
Jefferson: twisted right ankle
Adrien: recovering from knee surgery
Lukas Spalvis: recovering from knee surgery
Bruno Paulista: recovering from dental surgery

Information from Sporting CP's medical department

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

Petrovic: muscle injury in the left thigh.
Jefferson: twisted left ankle.
Rúben Semedo: myalgia in the left thigh.
Adrien: meniscectomy to the left knee.
Spalvis: operation to repair cruciate ligament.

Markovic on target to move Sporting into the Portuguese Cup 4th round

A much changed Sporting side moved into the next round of the Portuguese Cup this Thursday night with a hard fought win in Famalicão. Beto and Douglas were handed their first starts since moving to Alvalade and it was looking to be an easier night's work than it turned out to be, with Markovic netting after just ten minutes after a pass from Elias.

Although facing much stronger opposition, the hosts were determined to make a game of it and shortly after the opening goal Beto was called into a tough save. In response Elias had a golden chance to extend Sporting's lead, but the Brazilian fired off target after linking up with Alan Ruiz.

Jesus used half-time to make his first change, bringing off Petrovic and introducing William Carvalho to the action. However, not even the presence of the Portuguese international was enough to kill of Famalicão's fighting spirit. Sporting could well have put the result to bed on various occasions, but Elias took too long to pull the trigger on one occasion and chance for Gelson finished just inches wide.

Jorge Jesus on Thursday's Portuguese Cup visit to Famalicão

Sporting will open this season's Portuguese Cup campaign with a visit to Famalicão on Thursday night. Although the team from the north hail from a lower division, they are a team with a strong tradition and good following.

“Famalicão have a long history in Portuguese football. They were in the top division for a few years and they have more fans than some of the clubs in the top division", said Jorge Jesus in an interview with Sporting TV on Wednesday, adding a word on his intentions going into the competition: "It doesn't matter who we play against, what matters is the competition. We will put out a good side tomorrow and we are getting better and better in attack."

Elias sits down for an interview with O Jogo

Elias spoke in an extensive interview with the newspaper O Jogo this week. Reflecting on his return to the Portuguese capital, the Brazilian proved surprised with the progress visible in Alvalade. "Everyone who works at the club wants to win", said the 31-year old, going on to comment on his battle with Adrien for a place in the team: "He is a player that I really respect and he is a fundamental part of the team both on and off the pitch. I hope to stays with us for a long time."

Jorge Jesus was inevitably the target of a question or two, seeing Elias answer: "He is really different. He is the best coach out there right now. I have had some really good coaches, like Tite with Brazil and now Jesus is the best in my opinion. It is an honour to work with him."

In relation to president Bruno de Carvalho, Elias expressed his admiration: "He is working really hard for the club and for the players and we really appreciate him for that. It loves this club and wants to see us at the top. That kind of person is good for football."

Alan Ruiz affirms Sporting's credentials on every front

Alan Ruiz sat down for an interview with the sports newspaper Record this week.

For the Argentinean, there is little doubt on how high the bar should be set for Sporting this season: "I would bet on Sporting to win the league right now. Sporting tries in every competition and always plays for the win. Not just in the league, but in every competition. Every team we play against wants to win, because we are one of Europe's top clubs."