Jorge Jesus' pre-match press conference ahead of trip to Madeira

Jorge Jesus was with the press this Friday to share his thoughts on what he believes will be a tough trip to Madeira. Affirming that his side will guarantee the full three points, the Sporting coach also dismissed the opportunity to comment on today's encounter between Benfica and FC Porto.

“This will be one of those typically difficult matches. Nacional are not an easy team to face and they have a coach that is doing a good job, but Sporting always has to play for the win. That is how we have looked at it since the start of the season and that is why we are in first. We want to keep in the fight for the title and to show we can come away with the points form these kinds of matches. Whatever happens between Benfica and FC Porto, what matters is that we win in Madeira", opened Jesus, going on to reveal that Naldo, Paulo Oliveira, Tobias Figueiredo, Jefferson and Bruno Paulista will all miss out through injury: "I wouldn't say we are having issues with injuries, because in 21 league matches, as well as in other competitions, we have Naldo, Jefferson and Paulo all fit. It is funny that injuries have only really hit centre-backs, at Benfica an FC Porto was well as Sporting."

In parallel, the Sporting coach added that the pressure of battling for the league title is also being felt elsewhere and that recent results have done little to take away from his side's confidence: "Against Rio Ave we had a lot of chance, but football can be like that. The fact that we have drawn two games doesn't mean that the team has lost quality and we played well in our last game. We have won a lot of games and have been consistently at the top of the league. We believe in our capacity to stay there."

To finish, Jesus also touched on William Carvalho's current form: "He hasn't been at the same level as say Adrien or João Mário who you also mentioned here today and we know why. It has nothing to do with his contract or his behaviour. He was out of competition for three months and he is looking for his best form, but we believe in him and we are counting on his input."

Nacional-Sporting CP will kick off at 18h30 on Saturday, in Estádio da Madeira.

Ticket news for hosting of Boavista

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 23, between Sporting and Boavista, will go on sale on Friday the 22nd of February as follows:

STAND A
Central – 20€ for Club Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Club Members and 25€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Club Members and 20€ for fans
Under-23/Senior – 10€ for Club Members

STAND B
Central – 15€ for Club Members and 25€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Club Members and 20€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Club Members and 15€ for fans
Under-23/Senior – 7€ for Club Members
Anti-Crisis – 5€ for Club Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Club Members

SALES POINTS

ESTÁDIO JOSÉ ALVALADE TICKET OFFICES

- 12th to the 21st of February: from 10h to 20h
- 22nd of February: from 10h until half-time

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- payment methods available: Multibanco, VISA and Mastercard
- Multibanco only available up to 24 hours before kick-off
- PDF ticket: tickets delivered by email (can be printed in black and white on A4)

STADIUM REGULATIONS
- Entry prohibited to children under the age of 3
- Children over the age of 3 (inclusive) require a ticket
- Under-11 Member ticket: from the age of 3 (inclusive) to 11 and valid for any section of the stand
- Under-23 Member ticket: from the age of 11 (inclusive) to 23 with different prices for stand A and B
- Senior Member ticket: from the age of 65 (inclusive) with different prices for stand A and B
- Non-renewed special seats have preference until 72h before kick-off
- Fan tickets purchased on matchday are subject to a 3€ tax
- Match included in all 2015/2016 Gamebox packages
- Member fee applicable: January 2016
 

FAMILY TICKET
- All North Goal End sectors - stand A and B
- Family of 3 (Member + Adult + Under-11): 21€
- Family of 4 (Member + Adult + Under-23 + Under-11): 25€
- Additional tickets for family of 4 (maximum of 2): Adult (10€) and Under-23 (5€)
- Members with a Gamebox can use this promotion (replacing their usual seat)
- Club Members category B can purchase this product for Goal End - stand B

ANTI-CRISIS
- Sector A9 + A11 (limited to 723 tickets) and priced at 5€
- Exclusive for Members with fees up to date

Sporting forward claims France Football award

Last week France Football launched a competition to name January's African Player of the Month. In the running were Islam Slimani, Hakim Ziyech (FC Twente, Morroco) and Cheick Diabaté (Bordeux, Mali). At final polling, the Sporting striker finished miles ahead, with a stunning 84% of the vote on the back of 8 goals in just 6 matches.

Speaking with France Football, the Algerian proved happy with his current form, but was keen to highlight his teammates: "I work everyday with my teammates and it is them who give me so many opportunities to score. My job is to score", affirmed Slimani, answering a question on his tough approach to the game: "It comes from my time in Algeria. It hasn't been easy, especially at first with the national team and my club. I accept criticism, but it seems like it has been a bit exaggerated. The truth is that only makes me stronger. It is that anger that makes me never give up."

Coach Jorge Jesus also received praise from the in-form target man: "He is a world class coach and I am not exaggerating. To work with him every day is a pleasure. He helps us improve and you can see that on the pitch. Sometimes he insists in the detail and it might seem like it isn't important, but you quickly understand what he is tryng to do. Tactically, Jorge Jesus is a genius."

William Carvalho's thoughts after penning a deal valid until 2020

Alraedy at Alvalade for eleven years, William Carvalho grew up at the Sporting Academy and worked his way through the club's youth system towards the dream of professional football. Today, the midfielder extended his stay for another four years.

“I am really happy with the confidence that Sporting has shown in me once again. Renewing my contract for another four years is a dream come true for me", said William Carvalho after putting pen to paper, adding: "This will motivate me even more to make sure I am at my best. I want to tell the fans that I am really happy with the contract until 2020 that I have signed and you can expect me to do by best. I have been here a long time and I want to stay here. I am really proud to play for this institution and I want to say something to the kids playing at the Academy: "Fight for your dream. Carry on working hard and you will be rewarded."

William Carvalho

In compliance with article 248.º, n.º 1 a) of the Market Securities Code, the Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD Board of Administration informs that the athlete William Silva de Carvalho has extended his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol SAD until the 2019/2020 season, with a buy-out clause of €45,000,000.00 (forty five million euros).

Lisbon, 9th of February 2016

The Board of Administration

Sebastián Coates following his Sporting debut

Sebastián Coates was the big surprise in the Sporting line-up this Monday night. The Uruguayan looked solid at the heart of the Alvalade defence, with just the three points missing at the final whistle.

“We wanted to win, but we are still at the top and everything is still in our hands. We aren't feeling pressure, because we are only thinking about what we have to do. Personally I felt good, but I am part of a group that likes to win. Of course I am here to win the title. I am not happy with the draw, but we are still at the top", said the defender at the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus on his side's draw with Rio Ave

While frustrated by his side's ineffectiveness in front of goal Monday night, Jorge Jesus highlighted the quality of his side's performance against an in-form Rio Ave outfit.

“It was a good game against a good team, but we did enough to win. We had various chances, but we couldn't make the most of them. Rio Ave deserve credit, because they defended well and hit us on the break. We knew that it would be hard and this is how the season will be until the last day, with lots of points won and lost", said the Sporting boss in his post-match interview, adding a word on the debuting pair of Sebastián Coates and Hernán Barcos: “Coates showed that he is an excellent player in his very first match. He looked really secure, showed experience and was strong. With a bit of confidence he will score as well. We were solid in defensive, which is positive. What wasn't so positive was that we failed to win three points."

To finish, Jesus dismissed the suggestion of anxiety following Benfica's result et the weekend: "That kind of question doesn't exist for the players in the top teams. They are prepared for that sort of thing and it just washes off them. We can do the math after every match, but what we want is the capacity to be in first at the end of the season."

Sporting held to draw by Rio Ave but hold on to Liga NOS top spot

Sporting were forced to split the points with Rio Ave on Monday night, in a goalless draw on Liga NOS matchday 21. Jorge Jesus' side dominated the possession stats and had twice as many shots on goal, but an inspired performance from the visiting keeper kept Sporting at bay.

The team from Alvalade took the game by the scruff of the neck early on, but struggled to punch holes in a well organised Rio Ave defence who looked happy to sit back, in contrast to the majority of their outings so far this season. Chances did start to appear after the opening 10 minutes, firstly with Bryan Ruiz being denied by Cássio (12’) and quickly after from a powerful shot by Slimani that was deflected away by Roderick (13’).

Although holding deep in defence, Rio Ave did have a fair few forays forward, courtesy mostly of Bressan acting as a target man on the break. On 24 minutes, Kayembe found space behind the Sporting backline, but Patrício was on hand to make the first big stop of the night. Sporting responded with a pair of chances down the other end (26’ and 27’), firstly from Adrien with a low drive that Cássio did well to smoother, followed by a header at the far post by Teo Gutiérrez that the Rio Ave keeper also responded too.

A lukewarm period followed, broken by a long pass from Coates which was brought under control by Zeegelaar. João Mário then weaved space in the area, but again Cássio (37’) replied with a save. The last chance of the half fell to Rio Ave, after Tarantini picked up possession in the 18-yard box, but Rui Patrício managed to complete an outstretched stop to turn the effort away for a corner.

The first clearcut chance after the break was also created by the visitors, when Kayembe popped up at the far post while Sporting battled through with 10 men after Paulo Oliveira was forced off by an injury (replaced Rúben Semedo), before Jorge Jesus' began to show a sense of urgency in attack and returned the natural order to the evening. Sebastián Coates actually had the ball in the back of the net following a free-kick, but his effort was ruled out.

Hernán Barcos was handed a debut 17 minutes from time in place of Teo Gutiérrez, followed by the introduction of Gelson Martins for William Carvalho in a final gamble for a goal. 'El Pirata' actually came just inches from a dream start to his Sporting career with a header at the near post, but Cássio continued his frustrating form to keep the scoreboard blank. Opportunities for Gelson (82’), Slimani (83’), Barcos (85’) and again Slimani (87’) followed, but the deadlock maintained to split the points at the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus includes 18 for Liga NOS matchday 21

Jorge Jesus has included 18 players in his squad for Monday's hosting of Rio Ave, on Liga NOS matchday 21:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: João Pereira, Paulo Oliveira, Sebastián Coates, Ruben Semedo and Marvin Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William, Aquilani, Adrien, João Mário and Bruno César

Forwards: Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Bryan Ruiz, Teo Gutiérrez, Hernán Barcos and Slimani

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will get underway at 19h00 today, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Adrien Silva

In compliance with the information obligations outlined in article 248 n.º 1 a) of the Market Securities Code, the Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD (Sporting SAD) Administration informs that the athlete Adrien Sébastien Perruchet da Silva will represent Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol SAD until the 2019/2020 season, with an additional optional season and a buy-out clause of €45,000,000.00 (forty five million euros).

Lisbon, 8th of February 2016

The Administration