Gelson Martins shares his thoughts with Sporting TV

Gelson Martins spoke with Sporting TV this week ahead of Friday’s encounter with I Liga new-comers Tondela.

“The week has gone well for us, the lads are motivated and we are focused on our match against Tondela. There are no easy games and we will play against Tondela like we would against any other team. We have to work hard to be ready”, opened the winger, adding: “It is always great to have the fans behind us and this will be just like it was in the Supercup final in the Algarve.”

Individually, Gelson proved happy with how he is fitting into the senior squad: “It has been going well for me and the older players have been helping me a lot. I am really happy and I feel like I have to work to show that it was worth taking a bet on me.”

Islam Slimani

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Islam Slimani for the renewal of his contract until 2020, with a buy-out clause of 30,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Slimani the best of professional and personal success.

João Mário

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with João Mário for the renewal of his contract until 2020, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes João Mário the best of professional and personal success.

UEFA announces champions League squads

Sporting’s Squad B List was released today, adding another 14 players to those announced earlier in the week: Guilherme Oliveira, Pedro Silva, Vladimir Stojkovic, Riquicho, Tobias Figueiredo, Domingos Duarte, Francisco Geraldes, Rafael Barbosa, Fábio Martins, Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence, Matheus Pereira, Carlos Mané and Cristian Ponde.

Complete squad list in full:
Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício, Marcelo Boeck, Azbe Jug, Guilherme Oliveira, Pedro Silva and Vladimir Stojkovic
Defenders: João Pereira, Ricardo Esgaio, Riquicho, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Ewerton, Tobias Figueiredo, Domingos Duarte, Jefferson and Jonathan Silva
Midfielders: William, Adrien, Aquilani, João Mário, André Martins, Francisco Geraldes, Rafael Barbosa and Fábio Martins
Forwards: Carrillo, Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Bryan Ruiz, Matheus Pereira, Daniel Podence, Cristian Ponde, Tanaka, Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani

Sporting coach speaks with the press after Supercup win

“The winner tonight is Sporting and the players”, opened Jorge Jesus in a post-match interview, after leading his side to an eighth Supercup with a 1-0 win over Benfica.

For the Alvalade boss, there is no doubt that his side earned their silverware. “It isn’t easy to get the team playing like they did in just five weeks and it is all down to the intelligence of the players. We were the best team throughout the 90 minutes and we had the most chances. We scored another goal, but it was ruled out”, affirmed Jesus, adding: “ Benfica was scared of Sporting and that is down to how we started the game. I felt like Benfica was afraid and Sporting was more of a team. The players and the fans deserve to be congratulated.”

Asked if he will be bringing the national championship title to Sporting this season, Jesus commented: “Any Sporting coach has to play for the tittle. Saying things like ‘we are going to try’ don’t wash with the history that this club has and we have to go for it.”

Sporting open 2015/16 campaign with win over Benfica

Sporting made the best possible to the 2015/16 domestic campaign this Sunday night, beating Benfica 1-0 in the final of the Supercup to bring the trophy to Alvalade for the 8th time.

Sporting’s fiery start to the encounter left little doubt that Jorge Jesus’ side had made the trip to the Algarve fully focused on bringing silverware back to Lisbon. Looking deadly in attack, Sporting dominated right from the off, holding down long spells of possession and pressing in defence. Making the most of Benfica’s nervy start and sloppy passing, the team from Alvalade pushed high up the pitch and Téo came painfully close to connecting with a cross from Jefferson, but Júlio César was quick off his line to intercept. Benfica responded with a cross by Ola John that Jonas failed to connect with, before Adrien tried his luck in the 18th minute with an effort from the edge of the area that Júlio César comfortably saved.

Despite Sporting’s clear dominance, the first golden opportunity fell to Benfica, when Jonas headed wide following a corner whipped into the far post by Gaitán. Sporting rallied and two minutes later Téo looked to have an open goal in front of him, but Jardel made a last ditch clearance to cut out Bryan Ruiz cross. Téo actually had the ball in the back of the net a few minutes later after taking advantage of some confusion in the area, but his goal was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Jorge Jesus’ charges continued to dominate after the break and it looked to be only a matter of time before Benfica collapsed under the avalanche of attacking football. On 48 minutes João Mário pulled a low stop out of Júlio César, before Téo headed just wide from a stinging cross by Jefferson. On 53 minutes, Carrillo found space at the edge of the box to release a shot towards goal and Téo added a slight deflection to finally beat Júlio César.

Trailing, Benfica proved uninspired in their attempts to get back into the fixture, with Rui Vitória’s side doing little more than push the ball out wide.

Slimani could have doubled the lead, but the Algerian’s shot across goal ended up the wrong side of the post after he had earned a yard of space at a tight angle. Benfica had one final chance in the dying stages, but Lisandro’s header lacked pace and barely troubled Patrício. As the final whistle sounded, Sporting came away with a well-earned win and eighth Supercup.

Alvalade boss speaks with the press ahead of Sunday's Supercup encounter

“Both sides want to win and we will see who is the better side”, opened Jorge Jesus in a press conference on Saturday, setting the stage for Sporting’s Supercup encounter with Benfica in Estádio Algarve.

“It is a final between two rivals and we are all aware of how important this game is. We have prepared ourselves as well as we could during the pre-season. Only the best teams reach this match and it is a good sign for Sporting to be involved”, reflected the Sporting coach.

Questioned about how his new-look side is progressing, Jorge Jesus proved happy: “It isn’t the same thing to arrive at a club and try and implant an idea. With different ideas, you also have to work in a different way, so we have to accept that things won’t go as good as I want them to sometimes. However, I am happy to be working with some very intelligent players, which helps a lot. We are a club with national prestige and we want to do our best to win the Supercup.”

Asked for his thoughts on Sunday’s opposition, Jorge Jesus added: “Benfica is champion and their players have won seven trophies out of eight, but being favourite doesn’t give you the right to win. We are feeling confident that we have the capacity to play in a final against a team like Benfica.”

Sporting president speaks with the Portuguese Football Federation

In the build-up to this Sunday’s Supercup between Sporting and Benfica, president Bruno de Carvalho has left a message on the Portuguese Football Federation’s official website

“I am writing this message with the pleasure of opening a new season in which Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin how we finished last season: with a match which decides another trophy.

In May we travelled to Jamor to face Sporting Clube de Braga, the last obstacle separating us from one of our objectives for the season. Now we travel to the Algarve to take on the national champion and to begin a new cycle by lifting the Cândido de Oliveira Supercup.

Cândido de Oliveira deserves a special mention. A lot of times when speaking about this trophy, people forget to remember a figure of national sport and of Sporting in particular. He knew everything there is to know about football. He was a player, the first captain of the national team, he was the coach behind the Five Violins, he was the national coach and he was a journalist and founder of the newspaper 'A Bola'. On and off the pitch, he was an exemplary citizen, decided to sport.

This is a competition that is different to all other. It gauges a moment, it takes the pulse of the teams and it entertains fans as they prepare for a long season full of emotions, dreams and triumphs.

The 9th of August is final day and it is another party and another opportunity for two clubs who are part of national football history to showcase the ideals of true sportsmanship. Both on and off the pitch, although a trophy is to be won, it is a chance for fair-play and for fans to enjoy their day.

On that note, I finish with a message for all of Sporting Clube de Portugal’s fans and Club Members who will travel to Algarve to support us like they did in Jamor: your support can take us that extra yard. We are counting on you for yet another showing of your unconditional support for the team, guided by our motto of Effort, Dedication Devotion and Glory!”

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD, notes following negotiations with the athlete Kevin-Prince Boateng that it was not possible to reach an agreement relative to his image rights

Sporting SAD wishes Boateng the best of personal and professional success.

Jorge Jesus happy with his side's 2-0 win against Roma

Jorge Jesus was evidently pleased with his side’s 2-0 win over Roma this Saturday, in toughest test of the pre-season campaign so far.

“Today we played against the team that Finished second in Italy and they have some great players. Today Sporting reacted well and I was some interesting things”, opened the Alvalade boss, before responding to a question on potential transfer activity: “The squad is in training and will be until the 31st of August.”