Fernando Santos includes Alvalade five for Confederations Cup

The national team coach Fernando Santos has included a total of five Sporting CP players in his squad of 24 for the coming friendly, World Cup qualifier and Confederations Cup fixtures.

The five are Rui Patrício, Beto, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva and Gelson Martins, who will face Cyprus on the 3rd of June (friendly) and Lithuania (World Cup qualifier), before travelling to Russia for the Confederations Cup.

Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares host event in Alvalade

The Sporting CP and OS Belenenses chiefs Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares were the ideal example of fair play between rival clubs in an event this Saturday. Alvalade and Belenenses skippers Adrien Silva and Tiago Caeiro were also on hand, in an initiative geared around discussing football in general and building up institutional relations between the two Lisbon sides.

Around two dozens youngsters also joined in the occasion, taking photographs in a mix of both sides' kits.

Jorge Jesus and Adrien Silva on Friday's win in Setúbal and next week's Lisbon derby

"Vitória de Setúbal are a good side who play quality football. Their coach likes to see good football and Couceiro (V. Setúbal coach) has been very positive for the club", affirmed Jorge Jesus in a flash interview at the final whistle on Friday night.

Speaking in greater depth about the evening's action, the Sporting CP coach highlighted Setúbal's form against Portugal's top side: "When you face on of the big clubs you need to a certain kind of strategy. They hadn't lost against one of the big clubs before night. We played really well and in additional to some really effective attacking play we were strong at the back. Only a really strong Sporting CP team could win 3-0 here. We were smart and I thought we managed the occasion well, so the lads deserve a pat on the back."

The Lisbon derby is up next and Jesus was inevitably asked to share his thoughts: "We want to beat Benfica, just like we wanted to beat Vitória de Setúbal tonight. It is a derby and is the focus of a lot of passion across the whole country. We are feeling good right now and it will be a great match to match. It won't decide the title, but we always go for the win and it is even better when it is against one of our rivals."

Adrien Silva returned to the starting line-up against Setúbal, but the Alvalade skipper preferred to praise his colleagues for filling in during his absence through injury, rather than focus on himself: "I am finding my confidence and form from before my injury. I want to congratulate the squad for how they have plated recently. They really showed professionalism and personality. Benfica is just another match that we want to win, but it is a derby and we can't hide from that."

Adrien Silva

Following the injury sustained in the match Sporting CP - Rio Ave FC, the player Adrien Silva was evaluated by Sporting Clube de Portugal's medical department, with the following diagnostic:

Adrien and William Carvalho highlight the squad's confidence and clarify Bruno de Carvalho's visit to the dressing rooms

Alvalade skippers spoke with the press this weekend following Saturday's draw with Chaves, looking ahead to the coming Portuguese Cup tie against the same team.

"On Tuesday the only thing we can think about is winning. We know it will be a hard game against a well organised team, but we are motivated. We are all frustrated by bad results, but we have been putting the work in and we will carry on doing so", affirmed Adrien at the final whistle, followed by William Carvalho in the same tone: "We are all feeling motivated, despite not getting the result we wanted. Of course we feel frustrated, but I am sure we will respond well."

In relation to news in the press, the midfield pair guaranteed that nothing our of the ordinary took place in the dressing rooms at the final whistle with president Bruno de Carvalho. "Let me take the opportunity to clarify what is being said: the president came to the dressing room to show his dissatisfaction and as the captains of the team we spoke with him, that's all", said Adrien, with William adding: "While there are still points to win, we will believe in ourselves, because we are good enough. the president came to the dressing room to speak about the result, but it was a normal conversation. We listened to him and I am sure that on Tuesday we will go out there and get a good result."

Alvalade skipper stretchered off after first-half incident

The Sporting CP captain Adrien Silva suffered a cervical trauma on an incident on the 35th minute. The player was stretchered off the pitch wearing a neck brace and was taken to hospital. However exams do not show any serious injury and the player has been release from hospital.

Adrien speaks up for the team at the final whistle in Sétubal

Adrien Silva assumed his role as the Alvalade skipper this Wednesday night, after some debatable refereeing decisions dictated a loss to V. Setúbal (2-1).

"Again. These mistakes are becoming constant. The lads are annoyed with so many wrong decisions, it is just getting to be so much now. I am sure he did is best, which is why I honestly don't know what to say. We train as hard as we can and we are hurt by mistakes. Our objectives are being damaged by other factors", said Adrien at the final whistle.

Adrien Silva on Sporting CP's hosting of Real Madrid

Author of both of Sporting CP's goals against Real Madrid this season, Adrien was the understandable choice to speak with press after Tuesday's Champions League encounter.

"It feels like we are repeating ourselves, but honestly we did out best. We showed our quality and we created chances, but if you don't put the goals away you pay for it in the end. The result isn't what we deserved, but football can be like that", opened the Sporting CP captain, going on to speak about the sending off of João Pereira: "With 11 it was hard, but it was even worse with 10. It forces you to double up on everything, but the lads made the sacrifice and did the club proud."

Adrien Silva looks ahead to Liga NOS matchday 10

Back in action after a spell out with injury, Adrien Silva proved confident in relation to his side's chances of securing three points against Arouca this weekend, on Liga NOS matchday 10.

“Above anything else, our objective is to win. We aren't happy with ourselves right now, but we have what it takes to turn things around. The lads are still thinking the same way they were and I am sure we can do it", said the Alvalade skipper in an interview with Sporting TV, adding: "If the boss wants me to play then I am ready, but no player can do anything on their own. We have to stick together."

Adrien on his return to action and Bryan Ruiz on Wednesday's loss in Dortmund

Adrien Silva made his long awaited return from injury this Wednesday, in Sporting's narrow defeat in Dortmund.

"It is always hard to come back after a few weeks out, but I am happy to be back with the lads. No player can decide a result on their own, this only works as part of a team and that is what we will carry on doing", said Adrien at the final whistle.

Also speaking with the press was Bryan Ruiz. "We did everything we could. We had a good came against a good team and all we were missing was a goal. We had chances and possession, but couldn't get the goal."