Jorge Jesus on Saturday's visit to Moreirense

Jorge Jesus was with the press this Friday afternoon for his usual pre-match press conference, ahead of a potentially trip to 14th placed Moreirense.

"Experience tells us that it is always hard to play in Moreira de Cónegos. Moreirense are a strong team at home and we know that, but we are ready for whatever they throw at us", affirmed the Sporting coach, highlighting his side's current form: "We have been really strong recently and I think we will be in Moreira de Cónegos as well, with the help of our fans.”

Commenting on the fact that Sporting have played more matches than any other side this season, Jesus proved pleased with what is actually now an empty medical room: "We have played more matches, but the lads are all in foot shape. Thankfully we don't have any problems right now in terms of injuries, except Bruno Paulista. That is great for a coach."

The Sports Journalist Association has named Adrien Silva and João Mário in the running for Player of the Year, while Gelson Martins and Iuri Medeiros feature in the Revelation of the Year and Francisco Geraldes in the Ledman LigaPro Player of the year nomination list. A fact, of course, not wasted on Jorge Jesus: "It is the result of the work we have been putting in, which is getting the best out of a lot of the players. They are quality players, which makes things a lot easier. We are really happy with the nominations."

Moreirense-Sporting CP will kick-off at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

Jorge Jesus was understandably pleased with another clinical display in front of goal on Saturday night, this time with his team easing past Marítimo.

“It was a good win. It was as hard as we thought it would be, based on how Marítimo have been playing. They are a well structured side and they showed that tonight. We were very pragmatic I thought, although we didn't have as many chances as we usually do. We know we can't make mistakes at this stage of the season and that obviously brings a bit of anxiety with it. We have five games to go and we are in the fight", opened Jorge Jesus in his pre-match press conference.

Again questioned about the influence of pressure on his side, Jesus played it cool: "The players don't know how the other matches are going and I never want to know either. Any team playing for the title has to be ready all the time and that it what makes the difference. This team has been a good surprise for me and we have built the mentality of a champion in just eight months, which normally takes years."

Jorge Jesus' pre-match press conference ahead of hosting of Marítimo

Jorge Jesus was with the press this Friday evening, to speak about Saturday's 20h45 hosting of Marítimo, in Estádio José Alvalade. Affirming that the weekend's encounter is sure to bring with it a fair share of difficulties, the Sporting coach also spoke about the end of the disciplinary process against Slimani and Teo Gutierrez's impressive form. 

"Marítimo are traditionally a hard team to face for anyone. They are a good team with a good coach and good players. We will be playing against a well motivated Marítimo team who will want to take points away from Alvalade. We will have to find a way to reach of objectives tomorrow", opened Jesus.

Asked about the feeling in the Sporting camp, the Alvalade coach proved happy with the support shown for his squad: "The fans have been extraordinary and they believe in the team and our quality to fight for the title. When I said we would be fighting for the title, but maybe most people didn't believe it. Now they do. Sporting is a huge club with a lot of fans and have everything needed to be a big club in every way."

Another of the themes touched on by Jesus was the conclusion of the disciplinary process against Islam Slimani and Teo Gutierrez's brilliant goal scoring form. "Two or three months ago I said that I didn't believe that Slimani would be punished. For me, this decision is just a bit off because it has come so late", said Jesus about the Algerian, before commenting on Teo: "Teo isn't a surprise for anyone. When he signed for us from what was a good side in Argentina, he was also playing a lot for Colombia, which is one of the best side's in the world in terms of strikers. They have Falcão, Jackson and Bacca, but Teo always played."

Jorge Jesus on his side's 5-2 win on Monday night

Jorge Jesus was understandably with his side's dismantling of Belenenses this Monday night, with a convincing 5-2 win.

"The lads are in great form. We are in the fight and we will be until the end of the season", opened the Alvalade boss in an interview at the final whistle, adding: "We are in our best form at this stage of the season and we looked really dynamic in the first-half. We were quick and showed a lot of technical ability. Belenenses struggled a bit and we could have scored more than give. It was almost perfect, but I didn't like the goals we let in. This team cannot concede like that, but in attack we were almost perfect."

Commenting on what is one of the tightest title races for years, the Sporting coach analyzed: “We have been in first and now we are chasing first. The Portuguese league is not an easy one and you saw that in the result that one of our rivals had today. We believe we can get first place back, because we have been the best team throughout the season. We showed what we can do today against a good and well structured team."

Jorge Jesus ahead of Monday's visit to Restelo

Jorge Jesus faced the inevitable questions on added pressure in tomorrow's visit to Restelo to face Belenenses, after Benfica's win against Sp. Braga on Friday. Brushing off the suggestion, the Sporting coach affirmed that the top-three will all be under pressure until the end of the season, but that his side are focused on claiming the three points against Belenenses.

“Sporting CP needs to win this game to keep the distance with our opponents and to keep up the aspirations that we have, including being in the fight for the title. We have been in first place a few times and sometimes in second, but mostly in first. We are used to being under pressure and it is a sign that we are fighting for titles. We will be under pressure until the end of the season, just like we have been since the first day", said Jesus, before going on to analyse Monday's opposition.

“Belenenses are a good side who play some positive football. They always go for the win and try to play well. They did that against our rivals and they will definitely do it tomorrow as well. What we want to do is stop Belenenses from using their best qualities, particularly in attack. They have some decent players and if we give them space then they will create problems for us. We will be looking to stop that with the good defending that we have already shown this season. That is why we are the team with least goals conceded in the league."

Jorge Jesus on Johan Cruijff, who passed away age 68 this week

Jorge Jesus added his own words to a growing list of tributes to Johan Cruijff today. The Alvalade coach actually spent a spell with Cruijff in 1993, when the Dutchman was heading up Barcelona's Dream Team.

“As a coach he was a real idol for me for his art and creativity on the pitch, but what made me really like him was the way he set his team out at Barcelona. It is the same idea that is still used today, by Luís Enrique. It was a really unique culture. It was completely out of the normal, a really attacking style. Cruijff saw football a lot differently compared to everyone else. For him, football was an art. It wasn't just for the sake of it that he said he would prefer to win 5-4 than 1-0. For Cruijff, it wasn't enough to win. The team had to put on a show and Barcelona still think like that today. He passed that idea of Total Football on to Guardiola and Luis Enrique. Today we lost a man who gave a lot of ideas and respect to the game", Commented Jesus, adding: "I was also a bit influenced by the idea that just winning isn't enough. I am a big fan of that idea and that is how I see football, but there is only Cruijff. He is one of the mentors of modern football."

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's 5-1 in against Arouca

Sporting CP put five goals past Arouca this Saturday, in what Jorge Jesus saw as a  a clear display of the superiority shown by his side throughout the season.

“We have shown throughout the season and recently that we are better than our opponents. We showed that in Guimarães and here against our rival. Today we played against the team that is in 5th and that hadn't let in a single goal in five matches. They are a team that defend well, but we were really objective. We got the win, which was our main objective. It wouldn't have made a difference if it had been by one goal of three, but obviously  it is better like this. We showed a lot of class today and the lads really deserve a lot of credit", said Jesus, adding: "The fans deserve for us to win by this kind of margin. We will battle to the end, because that is how champions are made."

Jorge Jesus ahead of Saturday's hosting of Arouca

Jorge Jesus is expecting a tough hosting of Arouca this Saturday, on Liga NOS matchday 27. However, the Alvalade boss is confident that his side will come away with the three points.

“Arouca are having a decent enough season. They are in fifth and are trying to defend that position. They have already taken points off our main rivals as well. We know it will be hard, against a team who are good on the break. They are a decent side for this league, but we are ready. The lads are in good shape and we are in the fight for the title", opened the Sporting coach, going on to add a word on what is expected to be another capacity crowd: "Sporting CP is not only battling back its identity when it comes to titles, but also with the fans. Everyone is proud of us once again and our fans are really young. How is it possible that a club that hasn't won a title for 14 years has so many young fans? It really should be a case study."

Jorge Jesus further added that his medical staff are pushing to get Jefferson back into action, but affirmed that he has options to come in for the suspended Marvin: "Esgaio is a player who knows the position and some other players in the squad can play there as well. I am sure whoever plays will do a good job."

“Sporting is the team with most players in the national team and that is a good thing. We have a lot of young players who are going through and to be honest the club is growing right across the board", finished Jesus.

Jorge Jesus on his side's 2-1 win against Estoril

"It was yet another example that Sporting's fans are fantastic", opened Jorge Jesus in his post-match press conference this Saturday evening, dedicating the win to both the Sporting faithful and president Bruno de Carvalho.

Speaking about the match itself and how the title race is panning out, Jesus added: "We have less and less games to play. We said we would be in the fight until the end and that is where we are. The objective today was to win, to keep up the fight for first place. It was crucial that we win today and that is exactly what we did. I thought we were really strong in the first-half and showed a lot of quality. We had chances in the second-half and that could have set a different result. Estoril are really dangerous when they play with three up front and from crosses, because they have some players who are really strong in the air. When you start to concede possession then you can always let in a goal, which it ws happened."

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to Liga NOS matchday 26

Jorge Jesus is expecting a tough trip to Estoril this weekend, however the Alvalade coach is expecting his side's quality to secure the three points.

“Amoreira is always a difficult place for big teams to play. Our objective is to win of course and we know it will be hard, but we are confident, just like our fans are. As far as I know Amoreira has already sold out, which has been normal this year wherever we play. The fans have done us proud this season", opened Jesus, going on to reflect on the season so far: "What matters is that we focus on the facts: when we started the season, we said that we wanted to be in the fight for the title and that is exactly where we are. there are nine games left and we are in the fight."

Bryan Ruiz is still not certain for Saturday's encounter after picking up a knock last weekend, in what was a tough Lisbon derby. "Bryan only trained today and yesterday. A lot has been said about the tackle put in on him, but he has that much class that he even forgave Renato's foul on him. We are trying to get him ready for tomorrow and we will see how it goes. Bryan is an excellent player with a real intelligence on the pitch. He knows what he can do and he knows that everyone makes mistakes, but that doesn't take away from a player's quality."

Estoril-Sporting CP will kick off at 18h30 tomorrow, in Estádio Coimbra da Mota.