Jorge Jesus reflects on his side's performance in the Spanish capital

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press after watching his side come just seconds from what would have been one of the most memorable victories in the club's history.

"It would have been a lot harder for Real Madrid if I would have still been on the bench in the final stages. We played really well against the European champion. All we were missing was a bit of experience in the Champions League. We were not playing against a team that ignores the little details and if you get distracted then anything can happen. We managed to completely block out their offensive game and we were really good up until the 85th minute, but then the substitutions took away from of positioning a bit. James Rodríguez coming on shifted our structure a bit and we didn't' have the experience to defend the result, but we can be happy with having only lost in the last minute", opened the Alvalade boss in his post-match press conference.

Jesus went on to praise his team's performance, having pushed the European champion to the limit: "We know what we can do, regardless of who we play against. Real couldn't get anywhere near our goal and they only did so through a free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. We were really strong in defence and we played really well. The 5 or 6 thousand fans that travelled with us deserve to travel back to Lisbon feeling proud."

Jorge Jesus guarantees his side are ready for Real Madrid

Showing respect, but not fear. That was the challenge set out by Jorge Jesus in his Champions League pre-match press conference this Tuesday, ahead of a daunting visit to the reigning European champions.

“We have been drawn against the European champion for our first game, but that won't change how we play. We will respect Real Madrid like we do every team. We believe in the way we play and in what the team is capable of. We are ready for a hard game and we will also create our own problems for Real Madrid", affirmed the Sporting coach, before adding the inevitable word on Cristiano Ronaldo: "Cristiano is loved in Portugal, particularly by Sporting's fans. It was at the club that he grew up as a player and a person. We will have to pay attention to him, just like every other player. We don't have any special defensive focus on Ronaldo and we will play the way we always do, like we did against Moreirense."

To finish, Jorge Jesus thanked Zinedine Zidane for his complements, but did not pull his punches when it came to the match itself: "We know who we will be facing and we will show respect, but not fear. This is the strongest Real Madrid of the last few years, a lot stronger than before Zidane came in."

Jorge Jesus happy with his side's performance against Moreirense

Jorge Jesus spoke with the press after Saturday's 3-0 win against Moreirense, in what was a game of two halves for his much-changed side.

"We had some good spells. It looked a lot easier after our third goal and we took our foot off the accelerator a bit. Some of the lads are just back from the international break as well. I thought we passed the ball around well. Bas Dost is still getting to know the team and you could see that a bit in the first-half and it was the same with Campbell. We spoke at half-time and we improved after that. We gave some of the new faces to play and they did well", opened Jesus.

Speaking in further depth about his new signings, the Sporting coach added: "Bas Dost loosened up in the second-half. He didn't really know where to position himself before that. He was a lot of experience, but a debut is always tough and you could see that in everyone. Markovic looked the most confident, but he already knows Portuguese football. He is still a long way off the player that I know he can be though. All of the new players are creative and we have to give them time on the pitch. This squad gives us confidence to make choices, especially with us being in the Champions League. We will face the European champions next week, but we know what we are capable of and we are feeling confident."

Jorge Jesus expecting a tough challenge from Moreirense on Saturday

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press this Friday for his habitual pre-match press conference, ahead of Liga NOS matchday 4 against Moreirense. The weekend's visitors might not be one of Portugal's biggest names, however the Alvalade boss warned that his side will have to take the fixture seriously if they are to come away with three points.

"We will approach this game the same way we did with our other home matches this season. The most important thing is that we can live up to our potential and so far this season the team has been brilliant at doing that. That is what matters and that is what we have been working on during the week", opened Jorge, adding: "We will respect our opponent and they have some good young and talented players that are looking to make a name for themselves in this league. We will face a team that tries to keep organised in defence, but we are ready."

Preparing for the first encounter after a busy summer transfer market that has resulted in a notably different Alvalade squad, Jesus affirmed: "We are a privileged club, with some really talented players that left and some that didn't. João Mário and Slimani showed a great attitude and the same can be said of Adrien, William and Rui Patrício. These lads grew up here and the passion they have for the club makes them think a bit differently. They are 100% with us."

To finish, Jesus fended off a question on a coming midweek visit to the Spanish capital: "Honestly I wouldn't even have remembered the game against Real Madrid. We are focused on our next opponent, which is Moreirense."

Jesus in extensive interview as he looks to inspire Alvalade to silverware

"We have to wake up the sleeping lion" was the challenge laid down to Jorge Jesus when he made an ambitious move to Alvalade. Speaking in an interview with Record after three matches into the current domestic campaign and following on from on of Sporting's finest transfer window performances in recent times, Jesus reflected on his relationship with the club president and what his team is gunning for this season.

"He (the president) believed in me and it have me strength. He told me that things would be sorted out step by step and honestly that it what has happened. The president has given me whatever I have asked for whenever he can", affirmed Jesus, adding: "I have changed Sporting in terms of structure and the president has been fantastic in that, because he doesn't say no to anything."

Speaking about Sporting's transfer activity, the Alvalade coach continued: "If you think Sporting did the best out of the big three clubs, then that is a reflection of who picked the players. Sporting can pay 10 million euros for Bas Dost these days because of the work done to get the best out of the lads who were transferred for record fees. There is no truth whatsoever in me supposedly threatening to resign if Adrien Silva left and he won't stop being captain because of what happened. Not once have I considered taking the armband off him."

Jesus on his side's 2-1 win against FC Porto on Sunday night

Jorge Jesus had warned that an FC Porto visit is never easy, but a mature performance from his side saw Sporting come from behind and secure the spoils from the first classic of the current Liga NOS campaign.

"We were losing pretty much from the start and that was down in part to our positioning. Slimani and Bryan Ruiz didn't have a lot of chances and we didn't have the opportunity to do what we usually do, which took away from our quality a bit. However our tactics made the difference and we were winning at half-time. In the second-half we did well to manage the result. FC Porto didn't create a single chance on goal. Bruno Paulista was to give a bit of help to Adrien and I thought we were tactically better disciplined than FC Porto. The fans were brilliant tonight as well", said Jesus in his post-match press conference.

Jesus was actually given his marking orders in the second-half with baffling decision from the referee. "I didn't say anything to the referee. I was no where near him. The rules say that coaches can't say anything, but the coach is part of the match. As long as we don't interfere with the referee's job then I don't see why we can't speak, especially when it is with our own players. All I said was that it was that the foul should have been the other way around and I was sent off", reflected the Sporting coach.

Transfer activity was inevitably a focus off the press conference and first up was Slimani's situation: "I am not sure. I have been a coach for a long time and this is normal. A lot of clubs have been putting bids in for a lot of players and it puts a lot of pressure on us, but it is a sign of the lads' quality. With the exception of João Mário, all of the other players are part of the squad. Not just anyone can turn up here and take players and the president knows what I think and I know what he thinks."

Next up was Bas Dost: "In some ways he is similar to Slimani, but there is only one Slimani. Even with everything that is going on, he has been a great professional for the club and the team. He knows that he will only leave if Sporting wants him to."

Adrien was next: "He is also attracting attention, just like William Carvalho, Rui Patrício and Slimani and like João Mário was. It is the consequence of our success. We didn't win the league last season, but we finished second and the national team had influenced things as well."

Jorge Jesus happy with his side's showing against Paços de Ferreira

Missing from the win against Paços de Ferreira, João Mário was inevitably one of issues put to the Sporting coach at the final whistle on Saturday.

"João Mário isn't here because of how he is physically. It would have been a risk to use him today. João Mário is a Sporting player and we have to make sure he doesn't pick up an injury when he could be moving. I didn't want him getting injured. If he improve, then he will play against FC Porto", affirmed Jorge Jesus, adding a work on the match itself: "Defensively we are more solid and you can only win games if you are well organised at the back. Paços didn't have a single opportunity. Offensively we have to do better and find our form from last season. We played against a team that has traditionally been tricky for us and it is important that we hae started off with a couple of wins. I thought Coates and Semedo did really well."

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to visit to Paços de Ferreira

Jorge Jesus was in the Estádio José Alvalade press room this Friday, looking ahead at the weekend's trip to Paços de Ferreira.

"Paços de Ferreira are usually a very competitive side. It isn't easy to play in Estádio da Mata, particularly with how they play in defence. However, this is the kind of match that the season will throw at us and we have to be ready so we can come away with the three points", said the Sporting coach, before going on to fend off the inevitable questions about rumoured transfers: "I know what is being said and everything is normal. I will decide who plays and that is why Slimani will be included after coming back from suspension. This is nothing new for me to be honest and it is always the same thing, especially in August. Last year we had the same issues, because people are interested in our players. What matters most is that we defend ourselves properly. A lot of people would like to play here and normally when I mention a player they end up with Benfica or FC Porto. I think I am their best scout!"

Constant transfer speculation could of course influence performance out on the pitch, but Jesus played it cool and is ready to deal with the extra nerves: "If course I take that into consideration. This is nothing new for me or for the players. Those who have already been through this kind of period know how to deal with it. Transfer rumours reflect the quality of my technical staff, but it is up to the president to decide who goes where. My job is to get the best out of the players individually and collectively and success has its price after that."

Jorge Jesus satisfied with opening day win

“It was a hard match. It was 36 degrees at kick-off, which is really hot for a team that plays pressing football like we do. Some of the lads felt that and it impacted on how we plated", opened Jesus in his post-match press conference this Saturday, going on to analysis the match itself in greater depth: "Marítimo are a really well managed team and they caused some issues down the wing. (after the break) we took charge and Marítimo fell off a bit. William helped the pace a bit and that was important, but we won and that is what matters."

“No team starts the season in their best form. That comes step by step and the lads will develop with time", finished the Alalade boss.

Jorge Jesus in first I Liga press conference of the season

Jorge Jesus sat down for his first I Liga pre-match press conference of the campaign this Friday, reflecting on his squad's form, transfer rumours and how the season is likely to pan out.

A much deserved word was reserved in honour of Portugal's fire brigade at the start of the conference, with forest fires plaguing the country over the last week. "I want to show my support of Sporting's initiative in relation to the fires in Portugal. I really appreciate what the fire brigade have been doing. It is really hard for them", said Jesus.

Moving on to Saturday's encounter with Maritímo, the Sporting coach is not expecting an easy task: "This is the start of the season and the first game is always a bit nervy. It is hard to be on form in the first game, but we want the win."

Jesus was reluctant to make promises, but silverware is inevitably the target: "In a year we have recovered a lot of ground and closed the points gap. Last year we fought for the title until the last minute and had a superb season. We were a serious title contender. This year we want to do better, meaning we want to be in first. I don't believe that the top two will break the 85 points barrier again. I think it will be the team that gets 86 points that will win it."

The press has been rife with transfer rumours lately, which hasn't gone unnoticed by the Alvalade boss. "Nobody has left yet and I don't know if anyone will before the 31st of August. The strategy that we have built up means that Sporting's isn't a club that will sell", said Jesus, finishing with a specific focus on João Mário: "I am counting on him for the match tomorrow. I know people are looking at him, just like they are with five or six other players, but Sporting will defend its players of course."