Sporting CP back to winning form in Alvalade after three tough matches on the road

Nothing better than a packed Estádio José Alvalade to guide Sporting CP back to winning form after three disastrous away results. Two strikes from Bas Dost, a stroke of brilliance from Gelson Martins and a penalty from Adrien Silva secured a convincing win over Paços de Ferreira, despite the visitor's rally in the second-half.

Paços de Ferreira were only able to hold out for 12 minutes, with the deadlock broken after Adrien was pushed in the area by Pedro Monteiro for a penalty that the Sporting CP skipper himself stepped up to convert on with a cool finish. Jorge Jesus' side continued to push the pace and twenty minutes later Bas Dost made it 2-0 with the simplest of finishes from close range after a cross from Schelotto.

Estádio José Alvalade was already on a high, but Gelson Martins blew the roof off three minutes later with one of the finest goals of the season. The skillful winger controlled a pass from William Carvalho, before lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper's head and set up a finish from a couple of metres out.

Sporting CP looked to be in cruise control, but Paços de Ferreira had other ideas and after the break Welthon managed to squeeze a goal in from a tight angle. The Brazilian again struck on 76 minutes with a header from point blank range, but Sporting CP were not about to let the visitors steal the show and rallied in attack. Of course it was Bas Dost who resorted the two-goal cushion, with the big Dutchman rising higher than anybody else in the area to secure the final result.

Jesus announces squad for Liga NOS matchday 19

Jorge Jesus has named his squad to host Paços de Ferreira this Saturday night, in a 20h30 kick-off in Alvalade.

1 - Rui Patrício
2 - Ezequiel Schelotto
7 - Joel Campbell
10 - Bryan Ruiz
11 - Bruno César
14 - William Carvalho
15 - Paulo Oliveira
19 - Douglas Teixeira
20 - Luc Castaignos
23 - Adrien Silva
28 - Bas Dost
31 - Marvin Zeegelaar
34 - Beto Pimparel
35 - Rúben Semedo
47 - Ricardo Esgaio
66 - João Palhinha
73 - Matheus Pereira
77 - Gelson Martins
99 - Alan Ruiz

Elias

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Clube Atlético Mineiro for the transfer of the player Elias, with Sporting SAD remaining with 30% of the player's economic rights. The transfer fee was 2,500,000.00€ for 70% of the player's economic rights, with an additional 1,000,000.00 based on objectives.

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

Jorge Jesus confirms the return of Geraldes and Podence and looks ahead to the weekend's action

Opening his Friday afternoon press conference with an analysis of his squad, Jorge Jesus revealed that Francisco Geraldes and Daniel Podence are on their way back to Lisbon after a spell out on loan: "Geraldes and Podence have been authorised to come back. Not because of how we are playing right now, but because they have developed over the last six months and we think they can bring something extra. They are quality players who have the potential to be part of the future of this club. In a squad of 24, a total of 11 players are from our youth system."

Jorge Jesus went on to lend his backing to the current reshaping of the squad and an investment in youth players: "Last year, when we were doing well, nobody accused me of not investing in young players. This season we have already used Rúben Semedo and Gelson Martins a lot and two more players can break through now. Some players have left us this January because they were focused on other objectives and in those cases myself and the board have decided what to do."

Speaking more directly about the weekend's opposition, Jesus proved confident keeping the three points in Alvalade: "Paços de Ferreira are a well balanced team, with objectives different to ours. They are really good from set pieces and we will have to give away to least amount of fouls possible, which will limit their chances on goal. The fans have been great in showing belief in us and I am sure they will be with us tomorrow as well."

Lukas Spalvis

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Os Belenenses Futebol, SAD for the reintegration of the player Lukas Spalvis, with the loan agreement for the player having been terminated.

Jorge Jesus speaks in lengthy interview with Sporting TV

Jorge Jesus sat down with Sporting TV this Wednesday for an extensive interview. Here is what the Alvalade coach had to say in full:

"I feel like all Sporting CP fans should be feeling right now. Based on the season we have been having since what happened in Estádio da Luz, Sporting CP has suffered in terms of quality. In the middle of that we had some issues with refereeing. Our fans saw us play a lot of quality football in our first season and we tallied 86 points, which beat the record. I have won the league a few times without that many points."

"We won the Super Cup and we came into this season confident. On matchday 13 and 14 we started dropping points, which was partly our fault. We didn't play as good as we could have against Braga and in the Champions League, but there were also a few decisions which pushed us to a points tally which does not reflect where we should be."

"The main reason for the bad results was refereeing, I have no doubt about that. Even in our last match in Madeira, we won, but the refereeing team didn't let it happen. We scored a third goal, but it turned out to be a negative result due to a decision which was out of our control. Of course there are also technical reasons which have contributed and some players who were fundamental were transferred out, but we made a good start to the season. From there we had to bring in players, who took time to adapt. With some less than brilliant results a lack of confidence took hold. We had a really strong spine in the team with William, Adrien and João Mário down the middle. This year one of those players is not longer with us and that influences how we play."

"These things influence confidence and as soon as you don't win as many games, the fans start asking themselves why the team isn't playing as well as it was. At times where we are in the league has damaged confidence, but that is part of a player's life, as well as mine. We have to work through it, but of course it is harder when you aren't turning in the wins. That is the kind of mental work that we have to do with the players and that starts with the confidence of the fans. It isn't easy and the margin is minimal when you don't win. The fans have to help us though this."

"While it is still possible for us to win the league we will believe, but of course the table is in favour of the team at the top. We will take each game as it comes and I am convinced we will get through this with a bit of teamwork. We will not throw in the towel. We believe in our capability to get to the top and that is what I wanted to say after the match against Marítimo."

Agreement to terminate loan of Markovic

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Liverpool FC and the player Lazar Markovic for the termination of the player's loan.

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

Octávio Machado speaks about recent events on the pitch

Sporting's director for football, Octávio Machado, sat down with the press this weekend to speak about Sporting CP's current form and standing in Liga NOS. Refereeing was inevitably the overtone of his comments, but the Alvalade director did not dismiss the influence of some of Sporting CP's recent performances.

Paulo Oliveira on Saturday's draw against Marítimo

Sporting CP centreback Paulo Oliveira was the player chosen to speak with radio journalists at the final whistle this Saturday, after his side's draw in Madeira.

"We always try and win the three points, but today we just couldn't do it in a stadium where it is always hard to play. We played well, but set pieces put us in a tough spot. We came from behind and we scored a third goal, but all we can do now is keep on putting the work in", said Paulo Oliveira in an interview with Sport TV, continuing: "Results reflect what you do on the pitch and once again we couldn't get the win. We did everything we could today and we are all responsible for it. We have to keep our heads up, because this is our job and we still believe in winning the title."

Jorge Jesus highlights his side's improvement in Saturday's draw against Marítimo

Jorge Jesus spoke with the press in a flash interview at the final whistle on Saturday. The Alvalade coach liked what he saw on the pitch, despite a harsh final result.

"It was a good match. Marítimo are a good team, but we were better today than we were against Chaves. We were really close to our usual form. Marítimo were really good from set pieces and that gave them two goals, so we were always chasing the result. We did score a third, but the linesman didn't want to give it. Today I can't point the finger at the players and say they didn't want to win, because they did. Credit to Marítimo, because they played well", opened Jesus, adding: "We have fewer and fewer matches to play and the points gap is growing, which makes it all the more difficult. We have to take each game as it comes and there are still a lot of points to win."