Jesus puts squad through their paces in build up to Portuguese Cup

The inclusion of B team goalkeeper Pedro Silva in the senior team's training session was the main highlight of Wednesday's training session in Alcochete.

With Rui Patrício, William Carvalho and Gelson Martins (Portugal), Coates (Uruguay), Markovic (Serbia) and Bas Dost (Netherlands) all away on international duty and Adrien and Spalvis out through injury, Jorge Jesus had a much reduced squad to work with. Taking advantage of the good weather, the Sporting coach guided the players through a session with the ball, before finishing with a lecture on tactics.

Alvalade skipper picked up muscle problem against Vitória de Guimarães

Sporting Clube de Portugal informs that the player Adrien Silva picked up a muscle injury to the left thigh on Saturday and is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks. In taking advantage of the Sporting captain's forced absence, Adrien Silva has also undergone a procedure to correct an already existing meniscus injury to his left knee.

News on tickets for B. Dortmund and Real Madrid

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin ticket sales tomorrow for Champions League Group Stage matchday 3 and 5.

MATCHDAY 3

SPORTING CP vs BORUSSIA DORTMUND

18th of October (Tuesday) at 19h45

MATCHDAY 5

SPORTING CP vs REAL MADRID CF

22nd of November (Tuesday) at 19h45

Just 15,000 tickets are still available. Both matches are included in GAMEBOX 2016/2017 and all tickets for the visiting clubs and respective institutions have already been issued. Tickets are expected to sell out.

Children under the age of 3 are not permitted to attend the match and all fans must have a valid ticket (Gamebox 2016/2017 or ticket). The membership fee applicable for the matches in September 2016 (for Borussia Dortmund) and October 2016 (for Real Madrid CF).

Midfielder picks up thigh muscle injury against V. Guimarães

Adrien Silva suffered a muscle injury to the left thigh against V. Guimarães and was substituted after 36 minutes.

"We have no idea how we let in three goals"

While congratulating Guimarães for coming back from three-nil down, Jorge Jesus considered the draw as a harsh reflection of his side's performance.

"We were a quality side for 75 minutes, with some really dynamic, quick and creative football. We scored three and everyone was probably expecting us to score four. Up until the penalty we controlled the match. It was us who played for the win, although Vit. Guimarães deserve merit for what they did in the final stages", said Jorge Jesus in his post-match conference, adding: "With tiredness hurting us we lost a bit of aggressiveness and we couldn't win the second balls. It was all Sporting for 75 minutes and we have no idea how we let in three goals. It is a shame, because we deserved to win. I congratulate Vit. Guimarães, because they believed they could get back into it."

Sporting CP dominates for 74 minutes before conceding three

It was an extremely harsh final result after how Sporting dominated in D. Afonso Henriques. In fact, Jorge Jesus' side led 3-0 at one point, before two goals from Marega in the space of just a minute gave Vit. Guimarães the momentum to snatch a draw.

The encounter got off to a well balanced start, with neither team really willing to throw anything forward. Guimarães did have a half chance early on when a well placed pass picked out Marega, but the winger took a poor first touch and was able to capitalise. After 20 minutes Jorge Jesus' side took control, holding down long spells of possession and probing forward almost at will. The first big chance came from a snap shot by Adrien, denied by a fine save from Douglas.

The opportunity was a warning for the coming goal and who else but Gelson to rip open the Guimarães defence with a dazzling run and shot that Douglas parried into the path of Markovic for the opener. The goal triggered an avanlance of attacking football from the team from Alvalade and Rúben Semedo came close to doubling the lead, but his looping header ended up with wrong side of the post after a corner from Bryan Ruiz. However it didn't take long for Sporting to find the back of the net for a second time, when Coates made the most of Douglas' miscalculated run off his line. There was however bad news for Jesus at the end of the first-half, when Adrien was forced off through injury (replaced by Elias).

Sporting looked even more dominant after the break and chances naturally followed. First it was Markovic to break through on goal, but the Serbian was unable to beat the isolated Guimarães keeper. It was Elias who fired in Sporting's third, with a well placed effort from outside of the area.

The result looked secure, however a penalty against William Carvalho saw Marega pull one back from the spot in the 74th minute to give the hosts a lift. Just one minute later, the winger on loan from FC Porto converted on a cross to put his side back into contention. Soares scored the equaliser with one minute to play after latching on to a free-kick.

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to Saturday's visit to Guimarães

Sporting will travel to Guimarães tomorrow for what is always a tricky encounter. While Sporting have been in blistering form, Vitória are having a solid start to the campaign, having tallied 10 points. 

Jorge Jesus proved well aware of the difficulties awaiting, but guaranteed that his team have done their homework in preparation to go for the three points: "We have to be as careful as possible when traveling to Guimarães. It is a hard stadium to go to and win, but we are ready for what they will throw at us. Our objective is the three points."

Gelson Martins was also an inevitable talking point in the day's press conference, after the youngster was given his first international senior cap. "Gelson had a great season last year and this year he is making a name for himself, but he still has a long way to go. He is a young lad who knows how good he is and right now he is the only player in Portugal who can bring magic, creativity, speed and the positioning he has learnt at Sporting. It won't be long before Rúben Semedo is called up as well", finished Jesus.

Alvalade side on the road for Portuguese Cup 3rd round

Sporting Clube de Portugal has been drawn against Famalicão in the Portuguese Cup 3rd round. Jorge Jesus will travel to the team in the north of Portugal on the 16th of October, in a fixture moved forward two days ahead of Sporting's Champions League hosting of Borussia Dortmund.

Gelson Martins ecstatic with first senior international cap

Gelson Martins was named with the nation's stars for the first time this week, included in Portugal's squad list for two coming internationals.

"I feel proud. I am still only 21 and I want to carry on growing, but this is really important for me", said Gelson at the news of his inclusion, adding: "This was one of my objectives. First I had to play well for Sporting and then I could represent my country. I have learnt a lot (with Jorge Jesus) and he has been really important for me."

Fernando Santos names quad for matches with Andorra and Faroe Islands

Fernando Santos has named a squad of 24 for the coming matches against Andorra (7th of October) and the Faroe Islands (10th of October).

The big news is Gelson Martins first senior international call up, after the youngster's brilliant start to the season.