William Carvalho pleased with Sporting's second Liga NOS win

"The lads deserve a pat on the back for how we played. Our objective was to win and it is never easy to do that here", said William Carvalho at the final whistle this Saturday, adding a word on transfer speculation and his future in Lisbon: "(I am) focused on Sporting."

Sporting tally second win in as many attempts with battling performance against Paços

Six points out of six. Sporting are off to the best possible start to the new Liga NOS campaign, thanks to a solo strike from Adrien against Paços de Ferreira this Saturday.

With a hosting of FC Porto next up, an 11th consecutive league win was just what Jesus' side needed, with the cleansheet also Sporting's 4th in a row.

It was actually the hosts who had the opening opportunity of the encounter, when Mateus Silva tried his luck from range with 10 minutes on the clock. However, the effort ended up high of Rui Patrício's goal.

Sporting didnt't take long to rally and two minutes later it was danger down the other end, when a cross from Bruno César was only half cleared. Slimani looked to have found an inch to get away a shot, but Filipe Ferreira was able to get a block in.

Both sides were making a game of it and the blistering pace kept up. On 26 minutes a guided free-free tested Patrício, before an evidently rehearsed free-kick move from 30 metres out saw Adrien and William Carvalho exchange possession, before the Sporting captain blasted an effort just inches off target.

Defendi had been let off in the Paços goal so far, but he was in for a nervy evening. After trying to dribble the ball out, Buno César picked up possession and put a chip just off target.

The string of chances put wind into the Alvalade sails and more opportunities follows. On 34 minutes Bryan Ruiz floated in a cross that eventually found its way out to Alan Ruiz, but his shot was denied by a fine stop by the Paços keeper. Four minutes later, Slimani again tested Defendi's reflexes.

The opener however was destined for Adrien, after some persistent attacking. Bryan Ruiz looked up and drifted a cross towards Slimani, but the Algerian failed to get his effort away. However, the big striker didn't give up and hampered the Paços defence, who could only clear out as far as Bruno César, In came another cross and this time Gelson connected with the header, setting up Adrien for a superb bicycle kick to give his side a much deserved lead.

The Alvalade skipper's goal proved crucial at the final whistle, with Sporting missing a clinical touch in the second-half that could well hae extended the final result.

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."

Sporting fans snap up tickets for Liga NOS matchday 2 in just one day

Tickets on sale in Estádio José Alvalade for the matchday two visit to Paços de Ferreira have completely sold out.

Tickets will be on sale at Estádio Capital do Móvel from 9h to 12h and from 14h to 19h, priced at 25e for the Central Stand and 13€ for the South Stand. 

Sporting boss has squad out on the training pitch preparing weekend's encounter

Jorge Jesus had his squad out on the training pitch this Thursday morning, putting the final touches to Saturday's 18h15 visit to Paços de Ferreira, on Liga NOS matchday 2.

The Sporting boss had his whole squad available, with the exception of the injured Lukas Spalvis and Wallyson.

The players went through a series of warm up exercises during the 15 minutes open to the press, before moving on to a session on tactics. 

Adrien on Sporting's I Liga 2016/17 debut

Adrien Silva spoke briefly with the press this Saturday evening after his side's win against Marítimo.

"It was an intense match, but we did well. At this stage of the season I thought it was a good pace and we made sure Marítimo couldn't do anything on the counter-attack", said the Sporting skipper, before answering a question on transfer rumours regarding João Mãrio: "Goodbye? No. He played today and he played well. You could see he is happy by the way he played and I don't think this was his last match."

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.

Sporting win Liga NOS opener with tactical masterpiece in Alvalade

Sporting's I Liga opener actually turned out to be an easy encounter than expected this Saturday night, not so much down to Marítimo's performance, but more the result of some strategic brilliance from Jorge Jesus, Slimani's absence through suspension meant that the Alvalade boss' saw his options in attack limited. However, João Mário floating in the middle behind Bryan Ruiz and Gelson in support of Alan Ruiz did just the trick. The Argentinean was particularly firery on the night, creating space and working hard off the ball.

João Mário had a fair few chances on goal that he might well have done better to finish (12', 17', 42', 52), but a bit of reluctance to try his luck saw the opportunities go wanting. With rumours flying around regarding a potential transfer, the Alvalade crowd took the opportunity to give the number 17 a standing ovation when he was substituted.

Rui Patrício was also in his usually brilliant form, making his first notable stop in the 16th minute to deny Diawara, following a rare foray forward by Marítimo. A flash of flare from Bryan Ruiz in the 20th minute saw the Costa Rican pick out Jefferson in space in the 20th minute, but the Brazilian's effort was comfortably scooped up by Gottardi. A goal was looking likely and it finally came from an unstoppable header by Coates, when the giant centre-back converted on a corner whipped in by João Mãrio.

Martítimo had what was probably their best chance of the encounter six minutes before the break, but Patrício wasn't going to be easily beaten and the sides went in to the dressing room deadlocked.

The second-half was the perfect opportunity to mix things up and Jorge Jesus obliged, switching out Jefferson for Bruno César. Five minutes later Coates missed what would hae been his second, before Bryan Ruiz showed how it should be done (61') with a cool finish to essentially put the result to bed.

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."

Jorge Jesus putting the final touches to I Liga opener

Sporting were out on the training pitch at the Academy this Tuesday, preparing for Saturday's 18h15 hosting of Marítimo in Estádio Jose Alvalade.

With the exception of Islam Slimani, Jorge Jesus had his entire squad available for the session.