Jorge Jesus names 20 for trip to Restelo

Jorge Jesus has included 20 players in his squad to face Belenenses on Monday, on Liga NOS matchday 28.

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: Schelotto, Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Coates, Rúben Semedo and Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William, Adrien, João Mário, Aquilani and Bruno César

Forwards: Gelson Martins, Carlos Mané, Matheus, Bryan Ruiz, Teo Gutiérrez, Hernán Barcos and Slimani

Belenenses-Sporting will kick off at 21h00, in Estádio do Restelo.

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."

Sales already underway

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 29, between Sporting CP and Marítimo, are now on sale as follows:

STAND A
Central – 20€ for Members and 32€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 27€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 22€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 10€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Members

STAND B
Central – 15€ for Members and 21€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Members and 16€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Members and 13€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 7€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Members

Anti-Crisis – 5€ for Members
Family Ticket - 21€ (3 people) // 25€ (4 people)

SALES POINTS

ESTÁDIO JOSÉ ALVALADE TICKET OFFICES
- 1st to 8th of April: from 10h to 20h
- 9th of April (matchday): from 10h until half-time

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- payment methods available: Multibanco, VISA and Mastercard
- Multibanco option available up to 24 hours before kick off
- PDF ticket: to be printed on A$ (can be black and white)

STADIUM REGULATIONS
- Entry prohibited to children under the age of 3
- Children over the age of 3 (inclusive) require a ticket
- Under-11 Member ticket: from the age of 3 (inclusive) to the age of 11 and valid for any section of the stand
- Under-23 Member ticket: from the age off 11 (inclusive) to the age of 23 and with different prices for stand A and B
- Senior Memer ticket: from the age of 65 (inclusive) and with different prices for stand A and B
- Non-renewed special seats have preference up to 72h before kick off
- Fan tickets purchased on matchday are subject to a 3€ tax
- Match included in all Gamebox 2015/2016 packages
- Member fee applicable: March 2016

FAMILY TICKET
- All North Goal End sectors - stand A and B - available
- Family of 3 (Member + Adult + Under-11): 21€
- Famíly of 4 (Member + Adult + Under-23 + Under-11): 25€
- Additional tickets for the Family of 4 option (maximum of 2): Adult (10€) and Under-23 (5€)
- Gamebox holders can use this promotion (replacing their usual seat)
- Category B members may only purchase this product for North Goal End stand A

ANTI-CRISIS TICKET
- Sector A9 + A11 (limited to 734 tickets) with a special price of 5€
- Exclusive for Members with fees paid

League announces matchday 30 fixture times

Sporting will visit Moreira de Cónegos at 20h45 on Saturday the 16th of April, to take on Moreirense on Liga NOS matchday 30.

Three-nil win against Jamaica puts Costa Rica in driving seat in CONCACAF group B.

Bryan Ruiz once again captained Costa Rica this week, this time for a 3-0 win against Jamaica that all put grantees his side top spot in CONCACAF group B.

After Borges opened the scoring in the 7th minute, the Alvalade forward found the back of the net in the 37th minute with a rocket of a shot. Venegas closed the scoresheet 12 minutes from time.

Tiago Martins for Liga NOS matchday 28

Tiago Martins, 25, from the Lisbon Football Association, has been named for Sporting's Liga NOS matchday 28 visit to Belenenses.

André Campos and Pedro Mota will act as linesmen.

This will be Martins' second Sporting match of the season, following the 0-0 draw in Guimarães on matchday 24.

Belenenses-Sporting CP will kick off at 21h00 on Monday the 4th of April, in Estádio do Restelo.

Sales begin on Wednesday

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 28, which will see Sporting visit Clube Futebol Os Belenenses, will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices (from 10h to 20h) as follows:

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY | Club Members with a 2015/2016 Gamebox
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY | Club Members
SUNDAY AND MONDAY | General public

A valid Gamebox or Member card must be shown (with March 2016 fees paid), with each card valid for one ticket. Each person can use a maximum of four cards.

Kick-off is scheduled for 21h00 on Monday the 4th of April, in Estádio do Restelo. Tickets are for the North Goal End and are priced at €13 each.

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."

Alvalade midfielder scoops yet another award

João Mário has been named as the Professional Football Player's Syndicate for the month of February, after having already won the award in January.

The Sporting midfielder, who is currently away on international duty, won a total of 16.94% of the vote, beating the Guimarães keeper Miguel Silva (13.72%) and Iuri Medeiros (11.62%), who is currently out on loan..

The voting is tallied from the choice of the Player's Syndicate (40%) and sports journalists and is for players under the age of 23.

PPFL announces coming Liga NOS fixtures

The Portuguese Professional Football League has announced the dates for the next two Liga NOS matches, coming up after this weekend's international break.

Sporting will make the short trip to Restelo to take on Belenenses at 21h00 on Monday the 4th of April, before hosting Marítimo at 20h45 on Saturday the 9th of April.