Sporting CP reaches agreement with Beto

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Beto for a contract valid for two seasons, with an additional optional season and a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD wishes Beto the best of professional and personal success.

Jesus happy with his side's showing against Betis

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press after his side's encounter with Betis on Thursday evening, in a game which saw Marcelo Meli make his debut.

"Not everything went well, but some things did. When you use 22 players in a match, which is what you do in pre-season, then it is only normal that some things don't click in defence. We were almost always good in attack. These games are exactly for this, because we can't make so many changes in the league and this is a chance to look at the new players and what they can do. I am not worried about the results. Offensively we did what we have been doing in training and in defence we didn't, but I enjoyed the match", said Jesus at the final whistle.

Reflecting on Marcelo Meli's debut, the Sporting coach affirmed: "If it would have been an official match then Meli wouldn't have played. He only arrived four days ago. He doesn't even know everyone's names yet, but I liked what I saw. Of course he isn't up to speed, but he positions himself well and has a good pass."

Sporting take early lead but Spanish side snatch win courtesy of a hattrick

Sporting lost out to Betis in Estádio Algarve this Thursday, in a match which Sporting actually scored first through Alan Ruiz, only to be outdone by a hattrick from Ruben Castro.

The first chance of the encounter fell to the team from Alvalade, when Schelotto and Alan Ruiz linked up for Schelotto to fire his shot high. Sporting's solid start to the game was asking for a goal and it wasn't long in coming, when Bryan Ruiz broke away down the right in the 17th minute and drove in a low cross that Alan Ruiz finished off with the easiest of finishes.

Betis responded 10 minutes later, when Tony Sanabria led a breakaway after Bryan Ruiz slipped up in possession, ending in a cross put away with a header by Ruben Castro. To add insult to injury, Betis netted again a minute later, in a show of efficiency in front of goal by the in-form Ruben Castro.

The game settled after the early three goals, with Jorge Jesus' side looking the more dominant. However, neither side really managed to boss proceedings, largely due to some heavy and sometimes excessive tackling.

Jorge Jesus rang the changes at the break, bringing off Coates, Schelotto, William Carvalho and Bryan Ruiz for Paulo Oliveira, João Pereira, Petrovic and Podence. The move however failed to give Sporting a lift and Ruben Catro netted his third with some persistant play after Rui Patrício managed to stop his initial effort.

Losing by two, Jesus introduced Marvin, Paulista, Alan Ruiz, Bruno César and Gelson for Jefferson, Palhinha, Slimani, Iuri and Meli and Sporting took the initiative with some pressing play up front. However clear chances were few and far between.

Slimani struck with 15 minutes left with a beautiful header to give Sporting hope of at least snatching a draw, however Betis' clinical touch in front of goal had already done the damage. 

Bruno Paulista pleased with Sporting's pre-season preparations

Bruno Paulista made a much awaited return this Thursday, after an extensive spell out with injury.

"We have a good squad and everyone has made me feel really welcome", said Paulista in an interview with Sporting TV after the encounter with Betis, adding: "Betis are a good side, but we played well and we winning. Unfortunately we made some mistakes and they scored three goals from the three chances they had. Now we hae to get ready for tomorrow's match against Nice."

Rúben Semedo and Spalvis with medical department

Sporting's medical department notes the following:

Rúben Semedo: Twisted left ankle - treatment

Spalvis: Underwent surgery for torn knee ligaments and is expected to be in recovery for 6 months

Extension of player's loan to Boca Juniors

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD have reached an agreement with Boca Juniors for the extension of the loan of Jonathan Silva until the end of the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Jonathan Silva the best of personal and professional success.

Jorge Jesus comments on FourFourTwo world rankings

A question of art, work and a touch of science. That is how coach Jorge Jesus reacted to a recent publication by the British magazine FourFourTwo, which named the Alvalade boss as the 10th best coach in the world.

“Of course I am happy. This isn't the first time that FourFourTwo puts me in the top-10 in the world. Last year I was 15th and this year I am 10th, which brings extra responsibility", said Jesus in an exclusive interview with Sporting TV.

For the Alvalade boss, 10th is of course not enough. " I know what I can do. I know I have been important for the clubs where I have worked and for bringing in new ideas. I still have a lot to win. I wouldn't say I am in the middle of my career, but I am still a long way from finishing", affirmed Jesus, adding: "This award is a reflection of how I train. A coach is a bit like a player and to be a good coach you have to add a touch of art, but the biggest part of the game is the science behind it. I built a few strategic moments about 20 years ago which are still used today. The lads who work with me say that I am different and I know I am. This is art."

Sporting CP to take on Wolfsburg on Saturday

Jorge Jesus had 28 players out on the squad early morning on Friday, in preparation for Saturday's Five Violins Trophy hosting of Wolfsburg.

After a lecture from the boss, the squad went through some warm-up and passing exercises.

Petrovic was back out on the pitch, after recovering from a knock picked up against Villarreal earlier in the week.

Jesus will also have his euro 2016 winners, Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, João Mário and Adrien Silva available this weekend.

Four Four Two publishes ranking of world top-50, with Jesus climbing five places

The popular English football magazine Four Four Two this week published its annual ranking of the world's top-50 coaches, in a list which sees Jorge Jesus named as Portugal's best coach and the 10th best overall (up five places from 2015).

Jesus finished ahead of Benfica's Rui Vitória (39th) and the Portuguese national team coach Fernando Santos (34th).

"From an individual point of view, Jesus oversaw remarkable transformations in the productivity of several players, most notably club captain Adrien Silva, midfielder Joao Mario and striker Islam Slimani, all of whom reached levels few thought were possible", notes the article.

Patrício, Adrien, William Carvalho and João Mário in training

Sporting's quartet of Euro 2016, Rui Patrício, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho and João Mário, were out on the training pitch this Wednesday, after a well-earned break.

Patrício, Adrien and William were in Alvalade for the presentation match against Lyon at the weekend, however only Patrício saw action.

The four give Jorge Jesus extra options ahead of Saturday's Five Violins Trophy hosting of Wolfsburg in Alvalade, with Sporting looking to win the trophy for the 5th time.