William Carvalho

In compliance with article 248.º, n.º 1 a) of the Market Securities Code, the Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD Board of Administration informs that the athlete William Silva de Carvalho has extended his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol SAD until the 2019/2020 season, with a buy-out clause of €45,000,000.00 (forty five million euros).

Lisbon, 9th of February 2016

The Board of Administration

Sebastián Coates following his Sporting debut

Sebastián Coates was the big surprise in the Sporting line-up this Monday night. The Uruguayan looked solid at the heart of the Alvalade defence, with just the three points missing at the final whistle.

“We wanted to win, but we are still at the top and everything is still in our hands. We aren't feeling pressure, because we are only thinking about what we have to do. Personally I felt good, but I am part of a group that likes to win. Of course I am here to win the title. I am not happy with the draw, but we are still at the top", said the defender at the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus on his side's draw with Rio Ave

While frustrated by his side's ineffectiveness in front of goal Monday night, Jorge Jesus highlighted the quality of his side's performance against an in-form Rio Ave outfit.

“It was a good game against a good team, but we did enough to win. We had various chances, but we couldn't make the most of them. Rio Ave deserve credit, because they defended well and hit us on the break. We knew that it would be hard and this is how the season will be until the last day, with lots of points won and lost", said the Sporting boss in his post-match interview, adding a word on the debuting pair of Sebastián Coates and Hernán Barcos: “Coates showed that he is an excellent player in his very first match. He looked really secure, showed experience and was strong. With a bit of confidence he will score as well. We were solid in defensive, which is positive. What wasn't so positive was that we failed to win three points."

To finish, Jesus dismissed the suggestion of anxiety following Benfica's result et the weekend: "That kind of question doesn't exist for the players in the top teams. They are prepared for that sort of thing and it just washes off them. We can do the math after every match, but what we want is the capacity to be in first at the end of the season."

Sporting held to draw by Rio Ave but hold on to Liga NOS top spot

Sporting were forced to split the points with Rio Ave on Monday night, in a goalless draw on Liga NOS matchday 21. Jorge Jesus' side dominated the possession stats and had twice as many shots on goal, but an inspired performance from the visiting keeper kept Sporting at bay.

The team from Alvalade took the game by the scruff of the neck early on, but struggled to punch holes in a well organised Rio Ave defence who looked happy to sit back, in contrast to the majority of their outings so far this season. Chances did start to appear after the opening 10 minutes, firstly with Bryan Ruiz being denied by Cássio (12’) and quickly after from a powerful shot by Slimani that was deflected away by Roderick (13’).

Although holding deep in defence, Rio Ave did have a fair few forays forward, courtesy mostly of Bressan acting as a target man on the break. On 24 minutes, Kayembe found space behind the Sporting backline, but Patrício was on hand to make the first big stop of the night. Sporting responded with a pair of chances down the other end (26’ and 27’), firstly from Adrien with a low drive that Cássio did well to smoother, followed by a header at the far post by Teo Gutiérrez that the Rio Ave keeper also responded too.

A lukewarm period followed, broken by a long pass from Coates which was brought under control by Zeegelaar. João Mário then weaved space in the area, but again Cássio (37’) replied with a save. The last chance of the half fell to Rio Ave, after Tarantini picked up possession in the 18-yard box, but Rui Patrício managed to complete an outstretched stop to turn the effort away for a corner.

The first clearcut chance after the break was also created by the visitors, when Kayembe popped up at the far post while Sporting battled through with 10 men after Paulo Oliveira was forced off by an injury (replaced Rúben Semedo), before Jorge Jesus' began to show a sense of urgency in attack and returned the natural order to the evening. Sebastián Coates actually had the ball in the back of the net following a free-kick, but his effort was ruled out.

Hernán Barcos was handed a debut 17 minutes from time in place of Teo Gutiérrez, followed by the introduction of Gelson Martins for William Carvalho in a final gamble for a goal. 'El Pirata' actually came just inches from a dream start to his Sporting career with a header at the near post, but Cássio continued his frustrating form to keep the scoreboard blank. Opportunities for Gelson (82’), Slimani (83’), Barcos (85’) and again Slimani (87’) followed, but the deadlock maintained to split the points at the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus includes 18 for Liga NOS matchday 21

Jorge Jesus has included 18 players in his squad for Monday's hosting of Rio Ave, on Liga NOS matchday 21:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: João Pereira, Paulo Oliveira, Sebastián Coates, Ruben Semedo and Marvin Zeegelaar

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

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

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will get underway at 19h00 today, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Adrien Silva

In compliance with the information obligations outlined in article 248 n.º 1 a) of the Market Securities Code, the Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD (Sporting SAD) Administration informs that the athlete Adrien Sébastien Perruchet da Silva will represent Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol SAD until the 2019/2020 season, with an additional optional season and a buy-out clause of €45,000,000.00 (forty five million euros).

Lisbon, 8th of February 2016

The Administration

Jorge Jesus ahead of Monday's hosting of Rio Ave

Jorge Jesus was with the press on Sunday afternoon for the Rio Ave pre-match press conference. While brushing off the idea of extra pressure coming from his side being provisionally in 2nd in the table, the Sporting coach was cautious to alert to the quality of Monday's opposition.

“Rio Ave are one of the best teams in the league. They are hard to play against tactically and how they play is well drilled, because they have had the same coach for a while now. We know what Rio Ave are worth and we will have to be in good form to win", opened the Alvalade boss, continuing: “We are in a position where we are the intruders in relation to our two rivals. We have said since the beginning of the season that we want to be in the fight, but we never thought we would be in first at this stage of the season. We are really proud for having been in first for so long and it shows the quality of the squad."

Explaining that Jefferson and Naldo have not been declared fit to face Rio Ave, while revealing that William Carvalho is in with a shout, Jesus also spoke about Coates, Barcos and Teo Gutiérrez: “Coates and Barcos haven't been with us for long and they are getting to know how the team works. Coates is pretty much match fit, while Barcos played a couple of weeks pre-season in China. They could be both included in the squad. Teo is focused. He arrived a bit later, which I authorised due to the injury he had. He is stable physically and he will be in the squad tomorrow is nothing happens in the meantime."

Guaranteeing that he has enough attacking options, despite the exit of Montero and Tanaka, Jorge Jesus dismissed comments on Carrillo and reflected on Octávio Mochado's statement on refereeing after last week's victory over Académica: “It isn't easy to be a referee in Portugal. We have good referees here, but everything is analysed here after the game, when it is easy to give out opinions. It is is a bit like the football team: when they don't play well, they are critised."

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Monday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Carlos Xistra names for Liga NOS matchday 21

Carlos Xistra, 42, from the Castelo Branco Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 21, between Sporting CP and Rio Ave.

Bertino Miranda and Jorge Cruz will act as linesmen.

Thsi will be Xistra's third time officiating Sporting this season, after the trips to Tondela (matchday 1, 2-1) and Estádio da Luz (matchday 8, 3-0).

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Sunday the 8th of February, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Almost 10% of players making the jump from international youth football come from Sporting

A study by national under-21 assistant coach Alexandre Silva officially proves that Sporting is the club that has provided most players to the national under-20 and under-21 squads, with a total of  9.8%. Benfica and Porto trail behind Alvalade, with 7.2% and 7.1% respectively.

The results of the study are once again a show of quality from Sporting's youth system, at an age that the Portuguese Football Federation sees as decisive.

The same study also highlights Sporting's role in the under-15 to under-19 squads, with Alvalade dominating with 22.3% of all players provided.

Alvalade forward up for France Football award

Until 22h tonight (Friday) you can vote on France Football's website for African Player of the Month. Alvalade hitman Islam Slimani is in the running, along with Cheick Diabaté (Bordéus, Mali)and Hakim Ziyech (FC Twente, Morocco). The Sporting forward has netted a total of 16 goals so far this season, with performances that have kept Sporting at the top of Liga NOS.

Slimani has already been in the spotlight, after his showing against Braga on Liga NOS matchday 17. With 13 goals at the time, he was Africa's third best scorer in European football. His current tally of 16 has moved him up to second, bettered only by Pierre Aubameyand.

You can vote here.