First in the Super Cup, then Liga NOS and now in the Portuguese Cup...

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's Portuguese Cup derby, the Benfica coach Rui Vitória, by sheer coincidence, arrived half an hour late and opened his conference after Jorge Jesus had already shared his thoughts. Ten times the Benfica coach said "win", six times the name "Sporting" and another six more "team". It turns out that Vitória was right: Sporting, the better team on the night, won.

With the introduction of Fredy Montero in place of Teo Gutiérrez in the starting line-up, the team from Alvalade got off to the stronger start and on four minutes Slimani hammered a header against the woodwork after a cross from the left. However, Benfica's luck was in from what was their first attack of the evening, when Mitroglou opened the scoring in the seventh minute after a long pass by Gaitán and some good ball control from Pizzi.

The encounter was yet to find its shape, but the goal went on to define what would be the theme for most of the first-half, seeing Benfica drop back and close ranks, breaking forward on the occasional counter-attack. With the evening's visitors inviting Sporting to take the initiative, the game was soon all one-way traffic and after good opportunities for Slimani in the 32nd minute and Jefferson in the 39th, only denied by some heroics from Júlio César, a thoroughly deserved equaliser came just before the break, when Adrien fired in a calculated volley.

Up stepped Jorge Jesus at the restart with his usual magic, introducing Gelson for Montero down the right and pulling João Mário into the middle. A good half-hour of Sporting pressure followed, but a more clinical touch was missing in the final third and the scoreboard remained stubbornly deadlocked. Benfica introduced André Almeida into the action, balancing out the midfield contest, and did have two shots on goal through Talisca and Eliseu, but it was Sporting who were really pushing for the win. Slimani could have finished it two minutes before the regulation ninety, but Júlio César pulled out a memorable stop from point-blank range to take encounter to extra-time.

Ricardo Esgaio and Tobias Figueiredo were introduced for Jefferson and Ewerton, as tired legs took hold in both camps. At last Sporting's technical, tactical, individual and collective dominance got its reward in the 112th minute, when Slimani struck to effectively secure the win. Samaris was shown a second yellow card for protesting the goal, before Benfica also saw claims rightly waved away for a nonexistent penalty.

For the first time in 61 years, Sporting has beaten Benfica for a third consecutive time.

Jorge Jesus ahead of Saturday's Portuguese Cup derby

While recent results and home turf will both play to Jorge Jesus' advantage tomorrow night when his side host Benfica in the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup, the Sporting boss sees form on the day as the decisive factor in the final result. “We have won both games against Benfica, so naturally we are confident, but what matters in a derby is how the teams play on the day. The league table or the past don't make that much difference. It will be a passionate game and I hope that everybody shows the right kind of respect on the pitch", explained Jesus in his usual pre-match press conference.

Following the same logic, the Alvalade boss was keen to brush aside the assertion of a favourite to clinch the result: "I don't think we can say there is a favourite, because both teams have very similar objectives. It is the moment that makes the difference when it comes down to it. Obviously playing in front of our fans, on our pitch, is more attractive for us than playing in the Luz, but the players still have to respond. This is a Sporting-Benfica derby in a knock-out competition which has to be decided tomorrow, so the game takes on other characteristics. The lads have been working as usual, although some of them, Bryan and Slimani for example, are a bit touch and go. Tomorrow I will be able to take a look at them and make a decision, but we are all ready for just another match."

Asked if beating his former employer is that extra bit special compared to any other match, Jesus played it cool: "I like beating every team. I am the Sporting coach and for me every opponent is special, because this is my team. Sometimes one game or another leaves more of a mark, but not because of the opponent."

The Portuguese Cup 4th round between Sporting and Benfica will kick off at 20h00 on Saturday the 21st of November, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Ezequiel Schelotto's first thoughts as a Sporting player

Ezequiel Schelotto, a player who can feature anywhere on the pitch but most prefers being deployed down the right wing, was officially announced as the latest addition to the Alvalade armoury this week, penning a deal valid until the end of the season - with three additional seasons - and getting right into the mix in training with the rest of the squad. Having been a free agent since August after leaving Inter Milan, Schelotto is available for action immediately.

The Argentinean-born Italian has spent almost his entire career in Italy until now, having represented Cesena, Catania and Atalanta, before making the move to the Milan giants and going out on loan to Sassuolo, Parma and Chievo Verona. Schelotto learnt his trade in Banfield (the only Argentinean club he played for) and stands 1.87m tall.

“Honestly, it is  great feeling to be at a club of this size. I have been out for a while, but that is in the past now. I am thinking about the present and I really want to get into the group, get to know the coach and start playing", affirmed the Alvalade new recruit in his first interview.

Standing in front of pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo for a photography session, Sporting and Ezequiel Schelotto looked to the two Alvalade legends as the level to aspire to: "Behind me are photos of two amazing players, who won everything and the Ballon d'Or. History speaks for itself and although Sporting hasn't won a lot of titles for a while, but this season is going well and I am here to help. Sporting has a great coach, who helped me make the decision to come here."

Sporting-Benfica in the Portuguese Cup

Turnstiles will open two hours before kick-off for Saturday's Portuguese cup encounter between Sporting and Benfica.

Additional security measures are expected for the match, including further controls on entering the carpark.

We appeal for all fans to arrive as early as possible to the stadium in order to avoid long waits.

Jorge Sousa names for the Portuguese Cup fourth round

Jorge Sousa, 40, from the Porto Football Association, has been named as the referee to take charge of the Portuguese Cup fourth round between Sporting and Benfica.

This will be the referee's second Lisbon derby of the season, having officiates over Sporting's 1-0 Super Cup in in August.

Sporting-Benfica will kick-off at 20h00 on Saturday the 21st of November, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Ticket information for Liga NOS matchday 11

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 11, between Sporting and Belenenses, will go on sale on Thursday the 19th of November as follows:

STAND A
Central – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 20€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 15€ for Members and 20€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Members and 15€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Members and 12€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 7€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Members

Family Ticket – 21€ (3 people) and 25€ (4 people)

Bruno César highlights Alvalade improvements in recent years

The offensive midfielder Bruno César, who has so far this season representing Estoril, was officially announced as a Sporting player this week. César will start training immediately, however can only start in official competition for Sporting as of January 2016.

Having spent spells with São Paulo, Palmeira and Grémio at youth level, the 27-year-old Brazilian made a name for himself with Santo André and Corinthians, before moving to Portugal for a fist time in 2011/12, scoring 13 goals in 44 games for Benfica. Half-way through the following campaign, Bruno César moved to Saudi Arabia to represent Al-Ahli Jeddah and was also loaned to Palmeiras. In 2015/16, the offensively midfielder has already featured 11 times for Estoril.

Sharing his first words as a Sporting player, the South American proved satisfied with the move: "My objective when I arrived at Estoril was to have a good season so I could move to a big club in Europe. Thankfully I can carry on here in Portugal, in a great team that I already know. I wasn't expecting it to happen to soon, but I am really happy and I can help Sporting. I played against Sporting when I was with Benfica and now with Estoril. The team is totally different now to what it was two or three years ago, with some great players and having such a good coach is really important. He (Jesus) already worked with me in Benfica and he taught me a lot."

César pens deal valid until 2020

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with the player Bruno César for a contract valid until 2020, with a buy-out clause of 60,000,000.00€.

Bruno César will begin training immediately, but will only be available for official action of January 2016.

Sporting SAD wishes Bruno César the best of professional and personal success.

Paulo Oliveira, Bruno Paulista and Aquilani mingle with the fans in 'El Corte Inglés

Around 100 people were in El Corte Inglês this week to try and grab an autograph from Alvalade stars Paulo Oliveira, Bruno Paulista and Aquilani.

Scalfs, shirts, sticker books and even boots were all put forward to the trio, who happily went about sharing a memorable day with the gathered fans.

Algerian's first strike against V. Guimarães in the running

Slimani's first goal against V. Guimarães, which saw him go on to grab a hattrick in a 5-1 win, is up for nomination for the Liga NOS Samsung Goal of the Month.

You can vote for the Alvalade star at www.partilhamosfutebol.com/votacao.