Jefferson and Carlos Mané on Thursday's loss to Bayer Leverkusen

Jefferson was back in the starting line-up this Thursday night following a spell out through injury and it was the Brazilian who had Sporting's best chance of the evening with a first-half effort denied by Leno. Speaking at the final whistle, the wing-back accepted that his side were lacking in front of goal, but affirmed that there is still everything to play for next week in the reverse fixture.

"It was a good game and we fought until the final whistle, but we didn't get the result we wanted. Nothing is over yet. They came here and got a good result, but we can do the same thing and go to Germany and win", said Jefferson.

Carlos Mané also gave his backing to Sporting's chances in Germany next week. "It was a good game between two of the best teams in the Europa League. We didn't deserve this result, but we will try and turn it around in the second-leg. It was a hard match with not that many chances. We have a great team and we have comeback a lot of times before, which is what we want to do in Leverkusen", noted the Alvalade youngster."

Sporting miss out in Europa League last-32 first-leg

Sporting will face the unenviable task of attempting a first win on German soil next Thursday, after missing out 1-0 in the Europa League first-leg in Alvalade to Bayer Leverkusen.

The encounter got underway with two consecutive corners for Sorting, but it was the visitors who most threatened goal in the early stages, with Mehmedi (3’) and Kiessling (5’) testing their aim from range. On the quarter/hour mark, Calhanoglu came close with a header at the far post following a corner.

The way most of the rest of the evening panned out essentially played into the Germans' hands, with compact blocs starving Sporting of space to move the ball around. However, the odd chance for Jorge Jesus' side did materialise, namely in the 18th minute when Jefferson tested Leno's reflexes.

The effort on goal settled Sporting for a while and it looked as if the game would balance out, however Bayer struck in the 26th minute, when Kiessling set Jedvaj away down the right and the resulting cross managed to find its way across the face of goal Bellarabi at the far post for the easiest of finishes.

Down the other end, the usually inspired Bryan Ruiz managed to find an inch of space and send a pass towards João Mário, only for a defender to scramble away at the last minute and save what would have been a certain equaliser.

The second-half was much of the same, with Kramer and Brandt controlling most of the action down the middle and Sporting struggling to assert a foothold going forward. Bayern on the other hand were having a better time of it and efforts from Mehmedi (58’, put into the side netting after a free-kick) and Papadopoulos (70’, with a header following a corner) came close to extending the lead.

Rúben Semedo was given his marching orders on 74 minutes for a second bookable offence, just a minute after Jorge Jesus had used his last substitution bringing on Ewerton for Coates, seeing William fall back and Adrien left to battle in midfield.

Although far from impossible, Sporting will now travel to Germany next week and attempt a first win on German soil.

Jorge Jesus' press conference ahead of Europa League hosting of Bayer Leverkusen

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press in a press conference this Wednesday, in the build-up to this week's Europa League hosting of Bayer Leverkusen.

“What kind of form a team is in really matters and we are full of confidence. Bayer Leverkusen are a Champions League team and, like I have already said, I think Sporting CP and FC Porto were drawn against the strongest teams in the Europa League. It will be a difficult match against a team I know well and have already faced a few times, but this year they are stronger. Let's see what happens in the first-leg", opened the Alvalade boss, adding a word on his plan for the encounter: "This isn't the time for us to stop rotating the squad. I have been focused on my main objective since the start of the season that isn't going to change now. For Sporting to win we will have to play really well and we know how Bayer will cause problems for us. I am more and more convinced that the Bundesliga is the best."

Responding to a comment that named Sporting as the best team in Portugal, Jorge Jesus highlighted the difference between the two sides' approach to the encounter: "I agree. He must be talking about the Portuguese league table and we are in first. From that, I agree. However I would say that Bayer Leverkusen are a great side. In their last match they rested two or three players, whereas we didn't. Whatever the result tomorrow, it won't bring a lot of security for either team in the second-leg. We will have to try and win without conceding, but that won't define the second-leg."

Coates looks ahead to hosting of Bayer Leverkusen

While accepting that Sporting face a tough challenge in the form of Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League last-31 this Thursday, Sebastián Coates guarantees that his side will do everything to move into the next round.

"We are prepared for the match. It is going to be really hard, but we will try and win so that we can go to Germany a bit calmer. Bayer are a really strong team, basically across their whole team, but I think that we are in good form and we can take advantage of that", opened the centre-back, going on to respond to a question on Sporting's chances of winning the competition: "Of course I think we can win it, but we will see tomorrow and in Germany. We have a good team and we will do everything we can to get into the next round. We have a tough opponent in front of us, but we will put the work in."

Coates finished with a reflection of his arrival at Alvalade: "Since arriving, everyone has treated be really good: my teammates, the coach and the president. I am really happy. There are some good defenders here, like Naldo, Ewerton, Tobias and Ruben Semedo and I am here to learn and to add my experience to the group.”

Gelson Martins and Daniel Podence take part in presentation ceremony

Via Real de Santo António will host a 10th consecutive 'Mundialito' this year, from the 19th to the 27th of March. The event, which is the world's biggest 7-a-side international tournament, is now in its 23rd edition. Event founder Ricardo Godoy and Alvalade stars Gelson Martins and Daniel Podence sat down with the Sporting website to speak about out the importance of the tournament.

“We are 23 years on and more than 80,000 players have taken part in the tournament. A lot of them are doing well internationally now. David Silva, Pedro Rodriguez and Bartra for example. It is a World Cup for every kid", affirmed Ricardo Godoy, adding: "Rui ´Patrício was at the first Mundialito that we presented in Lisbon back in 2006. Years later, now Rui Patrício is who he is."

Sporting B star Daniel Podence also had the opportunity to take part in the event. "It was one of the best tournaments I took part in. In Lisbon we were used to playing against smaller teams and the Mundialito gave us the chance to expand out horizons a bit", said Podence. Gelson Martins also gave his backing to the tournament: "Players like us, who game through the youth system, know how important these tournaments are for young players and getting ready for the future." 

Björn Kuipers named for Europa League first-leg

The Dutch referee Björn Kuipers, 42, has been named to officiate over Sporting's hosting of Bayer Leverkusen this Thursday, in the first-leg of the Europa League last-32.

SJPF, APAF and ANTF together at the Sporting Academy

‘On the pitch we play the same game'. That is the name aptly given to a new imitative between the Professional Football Players Syndicate (SJPF), the Portuguese Football Referees Association (APAF) and the National Football Coaches Association (ANTF), with the objective of promoting healthy attitudes between players, referees, directors and coaches. Kicking off the campaign, Sporting CP opened the doors of the Academy, in a ceremony attended by Bruno de Carvalho, Sporting president, José Gomes, APAF president, Joaquim Evangelista, SJPF president, Duarte Gomes, former international referee, and Jorge Jesus, Sporting's coach.

“Sporitng immediately accepted the proposal to host this group and to join in the initiative, in similar fashion to other things we have been doing relative to Portuguese football. The relation ship between the SJPF and CP, regardless of things that might be going on, have been healthy. We have met in the middle ground and made the compromises needed in Portuguese football. While I defend the the interests of the players, it is president Bruno de Carvalho who defends the interests of Sporting", introduced Joaquim Evangelista, continuing with an explaination of the initiative: "We want to find solutions at home. People talk a lot about football and it worries us that such discussions end up conditioning those who are involved in the game. We will create a space for dialog, where we can explain things to players and coaches about refereeing."

Also commenting on the initiative, Bruno de Carvalho proved happy with the steps being taken in Portuguese and international football: "If there is something we want and that we fight for at Sporting, it is a better game. There were two issues which clearly bring together Sporting and the Players Syndicate. Firstly, the use of funds had to end and secondly, technology. The players., who were the ones who were supposed to benefit from funds, where the ones who fought the hardest to finish them. Technology will also be a reality in football. We are all human and we all make mistakes, but the only people who didn't have the benefit of technology where the referees. We are really happy, because it was a tough two years, but we have scored two big wings for football."

Jorge Jesus after his side's 4-0 win against Nacional

Although surprised by such a dominating final score against Nacional this Saturday, Jorge Jesus highlighted his team's quality in what was an important three points in the title race.

“If you had asked me if we would win by four goals, then I would have said no. Nacional are a good team and in terms of strategy they have one of the best coaches in our league. Not only that, but this pitch is hard to play on as well", said the Sporting coach at the final whistle, adding: "We had a bit of trouble in the first-half in the one-on-one situations, but scoring helps inject confidence into the lads. In defence I thought we were really strong. Rúben Semedo and Coates played really well. We won, which was the objective, even it it was by half a goal. Sometimes teams aren't at their best, but Sporting does not know how to play badly."

William Carvalho on Saturday's win in Madeira

"It has been a really happy week for me. I renewed by contract, Sporting showed trust in me and I am really happy to stay here", opened William Carvalho in a flash interview after his side's 4-0 win against Nacional this Saturday.

Moving on to the match itself, the Portuguese midfielder affirmed: "It was a good game and we played really well. Now we will start focusing on Thursday's match. This was worth three points, just like it always is. All we have to think about is what we are doing and not what our rivals are doing."

The Sporting Academy graduate finished with a word on his recent form and Thursday's Europa League encounter: "I have been working hard in the week and I know my best form will come through soon. Thursday will be an important match. It is over two legs and with the first at home we want to win it."

Jorge Jesus' side move clear at the top of Liga NOS with dominating showing in Madeira

Sporting CP moved clear at the top of Liga NOS this weekend, courtesy of a dominating performance in Madeira. Slimani netted twice, with and Adrien and João Mário also finding the back of the net in a 4-0 win.

Needing a win to create a bit of breathing room at the top of the table, Jorge Jesus' side were straight to business at the opening whistle and after just three minutes a João Mário corner saw Slimani ghost around the Nacional defence and head in the first of the evening.

Buoyed by the early goal, Sporting simply oozed confidence, moving possession around and pushing forward almost at will. Chances soon began to materialise, but Nacional managed to keep their deficit to a minimum, also in part due to some sloppy finishing. On 28 minutes, João Pereira broke away down the right flank and pulled a cross back into the area, but João Aurélio managed to scramble in front of Slimani and Bryan Ruiz and desperately clear away.

Nacional were doing very little in attack, but a dead-ball situation in the 33rd minute did have Rui Patrício twitching, when Salvador Agra blazed a free-kick just over the bar. With the hosts' best chance so far finishing up in the stands, Sporting again took control of proceedings and the typically dominating Adrien Silva and William Carvalho complete bossed the middle of the park.

Sporting have been particularly deadly going forward on the break so far this season and the evening in Madeira was proving no different, but set pieces were also looking particularly venomous for the hosts. On 38 minutes, Bryan Ruiz floated in a cross and Coates won the duel with his defender, but the final header finished up the wrong side of Gottardi's post. Shortly after, an injury to Bruno César saw Carlos Mané introduced into the action behind Slimani, while Bryan Ruiz moved out wide.

It was actually Carlos Mané who could have extended his side's lead, after a move from João Mário and Slimani set up the Portuguese international inside the area, but the under-21's placed effort ended up the wrong side of the woodwork to keep the score at 1-0 as the half-time whistle sounded.

The second-half got underway as the first had finished, with Jorge Jesus' side going forward at will. After a long spell of pressure, Nacional finally broke in the 52nd minute, when Adrien converted on a penalty after Rui Correia had handballed in the area. However, the 2-0 lead was shortlived, because 11 minutes late Slimani showed his usual determination to battled back possession in the area and lashed a shot against the crossbar. The Algerian was left frustrated, but João Mário was on hand to put away the rebound.

Sporting continued to dominate and another goal for the visitors always looked more likely than a first for the hosts. Next to try their luck were Slimani and Aquilani, but Gottardi managed to save the Algerian's shot and Aquilani was unable to find the target. A fourth looked to be just a matter of time in coming and with 5 minutes left of regulation time, Schelotto was brought crashing down by Sequeira in the area for a penalty. Slimani was called up for the resulting spot-kick and the Alvalade forward smartly obliged by sending Gottardi the wrong way to set the final result at 4-0.