Players and staff enjoy the festive season

Sporting's senior squad held their annual Christmas lunch this week, hosted in Lisbon's Páteo Alfacinha.

The entire squad took part, as well as the whole technical team. 

Manuel Gräfe named for Europa League showdown

The German referee Manuel Gräfe, 42, has been named to take charge of Sporting's Europa League Group H matchday six hosting of Besiktas.

Guido Kleve and Mark Borsch will act as linesmen and Marco Fritz and Benjamin Brand as additional referees. Christoph Bornhorst has been named as the 4th official.

Sporting-Besiktas will kick off at 20h05 on Thursday the 10th of December, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus on his side's win in Estádio dos Barreiros

Speaking in a flash interview, Jorge Jesus proved satisfied with his side's win in Madeira this weekend.

“Marítimo are strong and they showed that today. They are a well worked team both technically and tactically. They are one of the hardest teams in the league, especially here in Estádio dos Barreiros. We knew it would be a hard game and we had to be really competitive. We had to take our chances and it is really important to score first against teams like this. We played like a team, we defended well and that gives confidence. FC Porto had already drawn here this season, so in theory we have won two points that our competition didn't", said the Sporting coach at the final whistle.

With the season turning into a tantalising race for top spot going into the Christmas break, Jesus noted his surprise with his side's campaign fo far. "Sporting are in first and we want to defend that. We didn't expect to be, in fact we expected to be behind Benfica and FC Porto, but we are in front and we want to stay there. The pressure of our rivals winning didn't get to the lads and we just have to focus on our own games, which is what we did. It wasn't a pretty game, but we have to use our strengths and that is what we are doing."

Adrien on Sporting's win against Marítimo

The Alvalade skipper scored a crucial goal in Madeira this weekend, securing a typically difficult three points from Marítimo.

“We knew that this trip is always really hard, but we held out and we controlled the game. We got our reward in the end. We could have lost first place, but that didn't happen and the team did well. We showed our character and we trusted in ourselves. We got the result we wanted and we will carry on", said Adrien at the final whistle, adding: "This is a team that does its best, that works hard and that makes sacrifices to be at the top of the league."

Adrien strike and Rui Patrício heroics guarantee three points in Madeira

A 53rd minute strike from Adrien helped Sporting to an important three points in Madeira this weekend, in a 1-0 win against Marítimo.

In search of a sixth consecutive league win and also a sixth against Marítimo, Sporting started the encounter well, but it became quickly apparent that the afternoon's task would be no easy one. To their credit, the evening's hosts were willing to get forward and battled hard for possession. Marega started a good move for Marítimo down the right, before Sporting responded with two chances in the first ten minutes. First it was Gelson Martins bursting down the flank and setting up João Mário in the box, but the midfielder was unable to keep his shot on target. Next Montero threatened after taking advantage of a defensive mistake, but the Colombian's effort finished wide of the mark.

The midfield battle for control sapped much of the quality out of the encounter, with passes going astray for both sides. Well orchestrated pressure by the hosts also kept Sporting on a defensive footing. A move down the right in the 14th minute finished with a corner for Marítimo picking ou Marega completely isolated at the far post, but a brilliant stop by Rui Patrício kept the scores blank. A couple of minutes later Marítimo had another dangerous corner, but Fransérgio's header was off target.

Sporting responded in kind and it wasn't long before the pressure began punching gaps in the Marítimo lines. João Mário broke away down the right and dragged a cross back for Adrien, who picked out Bryan Ruiz at the edge of the box. The Costa Rican drove a powerful shot goalwards, but Salin defended and the sides went in deadlocked at the break.

The interval worked wondered for Jorge Jesus' side, who come out fighting and were soon rewarded for their persistence. A brilliant bit of teamwork down the right saw João Pereira link up with Bryan Ruiz, before the Costa Rican released João Mário who skillfully found space and set up an unstoppable strike from Adrien.

Sporting kept up the pressure and Gelson Martins continued to rain down havoc on the Marítimo defence, himself firing a shot over the bar in the 58th minute. Some calculated counters from the hosts could well have done damage, but some mature defending by the team from Alvalade kept chances to a minimum. With the clock ticking down, their was still time for Rui Patrício to pull off one of his usually heroic saved and ensure that the three points returned to continental Portugal.

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on the weekend's trip to Madeira

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press on Friday afternoon, ahead of his side's visit to Madeira to take on Marítimo, where FC Porto has already dropped points this season.

“We are expecting a game typical of this league, on a difficult pitch against a team where one of our rivals has already drawn. It will be a hard game against a team that will want to win points against a Sporting that doesn't want to lose any in Barreiros. We will see if we are capable of overcoming what they will throw at us, but I am sure that we are", opened Jorge Jesus, adding: "Marítimo are always a hard team to face away. They always have a competitive side and this year is no different. We will have to be careful against a team that are really aggressive."

Speaking more specifically about his team and faced with the suspension of Slimani, Jesus commented: "Strategically Slimani being out doesn't change much, although he is different to our other forwards. We have had a few matchday without him, like in Moscow. Jefferson is back in the squad and we will see how he is when we get to Madeira. Teo has a little bit of an injury and it isn't easy to say 100% what is wrong, but he will adjust with him.”

To finish, Jorge Jesus touched on the legal process being instigated by Benfica: "I don't really want to speak about that. What matters is to focus on what is happening right now and Sporting's future. When I have to speak about our rivals it is when we face them on the pitch, which we have already three times this season."

Marítimo-Sporting will kick-off at 20h45 on the 5th of December, in Estádio do Marítimo, Barreiros.

Liga NOS matchday 15 at 20h45 on the 2nd of January

Sporting will host FC Porto, on Liga NOS matchday 15, at 20h45 on Saturday the 2nd of January, in Estádio José Alvalade.

The coming fixtures are as follows:

- 5th of December (Saturday, 20h45): Marítimo-Sporting, Liga NOS matchday 12

- 10th of December (Thursday, 20h05): Sporting-Besiktas, Liga NOS matchday 6

- 13th of December (Sunday, 18h15): Sporting-Moreirense, Liga NOS matchday 13

- TBC: Sp. Braga-Sporting, Portuguese Cup last-16

- 20th of December (Sunday, 18h15): U. Madeira-Sporting, Liga NOS matchday 14

- TBC: Sporting-P. Ferreira, League Cup matchday 1

Rui Costa for Liga NOS matchday 12

Rui Costa, 39, from the Porto Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 12, between Sporting and Marítimo.

This will be the second time Rui Costa has officiated over a Sporting match this season, following the win against V. Guimarães earlier this season.

Marítimo-Sporting will get underway at 20h45 on Saturday the 5th of December, in Estádio do Marítimo, Barreiros (Funchal).

Matches against Besiktas, Moreirense and FC Porto

Tickets for Besiktas, Moreirense and FC Porto will go on sale this week as follows:

Sporting – Besiktas

STAND A
Central – 25€ for Members and 35€ for fans
Lateral – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Goal End – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 20€ for Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 20€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 15€ for fans
Under-23/Senior – Not available
Under-11 – Not available

Sporting - Moreirense

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

Sporting - FC Porto

STAND A
Central – 35€ for Members and 60€ for fans
Lateral – 30€ for Members and 50€ for fans
Goal End – 20€ for Members and 35€ for fans

STAND B
Central – 25€ for Members and 45€ for fans
Lateral – 20€ for Members and 35€ for fans
Goal End – 15€ for Members and 25€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – Not available
Under-11 – Not available

SALES POINTS

Jorge Jesus praises his players' attitude

Jorge Jesus proved understandably happy with his side's fighting spirit in Monday's last-gasp 1-0 win over Belenenses this Monday night.

“We scored right at the end, but we had done more than enough to deserve it. We suffered, but that makes it taste that little bit sweeter", said the Alvalade boss in a flash interview at the final whistle, adding: "We played almost the entire match in the opposition half and they didn't cause us any problems. Rui Patrício didn't make a single save. In the second-half, tiredness and the substitutions brought a different dynamic, but we went looking for the win and we were rewarded with a clear penalty."