Montero happy with Monday's winner against Nacional

Fredy Montero proved crucial in Monday’s win over Nacional, coming off the bench to score the winner four minutes from time.

"We knew that Nacional are a tough side. We tried to score early, but we didn’t and that makes things harder”, opened the Colombian at the final whistle, adding a word on his side’s recovery from last week’s loss to Lokomotiv Moscow: “Sporting has some really experienced players and we know how to deal with this kind of situation.”

In parallel, Montero promised to keep putting in the work to keep up his goal streak: “I am going to carry on working and I will try to take opportunities when they come to score and to help the team.”

Jorge Jesus includes 19 for I Liga matchday five

Jorge Jesus, has included a total of 19 players in his I Liga matchday five squad to face Nacional:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Marcelo Boeck;
Defenders: Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Tobias Figueiredo, Jefferson and Jonathan Silva;
Midfielders: Adrien, Bruno Paulista, Aquilani, André Martins and João Mário;
Forwards: Gelson Martins, Bryan Ruiz, Carlos Mané, Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani.

Sporting-Nacional will get underway at 21h00 on Monday the 21st of September, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on hosting of Nacional

Jorge Jesus is expecting his side to put Thursday’s Europa League loss to Lokomotiv Moscow squarely behind them, starting with Monday night’s hosting of Nacional.

“I am not expecting it to be easy. We have to play at the level we have been at offensively and a bit better in defence compared to our last game, because we want to win. If we want to stay at the top of the table, we have to win”, opened the Alvalade coach, guaranteeing that his side have shaken off last week’s setback: “Of course you aren’t happy when you lose, but what matters is that we have understood what was wrong in defence. When you are at this stage of the season, in the middle of several competitions, you don’t have that much time to change tactics and you have to focus on getting the players in shape for the next match. Our main focus is the league and we want to stay in first, which starts with Nacional tomorrow.”

Jesus also stressed that Sunday’s encounter between FC Porto and Benfica will in no way effect his players: “What matters is that if we win tomorrow, then we will still be in first. What happens between FC Porto and Benfica doesn’t make a difference. We have to focus on our own match.”

Asked to reflect on his side’s solid form outside of Alvalade this season, the sporting coach added: “We have played more games away and won all of them. At home we only didn’t beat Paços de Ferreira. What I want is the players to show class and power, just like they have been doing. We don’t want to slip away from the top of the table and to make sure we don’t we have to win tomorrow.”

Jorge Jesus also spared a few words for Sporting B star Matheus Pereira, who have been working with the senior squad. “He is a young player with a lot of potential and who fits in with the team. We believe in him, just like we believe in Gelson. He could come into the team at any time, but he is still developing”, said Jesus before finishing on the recovery of William Carvalho and Ewerton after long spells out through injury: “They are back in full training now, but they have been out of action for around two months. Clinically they are 100%, but physically, technically and tactically they aren’t, so we will work with them during the week.”

Sporting-Nacional will kick-off at 21h00 on Monday the 21st of September, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Fábio Veríssimo to take charge of I Liga matchday five

Fábio Veríssimo, 32, from the Leiria Football Association, has been named for Sporting’s hosting of Nacional, on I Liga matchday five.

Pedro Felisberto and Rui Freire will act as linesmen, with Carlos Coelho acting as observer.

Sporting-Nacional will kick-off at 21h00 on Monday the 21st of September, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's 3-1 loss to Lokomotiv Moscow

“Sporting lost against a more experienced team”, opened Jorge Jesus in a post-match press conference on Thursday night.

Reflecting on his side’s 3-1 loss, the Alvalade boss noted: “We didn’t do very well defensively. Lokomotiv created problems for us on the counter-attack. The lads who haven’t played that much did well and I am happy with the choice. If you asked me if I would do the same again, then I would. I know very well what our objectives are. We did what we could to win today and nothing is decided yet.”

Sporting miss out in Europa League opener

Jorge Jesus made three major changes to his side for the Europa League hosting of the Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow this Thursday night, introducing Tobias Figueiredo, Carlos Mané and Gelson Martins into the starting line-up in place of Naldo, João Mário (suspended) and Carrillo.

The game got off to a well-contested start, with neither side creating any clear chances on goal and with Sporting holding a slight edge in terms of possession. The bulk of Sporting’s early efforts game through attempts from range from Adrien and Aquilani, before the Russian visitors opened the scoring on 20 minutes from a speedy counter-attack rounded off by Samedov. In fact, attacking on the break proved to be Lokomotiv’s theme for the night, with the Russians looking happy to sit back and let Sporting enjoy length spells with the ball.

Jorge Jesus’ side came out looking much more determined after the break and were soon pushing forward. Montero restored the deadlock with an unstoppable drive high into the net, triggering a spell of Sporting dominance that was more than deserving of a second, before Lokomotiv took the lead again through Samedov five minutes later. The occasional crack began to show in the Alvalade defence and on 65 minutes Diasse effectively secured the three points with his side’s third goal of the night.

Sporting are next in action on the 21st of September, in a I Liga hosting of Nacional.

Alvalade boss in Europa League pre-match press conference

Jorge Jesus shared his thoughts on this year’s Europa League opener in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday. For the Alvalade coach, there is no hiding from what will likely prove to be a tricky Group H campaign.

“This group has three really balanced sides: Sporting, Besiktas and Lokomotiv. The Russians are strong with some well-known players and they are in second in there league. We are expecting problems, but we will be ready for them”, opened Jesus.

Asked if he plans to make some changes to his squad to rest tired legs and a possible pairing of Aquilani in the midfield with Adrien, Jesus said: “It isn’t about resting players. We will choose the right 11 for each particular game, taking into account how the players are. Sporting has a squad that allows us to do that, whether it be due to tiredness, injury or options. Aquilani didn’t play the pre-season with us, so it was important for him to play in Vila do Conde. He played for more time that I thought he would, but he responded well.”

To finish, Jesus spoke about his side’s chances of going on an extensive European run: “I think that the Europa League is getting harder every year. To reach the final you have to play teams who could be in the Champions League, but I believe that Sporting has the quality to go far.”

Adrien Silva sets sights on a lengthy Europa League campaign

Alvalade skipper Adrien Silva spoke with the press this Wednesday afternoon, ahead of Sporting’s Europa League hosting of Lokomotiv Moscow.

“It is true that our objective wasn’t to be in the Europa League, but there is no point thinking about that now. This is a prestigious competition and we want to reach the final, but that doesn’t mean that this competition is more important for us because we didn’t qualify for the Champions League. Every game is important when you play for Sporting”, opened Adrien, going on speak more depth about Thursday’s encounter: “We aren’t comparing this game to the one with CSKA. We have looked at Lokomotiv and what matters is that we focus on what we have to do. We can’t relax, or we will be surprised.”

Shikabala

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Zamalek Sports Club for the transfer of the athlete Shikabala for a fee of 650,000.00 dollars and with Sporting SAD having the right to 15% of a future transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Shikabala the best of personal and professional success.

Sporting set out Europa League squad list

Sporting have included a total of 16 players in the Europa League squad list: Goalkeepers: Guilherme Oliveira, Pedro Silva and Stojkovic;
Defenders: Mauro Riquicho, Tobias Figueiredo, Domingos Duarte and Ruben Ribeiro;
Midfielders: Fokobo, Fábio Martins, Francisco Geraldes and Rafael Barbosa;
Forwards: Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Carlos Mané, Daniel Podence and Cristian Ponde.

List A had already been announced, with 22 players included:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício, Marcelo Boeck and Azbe Jug;
Defenders: João Pereira, Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Ewerton, Jefferson and Jonathan Silva;
Midfields: William Carvalho, Bruno Paulista, Aquilani, Adrien, João Mário and André Martins;
Forwards: Carrillo, Bryan Ruiz, Tanaka, Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani.