Coates looks ahead to the weekend's Liga NOS hosting of Boavista

Sporting CP will host Boavista at 20h30 this Saturday, at a time when Jorge Jesus' side are really in their stride. One of the star performers this season, Coates is looking forward to another three points this weekend.

“We don't have a lot of matches to go now and we will take them as they come. The last seven matches have been good for us. We haven't always played how we would have liked, but we have won and that is what matters", said the big defender in an interview this Friday, adding a word on the weekend's action: "It will be a hard game and we will gave to do what we have been doing in the last seven games, which is to look to control the game."

The Uruguayan completed his 50th match in a green and white shirt recently and he is certainly enjoying his time in the Portuguese capital, affirming: "I am honoured to have played 50 matches for Sporting CP and hopefully I will play a lot more. I said the day I arrived that this is a club with a lot of history. It is a massive club in Portugal and it is a big responsibility to play here."

In 53 attempts Boavista have only claimed the win once in league encounters in Alvalade

It may sound strange, but it was actually way back in 1976 that Boavista last got the better of Sporting CP in Alvalade, when a goal from Salvador secured a 1-0 win. This year Miguel Leal's team will be looking to break the curse, but Jorge Jesus' side are in a rich spell of form and that certainly won't be an easy task.

Looking at Boavista's strengths, efficiency from dead ball situations stands out. A total of 17 goals have come from such situations, four of which we penalties. Miguel Leal's side are also powerful when it comes to the aerial game, winning a total of 17.9 disputed balls per game. Understandably then route-one football is Boavista's preferred strategy, relying on Philipe Sampaio (1.91m), Lucas (1.94m), Idris (1.89m) and Iván Bulos (1.88m) to rule the skies.

It was last in 2003 that Boavista claimed points in Alvalade, after a 1-1 draw. However with Sporting CP winning every encounter since, the odds are in the host's favour.

At 32 years od age, the experienced midfielder is a regular feature for Boavista. Standing at 1.89m, he is a powerful figure who is aggressive in disputing possession.

The 51 year old joined Boavista after two good seasons with Moreirense. Although not having the best of campaigns, Boavista are currently sitting in a comfortable 10th.

Sporting CP forward beats Soares and Brahimi to award

Six goals in just three matches, in addition to technical quality that has him up there with the world's best. Bas Dost rightly claimed the Liga NOS Player of the Month Award for March this week, attributed by the Portuguese Professional Football Association.

The Dutch striker, who has bagged 24 goals so far this season, claimed a total of 19.06% of votes cast.

Jorge Jesus reflects on another three points from what is traditionally a tough away fixture

Speaking with the press at the final whistle on Sunday, Jorge Jesus did not shy away from the difficulties felt by his side against a determined Arouca. "It is always difficult to win here", opened the Alvalade boss, continuing: "I have to point on three things: Firstly the win, second the fact that we are now seven games without losing and third that it is always hard to beat Arouca here. We were a bit slow in defence at the beginning, but the goal woke us up. We played some good football today, but another goal would have settled us a bit more. We had to hold on to possession because of that, but of course I am happy with the result."

Sporting CP score twice in two minutes to secure 10th straight win against Arouca

Sporting CP tallied a 10th straight win against Arouca this weekend, courtesy of goals from Alan Ruiz and Bruno César.

Jorge Jesus set his side out with its usual tactical shape, making just one change to the starting line-up with the introduction of Bruno César for Matheus Pereira. The encounter got off to a well disputed start, but with Sporting CP looking to take the initiative with Bryan Ruiz adding creativity to midfield along side William Carvalho. The first chance of the afternoon fell to Gelson after the skillful winger was picked out by Coates, but he was pushed off the ball in the 18-yard box for what could well have been given as a penalty.

Arouca responded in the ninth minute and actually struck from what was their first opportunity. Some determined play down the left finished with a cross from Vítor that Mateus headed into an empty net.

Unshaken by the goal, Sporting CP pushed forward and began building opportunities. First it was Bas Dost in the 27th minute with a header straight at Bolat, before Gelson fired a rocket of a shot that the Arouca keeper did well to turn away for a corner. On 32 minutes Bryan Ruiz picked out Bas Dost with a wire-guided pass, but once again Bolat was on hand to keep his team head.

Jesus' side continued to turn the screw and finally equalised in the 34th minute, when Alan Ruiz did well to control and drift into the box, before blasting a low shot into the bottom corner. Sporting CP could smell blood and just two minutes later the comeback was completed, when Bruno César blasted in from the edge of the box.

Arouca looked better after the break, relying mostly on the hard graft of Walter González in his efforts to get the better of Coates and Rúben Semedo. It was through the Paraguayan that Arouca came close to equalising, as he broke away at the half-way line and pulled a stop out of Rui Patrício on the hour-mark. Down the other end Sporting CP continued to look for space, but the final pass was lacking and some good build up play was left wanting on several occasions.

As the clock ticked down both coaches made their respective changes, with Jorge Leitão introducing the pace of Kuca and flare of Nuno Valente, while Jorge Jesus turned to João Palhinha to hold down the midfield.

With the exception of the break from González 15 minutes after the restart the second-half largely lacked clear chances. Gelson could have killed off the result late on, but Bolat was quick off his line to limit the damage to two.

Bruno César praises his side's control against a determined Arouca

"We let in an early goal, but we did well to come back. The heat didn't help, but in the second-half we controlled possession well and got the three points", said Bruno César at the final whistle on Sunday, after netting Sporting CP's second.

Questioned about the distance between Sporting CP and SL Benfica (8 points) and FC Porto (7 points), Bruno César proved relaxed: "Our objective was to win against Arouca, who are always hard to play against away, even though they are having a hard season. We are taking each game as it comes."

Squad list for Liga NOS matchday 27

Coach Jorge Jesus has announced his squad list for Sunday's 18h00 visit to Arouca.

Goalkeepers

Rui Patrício

Beto Pimparel

Defenders

Ezequiel Schelotto

Sebastián Coates

Rúben Semedo

Paulo Oliveira

Marvin Zeegelaar

Ricardo Esgaio

Midfielders

William Carvalho

João Palhinha

Bruno César

Bryan Ruiz

Matheus Pereira

Gelson Martins

Ryan Gauld

Forwards

Alan Ruiz

Bas Dost

Luc Castaignos

Daniel Podence

Jorge Jesus reaffirms his confidence in his youngsters against an unpredictable Arouca side

Speaking in his pre-match press conference this Saturday afternoon, coach Jorge Jesus guaranteed the continuation of his policy of giving time on the pitch to his young players, going on to explain the process behind the adaptation of Alvalade's latest generation of superstars: "I see the development of Matheus Pereira as the same as I am doing with Daniel Podence, Gelson Martins, Rúben Semedo, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha and Francisco Geraldes. It is a strategy that we have built up based on the quality of the young players Sporting CP produces. If a team has quality young players then it has to be highlighted, which is what we are doing with Matheus. He played a few times last year, but we need to carefully control his development."

Arouca are the next Liga NOS challenge to Sporting CP's unbeaten run of six games, while the weekend's hosts have gone six without a win, resulting in the replacement of Manuel Machado for Jorge Leitão. "Arouca are looking to stay in the league and we have gone a few games without winning. We want to carry on putting the pressure on our rivals. All I can really do is look at Arouca individually, because technically I don't know as they are on their third coach this season. I don't know what will happen, but Arouca are a quality side. We will have to keep the pressure up", said Jesus, also touching on the return of players from international duty: "The lads who arrive hack now are always a bit tired and we have a few in that situation. We had a look at the squad on Friday and did a bit of work. The most important thing is that no one picked up an injury."

Jorge Jesus finished with his opinion of the transfer market and this weekend's encounter between SL Benfica and FC Porto: "If we could be sure that certain players would leave at the end of the season, then of course that effects the structure of the team, like it did last year. Last season Sporting CP lost three players who scored 55 goals between them: Slimani, João Mário and Teo Gutierrez. Maybe nobody remembers that. Developing players and then maybe losing them is part of the game, but of course I don't like it. However that is the reality for Portuguese teams...Honestly the result between Benfica and Porto doesn't matter, but it won't benefit us anyway."

Arouca vs. Sporting CP

When Arouca came back from the summer break, the fans' expectations were understandably high after beating Heracles in the Europa League and nobody expected such a tough campaign domestically. However, Arouca will come into the weekend's hosting of Sporting CP on the back of six straight loses, with Manuel Machado unable to claim a single point and the former youth team coach Jorge Leitão being drafted in.

Just six matches ago things were looking stable in the league, with Arouca in 10th place. However, now currently in 13th a tricky hosting of Sporting CP is on the cards.

Arouca have particularly struggled against the Liga NOS top-6, so far losing to FC Porto (0-3 and 4-0), Benfica (1-2 and 3-0) and Sporting CP (3-0). Arouca did manage to get a point out of Sp. Braga and went a step further with a win against Marítimo. History is on Sporting CP's side going into this one, with the team from Alvalade having tallied nine wins in nine encounters between the two. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Arouca managed just a single shot on target, along with 31% of possession.

The young forward has plenty of potential and has so far netted on five occasions this season. Dangerous on the break with his movement, González has also set up four goals for his teammates.

It is difficult to assess how Jorge Leitão will deal with his new role with the senior team, particularly having taken over following a series of six loses. Not a lot of changes should be expected for the hosting of Sporting CP this weekend.

Bas Dost sits down the with Dutch press to reflect on his time at Alvalade

Bas Dost spoke with the Dutch press this week about his experience in the Portuguese capital so far, reflecting on everything to his brilliant form and Jorge Jesus' influence.

"I have never had a coach who knows so much about what I can and can't do. Jorge Jesus knows me inside out and he knows how to convince the lads to play in a way that will get the best of my characteristics. I get exactly the passes that I want. If Jesus didn't have such an important role at the club then I wouldn't be here, because Wolfsburg had already refused two offers. Then the Wolfsburg president said he had another offer, from a club with fantastic coach. I took the chance, but I am scoring the goals and that is down to the coach", said Dost.

Speaking with Dagblad van het Noorden, the Dutch striker drew a comparison between Burno de Carvalho and Wolfsburg's Francisco Javier Sanz: "The president is almost always in our training sessions here. All that is missing is him actually leading our sessions, because he is there for everything else. He is on the substitutes' bench and the fans re-elected him in record numbers. I never actually saw the Wolfsburg president, except at our Christmas party."