Jorge Jesus after Thursday's Europa League loss

Speaking at the final whistle after Thursday's 3-1 loss in Leverkusen, Jorge Jesus pointed the finger at the fatigue brought on by a packed fixture list.

“Most of the lads who started tonight didn't play against Boavista. We played really well for 60 minutes, but Leverkusen were the more pragmatic and scored. From the few chances they had they came away with goals. When I made substitutions I thought it would help the team, but actually played against us. After conceding the second we tried to respond, but they scored a third goal from a long pass forward", opened the Alvalade boss, adding: We lost against a team that play some really intense and dynamic football, but we stepped up. We can take some positives and negatives away from the game, but I liked some of the players who haven't had much time on the pitch and I think they responded well."

Jesus finished by turning his attention to the domestic campaign, where his side sit top of Liga NOS: "When I arrived, I promised I would fight for titles in Portugal. It was us who won the first trophy of the season and we are fighting hard in the most important competition. It was what was promised and we are in first. We are really happy with what we have managed to do so far."

William Carvalho and João Mário at the final whistle after Thursday's loss to Leverkusen

Sporting's midfield pairing of João Mário and William Carvalho took a moment to speak with radio journalists after Thursday's 3-1 Europa League loss to Bayer Leverkusen this Thursday night.

“We were not effective enough after we scored. We had chances to get ahead, but we didn't and that cost us", explained João Mário, preferring to move his focus onto Sporting's Liga NOS campaign: "We felt like we could get past this tie, but we didn't and now we will concentrate on the league."

William Carvalho also set his sights on the domestic campaign. "All we have to do is concentrate on the league now. We have said since the start of the season that our main focus is that and now we will get ready for Monday in Guimarães", affirmed the Portuguese international, finishing with his analysis of the evening's encounter: “They (Bayer Leverkusen) were more effective than us. We had our chances, but we didn't convert on them while they did."

Admirable performance from Jorge Jesus' side comes up short of a first win in Germany

Sporting's European campaign for this season was brought to an end this Thursday night, after a harsh 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern Leverkusen.

The evening got off to a frantic start, with both teams scrapping hard for possession in the midfield. On two minutes, the first chance materialised for the hosts, when Papadopoulos rose higher than the Alvalade defence to put a header wide after a cross from Çalhanoglu. Sporting were instantly down the other end, but Carlos Mané was unable to keep his shot down after a cross from Bruno César. The theme for the rest of the half had been set, with a slight advantage for the Germans courtesy in part of some sloppy passing bySporting. However, Bayer only really threatened goal once in the early exchanges, when Wendell pulled a stop out of Patrício.

As time ticked over, Sporting began to get a foothold going forward, largely due to a fantastic showing of intelligence and tactical maturity on the part of João Mário. The Germans had laid down an impervious looking defensive wall, but Sporting soon began to find ways through with flashes of creativity, like in the 26th minute when Bruno César found an inch of space and fired a shot towards goal that Leno did well to stop. Jorge Jesus' side were looking more and more likely to find the back of the net, but a quick break saw Bayer strike first when Chicharito Hernández set Bellarabi away on goal for a driven finish between Patrício's legs.

Although now trailing 2-0 on aggregate, Sporting rallied and took the fight to the hosts and after Mané had the goal at his mercy in the 36th minute, João Mário equalised with a tap in at the far post following an intelligent delayed cross from João Pereira and an initial volley from Carlos Mané that Leno parried into the path of the Portuguese international.

The second-half got underway with a change for the Germans (Mehmedi on for Brandt), followed by some wasteful finishing from both sides and some baffling refereeing decisions. In the 57th minute Carlos Mané failed to get a shot away and Leno denied João Mário from the rebound, before the evening's official failed to respond to a clash between Wendell and Wendell and Bruno César (59’).

Sporting were looking capable of taking the lead, but what looked to be a stroke of bad luck for Bayer Leverkusen (injury to Kiessling) actually worked against the visitors, with the introduction of Ramalho in place of the forward seeing the Germans bolster up their midfield in a move that gave an extra bit of freedom to their players in the final third. On 65 minutes, Bellarabi scored what will likely be a candidate for goal of the tournament with a blistering shot from range with the outside of his boot.

Jorge Jesus, who had already brought on Bryan Ruiz for Mané, rolled the dice and signaled for Slimani (in place of Teo Gutiérrez, 67’) and Gelson Martins (for Bruno César, 78’). However, the Sporting's busy fixture schedule started to show and tired legs set in as the final whistle approached. Bayer Leverkusen finally put the game beyond all doubt in the 87th minute, when Tah picked out Çalhanoglu running in behind the Alvalade backline and blasted past Patrício with an unstoppable half-volley.

Jorge Jesus' looks ahead to Thursday's Europa League showdown

While accepting that his side will face a tougher challenge in their quest to secure a historic victory on German soil this Thursday against Bayer Leverkusen, Jorge Jesus used his pre-match press conference to throw the door open for Sporting's chances of prolonging this season's Europa League campaign.

"It will be harder than it was in Lisbon. We played on Monday, made the trip and then we will play tomorrow. I will see how the players react in training later today and from there I will choose the best options for the team. Our choices are a bit conditioned, but we believe we can do what Leverkusen did in Lisbon", said the Alvalade boss, adding: "This game could set the tone for us in the Europa League. If we get through, then we are also capable of being the best teams in this competition."

Kick off is scheduled for 18h00 CET. 

Ewerton on Thursday's Europa League second-leg against Bayer Leverkusen

"We have to go forward tomorrow and we will be ready to defend against Leverkusen", said Ewerton in this Wednesday's Europa League press conference, throwing down the gauntlet for what could be a memorable first win in Germany.

Focusing in on what his side is likely to expect come kick off, the Brazilian affirmed: "It will be a difficult match and we have already seen what they are capable of. We are ready and we are confident. I think it (never having won in Germany) motivates us more and tomorrow it could be the first time. That is what we want."

Sporting has issued the following information for fans traveling to Leverkusen this Thursday:

- The match will kick off at 19h00 CET (18H00 GMT).

- The “BayArena” is approximately 7 minutes from the centre of the city.

- Sporting fans are to gather at the train station which accesses the stadium, called “Leverkusen Mitte”.

- All tickets for the visiting fans section are completely sold out (1800 Sporting fans).

- It is advisable to depart “Leverkusen Mitte” by 16h30, in order to guarantee that all fans are inside the stadium before kick-off.

- The journey to the stadium will be accompanied by both Portuguese and local police forces.

- Parking for for Organised Fan Groups and other fans will be available near to the stadium.

- The area occupied by Sporting will be in the western corner, with entry through gates SG and G for the lower and upper stands.

- A Sporting Fan Liaison Officer will be at “BayArena” to assist fans locally.