Jorge Jesus on Thusday's loss and his side's chances in the second-leg in Germany

"This is played over two legs. We lost here and Bayern Leverkusen are a good team who push the pace a lot, but we played well except after Rúben Semedo was sent off", opened Jorge Jesus in his post-match press conference.

The Alvalade boss went on to elaborate on some of his choices for the encounter and what could await in the second-leg in Germany: "It was Bayer who scored, but after we were better in the second-half, especially after we brought on Adrien and Slimani. Even it had stayed 0-0, we would still have to score in Germany. We knew it was going to be complicated and Bayern are in a good position, but we have a chance. I have won their once before, so it won't be the first time if I do it again."

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.”

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.

Tickets for the Europa League second-leg

Tickets for the Europa League second-leg between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Sporting Clube de Portugal, on the 25th of February, will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices as follows:

WEDNESDAY, 27TH OF JANUARY (10H TO 20H) | Club Members with a Gamebox 2015/2016 and December 2015 fees paid

THURSDAY, 28TH OF JANUARY (10H TO 14H) | Club Members without a Gamebox and December 2015 fees paid

THURSDAY, 28TH OF JANUARY (FROM 14H) | General public

In line with indications from UEFA and the opposition club, the first tickets sold will cost 15€. After these have sold out, 22€ tickets will go on sale.

Jorge Jesus' side drawn against the in-form Germans

The Europa League draw this Monday morning has set Sporting against the German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen was founded two years before Sporting, by two employees of the pharmaceutical company Bayer. Hailing from the North Rhine-Westphalia region, Leverkusen have a UEFA Cup (1988) and German DFB Cup (1993) to their name and have finished fifth in the Bundesliga on five occasions (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2011).

The German side currently sit in sixth place in their domestic league, with seven wins, three draws and six loses. Leverkusen's European campaign this season actually started in the Champions League, but a difficult group topped by Barcelona and Roma saw them eventually finish in third.

In terms of previous encounters between the two sides, Sporting have drawn one and lost three, in the 1997/98 and 2000/01 Champions League group stage. In fact, Leverkusen represent a bit of a curse or the team from Alvalade, with Sporting never actually having managed to win a game in Germany in European competition.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN STATS

- Founded: 1st of July 1904

- Stadium: Bay Arena (30,210)

- Coach: Roger Schmidt (German 48 years old)

- 2014/15 Season: 4th in Bundesliga

- Current Season: 6 in Bundesliga after 16 matches

- Main Players: Lars Bender, Cälhanoglu, Bellarabi, Chicharito and Kiessling

- Last XI used (B. Mönchengladbach, 5-0): Leno; Hilbert, Toprak, Tah, Wendell; Kramer, Kampl; Bellarabi, Cälhanoglu; Chicharito and Kiessling