Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares host event in Alvalade

The Sporting CP and OS Belenenses chiefs Bruno de Carvalho and Rui Pedro Soares were the ideal example of fair play between rival clubs in an event this Saturday. Alvalade and Belenenses skippers Adrien Silva and Tiago Caeiro were also on hand, in an initiative geared around discussing football in general and building up institutional relations between the two Lisbon sides.

Around two dozens youngsters also joined in the occasion, taking photographs in a mix of both sides' kits.

Jorge Jesus on the early kick-off, his possible starting XI and the video assistant referee

The kick-off time was inevitably the focus of questions in this Saturday's pre-match press conference, with Sporting CP hosting cross-town rivals Os Belenenses at 11h45.

"This will be a different match because we are playing in the morning, but the fans have turned out anyway and it will be a sell out. It is Mother's Day as well, so it will be nice occasion. Sporting CP is playing some really attractive football right now and although we are a way off our objectives, the fans are showing they believe in the future. This is a Lisbon derby and although Belenenses aren't doing very well in the league it will be a hard fought game. I remember the game last year, when William Carvalho won it for us with a penalty in the last minute", opened Jorge Jesus in his meeting with the press.

The absence of Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence and Alan Ruiz was largely brushed off by the Alvalade coach, who has other options available: "Results define the team I use. Belenenses will be relaxed and I am sure they are feeling confident, but of course we have done what we have to do on the training pitch. We shifted our training times a bit, but physically nothing really changed. Francisco Geraldes could come in for us, just like João Palhinha and Podence have, if I think that is the best decision. Strategically having a few players out makes a difference, but our overall system will be the same."

Sporting CP announced the signing of André Pinto this week and Jesus was keen to highlight the importance of the new Alvalade acquisition: "Having André with us is important for Sporting CP. He hasn't been working with the first team, so bringing him over earlier means we can help him get into form. He is with us already, thanks to the great relationship that exists between Sporting CP and Sporting de Braga”.

Jorge Jesus finished with a world of praise for the introduction of the video assistant referee for next season's league campaign: "Both Sporting CP and the Portuguese Football Federation deserve to be congratulated for this decision. the video assistant referee is really important for Portuguese football. We have great coaches and clubs in this country, but we don't have the financial resources others do and it is important that we are on the cutting edge of technology. It won't fix everything, but it will certainly help."

Bruno de Carvalho reflects on the introduction of the video-referee

The Portuguese Football Federation and and Portuguese Football League have officially announced that the video assistant referee will be used in national championship matches in 2017/2018.

For president Bruno de Carvalho, the decision is a welcome one following the club's proposal over recent seasons: "Today will go down in history. People are listening to those who have been defending the idea of the video assistant referee for a long time now. We are don't expect this to fix everything, but it will avoid some of the biggers errors, which Sporting CP has consistently been on the receiving end of. Football is changing."

Visiting the Santa Maria Sporting Supporters' Club in the Azores, the Alvalade leader was understandably happy with the announcement: "History is proving us right. Funds are banned and their is a real revolution going on in UEFA and FIFA, with new technology helping to give credibility. Everything that certain people were saying has proven not to be true. Clubs haven't gone bankrupt without funds and the video assistant referee isn't just the idea of a populist. My vision for Sporting CP and football in general was right."

Jorge Jesus' charges look to keep up 100% winning streak

It's official: Sunday's Liga NOS matchday 32 hosting of Clube Futebol Os Belenenses is a complete sell out.

This match is dedicated to the club's female fans (10th time) and Sporting Clube de Portugal have won every single match on these occasions:

2006/2007 | Sporting CP vs Estrela da Amadora | 3-1
2007/2008 | Sporting CP vs Marítimo | 2-1
2008/2009 | Sporting CP vs Paços de Ferreira | 2-0
2009/2010 | Sporting CP vs Vitória de Guimarães | 3-1
2010/2011 | Sporting CP vs Portimonense | 2-1
2011/2012 | Sporting CP vs Vitória de Guimarães | 5-0
2012/2013 | Sporting CP vs Olhanense | 1-0
2013/2014 | Sporting CP vs Vitória de Guimarães | 1-0
2014/2015 | Sporting CP vs Nacional | 2-0
2015/2016 | Sporting CP vs União da Madeira | 2-0

. Gates open at 10h15 (an hour and a half before kick-off)
. We recommend entering the stadium as early as possible, in order to avoid excessive waiting times
. Public transport should be used to reach the stadium
. Children under the age of 3 are prohibited 
. All fans must have a valid ticket
. Member fee applicable: April 2017

This season's Liga NOS fixtures have been attended by an average of 43,253 spectators, smashing every record since 2003.

Jorge Jesus sees Sunday's win in Braga as more than deserved and looks to Bas Dost as inspiration for the rest of the squad

Jorge Jesus spoke with the press after his side's 3-2 win in Braga this Sunday afternoon and the Alvalade boss was sure to thank the players and fans for the tribute to his father, who passed away last week.

"My players always want to give me wins and it would have been a huge injustice if we didn't get the three points today. We were really good in the first-half, we missed a penalty and Sp. Braga scored from the only chance they had. This team is growing with every game and we just need a bit more defensively. At half-time I told the lads that goals will come, but that we had to defend better out wide", said Jesus, adding a word on the unstoppable form of Bas Dost: "Bas has the mentality of champion, the image of what I want the future of Sporting CP to be. If he can win the Golden Boot, well Messi is having a really good end to the season."

Bas Dost hattrick sinks Sp. Braga

An injury, a missed penalty and five goals made for an emotional afternoon in Braga this Sunday, with Sporting CP coming away with the three points on Liga NOS matchday 31 courtesy of a hattrick from none other than Bas Dost.

Jorge Jesus' side were dealt an early below with an injury picked up by Alan Ruiz in the 25th minute, which saw the striker carried away to the dressing rooms obviously suffering with his right knee. Not to worry though, as Bas Dost was of course on hand to compensate. With another hattrick added to his personal tally, Dost has now netted on 31 occasions in 28 Liga NOS appearances, totalling 50% of all of Sporting CP 's goals scored in league matches so far this season. The three strikes also keeps up the pressure on Lionel Messi in the race for this season's Golden Boot.

Despite the Dutchman's masterclass, it was a hard afternoon's work for the team from the Portuguese capital, who battled through to secure three points in tribute to Jorge Jesus after the Alvalade boss lost his father during the week. On 13 minutes Ricardo Horta opened the scoring after capitalising on a shot from Rui Fonte that fell into his path after hitting the woodwork. Trailing, Sporting CP rallied on the attack, but possession was proving difficult to translate into chances.

With Podence thrust into the action in place of the injured Ruiz, Sporting CP's first chance to equaliser soon materialised. The number 56 was brought crashing down for a penalty and Adrien Silva stepped up for the spot kick, which he uncharacteristically put wide. Despite a good string of chances, led mostly through the restless Gelson Martins, Sp. Braga held on to their slender lead until the break. However, the second-half was a completely different story, with the starting gun fired from the penalty spot by Bas Dost as Marcelo Goiano fouled Gelson Martins in the area.

Jorge Jesus' charges needed just another 15 minutes to go 2-1 up, when Bas Dost did the business after a pass from Zeegelaar. Braga responded four minutes later when Rui Fonte made the most of a defensive mix-up, but Sporting's Dutch assassin wasn't about to be out done and Dost rounded off his hattrick with a header from a cross whipped in by Schelotto.

Jorge Jesus names squad to face Braga

Jorge Jesus has named his squad for Liga NOS matchday 31 against Sp. Braga on Sunday (18h00).

1 – Rui Patrício
2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
4 – Jefferson
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
18 – Francisco geraldes
20 – Luc Castaignos
23 – Adrien Silva
28 – Bas Dost
31 – Marvin Zeegelaar
34 – Beto Pimparel
35 – Rúben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
56 – Daniel Podence
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

Raul José guarantees a strong Sporting CP for the weekend's trip to Braga

Standing in for Jorge Jesus in this Saturday's pre-match press conference, Raul José promised "a strong Sporting CP", in tribute to the Alvalade coach following the death of his father this week.

"Whenever you lose a loved one it is always painful, but Jorge will be back with the same dedication and passion and the players are with him to get the win on Sunday", opened the Sporting CP assistant coach, adding: "Winning is always the priority for Sporting CP. We are with Jorge (Jesus) and we will go to Braga to get the win with the support of the fans."

As for the weekend's opposition and Sporting CP's chances of still finishing 2nd in Liga NOS, Raul José commented: ""Sp. Braga have some great players and are always strong at home. They have shown against the big teams that they are a solid team, who are difficult to play against. We will have to be at our best to win. We are focused on winning our games and at the end we will see where we finish."

Ticket news for Liga NOS matchday 31 and 32

Sporting Clube de Portugal has announced ticketing information for the coming Liga NOS fixtures (ticket offices open from 10h to 20h).

Matchday 31
Match: Sp. Braga vs Sporting CP
Date: 30th of April (Sunday) at 18h
Location: Braga Municipal Stadium
Price: 20€
Sales: Thursday and Friday in Alvalade

Matchday 32
Match: Sporting CP vs CF Os Belenenses
Date: 7th of May (Sunday) at 11h45
Location: Estádio José Alvalade
Prices from: 5€ (Member) or 13€ (fan)
SALES ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE

The match against CF Os Belenenses will be dedicated to Sporting CP's ladies, with various special offers:

Ladies ticket + exclusive scarf: club member 7€ or fan 13€

- promotion only valid at Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices
- ticker available for any sector of the stadium (subject to availability)
- Scarf offer subject to availability

Anti-crisis tickets (from 5€ and exclusively for club members) and family tickets (21€ for 3 people, one of whom must be a club member with fees paid up to date) are also available.

Jorge Jesus highlights his side's dominance going forward in the Lisbon derby

Sporting CP was not happy with the split points in the Lisbon derby on Saturday night, after what he saw as a dominant display from his side.

"Matches aren't defined by possession. They are defined by opportunities and we were better in that regard. We had two good chances though Bas Dost, who is still having a tough time from long range. We didn't win because we didn't take the two or three chances you have in these games. I am happy with how the lads played, but now with the result. One team went for the win and the other one didn't create chances. I wouldn't say that one team was better though", said Jesus.

Speaking about SL Benfica's approach to the encounter and his introduction of Jefferson and Paulo Oliveira in defence, the Alvalade boss affirmed: "Benfica didn't have chances on goal. In the second-half we were not as good in defence,bur we tried to hit on the counter-attack where we could. Benfica ended up scoring from a well-taken free-kick. Jefferson has a bit more pace than Bruno César, which is why I picked him to deal with Salvio's movement. On the other hand, I made the right choice with Paulo Oliveira. Rúben Semedo is carrying a bit of a physical problem and Paulo gave us the security we needed."