Alvalade winger in the limelight around Europe

Gelson Martins' wonder goal against Paços de Ferreira this weekend has been attracting the attention of the press around the world, including from the Spanish publication, As.

In addition to footage of the goal, the journalist affirmed "Sporting CP's jewel, who is wanted by half of Europe, pulled off this wonder against Paços de Ferreira", in an article with the title "Excellence of Gelson Martins. Chips the goalkeeper and scores!"

To relive Gelson's goal, you can find the original article here.

Jorge Jesus praises his side's return to winning form

Speaking in his post-match press conference on Saturday after his side's return to business as usual, with a 4-2 win against Paços de Ferreira, coach Jorge Jesus proved understandably pleased with the performance.

"It was a great first-half, maybe the best this season in Alvalade. We scored three quality goals and were great technically and tactically. We played some quick and creative football again, a lot of which was down to Alan [Ruiz] while he could keep up physically. We did the hardest part and went 2-0 in front. Our emotional levels were a bit low, which happens when you don't win. I told the lads at half-time that it was important to score one more, but we then let in two goals and it shook us a bit", said the Sporting CP coach, going on to reflect on the booking of William Carvalho and the resulting absence from the coming visit to FC Porto: "It was a shame. He hardly touched the player and all he did was step on the end of his boot. The match against FC Porto isn't decisive, but we will have to play well."

Sporting CP back to winning form in Alvalade after three tough matches on the road

Nothing better than a packed Estádio José Alvalade to guide Sporting CP back to winning form after three disastrous away results. Two strikes from Bas Dost, a stroke of brilliance from Gelson Martins and a penalty from Adrien Silva secured a convincing win over Paços de Ferreira, despite the visitor's rally in the second-half.

Paços de Ferreira were only able to hold out for 12 minutes, with the deadlock broken after Adrien was pushed in the area by Pedro Monteiro for a penalty that the Sporting CP skipper himself stepped up to convert on with a cool finish. Jorge Jesus' side continued to push the pace and twenty minutes later Bas Dost made it 2-0 with the simplest of finishes from close range after a cross from Schelotto.

Estádio José Alvalade was already on a high, but Gelson Martins blew the roof off three minutes later with one of the finest goals of the season. The skillful winger controlled a pass from William Carvalho, before lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper's head and set up a finish from a couple of metres out.

Sporting CP looked to be in cruise control, but Paços de Ferreira had other ideas and after the break Welthon managed to squeeze a goal in from a tight angle. The Brazilian again struck on 76 minutes with a header from point blank range, but Sporting CP were not about to let the visitors steal the show and rallied in attack. Of course it was Bas Dost who resorted the two-goal cushion, with the big Dutchman rising higher than anybody else in the area to secure the final result.

Jesus announces squad for Liga NOS matchday 19

Jorge Jesus has named his squad to host Paços de Ferreira this Saturday night, in a 20h30 kick-off in Alvalade.

1 - Rui Patrício
2 - Ezequiel Schelotto
7 - Joel Campbell
10 - Bryan Ruiz
11 - Bruno César
14 - William Carvalho
15 - Paulo Oliveira
19 - Douglas Teixeira
20 - Luc Castaignos
23 - Adrien Silva
28 - Bas Dost
31 - Marvin Zeegelaar
34 - Beto Pimparel
35 - Rúben Semedo
47 - Ricardo Esgaio
66 - João Palhinha
73 - Matheus Pereira
77 - Gelson Martins
99 - Alan Ruiz

Jorge Jesus confirms the return of Geraldes and Podence and looks ahead to the weekend's action

Opening his Friday afternoon press conference with an analysis of his squad, Jorge Jesus revealed that Francisco Geraldes and Daniel Podence are on their way back to Lisbon after a spell out on loan: "Geraldes and Podence have been authorised to come back. Not because of how we are playing right now, but because they have developed over the last six months and we think they can bring something extra. They are quality players who have the potential to be part of the future of this club. In a squad of 24, a total of 11 players are from our youth system."

Jorge Jesus went on to lend his backing to the current reshaping of the squad and an investment in youth players: "Last year, when we were doing well, nobody accused me of not investing in young players. This season we have already used Rúben Semedo and Gelson Martins a lot and two more players can break through now. Some players have left us this January because they were focused on other objectives and in those cases myself and the board have decided what to do."

Speaking more directly about the weekend's opposition, Jesus proved confident keeping the three points in Alvalade: "Paços de Ferreira are a well balanced team, with objectives different to ours. They are really good from set pieces and we will have to give away to least amount of fouls possible, which will limit their chances on goal. The fans have been great in showing belief in us and I am sure they will be with us tomorrow as well."

Octávio Machado speaks about recent events on the pitch

Sporting's director for football, Octávio Machado, sat down with the press this weekend to speak about Sporting CP's current form and standing in Liga NOS. Refereeing was inevitably the overtone of his comments, but the Alvalade director did not dismiss the influence of some of Sporting CP's recent performances.

Disallowed goal denies Sporting CP of a deserved three points

Sporting CP were held to a 2-2 draw in Estádio dos Barreiros this weekend, on Liga NOS matchday 18. A disallowed goal for a wrong offside call against Alan Ruiz dictated the final result, after a spirited display which saw Sporting CP come from behind twice.

Jorge Jesus made five changes to his last 11 (Patrício, Schelotto, Zeegelaar, Bruno César and a debut for João Palhinha) and Sporting CP started the encounter well. However, some sloppy passes forced Paulo Oliveira into making a foul and Éber Bessa converted on the resulting free-kick with low shot that wrong footed Rui Patrício.

The early below did little to unsettle Sporting CP and the team from Alvalade continued to pile forward in search of goal, courtesy mostly of some darting runs from Schelotto and Gelson Martins down the right. However, Marítimo largely limited Sporting CP's chances to dead ball situations, but it was precisely from one such incident that the equaliser came, when Bas Dost rose highest to head in from an Adrien Silva cross.

Sporting CP would have been expected to take charge after the equaliser, but it was actually down the other end that the next few opportunities materialised. Dyego Sousa hit Patrício's crossbar in the 31st minute, just before Raúl Silva made the most of yard of space to put Marítimo back into the lead.

The second-half was much of the same, with the hosts relying on the counter-attack. Edgar Costa has two good chances, but Sporting CP grew into the action again after the introduction of Alan Ruiz [on for Zeegelaar]. With Campbell and William Carvalho also on off the bench [for Palhinha and Bryan Ruiz], the team from Alvalade began to up the tempo and Bruno César dragged on a cross back on the hour mark that Gelson did well to control and slot home.

Neither outfit was able to seriously threaten in the dying stages, with the exception of a goal from Alan Ruiz that was wrongly ruled out for offside.

Jorge Jesus on the weekend's Liga NOS action

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press this Friday ahead of the weekend's Liga NOS matchday 18 trip to Marítimo (Saturday, at 18h15).

Although a tough challenge, the Sporting CP coach is fully focused on the three points: "The match will be difficult for a few reasons. Firstly, because we are a bit behind in the league and we cannot drop any more points. On top of that, Marítimo are really strong at home. However, we are ready and we know we cannot let more points slip away", opened Jesus, continuing: "I wouldn't say that everything is lost right now, but we have to take on our responsibilities. As a coach, I am responsible for results, but this will not be a season to forget. Every coach goes through bad spells and this isn't the first time it has happened to me. The only way to get out of it is if we all show a bit of confidence, especially the players. We had a superb season last year and we created some big expectations, but obviously the book stops with me. I trust my players to get out of the situation we are in."

To finish, Jesus spoke about president Bruno de Carvalho's visit to the dressing room after the first loss in Chaves: "Presidents go into the dressing room before and after the match, which is completely normal. I couldn't be there and the president usually speaks to me at the end of the match. I wasn't there, so he spoke with the team captains (Adrien Silva and William Carvalho). The president is the head of the club and he has every right to do that, because the coach wasn't there. Our relationship honestly couldn't be better."

Raúl José on the weekend's draw in Chaves

Speaking with Sporting TV in reflection the weekend's draw with GD Chaves, assistant coach Raúl José, stepping in for the suspended Jorge Jesus, showed confidence in the Alvalade squad.

"We were really close to winning the game. We were losing, but we came from behind. But for a bit of bad luck, we would have won the three points. However the lads are feeling confident that we will get into the Portuguese Cup semi-finals. We have to improve in relation to a few details over the course of the match", said Raúl José.

Adrien and William Carvalho highlight the squad's confidence and clarify Bruno de Carvalho's visit to the dressing rooms

Alvalade skippers spoke with the press this weekend following Saturday's draw with Chaves, looking ahead to the coming Portuguese Cup tie against the same team.

"On Tuesday the only thing we can think about is winning. We know it will be a hard game against a well organised team, but we are motivated. We are all frustrated by bad results, but we have been putting the work in and we will carry on doing so", affirmed Adrien at the final whistle, followed by William Carvalho in the same tone: "We are all feeling motivated, despite not getting the result we wanted. Of course we feel frustrated, but I am sure we will respond well."

In relation to news in the press, the midfield pair guaranteed that nothing our of the ordinary took place in the dressing rooms at the final whistle with president Bruno de Carvalho. "Let me take the opportunity to clarify what is being said: the president came to the dressing room to show his dissatisfaction and as the captains of the team we spoke with him, that's all", said Adrien, with William adding: "While there are still points to win, we will believe in ourselves, because we are good enough. the president came to the dressing room to speak about the result, but it was a normal conversation. We listened to him and I am sure that on Tuesday we will go out there and get a good result."