Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on hosting of Nacional

Jorge Jesus is expecting his side to put Thursday’s Europa League loss to Lokomotiv Moscow squarely behind them, starting with Monday night’s hosting of Nacional.

“I am not expecting it to be easy. We have to play at the level we have been at offensively and a bit better in defence compared to our last game, because we want to win. If we want to stay at the top of the table, we have to win”, opened the Alvalade coach, guaranteeing that his side have shaken off last week’s setback: “Of course you aren’t happy when you lose, but what matters is that we have understood what was wrong in defence. When you are at this stage of the season, in the middle of several competitions, you don’t have that much time to change tactics and you have to focus on getting the players in shape for the next match. Our main focus is the league and we want to stay in first, which starts with Nacional tomorrow.”

Jesus also stressed that Sunday’s encounter between FC Porto and Benfica will in no way effect his players: “What matters is that if we win tomorrow, then we will still be in first. What happens between FC Porto and Benfica doesn’t make a difference. We have to focus on our own match.”

Asked to reflect on his side’s solid form outside of Alvalade this season, the sporting coach added: “We have played more games away and won all of them. At home we only didn’t beat Paços de Ferreira. What I want is the players to show class and power, just like they have been doing. We don’t want to slip away from the top of the table and to make sure we don’t we have to win tomorrow.”

Jorge Jesus also spared a few words for Sporting B star Matheus Pereira, who have been working with the senior squad. “He is a young player with a lot of potential and who fits in with the team. We believe in him, just like we believe in Gelson. He could come into the team at any time, but he is still developing”, said Jesus before finishing on the recovery of William Carvalho and Ewerton after long spells out through injury: “They are back in full training now, but they have been out of action for around two months. Clinically they are 100%, but physically, technically and tactically they aren’t, so we will work with them during the week.”

Sporting-Nacional will kick-off at 21h00 on Monday the 21st of September, in Estádio José Alvalade.