Jorge Jesus reflects on 3-0 win in Estádio da Luz

“It was a great match for Sporting, with one team showing that they knew exactly what to do with the ball”, opened Jorge Jesus in a post-match press conference on Sunday, after inspiring his side to a second Lisbon derby win of the season.

Asked if there is anything he would like to say to his opposite number at Benfica, Jesus played it cool: “We knew it would be a hard game against a really good team, but we were better and goals always make it easier. It isn’t normal to win 3-0 here. I am not going to respond to Rui Vitória, because it would be too easy after winning. It was an important three points, but it is down to nothing more than tactics. We did enough to win and it could have been by more. The changes we have been making also paid off in the last 15 minutes, because Benfica wanted to get back into the game but the players didn’t have it in them.”

"It was a good win and the team is growing. You need a lot of confidence, consistency and quality to win 3-0 here. I am satisfied, but no more than I would be against any other team. I was at Benfica for six years and in 14 years I lost one match against Sporting. At Sporting, I have won two out of two.", added Jesus, going on to explain why his side didn’t push the pace at the opening whistle: “I have never encouraged my players with comments about the coach and I have never spoken about Benfica in the dressing room. I explained to the lads that we had to keep calm and that if we did then we would be closer to getting the win. We started slow and confident because the players believe in the work they have been doing in training during the week. We knew everything that Benfica could throw at us in attack or from dead balls.”