Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts on the weekend's trip to Madeira

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press on Friday afternoon, ahead of his side's visit to Madeira to take on Marítimo, where FC Porto has already dropped points this season.

“We are expecting a game typical of this league, on a difficult pitch against a team where one of our rivals has already drawn. It will be a hard game against a team that will want to win points against a Sporting that doesn't want to lose any in Barreiros. We will see if we are capable of overcoming what they will throw at us, but I am sure that we are", opened Jorge Jesus, adding: "Marítimo are always a hard team to face away. They always have a competitive side and this year is no different. We will have to be careful against a team that are really aggressive."

Speaking more specifically about his team and faced with the suspension of Slimani, Jesus commented: "Strategically Slimani being out doesn't change much, although he is different to our other forwards. We have had a few matchday without him, like in Moscow. Jefferson is back in the squad and we will see how he is when we get to Madeira. Teo has a little bit of an injury and it isn't easy to say 100% what is wrong, but he will adjust with him.”

To finish, Jorge Jesus touched on the legal process being instigated by Benfica: "I don't really want to speak about that. What matters is to focus on what is happening right now and Sporting's future. When I have to speak about our rivals it is when we face them on the pitch, which we have already three times this season."

Marítimo-Sporting will kick-off at 20h45 on the 5th of December, in Estádio do Marítimo, Barreiros.