Jorge Jesus looking forward to the weekend's hosting of Rio Ave

Sporting CP will host Rio Ave in Alvalade this Saturday, on Liga NOS matchday 22. For Jesus, the weekend's action promises its fair share of difficulties.

"We have been getting better and better lately. Our match against Rio Ave will be complicated. They are a good team who are well organised in defence and with good players up front. Rio Ave want to play football and they know how to do it. Obviously we will be trying to make sure they can't and we want to boss the game for the full 90 minutes, not just for one half like we have been. It won't be easy and no game is in this league", opened Jesus, going on to speak about João Palhinha, Francisco Geraldes and Daniel Podence: "Out of the three Palhinha has played most and he even started one match. Each one of the lads has different characteristics and each has different opportunities. Adapting to the way we play isn't easy."

Jorge Jesus went on to speak about what will be Rui Patrício's 400th appearance: "Rui's story at Sporting CP is all about big numbers and 400 is an interesting milestone. I read his interview this week and he wants to carry on winning titles. Of course he wants to break records, but what he wants most is to win titles. He has grown a lot, thanks to his belief and hard work. Goalkeepers get better as they get older and Patrício will be no exception to that."

To finish, the Alvalade coach highlighted the importance of stringing together a series of good results: "We are used to having to win. We don't want to win four straight matches, but more like eight, nine or ten, like we did last season. We have to find ourselves and look to the future. Sometimes it has been our fault, but sometimes it hasn't. We have to reflect on what has happened and come out stronger next season. Last season we were absolutely brilliant. It isn't easy to win 86 points and like I have said several times, that might not ever happen again."