Jorge Jesus on the early kick-off, his possible starting XI and the video assistant referee

The kick-off time was inevitably the focus of questions in this Saturday's pre-match press conference, with Sporting CP hosting cross-town rivals Os Belenenses at 11h45.

"This will be a different match because we are playing in the morning, but the fans have turned out anyway and it will be a sell out. It is Mother's Day as well, so it will be nice occasion. Sporting CP is playing some really attractive football right now and although we are a way off our objectives, the fans are showing they believe in the future. This is a Lisbon derby and although Belenenses aren't doing very well in the league it will be a hard fought game. I remember the game last year, when William Carvalho won it for us with a penalty in the last minute", opened Jorge Jesus in his meeting with the press.

The absence of Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence and Alan Ruiz was largely brushed off by the Alvalade coach, who has other options available: "Results define the team I use. Belenenses will be relaxed and I am sure they are feeling confident, but of course we have done what we have to do on the training pitch. We shifted our training times a bit, but physically nothing really changed. Francisco Geraldes could come in for us, just like João Palhinha and Podence have, if I think that is the best decision. Strategically having a few players out makes a difference, but our overall system will be the same."

Sporting CP announced the signing of André Pinto this week and Jesus was keen to highlight the importance of the new Alvalade acquisition: "Having André with us is important for Sporting CP. He hasn't been working with the first team, so bringing him over earlier means we can help him get into form. He is with us already, thanks to the great relationship that exists between Sporting CP and Sporting de Braga”.

Jorge Jesus finished with a world of praise for the introduction of the video assistant referee for next season's league campaign: "Both Sporting CP and the Portuguese Football Federation deserve to be congratulated for this decision. the video assistant referee is really important for Portuguese football. We have great coaches and clubs in this country, but we don't have the financial resources others do and it is important that we are on the cutting edge of technology. It won't fix everything, but it will certainly help."