Jorge Jesus after Thursday's Europa League loss

Speaking at the final whistle after Thursday's 3-1 loss in Leverkusen, Jorge Jesus pointed the finger at the fatigue brought on by a packed fixture list.

“Most of the lads who started tonight didn't play against Boavista. We played really well for 60 minutes, but Leverkusen were the more pragmatic and scored. From the few chances they had they came away with goals. When I made substitutions I thought it would help the team, but actually played against us. After conceding the second we tried to respond, but they scored a third goal from a long pass forward", opened the Alvalade boss, adding: We lost against a team that play some really intense and dynamic football, but we stepped up. We can take some positives and negatives away from the game, but I liked some of the players who haven't had much time on the pitch and I think they responded well."

Jesus finished by turning his attention to the domestic campaign, where his side sit top of Liga NOS: "When I arrived, I promised I would fight for titles in Portugal. It was us who won the first trophy of the season and we are fighting hard in the most important competition. It was what was promised and we are in first. We are really happy with what we have managed to do so far."

William Carvalho and João Mário at the final whistle after Thursday's loss to Leverkusen

Sporting's midfield pairing of João Mário and William Carvalho took a moment to speak with radio journalists after Thursday's 3-1 Europa League loss to Bayer Leverkusen this Thursday night.

“We were not effective enough after we scored. We had chances to get ahead, but we didn't and that cost us", explained João Mário, preferring to move his focus onto Sporting's Liga NOS campaign: "We felt like we could get past this tie, but we didn't and now we will concentrate on the league."

William Carvalho also set his sights on the domestic campaign. "All we have to do is concentrate on the league now. We have said since the start of the season that our main focus is that and now we will get ready for Monday in Guimarães", affirmed the Portuguese international, finishing with his analysis of the evening's encounter: “They (Bayer Leverkusen) were more effective than us. We had our chances, but we didn't convert on them while they did."

Admirable performance from Jorge Jesus' side comes up short of a first win in Germany

Sporting's European campaign for this season was brought to an end this Thursday night, after a harsh 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern Leverkusen.

The evening got off to a frantic start, with both teams scrapping hard for possession in the midfield. On two minutes, the first chance materialised for the hosts, when Papadopoulos rose higher than the Alvalade defence to put a header wide after a cross from Çalhanoglu. Sporting were instantly down the other end, but Carlos Mané was unable to keep his shot down after a cross from Bruno César. The theme for the rest of the half had been set, with a slight advantage for the Germans courtesy in part of some sloppy passing bySporting. However, Bayer only really threatened goal once in the early exchanges, when Wendell pulled a stop out of Patrício.

As time ticked over, Sporting began to get a foothold going forward, largely due to a fantastic showing of intelligence and tactical maturity on the part of João Mário. The Germans had laid down an impervious looking defensive wall, but Sporting soon began to find ways through with flashes of creativity, like in the 26th minute when Bruno César found an inch of space and fired a shot towards goal that Leno did well to stop. Jorge Jesus' side were looking more and more likely to find the back of the net, but a quick break saw Bayer strike first when Chicharito Hernández set Bellarabi away on goal for a driven finish between Patrício's legs.

Although now trailing 2-0 on aggregate, Sporting rallied and took the fight to the hosts and after Mané had the goal at his mercy in the 36th minute, João Mário equalised with a tap in at the far post following an intelligent delayed cross from João Pereira and an initial volley from Carlos Mané that Leno parried into the path of the Portuguese international.

The second-half got underway with a change for the Germans (Mehmedi on for Brandt), followed by some wasteful finishing from both sides and some baffling refereeing decisions. In the 57th minute Carlos Mané failed to get a shot away and Leno denied João Mário from the rebound, before the evening's official failed to respond to a clash between Wendell and Wendell and Bruno César (59’).

Sporting were looking capable of taking the lead, but what looked to be a stroke of bad luck for Bayer Leverkusen (injury to Kiessling) actually worked against the visitors, with the introduction of Ramalho in place of the forward seeing the Germans bolster up their midfield in a move that gave an extra bit of freedom to their players in the final third. On 65 minutes, Bellarabi scored what will likely be a candidate for goal of the tournament with a blistering shot from range with the outside of his boot.

Jorge Jesus, who had already brought on Bryan Ruiz for Mané, rolled the dice and signaled for Slimani (in place of Teo Gutiérrez, 67’) and Gelson Martins (for Bruno César, 78’). However, the Sporting's busy fixture schedule started to show and tired legs set in as the final whistle approached. Bayer Leverkusen finally put the game beyond all doubt in the 87th minute, when Tah picked out Çalhanoglu running in behind the Alvalade backline and blasted past Patrício with an unstoppable half-volley.

Jorge Jesus' looks ahead to Thursday's Europa League showdown

While accepting that his side will face a tougher challenge in their quest to secure a historic victory on German soil this Thursday against Bayer Leverkusen, Jorge Jesus used his pre-match press conference to throw the door open for Sporting's chances of prolonging this season's Europa League campaign.

"It will be harder than it was in Lisbon. We played on Monday, made the trip and then we will play tomorrow. I will see how the players react in training later today and from there I will choose the best options for the team. Our choices are a bit conditioned, but we believe we can do what Leverkusen did in Lisbon", said the Alvalade boss, adding: "This game could set the tone for us in the Europa League. If we get through, then we are also capable of being the best teams in this competition."

Kick off is scheduled for 18h00 CET. 

Ewerton on Thursday's Europa League second-leg against Bayer Leverkusen

"We have to go forward tomorrow and we will be ready to defend against Leverkusen", said Ewerton in this Wednesday's Europa League press conference, throwing down the gauntlet for what could be a memorable first win in Germany.

Focusing in on what his side is likely to expect come kick off, the Brazilian affirmed: "It will be a difficult match and we have already seen what they are capable of. We are ready and we are confident. I think it (never having won in Germany) motivates us more and tomorrow it could be the first time. That is what we want."

Sporting has issued the following information for fans traveling to Leverkusen this Thursday:

- The match will kick off at 19h00 CET (18H00 GMT).

- The “BayArena” is approximately 7 minutes from the centre of the city.

- Sporting fans are to gather at the train station which accesses the stadium, called “Leverkusen Mitte”.

- All tickets for the visiting fans section are completely sold out (1800 Sporting fans).

- It is advisable to depart “Leverkusen Mitte” by 16h30, in order to guarantee that all fans are inside the stadium before kick-off.

- The journey to the stadium will be accompanied by both Portuguese and local police forces.

- Parking for for Organised Fan Groups and other fans will be available near to the stadium.

- The area occupied by Sporting will be in the western corner, with entry through gates SG and G for the lower and upper stands.

- A Sporting Fan Liaison Officer will be at “BayArena” to assist fans locally.

Jorge Jesus on Thusday's loss and his side's chances in the second-leg in Germany

"This is played over two legs. We lost here and Bayern Leverkusen are a good team who push the pace a lot, but we played well except after Rúben Semedo was sent off", opened Jorge Jesus in his post-match press conference.

The Alvalade boss went on to elaborate on some of his choices for the encounter and what could await in the second-leg in Germany: "It was Bayer who scored, but after we were better in the second-half, especially after we brought on Adrien and Slimani. Even it had stayed 0-0, we would still have to score in Germany. We knew it was going to be complicated and Bayern are in a good position, but we have a chance. I have won their once before, so it won't be the first time if I do it again."

Sporting miss out in Europa League last-32 first-leg

Sporting will face the unenviable task of attempting a first win on German soil next Thursday, after missing out 1-0 in the Europa League first-leg in Alvalade to Bayer Leverkusen.

The encounter got underway with two consecutive corners for Sorting, but it was the visitors who most threatened goal in the early stages, with Mehmedi (3’) and Kiessling (5’) testing their aim from range. On the quarter/hour mark, Calhanoglu came close with a header at the far post following a corner.

The way most of the rest of the evening panned out essentially played into the Germans' hands, with compact blocs starving Sporting of space to move the ball around. However, the odd chance for Jorge Jesus' side did materialise, namely in the 18th minute when Jefferson tested Leno's reflexes.

The effort on goal settled Sporting for a while and it looked as if the game would balance out, however Bayer struck in the 26th minute, when Kiessling set Jedvaj away down the right and the resulting cross managed to find its way across the face of goal Bellarabi at the far post for the easiest of finishes.

Down the other end, the usually inspired Bryan Ruiz managed to find an inch of space and send a pass towards João Mário, only for a defender to scramble away at the last minute and save what would have been a certain equaliser.

The second-half was much of the same, with Kramer and Brandt controlling most of the action down the middle and Sporting struggling to assert a foothold going forward. Bayern on the other hand were having a better time of it and efforts from Mehmedi (58’, put into the side netting after a free-kick) and Papadopoulos (70’, with a header following a corner) came close to extending the lead.

Rúben Semedo was given his marching orders on 74 minutes for a second bookable offence, just a minute after Jorge Jesus had used his last substitution bringing on Ewerton for Coates, seeing William fall back and Adrien left to battle in midfield.

Although far from impossible, Sporting will now travel to Germany next week and attempt a first win on German soil.

Jorge Jesus' press conference ahead of Europa League hosting of Bayer Leverkusen

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press in a press conference this Wednesday, in the build-up to this week's Europa League hosting of Bayer Leverkusen.

“What kind of form a team is in really matters and we are full of confidence. Bayer Leverkusen are a Champions League team and, like I have already said, I think Sporting CP and FC Porto were drawn against the strongest teams in the Europa League. It will be a difficult match against a team I know well and have already faced a few times, but this year they are stronger. Let's see what happens in the first-leg", opened the Alvalade boss, adding a word on his plan for the encounter: "This isn't the time for us to stop rotating the squad. I have been focused on my main objective since the start of the season that isn't going to change now. For Sporting to win we will have to play really well and we know how Bayer will cause problems for us. I am more and more convinced that the Bundesliga is the best."

Responding to a comment that named Sporting as the best team in Portugal, Jorge Jesus highlighted the difference between the two sides' approach to the encounter: "I agree. He must be talking about the Portuguese league table and we are in first. From that, I agree. However I would say that Bayer Leverkusen are a great side. In their last match they rested two or three players, whereas we didn't. Whatever the result tomorrow, it won't bring a lot of security for either team in the second-leg. We will have to try and win without conceding, but that won't define the second-leg."

Coates looks ahead to hosting of Bayer Leverkusen

While accepting that Sporting face a tough challenge in the form of Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League last-31 this Thursday, Sebastián Coates guarantees that his side will do everything to move into the next round.

"We are prepared for the match. It is going to be really hard, but we will try and win so that we can go to Germany a bit calmer. Bayer are a really strong team, basically across their whole team, but I think that we are in good form and we can take advantage of that", opened the centre-back, going on to respond to a question on Sporting's chances of winning the competition: "Of course I think we can win it, but we will see tomorrow and in Germany. We have a good team and we will do everything we can to get into the next round. We have a tough opponent in front of us, but we will put the work in."

Coates finished with a reflection of his arrival at Alvalade: "Since arriving, everyone has treated be really good: my teammates, the coach and the president. I am really happy. There are some good defenders here, like Naldo, Ewerton, Tobias and Ruben Semedo and I am here to learn and to add my experience to the group.”