Pedro Empis rallies the troops ahead of the week's trip to Coimbra

Sporting CP B will travel to Coimbra to face Ledman LigaPro second-placed outfit Académica this week, but Pedro Empis is not intimidated the the former Liga NOS opposition.

"We haven't turned in the best results lately, but we know we are playing good football. We are creating chances and that brings confidence, no matter who you are playing against. Académica are a really strong side, with a logn history in Portuguese football. They defend well and it will be a hard match, but we want the three points as always", said the Alvalade defender.

Coach João de Deus satisfied with his side's Lisbon B derby showing

Sporting B coach João de Deus was left largely pleased by his side's showing against SL Benfica B this Friday, also the result could have easily been different.

"We were really good. Benfica had a lot of trouble figuring us out and their keeper made some impossible saves. A win would have been fairer. We did win a point, but we are a bit frustrated to be honest. We have chances and we dominated tactically. Almost none of the lads knew each other at the start of the season and it has been great to watch them grow. Benfica caused us problems a times and they have some good players, but we dominated", said João de Deus.

Alvalade youngsters held to a stalemate in the Lisbon B derby

Sporting CP B were held to a goalless draw by SL Benfica B this Friday, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 19.

It was a well balanced game for the most part, with both sides only springing into life in the second-half, only to be denied by some superb stops from Pedro Silva (Sporting CP) and André Ferreira (Benfica).

The Alvalade charges looked dominant in the opening exchanged, but it was in the dying stages that João de Deus' side could have taken the lead, squandering three clear chances in the last 15 minutes.

Sporting CP B coach Francisco Barão looks ahead to this week's B derby

Sporting CP B assistant coach Francisco Barão sat down with the press for a pre-match interview this Thursday, looking ahead to the coming B derby. With his side having struggled to turn in wins as of late, Barão sees this as the perfect opportunity to find winning form again.

"The lads are looking forward to this match. Our last results haven't been great, with us missing out against Penafiel, V. Guimarães B and FC Porto B, so we are really up for this and want to find our usual form. No matter what happens, we will still feel confident afterwards", said the Sporting CP B assistant, adding: "The B teams have a competition between them. A lot of the lads are still young, but they have a lot of technical ability and want to play good football. We have managed to fit in with the other teams in Ledman LigaPro, although it is tough, direct football. Every player loves a good derby and we are going to Seixal to get the three points."

Pedro Silva on Friday's B derby

Sporting CP B goalkeeper Pedro Silva was in the Academy press room this Tuesday to speak about Friday's Lisbon derby against Benfica B.

“We don't need any extra motivation for the big games. The rivalry already gives us that. Obviously we will be looking to win", said Silva, going on to brush off last weekend's loss to FC Porto B: "Every game is special, but the big games deserve an extra bit of attention. There is a bit of a mini competition between the B teams and we want to be up to the challenge."

Mauro Riquicho and João de Deus look to the positives of Saturday's encounter with FC Porto B

Mauro Riquicho was understandably frustrated with his side's loss to FC Porto B this weekend, but the Sporting B CP skipper was also happy with how his side approached the encounter.

"We did everything we could to come away with the result and we can be proud of that. The game didn't get off to a good start for us, but we fought hard to change it. Now all we can do it focus on our next match", said Riquicho, whose words were largely reflected by coach João de Deus' flash interview at the final whistle. "They asked me to take it easy when speaking with the press so that I wouldn't do any damage to the club, so all I want to do is thank the fans and my players, who did the best they could with 10 men", finished the Sporting CP B coach.

Ronaldo goal not enough to trigger a comeback against FC Porto B and some debatable refereeing

Sporting CP B lost 2-1 to FC Porto B this Saturday, in a match that was marred by some highly debatable refereeing decisions that included a straight red card for Matheus Pereira.

Expectations are always high when two off the Ledman LigaPro big hitters meet, but the encounter actually got off to a slow start. FC Porto B looked to take much of the early initiative, while João de Deus' side looked happy to sit back and take advantage of any slip ups. Chances were few and far between, so it was no surprise that the first goal of the afternoon had to wait until four minutes before half-time, when Areias finished following a skillful move by Fede Varela through the middle.

Despite the remarkably sparse number of opportunities, FC Porto B arguably deserved their lead, having taken most of the initiative. The change proved to be exactly what Sporting CP B needed and João de Deus' charges looked a lot more offensive, before a puzzling direct red card shown to Matheus Pereira for an alleged elbow on Inácio gave the visitor's a huge advantage.

Despite the setback, Sporting CP B responded superbly and with Ronaldo introduced in place of Leonardo Ruiz, the hosts took the fight to FC Porto B. However, the visitors managed to double their lead, completely against the run of play, when Ismael Díaz saw an attempted cross sneak in. Losing by two, Sporting CP B continued to battle and with fifteen minutes left on the clock Suahele headed in from an excellent pass from Pedro Delgado.

Sensing a comeback, Sporting CP B threw everything forward and Ronaldo Tavares broke into the FC Porto B area, only to be brought down by a foul that the referee waved away.

Mauro Riquicho wants the three points from FC Porto B this weekend

Mauro Riquicho is back in action after a long spell sidelined with a serious leg injury. Looking ahead to the weekend's Ledman LigaPro action against FC Porto B, Riquicho affirmed: "We are ready, like we always are. Of course this is a special match, because it is against FC Porto B, but we will approach it in exactly the same way. They are a good side and they won the title last year, but we won't make it easy for them."

Sporting CP B coach João de Deus on the weekend's Ledman LigaPro action

Mauro Riquicho makes return after long spell on the sidelines with serious injury

Sporting CP B missed out to V. Guimarães B (2-0) this week, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 17 - goals from Mama Baldé (own goal, 6') and Dénis Duarte (22').

However, the result did little to overshadow the return of defender Mauro Riquicho, who has been out of action since the 16th of September 2015. Twenty one years old at the time, Riquicho suffered a serious leg injury against Leixões and has since made a miraculous recovery.