Jorge Jesus pleased with his young talent in Saturday's demolition of Tondela

Proud of his young players. That is how Jorge Jesus summarised his post-match press conference this Saturday, after watching Daniel Podence and Matheus Pereira pick apart Tondela and assist the goal hungry Bas Dost in a 4-1 win.

"Daniel Podence did will for the first goal and it is a great example of what these lads can bring to the team. It was important for us to go in at half-time in the lead. It settled the younger players and helped us relax in the second-half. What we are doing is important for the future, accepting the risk of having so many young players out on the pitch at the same time. Gelson has already made a name for himself and I liked what Matheus Pereira, Podence and Palhinha showed", said the Sporting CP coach.

Commenting on Bas Dost's unstoppable form in front of goal, Jesus added: "He is a really humble player and he have the second penalty to Joel Campbell. It is risky to take three penalties on one match and we put all three the same way, which we have to work on. If Bas Dost finishes at the league's top scorer, then it reflects on the whole team as well as him indivudally."

Bas Dost nets four with striking masterclass supported by Matheus and Podence

Bas Dost was the star of the show in Saturday night, dispatching Tondela with four goals on Liga NOS matchday 25, with the help of some brilliant ball control from Daniel Podence and Matheus Pereira.

With Daniel Podence making his first senior start and Zeegelaar and Matheus Pereira down a new-look left wing, Sporting CP focused much of their attacking attention out wide. The trio of Podence, Martins and Pereira were a constant source of danger for the Tondela back line, as the three youngsters forced depth against a defence more accustomed to man marking. However, it was actually the hosts who created the first chance, when Jailson fired a shot towards goal following a corner.

Bryan Ruiz responded after 10 minutes with a shot that pulled a save out of Cláudio Ramos and from then on Sporting CP controlled the action. Short link-up passing down the flanks defined the Alvalade approach, while Tondela looked to do damage through the pace of Murillo down the left, countered by Paulo Oliveira dropping in behind Schelotto whenever the the Argentinean probed forward. Despite the one-way traffic, Tondela created another pair of chances, both from dead-ball situations through Pedro Nuno (22’ and 30’). 

As the clock ticked over Matheus Pereira found his feet and Podence began turning the screw with some fantastic dribbling skills. On 34 minutes Zeegelaar triggered a break down the left, Podence darted into the box and pulled a cross back a cross goal and who else but Bas Dost to slot home a half volley to open the scoring.

The game opened up after the break and Matheus Pereira began to show what he can really do, finding Bas Dost with a wire-guided cross that the Dutchman came close to converting on with a diving header. Trailing and in desperate need of points, Tondela pushed forward and managed to pull level three minutes before the hour, when Murillo rounded off an excellent team move. 

Just a minute after letting one in, Sporting CP struck. Of course it was Bas Dost who did the business, keeping is calm under pressure to slot home after Matheus Pereira did well to go around a couple of defenders. Not to be outdone by his fellow Sporting Academy graduates, Gelson began testing luck and was able to win a penalty after breaking into the box. Up stepped Dost and dispatched from 12 yards, before doing the same again six minutes later after being pushed in the back in the 6-yard box.

Jesus names squad for Liga NOS matchday 25

1 – Rui Patrício
34 – Beto Pimparel
2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
4 – Jefferson
7 – Joel Campbell
10 – Bryan Ruiz
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
18 – Francisco Geraldes
20 – Luc Castaignos
28 – Bas Dost
31 – Marvin Zeegelaar
35 – Ruben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
56 – Daniel Podence
66 – João Palhinha
73 – Matheus Pereira
77 – Gelson Martins

Jorge Jesus looking to prepare the 2017/2018 campaign with an introduction of even more starlets

Speaking with the press ahead of Liga NOS matchday 25, which will see Sporting CP travel to Tondela, Jorge Jesus highlighted the importance of a strong run in to the end of the season, as preparation for coming campaign get underway.

"Wins bring confidence and points. We have to get as close a we can to our rivals, although we know it won't be easy. João Palhinha has been given an opportunity and this weekend we will do the same with some of the others like Daniel Podence", said Jesus, going on to answer a question in relation to the possible introduction of Francisco Geraldes in the middle of the park: "Bruno César and Alan Ruiz have been really important. Francisco [Geraldes] doesn't have the characteristics to play as an attacking midfielder, he is more like João Mário. He doesn't have the athletic or individual characteristics to play as a defensive midfielder, but I think he will adapt better to playing off a forward. Our young players have a lot of individual quality, but for most of the game you don't touch the ball so tactical understanding comes into it as well."

Speaking in greater depth about the weekend's opposition, Jesus affirmed that Sporting CP's recent run of improving form has little influence: "Tondela want the points, to avoid relegation. They are learning how to play under a new coach, but I think Pepa [current coach] are both good examples of the quality of young Portuguese coaches. We have gone four matches without losing, but we are used to doing better than that. We know that the smaller clubs work that little bit harder against the big clubs, but we are ready and we can't let Tondela be more intensive than us."

Sales for Liga NOS matchday 25 get underway on Wednesday the 8th of March

Tickets of Liga NOS matchday 25, between Clube Desportivo de Tondela and Sporting Clube de Portugal will go on sale on Wednesday the 8th of March from 10h00 to 20h00, at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices.

Tickets are for the east stand and are priced at 20€ each.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20h30 on Saturday the 11th of Match, in Tondela's Estádio João Cardoso.

Jorge Jesus reflects on a dominating opening, frustrated by the final result

Speaking with the press at the final whistle on Sunday, Jorge Jesus conceded that the second-half did not live up to expectations after his side controlled the opening stages.

"We were better in the first-half and a bit closer to where we want to be. We had a great 35 minutes, we scored and we looked good down the wings, but this isn't the result we wanted. We were really strong in attack, but we couldn't keep it up in the second-half", opened the Alvalade coach, going on to reflect on his second-half substitution of Alan Ruiz and Bruno César (both suspended for the next game for accumulating yellow cards: "When Alan Ruiz and Bruno César we improved in defence, but lost a bit of quality in terms of moving the ball around. I was a bit concerned that the lads couldn't be as aggressive as I would like them to be, because of the yellow cards. Bryan Ruiz is good with the ball in the middle and João Palhinha is more defensive, but I wanted to avoid the game being divided up. Vitória de Guimarães ended up scoring, despite not creating too many problems for us."

Speaking in greater depth about Vitória de Guimarães, Jesuse finished: "We knew we would be playing against a team that have only missed out a few times away from home and that they would force us to defend at times. We knew about how they playing going forward and Hernâni gives them options. With Ricardo Esgaio himself being quick, I thought he would be able to stop him. Sometimes he did, sometimes he didn't, but I think he did everything we asked of him."

Paulo Oliveira secures his 100th apperance

Paulo Oliveira put the Sporting CP shirt on for a 100th time this weekend. Despite the memorable occasion, the Alvalade defender was left to reflect on a frustrating draw.

"We need to be more effective. We had three our four really good chance to extend our lead and I think Guimarães only had two opportunities. We have 10 matches left now. I am not focusing on how far we are off the top of the league, but obviously nobody likes to be in this position", said Oliveira at the final whistle.

First-half strike from Alan Ruiz unable to secure the three points

Sporting CP was held to a frustrating draw by Vitória de Guimarães, on Liga NOS matchday 24.

After stealing the limelight earlier in the season in the reverse fixture, it was again Marega who spoiled the party, netting in a second-half of notably low quality football. The first-half was, however, a different story, with the double of Bas Dost and Alan Ruiz having their fair share of opportunities. The big Dutchman, despite being unable to find the net, had a decent evening and it was him who set up Ruiz (34') for Sporting CP's only goal.

The goal came right in the middle of Sporting CP's best spell and four minutes later Bruno César had a golden opportunity to double the lead, but the Brazilian was unable to get the better of the Gumarães keeper. Another four minutes later, Alan Ruiz set up Alvalade's number 28, but the tight angle was always going to complicate the finish.

Sporting CP had controlled proceedings in the first-half, but the interval took the energy out of the attacking play and Guimarães made the most of the opportunities to get forward. Hernâni, who had been testing Ricardo Esgaio all evening, created the visitor's first real chance (57'), but Paulo Oliveira was able to put in a last ditch clearance. Sporting CP responded through a shot from Campbell that finished up the wrong side of the post, before Marega netted with 14 minutes let on the clock.

Yellow cards for Bruno César (23') and Alan Ruiz (33') mean that Jorge Jesus will be forced into making chances for his side's next outing, with the pair suspended for the coming trip to Tondela (11th of Match).

Squad list for Liga NOS matchday 24

Jorge Jesus has released his squad list for Sunday's hosting of Vitória de Guimarães (20h30):

1 – Rui Patrício
26 – Azbe Jug
34 – Beto Pimparel

2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
4 – Jefferson Moreira
7 – Joel Campbell
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
20 – Luc Castaignos
28 – Bas Dost
31 – Marvin Zeegelaar
35 – Rúben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
56 – Daniel Podence
66 – João Palhinha
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

Jesus looks ahead to Liga NOS matchday 24

Estádio José Alvalade will host Liga NOS matchday 24 between Sporting CP and V. Guimarães this Sunday, with Sporting CP looking to put together a fourth consecutive win.

For coach Jorge Jesus, there is no margin for error against a Guimarães team that also have their eyes on a European spot: "The obligation to win is part of being at Sporting CP. Our last few wins have given us confidence and you can see the players improving. We know we will be facing one of the league's better sides, so I am sure it will be an emotionally charged game."