Jorge Jesus happy with his side's third consecutive Liga NOS win

"We are looking to turn in consecutive wins to build up more confidence", opened Jorge Jesus at the final whistle on Saturday evening, after watching his side beat Estoril 2-0.

Despite having tallied what is now a third consecutive Liga NOS win, Jesus is keen to see his team put away more of the abundance of the opportunities being created: "We played well, although we were better in the second-half. We were better today than we were against Rio Ave and the lads are starting to understand better now our defensive processes, which gives us time to score. We didn't have a lot of chances early on, but we scored as soon as we did. The second-half was better for us and we had opportunities through against the Estoril keeper. We have to be more effective when we have chances like those."

Asked to comment on his midfield choice, bringing in Palhinha in place of Adrien, along side the injured William Carvalho, Jesus was full of praise for the pair: "William played a lot better after the break. He wasn't playing in his usual position, so he was a bit lost in terms of positioning in the first-half. Palhinha is a young lad who is learning to keep his cool, but he is really strong physically and I am sure he will have a great career. Step by step we will give the youngsters opportunities."

Bryan Ruiz and Bas Dost secure third consecutive Liga NOS victory

Two Sporting CP goals in Estádio António Coimbra da Mota without response secured a third successive Liga NOS win for Jorge Jesus' side this weekend. It was Bryan Ruiz and Bas Dost who found the net, with the latter taking his season tally to 18 in 20 matches.

Dost's late goal (86') was the cherry on the top of the cake after some quick attacking football that first found the net in the 22nd minute, when Alan Ruiz broke away down the right and drove a cross into the box. Schelotto failed to capitalise, but Bryan Ruiz was on hand at the far post to slot in from close range. In all honesty, Sporting CP could and should have walked away with a much more express margin of victory, but a lack of a more clinical touch in front of goal saw various opportunities left wanting.

Jorge Jesus sits down with the press ahead of the weekend's short trip to Estoril

Although Estoril Praia are having a tough season, Jorge Jesus did not dismiss the potential of this Saturday's opponent, particularly on home turf.

"Playing in Amoreira is always hard for the big teams. They need the points to try to get out of a position that they aren't used to being in, but we need them as well to get closer to our rivals. It is going to be a hard fought game and we will be under pressure at times, but that is part of it. The best teams can't always dominate", said the Sporting CP coach, adding: "We will have to do the best we can with the players we have available and we fully trust in the lads. Obviously Adrien would be in the team and he is our captain, so it won't be the same, but we believe in whoever comes in."

Currently nine points off 2nd in Liga NOS, Jorge Jesus dismissed the idea of difficulty in motivating his players. After all, playing for Sporting CP is enough to fire up any athlete: "It isn't hard to motivate players, because this is a club that always fights to be at the top. Tomorrow our objective is to ge the three points and we want to secure a Champions League place as soon as possible."

The Alvalade boss finished with an analysis of Estoril, led by Pedro Carmona: "The new Estoril coach is still implementing his ideas. It won't be an Estoril team that looks to get forward, that is our job. They will be well organised at the back, from dead balls and attacking on the break."

Ticket news for Liga NOS matchday 23

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 23, between Estoril Praia and Sporting Clube de Portugal, will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices (from 10h00 to  20h00) as follows:

WEDNESDAY | Club Members with a Gamebox 2016/2017
THURSDAY | Club Members
FRIDAY | General public

A valid Gamebox or Member card must be presented on the first two days of sale (January 2017 fees paid), with each card valid for 1 ticket. Each person may present a total of 4 cards.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18h15 on Saturday the 25th of February, in Estádio António Coimbra da Mota. Tickets are for the North Goal End and are priced at 12€ each. 

Rui Patrício makes 400th senior apperance with brilliant display

He was the star of the show, making his 400th appearance and putting in one of his finest performances in the process.

"We all went out to get the win and that is what matters most. That is what we want to do in every game and that is how this club is. I had to do a lot tonight, but that is part of the game and we all do our best. The best way to celebrate was with the win", said Rui Patrício at the final whistle on Saturday night.

Jorge Jesus highlights the importance of keeping a cleansheet in Saturday's win against Rio Ave

Analysing Sporting CP's win against Rio Ave on Saturday night, Jorge Jesus accepted that Rui Patrício's performance was a key piece of the puzzle. "In the first 20 minutes Rui Patrício was decisive. During the week I told the lads that Rio Ave are a good team. They have some very good players. We had a bit of trouble stopping them getting forward and we gave away a bit of possession. We scored without doing much in attack, but that changed in the second-half. Rio Ave couldn't threaten us and only got close from dead balls. We were a lot better after Bryan Ruiz came on, because he is tactically a very intelligent player", said the Sporting CP coach.

Looking in greater depth at the encounter, Jesus added: “Three positive things changed in this match. First was getting the win and second was keeping a cleansheet. Finally, the fans were superb and were really important for us."

Patrício secures 400th apperance with fantastic performance

It was always going to be a magical night for Rui Patrício, celebrating his 400th senior appearance. However, the night is sure to be remembered for a string of absolutely brilliant saves by the Alvalade keeper in the first-half of the weekend's win against Rio Ave. At the final whistle, Patrício scooped an overwhelming 83% of the vote for Man of the Match.

Jorge Jesus had alerted of the dangers posed by this week's opposition, who proved extremely dangerous going forward. The first twenty minutes kept Patrício on his toes, which was finally relieved when Nélson Monte was introduced in place of the injured Lionn. A minute later, William Carvalho unlocked Rio Ave with a stroke of genius, releasing Gelson on the edge of the 18-yard box. The winger smashed a shot against the visiting keeper, but Alan Ruiz was on hand to tuck away the rebound.

The goal was the perfect remedy for Jorge Jesus' side and Sporting CP took control of proceedings, with Bas Dost proving particularly tricky for Rio Ave to secure. First Roderick denied the big Dutchman with a last ditch intervention (38'), before Dost latched on to a cross from Gelson and came close to capitalising (41'). Finally, another cross from Jefferson saw the Liga NOS top scorer again come close (42').

The second-half saw the introduction of Bryan Ruiz for Bruno César, in the first of three substitutions. Adrien was forced off with a knock and Alan Ruiz was eventually called to the bench. As the game died out Rio Ave struggled to find space going forward and the three points stayed in Alvalade.

At the final whistle Patrício was given a commemorative shirt by president Bruno de Carvalho.

Jesus names squad for Alvalade hosting of Rio Ave on Liga NOS matchday 22

1 – Rui Patrício
34 – Beto Pimparel
2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
4 – Jefferson
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
20 – Luc Castaignos
23 – Adrien Silva
28 – Bas Dost
35 – Rúben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
56 – Daniel Podence
66 – João Palhinha
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

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."

Sporting CP striker scoops nomination after typically brilliant month

Bas Dost continues in unstoppable form in front of goal, with seven in just four games so far in 2017. Understandably, the big Dutchman picked up the Liga NOS Player of the Month award for January. Dost tallied 12.88% of the vote, ahead of Danilo Pereira (FC Porto) and his teammate Daniel Podence.