Jorge Jesus complements the impact of the latest Sporting Academy starlet

"This Moreirense side is really good. They beat FC Porto here and Benfica as well in the League Cup. They have some really quick players and it was a hard pitch to play on", said Jorge Jesus at the final whistle on Sunday night, after inspiring his side to a comeback with the introduction of Daniel Podence after the break.

For the Alvalade coach, his side were always likely to find winning form sooner rather than later. "Sporting CP has been improving. against FC Porto we played well and against Paços as well. We are still making a few mistakes in defence, but more on the individual level", said Jesus, before focusing more specifically on some of his players: "Alan Ruiz had a great game and young Daniel [Podence] coming on made a massive difference. He have us more width and mixed it up down the right flank. It was where our goals came from and this team will never concede a defeat. We had a great second-half, like we did against FC Porto. The difference today was that Casillas wasn't on the pitch."

Podence inspires Sporting CP to a hard fought comeback

It was in the 64th minute that Jorge Jesus took a gamble that triggered his side's fight back in Moreirense, when the Alvalade boss introduced Daniel Podence to the action. Although standing just 1.65m tall, this kid is packed with quality and the Moreirense defence could do little but chase the Sporting Academy graduate's shadow. On for Bryan Ruiz, Podence, who curiously made a name for himself on loan at Moreirense, picked up possesion from William Carvalho and skilled his way past three defenders, before hammering a shot against the post. His effort was not in vain, as the shot bounced back out into the path of Bas Dost for the finish.

The visiting fans erupted, as yet another Sporting Academy starlet lit the evening on fire. The goal really did lift Sporting CP, who had been trailing through an own goal from Bruno César and a touch of hesitation from Rui Patrício that gave away a penalty. It was Alan Ruiz who struck first for the team from Alvalade, grabbing his second Liga NOS of the season.

Of course Bas Dost had to get his name on the scoreboard, with the Dutchman now having tallied 17 times in 18 outings. The equaliser completely took the life out of Moreirense and give minutes later Schelotto linked up with Gelson Martins down the right and drove in a cross for Adrien Silva to complete the comeback.

Inácio's side did come close just a few minutes later to pulling the game level once again, but Patrício managed to tip Dramé's effort n the cross bar.

Next up will be Rio Ave on Saturday the 18th of February, in a 20h30 kick-of in Alvalade.

Jesus announces list to travel to Moreirense for Liga NOS matchday 21

1 – Rui Patrício
34 – Beto Pimparel

2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
18 – Francisco Geraldes
20 – Luc Castaignos
23 – Adrien Silva
28 – Bas Dost
35 – Ruben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
56 – Daniel Podence
66 – João Palhinha
73 – Matheus Pereira
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

Jorge Jesus praises the performance of his youngsters and sets the tone for the future

Jorge Jesus used his pre-match press conference this weekend to set out his approach for the rest of the season, highlighting the importance of bringing through you players and securing a Champions League spot.

"We are finding our way right now with these younger players, while looking towards the future. We have already got a few months of work under our belt with them now. Rúben Semedo and Gelson are already started in the team and the three that have come back from loan [Daniel Podence, Francisco Geraldes and João Palhinha] will be part of the future of this club. We are playing better now and I think we did very well in the second-half against FC Porto. Hopefully we will carry on in the same tone now and push for a Champions League spot", opened the Alvalade boss.

Focusing on Moreirense in particular, Jesus warned against underestimating Augusto Inácio's team who have already claimed the League Cup this season: "This will be a game typical of some of the others we have already had this season. They are on an upward curve right now, they have won a title and they have played well against the big sides in the league. It won't be an easy game, but hopefully we will show what we have been doing during the week on the training pitch and get the win."

Jesus finished with another analysis of his long term plans for the club: "To win titles you need individual quality. As this club has a lot of quality coming through the youth team, it is easier to make that happen. We have to find the right balance between bringing through young players and expectations. For example, Alan Ruiz and Bas Dost were priority and we are really happy with the investment we have made in them. We are improving and claiming back our confidence now."

Alvalade trio ready for action after return from loan spells

Francisco Geraldes, João Palhinha and Daniel Podence all spoke with Sporting TV this weekend, looking ahead to the weekend's visit to Moreirense after spending spells out on loan.

Geraldes and Podence made their return to the Portuguese capital in January, after six months with with weekend's opposition. "Moreirense have a good team and you can see that from the fact that they won the League Cup. I can give the lads some tips on what to do because I was there, but the most important thing is how they paly as a team", affirmed the midfielder, backed up by the winger: "I am sure it will be a hard match. I know the Moreirense team well and they are a quality side. We will have to give it everything. We can't start thinking it will be easy, because a shirt doesn't win games."

João Palhinha was also in the service of Moreirense last season and is looking for Sporting CP to get back to winning form this weekend: "In the dressing room we all know it won't be easy. We will have to improve one some things from how we played against FC Porto, but we have been working hard during the week and I am sure we will respond well."

Sales information for Liga NOS machday 21

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 21 against Moreirense Futebol Clube will go on sale as follows:

THURSDAY (FROM 10H TO 20H) | Club Members only
FRIDAY (FROM 10H TO 20H) | General public

The first day of sales is exclusively for Sporting Clube de Portugal Club Members. A valid Gamebox or Member card must be presented, with each card valid for one ticket (January 2017 fees applicable). Each person may bring a maximum of 4 cards.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18h00 on Sunday the 12th of February, in Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. Tickets are priced at 15€ each.

Jorge Jesus praises his side's second-half rally in Estádio do Dragão

Speaking in his post-match press conference at the final whistle in Estádio do Dragão on Saturday, Jorge Jesus dismissed the final result, particularly after his side's spirited second-half display.

"It was a great game between two good teams, with two really distinct halves. FC Porto, particularly in the first-half, scored two. They didn't dominate us, but they scored two goals from situations where we should have done better. In the second-half we completely dominated and we had chances, but Casillas won the game for them. FC Porto didn't win because they were better, the fair result would have been a draw", opened the Sporting CP coach, adding: "It isn't easy to be losing 2-0 and play like we did. There was a clear foul against Palhinha in the second-half and a handball in the area, which are two situations which influenced the game. Despite that we can't take merit away from FC Porto or Sporting CP. We used a very young team today and maybe we paid for that a bit."

Sporting CP dominate, only to be frustrated by an inspired Casillas

Both Jorge Jesus and Nuno Espírito Santo rang the changes for the weekend's classic, with Matheus Pereira starting for Sporting CP and Soares making his debut. The difference between the two sides at the final whistle rested largely on the former Vit. Guimarães' killer instinct in front of goal, as well as some brilliant saves from Casillas in the second-half.

Sporting CP's efforts to bring the points back to Lisbon were dealt a heavy blow after just six minutes, when Corona whipped in a deep cross that Soares headed on after beating the off-side trap.

The strike shook a sense of urgency into Sporting CP's attacking play, but Casillas was on hand time nad time again to frustrate Jorge Jesus' side. FC Porto rarely created clear opportunities to extend their lead, but Soares again did the damage just before the break, linking up with a pass from Brahimi to make it 2-0.

After the restart and with Alan Ruiz on for Matheus Pereira, Sporting CP began to peg FC Porto back and chances soon followed. First it was Bryan Ruiz, with a header pushed away by Casillas, before Gelson Martins fired a shot high and wide after controlling well.

Sporting CP's dominance finally got its reward on the hour mark, with a fantastic strike from Alan Ruiz after controlling with his chest from a Bas Dost pass. Coates, who just this week secured a permanent move to Alvalade, looked to have equalised minutes later, but Casillas got down well to turn his header around the post.

Jesus announces squad list for Liga NOS matchday 20

1 – Rui Patrício
34 – Beto Pimparel

2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
15 – Paulo Oliveira
16 – André Felipe
18 – Francisco Geraldes
20 – Luc Castaignos
23 – Adrien Silva
28 – Bas Dost
31 – Marvin Zeegelaar
35 – Ruben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
56 – Daniel Podence
66 – João Palhinha
73 – Matheus Pereira
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

Jorge Jesus confident going into the weekend's visit to FC Porto

Jorge Jesus will lead his squad up to FC Porto this Saturday (20:30), on Liga NOS matchday 20. For the Sporting CP coach, confidence is the dominant feeling pulsing through Alvalade.

"A classic is always that little bit more important. We are two really good sides, regardless of what the league standings show. We will go into this feeling confident. Winning in Porto isn't something new for us, but we know it will be complicated. What matters is that we show personality and stick to our strategy", opened Jesus, continuing: "There is so such thing as a game of life or death in football. Teams go through their ups and downs throughout the season and a win can provide a real lift. We have to take each game as it comes right now and we can win in Porto."

With William Carvalho forced out, Jesus is likely to bring in Palhinha. "William has been a key player for over the past year and a half, so we won't hide that. However Palhinha, if he plays, will definitely do well. This is how players grow and we believe in him", affirmed the Sporting CP coach, adding a word on the recent contracts agreed with Gelson Martins and Sebastián Coates: "They are two crucial players for us. Coates was only here on loan, but we seem to have moved on from that. Gelson was a different situation and we were not worried about losing him. The president's decision gives that extra bit of stability for us."