Jorge Jesus on his side's draw with Rio Ave

While frustrated by his side's ineffectiveness in front of goal Monday night, Jorge Jesus highlighted the quality of his side's performance against an in-form Rio Ave outfit.

“It was a good game against a good team, but we did enough to win. We had various chances, but we couldn't make the most of them. Rio Ave deserve credit, because they defended well and hit us on the break. We knew that it would be hard and this is how the season will be until the last day, with lots of points won and lost", said the Sporting boss in his post-match interview, adding a word on the debuting pair of Sebastián Coates and Hernán Barcos: “Coates showed that he is an excellent player in his very first match. He looked really secure, showed experience and was strong. With a bit of confidence he will score as well. We were solid in defensive, which is positive. What wasn't so positive was that we failed to win three points."

To finish, Jesus dismissed the suggestion of anxiety following Benfica's result et the weekend: "That kind of question doesn't exist for the players in the top teams. They are prepared for that sort of thing and it just washes off them. We can do the math after every match, but what we want is the capacity to be in first at the end of the season."

Sporting held to draw by Rio Ave but hold on to Liga NOS top spot

Sporting were forced to split the points with Rio Ave on Monday night, in a goalless draw on Liga NOS matchday 21. Jorge Jesus' side dominated the possession stats and had twice as many shots on goal, but an inspired performance from the visiting keeper kept Sporting at bay.

The team from Alvalade took the game by the scruff of the neck early on, but struggled to punch holes in a well organised Rio Ave defence who looked happy to sit back, in contrast to the majority of their outings so far this season. Chances did start to appear after the opening 10 minutes, firstly with Bryan Ruiz being denied by Cássio (12’) and quickly after from a powerful shot by Slimani that was deflected away by Roderick (13’).

Although holding deep in defence, Rio Ave did have a fair few forays forward, courtesy mostly of Bressan acting as a target man on the break. On 24 minutes, Kayembe found space behind the Sporting backline, but Patrício was on hand to make the first big stop of the night. Sporting responded with a pair of chances down the other end (26’ and 27’), firstly from Adrien with a low drive that Cássio did well to smoother, followed by a header at the far post by Teo Gutiérrez that the Rio Ave keeper also responded too.

A lukewarm period followed, broken by a long pass from Coates which was brought under control by Zeegelaar. João Mário then weaved space in the area, but again Cássio (37’) replied with a save. The last chance of the half fell to Rio Ave, after Tarantini picked up possession in the 18-yard box, but Rui Patrício managed to complete an outstretched stop to turn the effort away for a corner.

The first clearcut chance after the break was also created by the visitors, when Kayembe popped up at the far post while Sporting battled through with 10 men after Paulo Oliveira was forced off by an injury (replaced Rúben Semedo), before Jorge Jesus' began to show a sense of urgency in attack and returned the natural order to the evening. Sebastián Coates actually had the ball in the back of the net following a free-kick, but his effort was ruled out.

Hernán Barcos was handed a debut 17 minutes from time in place of Teo Gutiérrez, followed by the introduction of Gelson Martins for William Carvalho in a final gamble for a goal. 'El Pirata' actually came just inches from a dream start to his Sporting career with a header at the near post, but Cássio continued his frustrating form to keep the scoreboard blank. Opportunities for Gelson (82’), Slimani (83’), Barcos (85’) and again Slimani (87’) followed, but the deadlock maintained to split the points at the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus includes 18 for Liga NOS matchday 21

Jorge Jesus has included 18 players in his squad for Monday's hosting of Rio Ave, on Liga NOS matchday 21:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: João Pereira, Paulo Oliveira, Sebastián Coates, Ruben Semedo and Marvin Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William, Aquilani, Adrien, João Mário and Bruno César

Forwards: Carlos Mané, Gelson Martins, Bryan Ruiz, Teo Gutiérrez, Hernán Barcos and Slimani

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will get underway at 19h00 today, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Jorge Jesus ahead of Monday's hosting of Rio Ave

Jorge Jesus was with the press on Sunday afternoon for the Rio Ave pre-match press conference. While brushing off the idea of extra pressure coming from his side being provisionally in 2nd in the table, the Sporting coach was cautious to alert to the quality of Monday's opposition.

“Rio Ave are one of the best teams in the league. They are hard to play against tactically and how they play is well drilled, because they have had the same coach for a while now. We know what Rio Ave are worth and we will have to be in good form to win", opened the Alvalade boss, continuing: “We are in a position where we are the intruders in relation to our two rivals. We have said since the beginning of the season that we want to be in the fight, but we never thought we would be in first at this stage of the season. We are really proud for having been in first for so long and it shows the quality of the squad."

Explaining that Jefferson and Naldo have not been declared fit to face Rio Ave, while revealing that William Carvalho is in with a shout, Jesus also spoke about Coates, Barcos and Teo Gutiérrez: “Coates and Barcos haven't been with us for long and they are getting to know how the team works. Coates is pretty much match fit, while Barcos played a couple of weeks pre-season in China. They could be both included in the squad. Teo is focused. He arrived a bit later, which I authorised due to the injury he had. He is stable physically and he will be in the squad tomorrow is nothing happens in the meantime."

Guaranteeing that he has enough attacking options, despite the exit of Montero and Tanaka, Jorge Jesus dismissed comments on Carrillo and reflected on Octávio Mochado's statement on refereeing after last week's victory over Académica: “It isn't easy to be a referee in Portugal. We have good referees here, but everything is analysed here after the game, when it is easy to give out opinions. It is is a bit like the football team: when they don't play well, they are critised."

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Monday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Carlos Xistra names for Liga NOS matchday 21

Carlos Xistra, 42, from the Castelo Branco Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 21, between Sporting CP and Rio Ave.

Bertino Miranda and Jorge Cruz will act as linesmen.

Thsi will be Xistra's third time officiating Sporting this season, after the trips to Tondela (matchday 1, 2-1) and Estádio da Luz (matchday 8, 3-0).

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Sunday the 8th of February, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Adrien reflects on season so far and the importance of the Alvalade youth system

Sporting skipper Adrien Silva gave shared an extensive interview this week, talking about the Alvalade youth system, as well as what has been a fantastic season so far for the talismanic captain.

The Sporting midfielder proved particularly proud of a recent study released by the Portuguese Football Federation on call-ups to the national under-15 to under-19, under-20 and under-20 squads, which put Sporting ahead of the rest of the pack: "Sporting always has been one of the best youth systems in the world and the study is fair recognition of the work being doing at the Academy. In my case, I arrived there when I was 12 and I went through the whole youth system at the club, so you I can say I learnt to become a man and a player here. I am really happy with the study. I have been in teams that have won national championships at under-15 up to under-19 and then I made by debut for the senior team when I was 18. It was also really important to spend time away, where I picked up experience and I am a better player today because of it. All I am missing is winning the senior title, after the Portuguese Cup and Super Cup."

In relation to the season so far, Adrien affirmed his side's confidence in turning in another win after a battling victory against Académica: “Rio Ave are one of the good sides in our league and that is why they are towards the top end of the table. They play some good football and they don't just look to defend. If that will make it easier for us, well I don't think you can look at it like that. Sporting always goes for the win against whoever we are playing against and it is down to us to put into practice what we have been doing during the week."

The Sporting number 23 also went on to highlight the importance of the fans this year in Sporting's title charge: “Both at home and away, the fans have been with us and they were again against Académica. They were crucial for us turning the game around. We let a goal in early, but we felt the fans with us and that is really important for us to carry on taking each game as it comes and to win the title. We are up there fighting for it! It is us that got us where we are now, in a fight that was only between two teams until last year!"

Alvalade new recruits already given squad numbers

The latest Alvalade reinforcements have already been given their shirt numbers.

The Uruguayan international Sebastián Coates will wear 13.

The Argentinean international Hernán Barcos will use number 29.

Sales begin on Tuesday

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 21, between Sporting and Rio Ave, will go on sale on Tuesday the 2nd of February, as follows:

STAND A

Central – 20€ for Club Members and 30€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Club Members and 25€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Club Members and 20€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 10€ for Club Members

STAND B

Central – 15€ for Club Members and 25€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Club Members and 20€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Club Members and 15€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 7€ for Club Members
Anti-Crisis – 5€ for € for Club Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Club Members

SALES POINTS

ESTÁDIO JOSÉ ALVALADE TICKET OFFICES

- 2nd to the 7th of February: from 10h to 20h

- 8th of February: from 10h until half-time

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.sporting.pt
- Payment methods available: Multibanco, VISA and Mastercard
- Multibanco only available up to 24 hours before kick-off
- PDF tickets: delivered to your email (can be printed in black and white on A4)

STADIUM REGULATIONS

- Entry prohibited to children under the age of 3

- Children over the age of 3 (inclusive) require a ticket

- Under-11 Member ticket: from 3 years of age (inclusive) to 11 years of age and valid for any sector of the stand

- Under-23 Member ticket: from 11 years of age (inclusive) to 23 years of age, with different prices for stand A and B

- Senior ticket: from 65 years of age (inclusive) with different prices for stand A and B

- Non-renewed special seats have preference up to 72 hours before kick-off

- Fan tickets purchased on matchday are subject to a €3 tax

- Match included in all 2015/2016 Gamebox packages

- Member fee applicable: January 2016

FAMILY TICKET

- All sectors in North Goal End – Stand A and B

- Family of 3 (Member + Adult + Under-11): 21€

- Family of 4 (Member + Adult + Under-23 + Under-11): 25€

- Additional tickets for Family of 4 option (maximum of 2): Adulto (10€) and Under-23 (5€)

- Members with a Gamebox can use this promotion (replacing their usual seat)

- Member Category B can purchase this ticket for Goal End Stand B

ANTI-CRISIS TICKET

- Sector A9 + A11 (limited to 723 tickets) for the special price of 5€

- Exclusively for Members with fees paid up to date

João de Deus reflects on his side's 3-1 loss to Sp. Covilhã

Although accepting that his side is in need of some improvement, Sporting B coach João de Deus is confident that the current spell of negative results will soon come to an end.

“The game was decided by something which has been a real problem for us, by which I mean dead ball situations. Two corners and a free-kick, three goals conceded in the first 20 minutes. Funnily enough, we also scored from a free-kick and there were very few chances from open play. Sp. Covilhã were effective and we couldn't respond well enough", opened João de Deus in an interview with radio journalists at the final whistle, adding: "We tried to improve after the break. We know that when teams score first in II Liga they normally win, but we didn't give up. We will work on things on Monday when the transfer window closes. We have to lift ourselves up now and work with the lads who are here."

‘Leões’ perdem com Sp. Covilhã por 3-1 na 27.ª jornada da II Liga

Sporting B were unable to break their string of recent negative results this weekend, this time coming away from the II Liga matchday 27 hosting of Sp. Covilhã with a 3-1 loss.

The return of Sporting Academy prodigy Betinho to the Sporting B lineup was the highlight of the squad list and it was the forward who created the first chance of the afternoon after just 20 seconds, with a shot from the centre of the area that ended up in Pedro Taborda's hands. The game developed into a captivating encounter, with both sides looking for goal, but it was the visitors who struck first, when Éder Diaz rose highest to a corner in the fifth minute.

Sp. Covilhã followed up on the goal with a dominating display in the midfield for the rest of the half, largely limiting Sporting's efforts going forward and doubling their lead in the 15th minute with another header from a corner. To add insult to injury, Sp. Covilhã stretched their lead further five minutes later, when Tiago Moreira found space at the edge of the area to leave João de Deus' side trailing by three.

From there the encounter settled and possession was largely divided, but Sporting B were struggling to string together passes against well compacted opposition who were doing a fine job of closing out the middle of the park. Zezinho was introduced in place of Fokobo and 10 minutes before the break Sporting B looked to have finally shaken off the early shellshock, with Dramé reducing the deficit to 3-1 with a free-kick guided in at the near post.

The interval worked well to lift the spirits of João de Deus' side and better possession, use of space and pace going forward began to produce opportunities. Dramé was looking particularly likely to do damage, but Sp. Covilhã managed to hold on to the result and take away a three points decided in the first quarter of an hour.

The result leaves Sporting B in 10th place in II Liga, with 36 points.