Sporting win Liga NOS opener with tactical masterpiece in Alvalade

Sporting's I Liga opener actually turned out to be an easy encounter than expected this Saturday night, not so much down to Marítimo's performance, but more the result of some strategic brilliance from Jorge Jesus, Slimani's absence through suspension meant that the Alvalade boss' saw his options in attack limited. However, João Mário floating in the middle behind Bryan Ruiz and Gelson in support of Alan Ruiz did just the trick. The Argentinean was particularly firery on the night, creating space and working hard off the ball.

João Mário had a fair few chances on goal that he might well have done better to finish (12', 17', 42', 52), but a bit of reluctance to try his luck saw the opportunities go wanting. With rumours flying around regarding a potential transfer, the Alvalade crowd took the opportunity to give the number 17 a standing ovation when he was substituted.

Rui Patrício was also in his usually brilliant form, making his first notable stop in the 16th minute to deny Diawara, following a rare foray forward by Marítimo. A flash of flare from Bryan Ruiz in the 20th minute saw the Costa Rican pick out Jefferson in space in the 20th minute, but the Brazilian's effort was comfortably scooped up by Gottardi. A goal was looking likely and it finally came from an unstoppable header by Coates, when the giant centre-back converted on a corner whipped in by João Mãrio.

Martítimo had what was probably their best chance of the encounter six minutes before the break, but Patrício wasn't going to be easily beaten and the sides went in to the dressing room deadlocked.

The second-half was the perfect opportunity to mix things up and Jorge Jesus obliged, switching out Jefferson for Bruno César. Five minutes later Coates missed what would hae been his second, before Bryan Ruiz showed how it should be done (61') with a cool finish to essentially put the result to bed.

Jorge Jesus in first I Liga press conference of the season

Jorge Jesus sat down for his first I Liga pre-match press conference of the campaign this Friday, reflecting on his squad's form, transfer rumours and how the season is likely to pan out.

A much deserved word was reserved in honour of Portugal's fire brigade at the start of the conference, with forest fires plaguing the country over the last week. "I want to show my support of Sporting's initiative in relation to the fires in Portugal. I really appreciate what the fire brigade have been doing. It is really hard for them", said Jesus.

Moving on to Saturday's encounter with Maritímo, the Sporting coach is not expecting an easy task: "This is the start of the season and the first game is always a bit nervy. It is hard to be on form in the first game, but we want the win."

Jesus was reluctant to make promises, but silverware is inevitably the target: "In a year we have recovered a lot of ground and closed the points gap. Last year we fought for the title until the last minute and had a superb season. We were a serious title contender. This year we want to do better, meaning we want to be in first. I don't believe that the top two will break the 85 points barrier again. I think it will be the team that gets 86 points that will win it."

The press has been rife with transfer rumours lately, which hasn't gone unnoticed by the Alvalade boss. "Nobody has left yet and I don't know if anyone will before the 31st of August. The strategy that we have built up means that Sporting's isn't a club that will sell", said Jesus, finishing with a specific focus on João Mário: "I am counting on him for the match tomorrow. I know people are looking at him, just like they are with five or six other players, but Sporting will defend its players of course."

Fans invited to visit the João Rocha Arena to see how work is progressing

Sporting will open the João Rocha Arena to the fans this Saturday before the I Liga matchday 1 encounter with Marítimo.

The event will be attended by president Bruno de Carvalho and various players, with gathering ahead of the visit taking place next to Gate 2.

Jorge Jesus putting the final touches to I Liga opener

Sporting were out on the training pitch at the Academy this Tuesday, preparing for Saturday's 18h15 hosting of Marítimo in Estádio Jose Alvalade.

With the exception of Islam Slimani, Jorge Jesus had his entire squad available for the session.
 

Football League announces kick-off times

The Portuguese Professional Football League this week announced two alterations to kick-off times and the respective television coverage.

Sporting will open the 2016/17 season against Marítimo at 18H15 on Saturday the 13th of August, before visiting Paços de Ferreira at the same time on the 20th of August.

William Carvalho on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

William Carvalho rounded off a week which saw him celebrate his 24th birthday with a goal against Marítimo on Saturday, in a match which also saw him step in as skipper in place of the suspended Adrien Silva.

“We played really well. We were really powerful in attack and strong in defence. We showed a lot of heart and we are in the fight for the title. It was nice to score and help the team, but the most important thing now is that we focus on our next match", said the Portuguese international, going on to add a word for the fans: "Yey again we have their help. They have been absolutely fantastic this year and I hope it carries on."

Jorge Jesus on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

Jorge Jesus was understandably pleased with another clinical display in front of goal on Saturday night, this time with his team easing past Marítimo.

“It was a good win. It was as hard as we thought it would be, based on how Marítimo have been playing. They are a well structured side and they showed that tonight. We were very pragmatic I thought, although we didn't have as many chances as we usually do. We know we can't make mistakes at this stage of the season and that obviously brings a bit of anxiety with it. We have five games to go and we are in the fight", opened Jorge Jesus in his pre-match press conference.

Again questioned about the influence of pressure on his side, Jesus played it cool: "The players don't know how the other matches are going and I never want to know either. Any team playing for the title has to be ready all the time and that it what makes the difference. This team has been a good surprise for me and we have built the mentality of a champion in just eight months, which normally takes years."

Teo Gutiérrez's reaction after win against Marítimo

Teo Gutiérrez continued with his rich streak of scoring form this weekend, this time with Sporting's opener against Marítimo after having already netted twice against both Arouca and Belenenses.

“Thankfully we got another win, which was important to keep us in the fight. We have our objectives and we have five more finals to play. We know that we aren't in first, but we will keep putting the work in. We are a team that goes for the win, no matter where we play", said the Colombian striker, going on to comment on his current form: "Thanks to my teammates and the coaching staff things are going well. Sporting is always under a lot of pressure, but the work we have been doing gives us confidence and you can see that on the pitch. I will carry on doing my best to help the team and the fans getting behind us has been really important. We know what we have to do until the end of the season."

Sporting put three past Marítimo to keep up the pressure on Liga NOS top spot

Sporting CP beat Marítimo 3-1 this Saturday night, with an effective performance in front of goal that keeps up the pressure on the league leaders with five matches still to play.

Jorge Jesus' side tried to replicate their early strikes against Arouca and Belenenses and chances certainly were not lacking in the opening exchanges, with Salin called into action on several occasion. The first real opportunity come from a header from Bryan Ruiz, but the Costa Rican was unable to find the mark after a a cross from Teo Gutiérrez. In reply Marítimo had to shots of their own, however both efforts floated harmlessly over Rui Patrício's crossbar.

Marítimo's strategy essentially boiled down to an attempt to stretch play, but Sporting's calculated defensive positioning and high pressure marking smothered out the visitors' good intentions. In fact, it was only for a bit of hestitation that Maritimo didn't concede a goal earlier, with Slimani taking just a second to long to get his shots away. More practical was Bruno César's foray forward, as the Brazilian floated in from what is for him an unusual left-back position to blast a shot just wide in the 29th minute. Despite the one way traffic towards the Marítimo goal, the team from Madeira responded with a couple of efforts down the other end, however Patrício made a pair of smart saves to match.

In reply, Sporting finally found the back of the net, courtesy in part to a wicked deflection off João Diogo from a Teo Gutiérrez shot. Although the initial effort did seem to be heading goalwards, the ball looped over Salin to finally do justice to the scoreboard, three minutes before the break.

The second-half got underway with three corners for Sporting, but it was from open play that Jorge Jesus' side doubled their lead. William, given the responsibility of filling in more forward position along side Aquilani in the absence of the suspended Adrien, broke forward and put a left footed shot across the face of Salin and in at the far post.

The 50 minute mark saw Marítimo start to waver under the hail of Sporting's attacking football and dominance in possession, inviting the hosts to come forward in search of a third. It was Slimani who typically obliged, left with an envious tap in after João Mário's initial shot has been blocked by the Marítimo defence.

With the game simmering towards the inevitable conclusion, concentration began to slip and Ghazaryan made the most of a loose ball at the edge of the area to pull a goal back with nine minutes to play. However, the late consolation made little difference and their was still time for Matheus to leave a golden opportunity wanting in front of Salin.

Jorge Jesus includes 19 for Liga NOS matchday 29

Jorge Jesus has included a total of 19 players in his squad to face Marítimo, on Liga NOS matchday 29.

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Azbe Jug

Defenders: Schelotto, Ricardo Esgaio, Coates, Ruben Semedo, Tobias Figueiredo and Zeegelaar

Midfielders: William, Aquilani, João Mário and Bruno César

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