Jorge Jesus' pre-match press conference ahead of hosting of Marítimo

Jorge Jesus was with the press this Friday evening, to speak about Saturday's 20h45 hosting of Marítimo, in Estádio José Alvalade. Affirming that the weekend's encounter is sure to bring with it a fair share of difficulties, the Sporting coach also spoke about the end of the disciplinary process against Slimani and Teo Gutierrez's impressive form. 

"Marítimo are traditionally a hard team to face for anyone. They are a good team with a good coach and good players. We will be playing against a well motivated Marítimo team who will want to take points away from Alvalade. We will have to find a way to reach of objectives tomorrow", opened Jesus.

Asked about the feeling in the Sporting camp, the Alvalade coach proved happy with the support shown for his squad: "The fans have been extraordinary and they believe in the team and our quality to fight for the title. When I said we would be fighting for the title, but maybe most people didn't believe it. Now they do. Sporting is a huge club with a lot of fans and have everything needed to be a big club in every way."

Another of the themes touched on by Jesus was the conclusion of the disciplinary process against Islam Slimani and Teo Gutierrez's brilliant goal scoring form. "Two or three months ago I said that I didn't believe that Slimani would be punished. For me, this decision is just a bit off because it has come so late", said Jesus about the Algerian, before commenting on Teo: "Teo isn't a surprise for anyone. When he signed for us from what was a good side in Argentina, he was also playing a lot for Colombia, which is one of the best side's in the world in terms of strikers. They have Falcão, Jackson and Bacca, but Teo always played."

João Mário rallies support for the weekend's hosting of Marítimo

The Liga NOS Young Player of the Month, João Mário is expecting Alvalade to one again be at full capacity this weekend, as his side host Marítimo on Liga NOS matchday 29.

“The team is in great form right now. We are coming in on the back of some good results and we want a lot of fans with us to beat Marítimo", said the Portuguese midfielder, adding: "We are felling really well supported and that makes a huge difference. Saturday will be the same again, with the stadium packed out."

Nuno Almeida named for Liga NOS matchday 29

Nuno Almeida, 40, from the Algarve Football Association, has been named for Liga NOS matchday 29, between Sporting CP and Marítimo.

Paulo Ramos and Pais António have been named as linesmen.

This will be Almeida's second Sporting match of the season, after the matchday 13 hosting of Moreirense.

Sporting CP-Marítimo will get underway at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

With just over 72 hours still to go before Liga NOS matchday 29 between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Club Sport Marítimo, a total of 37,000 tickets have already been sold.

Sporting currently has a fantastic average of 39,108 fans from the 14 Liga NOS matches played this season, making for the best average since the opening of the new Estádio José Alvalade in 2003.

The Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices are open from 10h to 20h, with non-renewed Special Seats going on sale on Thursday.

Prices for Members start at 5€ or 16€ for other fans. Children aged 3 and above require a ticket for the match.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20h45 on Saturday, with the stadium gates opening at 19h15.

Alvalade shotstopper sends out a message to the fans

Rui Patrício is confident that the fans will once again pack out Estádio José Alvalade this weekend, as Sporting host Marítimo on Saturday.

"We are expecting a full house on Saturday and it is very important for us. The support of the fans has been great this season and we are really thankful. The fans know how important they are to us."

Sporting will host Marítimo in Estádio José Alvalade on Saturday, at 20:45. 

Sales already underway

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 29, between Sporting CP and Marítimo, are now on sale as follows:

STAND A
Central – 20€ for Members and 32€ for fans
Lateral – 15€ for Members and 27€ for fans
Goal End – 10€ for Members and 22€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 10€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Members

STAND B
Central – 15€ for Members and 21€ for fans
Lateral – 10€ for Members and 16€ for fans
Goal End – 7€ for Members and 13€ for fans
Under-23/ Senior – 7€ for Members
Under-11 – 3.5€ for Members

Anti-Crisis – 5€ for Members
Family Ticket - 21€ (3 people) // 25€ (4 people)

SALES POINTS

ESTÁDIO JOSÉ ALVALADE TICKET OFFICES
- 1st to 8th of April: from 10h to 20h
- 9th of April (matchday): from 10h until half-time

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- payment methods available: Multibanco, VISA and Mastercard
- Multibanco option available up to 24 hours before kick off
- PDF ticket: to be printed on A$ (can be black and white)

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 the age of 3 (inclusive) to the age of 11 and valid for any section of the stand
- Under-23 Member ticket: from the age off 11 (inclusive) to the age of 23 and with different prices for stand A and B
- Senior Memer ticket: from the age of 65 (inclusive) and with different prices for stand A and B
- Non-renewed special seats have preference up to 72h before kick off
- Fan tickets purchased on matchday are subject to a 3€ tax
- Match included in all Gamebox 2015/2016 packages
- Member fee applicable: March 2016

FAMILY TICKET
- All North Goal End sectors - stand A and B - available
- Family of 3 (Member + Adult + Under-11): 21€
- Famíly of 4 (Member + Adult + Under-23 + Under-11): 25€
- Additional tickets for the Family of 4 option (maximum of 2): Adult (10€) and Under-23 (5€)
- Gamebox holders can use this promotion (replacing their usual seat)
- Category B members may only purchase this product for North Goal End stand A

ANTI-CRISIS TICKET
- Sector A9 + A11 (limited to 734 tickets) with a special price of 5€
- Exclusive for Members with fees paid

PPFL announces coming Liga NOS fixtures

The Portuguese Professional Football League has announced the dates for the next two Liga NOS matches, coming up after this weekend's international break.

Sporting will make the short trip to Restelo to take on Belenenses at 21h00 on Monday the 4th of April, before hosting Marítimo at 20h45 on Saturday the 9th of April.

Jorge Jesus on his side's win in Estádio dos Barreiros

Speaking in a flash interview, Jorge Jesus proved satisfied with his side's win in Madeira this weekend.

“Marítimo are strong and they showed that today. They are a well worked team both technically and tactically. They are one of the hardest teams in the league, especially here in Estádio dos Barreiros. We knew it would be a hard game and we had to be really competitive. We had to take our chances and it is really important to score first against teams like this. We played like a team, we defended well and that gives confidence. FC Porto had already drawn here this season, so in theory we have won two points that our competition didn't", said the Sporting coach at the final whistle.

With the season turning into a tantalising race for top spot going into the Christmas break, Jesus noted his surprise with his side's campaign fo far. "Sporting are in first and we want to defend that. We didn't expect to be, in fact we expected to be behind Benfica and FC Porto, but we are in front and we want to stay there. The pressure of our rivals winning didn't get to the lads and we just have to focus on our own games, which is what we did. It wasn't a pretty game, but we have to use our strengths and that is what we are doing."

Adrien on Sporting's win against Marítimo

The Alvalade skipper scored a crucial goal in Madeira this weekend, securing a typically difficult three points from Marítimo.

“We knew that this trip is always really hard, but we held out and we controlled the game. We got our reward in the end. We could have lost first place, but that didn't happen and the team did well. We showed our character and we trusted in ourselves. We got the result we wanted and we will carry on", said Adrien at the final whistle, adding: "This is a team that does its best, that works hard and that makes sacrifices to be at the top of the league."

Adrien strike and Rui Patrício heroics guarantee three points in Madeira

A 53rd minute strike from Adrien helped Sporting to an important three points in Madeira this weekend, in a 1-0 win against Marítimo.

In search of a sixth consecutive league win and also a sixth against Marítimo, Sporting started the encounter well, but it became quickly apparent that the afternoon's task would be no easy one. To their credit, the evening's hosts were willing to get forward and battled hard for possession. Marega started a good move for Marítimo down the right, before Sporting responded with two chances in the first ten minutes. First it was Gelson Martins bursting down the flank and setting up João Mário in the box, but the midfielder was unable to keep his shot on target. Next Montero threatened after taking advantage of a defensive mistake, but the Colombian's effort finished wide of the mark.

The midfield battle for control sapped much of the quality out of the encounter, with passes going astray for both sides. Well orchestrated pressure by the hosts also kept Sporting on a defensive footing. A move down the right in the 14th minute finished with a corner for Marítimo picking ou Marega completely isolated at the far post, but a brilliant stop by Rui Patrício kept the scores blank. A couple of minutes later Marítimo had another dangerous corner, but Fransérgio's header was off target.

Sporting responded in kind and it wasn't long before the pressure began punching gaps in the Marítimo lines. João Mário broke away down the right and dragged a cross back for Adrien, who picked out Bryan Ruiz at the edge of the box. The Costa Rican drove a powerful shot goalwards, but Salin defended and the sides went in deadlocked at the break.

The interval worked wondered for Jorge Jesus' side, who come out fighting and were soon rewarded for their persistence. A brilliant bit of teamwork down the right saw João Pereira link up with Bryan Ruiz, before the Costa Rican released João Mário who skillfully found space and set up an unstoppable strike from Adrien.

Sporting kept up the pressure and Gelson Martins continued to rain down havoc on the Marítimo defence, himself firing a shot over the bar in the 58th minute. Some calculated counters from the hosts could well have done damage, but some mature defending by the team from Alvalade kept chances to a minimum. With the clock ticking down, their was still time for Rui Patrício to pull off one of his usually heroic saved and ensure that the three points returned to continental Portugal.