Luís Martins shakes of derby draw with praise for his players

Sporting CP B coach Luís Martins praised his side's attitude in the Lisbon reserve derby this Friday, despite the points being split at the final whistle: "We were well prepared. We didn't let the goals get to us and reacted really well. We didn't play our best quality football, but we can't do that 100% of the time of course. However, we got a point and this was only the first match in which we haven't won all three points at home. I am happy with our consistency and to see the players learning and growing. The lads are more confident now and ready to respond."

The Colombian striker Leonardo Ruiz mirrored his coach's comments: "We felt good and did our best. It was a realyl good match and we showed that we are well prepared for anything."

Lisbon reserve derby ends in a draw

Sporting CP B were held to a draw by SL Benfica B this Friday, after the team from Alvalade led twice.

The encounter got off to a well-disputed opening, with two similar set ups largely cancelling each other out. The first clear chance of the afternoon was made to wait until the 9th minute, when Leonardo Ruiz headed just wide of the post from inside the six-yard box. Gelson Dala did the same following a move down the right wing, before the Benfica defence just about managed to scramble away a lethal looking cross from Pedro Delgado in the 17th minute.

Three minutes alter Ruix and Delgado linked up to pick out Gelson Dala and the Angolan forward wasted little time in doing what he does best with his 12th goal in 16 Ledman LigaPro outings.

Some superb movement from Ruiz and Dala at the attacking end of the pitch kept Benfica chasing shadows and on 31 minutes Ruiz came close to making it 2-0 after some good play between Delgado and Bubacar Djaló.

Bilel found a yard of space and scuffed his attempt across goal, before João Félix responded down the other end with a chip that Silva did well to divert away. Sporting CP B looked to have secured the lead at the break, however a late strike from José Gomes levelled just before the referee called the players into the dressing room for half-time.

Sporting CP again took control at the restart, against a Benfica side that looked happy to make the most of the odd counter-attack. Escobar fired a free-kick over the bar, after Dala could have done better to score his second after an attack triggered by André Geraldes down the flank. Benfica threatened twice through Heriberto, but it was Sporting CP B who struck, with Escobar scooped up some sloppy possession to set up Leonardo Ruiz.

Benfica responded with an injection of pace and Empis did well to deny the visitors from an equaliser in the 74th minute. However, sixty seconds later José Gomes found the back of the net to restore the deadlock.

With two matches to play in Ledman LigaPro, Sporting CP B currently sits in 13th overall with 54 points.

Coach João de Deus satisfied with his side's Lisbon B derby showing

Sporting B coach João de Deus was left largely pleased by his side's showing against SL Benfica B this Friday, also the result could have easily been different.

"We were really good. Benfica had a lot of trouble figuring us out and their keeper made some impossible saves. A win would have been fairer. We did win a point, but we are a bit frustrated to be honest. We have chances and we dominated tactically. Almost none of the lads knew each other at the start of the season and it has been great to watch them grow. Benfica caused us problems a times and they have some good players, but we dominated", said João de Deus.

Alvalade youngsters held to a stalemate in the Lisbon B derby

Sporting CP B were held to a goalless draw by SL Benfica B this Friday, on Ledman LigaPro matchday 19.

It was a well balanced game for the most part, with both sides only springing into life in the second-half, only to be denied by some superb stops from Pedro Silva (Sporting CP) and André Ferreira (Benfica).

The Alvalade charges looked dominant in the opening exchanged, but it was in the dying stages that João de Deus' side could have taken the lead, squandering three clear chances in the last 15 minutes.

Sporting CP B coach Francisco Barão looks ahead to this week's B derby

Sporting CP B assistant coach Francisco Barão sat down with the press for a pre-match interview this Thursday, looking ahead to the coming B derby. With his side having struggled to turn in wins as of late, Barão sees this as the perfect opportunity to find winning form again.

"The lads are looking forward to this match. Our last results haven't been great, with us missing out against Penafiel, V. Guimarães B and FC Porto B, so we are really up for this and want to find our usual form. No matter what happens, we will still feel confident afterwards", said the Sporting CP B assistant, adding: "The B teams have a competition between them. A lot of the lads are still young, but they have a lot of technical ability and want to play good football. We have managed to fit in with the other teams in Ledman LigaPro, although it is tough, direct football. Every player loves a good derby and we are going to Seixal to get the three points."

Pedro Silva on Friday's B derby

Sporting CP B goalkeeper Pedro Silva was in the Academy press room this Tuesday to speak about Friday's Lisbon derby against Benfica B.

“We don't need any extra motivation for the big games. The rivalry already gives us that. Obviously we will be looking to win", said Silva, going on to brush off last weekend's loss to FC Porto B: "Every game is special, but the big games deserve an extra bit of attention. There is a bit of a mini competition between the B teams and we want to be up to the challenge."

Matheus Pereira strikes twice to beat Benfica in B derby

João de Deus' side put in a dominating performance against Benfica B this Sunday, keeping Sporting's Lisbon rivals in the relegation zone in the process. Matheus Pereira stole the show with two strikes, however Daniel Podence was also key to unlocking the Benfica B defence with the crucial pass for both goals.

The first-half got off to a slow start, with Benfica attempting to build from the back against a Sporting side that did a fine job of pestering the visitors with some high pressure defending. With the ball at their feet, Sporting B looked extremely dangerous and it wasn't long before chances on goal followed. The first came from a bursting run down the left flank by Podence, but Gauld should have done better when connecting with the resulting cross.

A couple of minutes later, it was the same formula out wide that drew a penalty and the first goal of the afternoon, when a Benfica defender cut out Podence's cross with his arm. Matheus Pereira stepped up for the conversion and the senior team regular smartly tucked away the chance. Benfica responded with one of their sparing chances of the afternoon, in fact with a penalty of their own, but Diogo Gonçalves was denied Stojkovic from the 12-yard spot.

Sporting dominated the result of the half with some strategic play and chances again began to creep in. Podence came up just inches short of a spectacular goal after some good link up play with Matheus, but the narrow lead maintained as the interval whistle sounded.

The second-half brought total dominance for João de Deus' charges, but the first chance actually fell to Benfica, when a well rehearsed corner called Stojkovic into action for possibly the best save of the encounter. The opportunity saw the visitors open up and Sporting wasted little time in exploiting the extra space, with Matheus' pace punishing Benfica with the skillful winger's second goal of the afternoon.

Although holding a 2-0 lead, Sporting continued to press, particularly after Ruben Dias was given his marching orders for a foul on Mama Baldé. Matheus Pereira and Daniel Podence again linked up late on for one final opportunity, but the Benfica keeper parried away for a corner.

Mama Baldé ahead of Sunday's derby

Mama Baldé has been one of Sporting B's star performers this season, despite being drafted in to right-back after having spent most of his career so far as a foward. Standing in front of Baldé and his side this weekend is Benfica B, however the Alvalade star fully expects Sporting B to tally yet another Ledman LigaPro win.

“We are still recovering from the game on Wednesday, but we will be ready for Benfica B. We have been training hard and we are expecting a win. Of course we have to win, but we don't feel under pressure", said Mama Baldé in an interview with Sporting TV, going on to refect on his season so far in his new position: "I think I have been playing alright. The coach has helped me a lot, just like the rest of the team. I am learning how to play in this new position. I don't feel under pressure and I like playing there."

Sporting CP B-Benfica B will get underway at 16h00 on Sunday the 17th of April, at the Sporting Academy.

Luís Godinho for Ledman LigaPro matchday 42

Luís Godinho, 30, from the Évora Football Association, has been named for Ledman LigaPro matchday 42, between Sporting B and Benfica B.

José Braga and Valter Rufo will act as linesmen

This will be Godinho's second Sporting B match of the season, after the matchday 18 hosting of  Ac. Viseu.

Sporting CP B-Benfica B will get underway at 16h00 on Sunday the 17th of April, at the Sporting Academy.