Jorge Jesus expecting Adrien and Gelson to be available for Sunday's Lisbon derby

Jorge Jesus spoke with the press in a much awaited press conference this Saturday afternoon, ahead of a Lisbon derby that sees Sporting CP and SL Benfica currently separated by just two points at the top of Liga NOS.

"The derby is always special, independent of who the two teams are doing in the league. What the table looks like right now doesn't mean anything and both sides are under pressure. Both sides have to win. Honestly, it will be the team that controls the emotional part of the game that will be best positioned to win", opened the Sporting CP coach, before speaking about his options for the Liga NOS matchday 13 encounter: "We have had a few problems with a couple of the players since coming back from Poland, particularly Adrien and Gelson, who haven't trained since we arrived. We will see how the lads are tomorrow, we still still have a bit of time."

The press were understandably keen to provoke a reaction out of Jorge Jesus, with the Sporting CP coach having managed both Lisbon giants. However, the Alvalade boss played it cool: "Both of us lost in the Champions League and we both have the chance to be at the top of the league. We are both on the same level right now and this will be an intense game for both of us. We are confident in how we play and we know we can win the three points. The way this team has grown, both defensively and offensively, over the last 18 months means that we can deal with whatever Benfica throw at us."

To finish, Jesus highlighted the importance of the extra experience in his side, which is packed full of Euro 2016 winners: "Being a European champion is a sign of the individual quality of a player and that reflects in our team. If my memory serves be right, not a single one will be playing against us tomorrow. Each derby is a derby and this will be my 20th. It will be a really intense game and this is the kind of occasion that the players love."

Lazar Markovic shares his thoughts on Sunday's Lisbon derby

Lazar Markovic was inevitably called upon to share his thoughts ahead of this Sunday's Lisbon derby, having played on both sides of the fence.

"We will be looking for the three points for our fans and to put us top of the league. Our coach knows what he is doing and we believe in ourselves", said the 22-year old Serbian in an interview with Sporting TV, before going on to reflect in his time at Alvalade so far: "It is a great club. I am really happy to be here and I will carry on doing by best."

Under-20 world champion one of Portugal's most promising youngsters

Sporting CP has officially agreed a contract with Gonçalo Nunes, who actually represented Benfica last season. Aged just 17, Nunes is already under-20 world champion.

Gonçalo Nunes, trained just down the road at Paço de Arcos, couldn't hide his satisfaction with the move: "It is a dream come true for any player to get into the senior team, especially at a club like Sporting."

Octávio Machado on the lack of punishment for Benfica

Octávio Machado gave a hard-hitting press conference following Sunday's Liga NOS fixtures, in what were the last of the season.

"Penalties are only against Benfica after the 95th minute, when they are already winning 5-0. It happened in the first match against Estoril when it was 0-0 and it happened again today, against Nacional. In the last match of the season, the decisive match, another penalty was not given when the game was 0-0", said Sporting's director of football.

Rui Patrício on Saturday's loss to Benfica

Speaking with the press at the final whistle on Saturday night, Rui Patrício put his side's loss down to a lack of effectiveness in front of goal.

"Benfica scored from the only chance they had, but football can be like that. I think we played really well and we had a lot of chances that we didn't make the most of. That was the only difference", commented the Alvalade keeper at the final whistle, before guaranteeing that the league is still far from decided: "There are still a lot of games to play. We will fight to the end and this result honesty doesn't' change anything."

Jorge Jesus comments on Saturday's loss to Benfica

Speaking with the press at the final whistle on Saturday night, Jorge Jesus considered the final result to be far from a fair reflection of what happened on the pitch.

"Benfica left here today without knowing how they won. Even a draw would have been bad for Sporting after what happened out there tonight, but losing is worse. Football can be like this sometimes and all that really matters is who won. I really want to give credit to my players, because I thought they were brilliant and absolutely dominated Benfica in the second-half", opened the Alvalade boss, adding: "Benfica scored, but Rui Patrício didn't have to make a single save all night. Benfica didn't even create a single chance and we managed to pull off some impossible misses.

"Despite the result, Sporting showed that we are a lot stronger. Sometimes even teams who play like small clubs win", Jesus went on to add, before reaffirming that the title race is still on: "We have lost first place before and got it back. The lads know that we are capable going top of the table again and that is what we will try and do."

Jorge Jesus shares his thoughts ahead of the Lisbon derby

This might be the fourth derby of the season, but Jorge Jesus is adamant that his team will be just as motivated as ever as the two Lisbon giants clash this Saturday evening.

“It will be a typical derby: difficult and passionate. I hope everything goes well and that Sporting is up to the standard that we have already shown against Benfica. The fact that we have already won three has given us a trophy, three points in the league and a win that unfortunately doesn't mean much, because we were knocked out of the Portuguese Cup. What matters right now are the three points and the lads are feeling just as confident now as they were in the first derby in the Super Cup", affirmed the Alvalade boss, going on to reject the possibility of the title being decided tomorrow: "Either team winning it doesn't resolve anything. There will still be nine more matches to play and a lot of points up for grabs. If we win tomorrow then it is just another three points."

The Sporting coach continues happy with his squad's performance so far this season. "Sometimes you can't do what you set out to do, but what we set out to do was to get Sporting in the fight for the title and today that is a reality", added Jesus, before closing with a comment on Rui Patrício's new contract: "It is a great bit of news for every Sporting fan. Three symbols of the team have already signed this season. The club has a good policy set out and the players who come through from the Academy are really important for Sporting."

Alvalade to mark 50th anniversary of 3rd place finish in England

Sporting Clube de Portugal will make a tribute to Portugal's 1966 World Cup team during half-time of the Lisbon derby, on the 5th of March.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Portugal's historic 3rd place finish, which is still to this day the country's best performance in the prestigious competition.

Sporting was the most represented club for the competition hosted in England: the goalkeeper Carvalho (one match); the defenders José Carlos (two), Alexandre Baptista (five) and Hilário (played every match); the midfielders Peres (didn't play) and Morais (three); and the forwards Figueiredo and João Lourenço (also didn't play).

Also part of hte team were José Pereira, Vicente, Manuel Duarte, Germano, Fernando Cruz, Custódio Pinto, Festa, Coluna, Jaime Graça, Simões, José Augusto, Eusébio and Torres.

A partir de dia 27 de Fevereiro

Sporting Clube de Portugal informs all Club Members and fans that tickets for the Lisbon derby are in high demand. Special Seats which have not been renewed by 10h00 on the 27th of February, being 1 week before the match, will be put on sale.