Luís Martins highlights his side's maturity against União da Madeira

The Sporting CP B coach Luís Martins praised his side's maturity at the final whistle this weekend, after masterminding a ninth successive unbeaten outing.

"We set out with a specific idea that we had been working on and we won. It was our hardest match so far I think. Our opponent had done their homework and you could see that. We have our weaknesses, but we were competent out their today and showed a real maturity", said Martins, continuing with a word on the importance of securing points against the Ledman LigaPro big-hitters: "We had already beaten the team in second and now we beat União da Madeira. These matches are really important to help the lads grow. We were disciplines, coherent and deserve a pat on the back."

Rafael Barbosa was also on hand to share his thoughts at the final whistle, commenting on his goal: "It was an important goal because it helped get the points. We drew in the Azores (Santa Clara), which wasn't a fair result, so it was important for us to get a decent win today."

Yet another win for Luís Martins' charges continues Ledman LigaPro recovery

Another Ledman LigaPro fixture and another win for Luís Martins' team, this time with União da Madeira the victims in a 2-0 win for the hosts. It was a curious afternoon of football, with Sporting CP B happy to give up the midfield and instead hit on the break through Rafael Barbosa and Matheus Pereira.

Both sides started out in a traditional 4x4x2, but União da Madeira did set Cedric to one side in a dedicated role pestering Gauld and Francisco Geraldes in midfield.

On three minutes Pedro Silva was called into action in the Sporting CP B goal, but he comfortably dealt with what ultimately was a weak header. A couple of seconds later Matheus Pereira broke away for the first time, but Rafael Barbosa was unable to make the most of the final execution.

On 25 minutes Rafael Barbosa did hit the back of the net, after Escobar and Ivanildo stamped out a move forward from U. Madeira and picked out André Geraldes for a move forward that was finished off by Barbosa.

From then on União da Madeira showed why they are pushing for one of the Ledman LigaPro top spots with a well drilled dominance of the midfield. However two chances followed for Sporting CP B, first with Ruiz dribbling past the defence and blasting over the bar, before Dala drove a shot at Nilson's body.

Pedro Silva had a much busier second-half, created mostly through Breitner's skillful touches that kept Geraldes and Gauld bogged down in the midfield. Although surrendering the middle of the park, Sporting CP B were deadly on the quick break and Matheus secured the final score after a pass from Dala in a move initially started by Francisco Geraldes.

Mateus Pereira claims win for 9-man Sporting CP B

Sporting B beat União da Madeira 1-0 this Wednesday, courtesy of a 35th minute strike from Matheus Pereira.

It was a particularly deserved win for João de Deus's side, who battled on to finish with nine men after the sending off of Kiki and Ricardo Esgaio.

The result moved Sporting B up to sixth overall in Ledman LigaPro with 24 points from 15 matches. 

Sporting SAD statement about the loan of Rafael Barbosa

Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Clube de Futebol União da Madeira – Futebol, SAD for the loan of the player Rafael Barbosa for the 2016/17 season, with no option for a permanent transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Rafael Barbosa the best of personal and professional success.

Jorge Jesus on his side's win against U. Madeira

Jorge Jesus was understandably happy with his side's clinical dismantling of União da Madeira this weekend, with a performance rubbber-stamped with another clean sheet.

“The most important thing is to score first. We had 35 minutes of really good football and went two goals ahead, but we could have scored more. I would say thought that U. Madeira players well and they have some quick players out wide who had us defending at times. We were really objective today and I am happy for not having conceded", affirmed the Sporting coach at the final whistle, adding: "We are gaining stability in defence and we didn't give our opponent any chances today. Some of the lads who haven't had that much time on the pitch had a run out today, like Hernán Barcos and Gelson. Bryan Ruiz has played a lot this season and we were trying to protect him for the run in up to the end of the season."

Sporting also secured an automatic Champions League berth this Saturday. “It is important financially and also you don't have to play really early in qualifiers. I want to be back in the Champions League", finished Jesus.

Sebastián Coates on Sporting's win against União da Madeira

Sebastián Coates was once again the bedrock at the heart of the Sporting defence this weekend, contributing with another cleansheet in what is one of the tightest title for Sporting races in recent years.

“We scored two quick goals and it was a fair win. We knew we had to win, to stay in the fight for first play. It was important for us to qualify directly for the Champions League too and that was one of our objectives. We aren't thinking about Rio Ave-Benfica and all we have to focus on are our matches", said the South American at the final whistle, going on to comment on the recent praise in his direction from president Bruno de Carvalho: "Thinks like that make me happy and I just have to carry on putting the work in. I am satisfied here and focused on the end of the season."

Sporting CP regain Liga NOS top spot and guarantee Champions League spot

Sporting CP beat U. Madeira 2-0 this Saturday, claiming a three points that not only moved Jesus' side back to the top of the Liga NOS pile, but which also secured automatic qualification for next year's Champions League.

It was obvious from early on that Sporting would go on the attack and it wasn't long before U. Madeira were on the back foot, with some sensational play between William, João Mário and Teo Gutiérrez ending up in a pass that was just out of Slimani's reach. However, the afternoon's visitors gathered their thoughts and rallied down the other end, with Danilo Dias firing a warning shot toward's goal.

U. Madeira actually looked relatively well organised in defence, with a backline sitting deep in preparation for the coming Sporting onslaught. Jorge Jesus' charges of course proved more than capable of dismantling their well organised visitors, with well drilled set pieces looking particularly venomous. It was from a set piece that the game's first goal materialised, when João Mário found Bruno César with a corner. The Brazilian obliged with a pass to the edge of the box for Adrien, who released Marvin down the wing for cross that Teo Gutiérrez headed home. To their credit, U. Madeira picked themselves up and two minutes later Danilo Dias could well have leveled, where it not for an absolutely superb diving save from Rui Patrício to deny Dias' curled effort.

The Visitors' rally did little to phase Sporting and in the 19th minute the ball was again in the back of the net, this time with João Mário converting on another killer cross from Marvin Zeegelaar. Some tight defending from Sporting smartly denied U. Madeira's hopes going forward, while long spells of possession through the middle and speed down the wings kept the opportunities on goal coming. Slimani (28’) and Teo Gutiérrez (38’) both fired shots over the bar before the break and Coates deserved a goal after a tantalising dribble forward and shot that the visitor's keeper managed to keep out.

The second-half started with a nervy moment for Jesus' side, when Rúben Semedo almost the ball into the back of his own net. Down the other end, Schelotto found Slimani, but the Algerian sliced the resulting shot wide. Possibly the game's clearest opportunity came in the 52nd minute, when Slimani battled back possession and put the ball out wide to Adrien. The Sporting skipper responded with a cross timed to perfection and Teo fired towards goal, but Gudiño somehow managed to parry away for a corner.

Fully aware of the importance of the coming visit to FC Porto, Jorge Jesus used the two-goal cushion as a chance to manage his squad, bringing on Bryan Ruiz for João Mário. The Costa Rican almost responded to his introduction with one of his typically sensational moments, but his 61st minute overhead kick lacked power. Adrien had the whole stadium out of their seats six minutes later with a looping volley that crashed against the post and harmlessly away.

Sales begin on Tuesday

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 31, between Sporting CP and União da Madeira, will go on sale on Tuesday 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
Anti-crisis (Sector A9 and A11) - 5€ 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

Family Ticket - 21€ (3 people) / 25€ (4 people

SALES POINTS

ESTÁDIO JOSÉ ALVALADE TICKET OFFICES
- 19th to the 22nd of April: from 10h to 20h
- 23rd of April (matchday): from 10h until half-time

OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- payment methods available: Multibanco, VISA and Mastercard
- Multibanco option only available up to 24 hours before kick-off
- PDF ticket: must be printed on A4 (can be in 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 3 (inclusive) until 11 and valid for any sector
- Under-23 Member Ticket: from 11 (inclusive) until 23 and with different prices for Stand A and B
- Senor Member Ticket: from the age of 65 (inclusive) and 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 Gamebox 2015/2016 packages
- Member fee applicable: March 2016

FAMILY TICKET
- Available for all Goal End North sectors – 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 the Family of 4 option (maximum of 2): Adult (10€) and Under-23 (5€)
- Members with a Gamebox can use this promotion (replacing their usual seat)
- Category B Members can only purchase this product for Stand B

ANTI-CRISIS TICKET
- Sector A9 + A11 (limited to 734 tickets) for the special price of 5€
- Exclusive for Members with fees paid up to date
- Available for all membership categories

Adrien on Sporting's loss in Madeira on Sunday

The Sporting skipper spoke briefly with the press after his side's loss in Madeira this weekend.

“It wasn't what we wanted and it wasn't what we worked to do. We deserved a lot better than a loss, but we were unlucky with our finishing. When a team finishes a game without conceding they deserve credit, but I think that it was more down to our finishing. Football can be like that, but we did everything we could. Unfortunately you don't always get the results that you deserve", said Adrien at the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus on his side's first domestic defeat of the season

“That is football for you. The first time União had a chance they scored", opened Jorge Jesus in a post-match press conference this Sunday.

Reflecting on his side's first defeat of the season after an impressive run of 13 unbeaten outings, the Alvalade coach added: "It wasn't even from a shot, it was form a header. The story of the game is that one team did what they had to do when they good. Sporting kept them pegged back and they scored from their first cross. The União keeper was also really good and he took two or three goals off us. We were the team that ran and battled, but we didn't score. The draw wouldn't have been good, but the loss is a mot worse. We were not expecting it."

“What can I say to my players? I can't criticise anything. We worked, we played well, we created chances. We just couldn't make the most of our chances. Some of it was due to their goalkeeper and that doesn't happen all the time. We were on top of them for 95 minutes and they scored from their first chance, but that it what makes football different. I have nothing to say about my players or about the referees. They all did what they were supposed to."