Jorge Jesus reflects on a dominating opening, frustrated by the final result

Speaking with the press at the final whistle on Sunday, Jorge Jesus conceded that the second-half did not live up to expectations after his side controlled the opening stages.

"We were better in the first-half and a bit closer to where we want to be. We had a great 35 minutes, we scored and we looked good down the wings, but this isn't the result we wanted. We were really strong in attack, but we couldn't keep it up in the second-half", opened the Alvalade coach, going on to reflect on his second-half substitution of Alan Ruiz and Bruno César (both suspended for the next game for accumulating yellow cards: "When Alan Ruiz and Bruno César we improved in defence, but lost a bit of quality in terms of moving the ball around. I was a bit concerned that the lads couldn't be as aggressive as I would like them to be, because of the yellow cards. Bryan Ruiz is good with the ball in the middle and João Palhinha is more defensive, but I wanted to avoid the game being divided up. Vitória de Guimarães ended up scoring, despite not creating too many problems for us."

Speaking in greater depth about Vitória de Guimarães, Jesuse finished: "We knew we would be playing against a team that have only missed out a few times away from home and that they would force us to defend at times. We knew about how they playing going forward and Hernâni gives them options. With Ricardo Esgaio himself being quick, I thought he would be able to stop him. Sometimes he did, sometimes he didn't, but I think he did everything we asked of him."

Paulo Oliveira secures his 100th apperance

Paulo Oliveira put the Sporting CP shirt on for a 100th time this weekend. Despite the memorable occasion, the Alvalade defender was left to reflect on a frustrating draw.

"We need to be more effective. We had three our four really good chance to extend our lead and I think Guimarães only had two opportunities. We have 10 matches left now. I am not focusing on how far we are off the top of the league, but obviously nobody likes to be in this position", said Oliveira at the final whistle.

First-half strike from Alan Ruiz unable to secure the three points

Sporting CP was held to a frustrating draw by Vitória de Guimarães, on Liga NOS matchday 24.

After stealing the limelight earlier in the season in the reverse fixture, it was again Marega who spoiled the party, netting in a second-half of notably low quality football. The first-half was, however, a different story, with the double of Bas Dost and Alan Ruiz having their fair share of opportunities. The big Dutchman, despite being unable to find the net, had a decent evening and it was him who set up Ruiz (34') for Sporting CP's only goal.

The goal came right in the middle of Sporting CP's best spell and four minutes later Bruno César had a golden opportunity to double the lead, but the Brazilian was unable to get the better of the Gumarães keeper. Another four minutes later, Alan Ruiz set up Alvalade's number 28, but the tight angle was always going to complicate the finish.

Sporting CP had controlled proceedings in the first-half, but the interval took the energy out of the attacking play and Guimarães made the most of the opportunities to get forward. Hernâni, who had been testing Ricardo Esgaio all evening, created the visitor's first real chance (57'), but Paulo Oliveira was able to put in a last ditch clearance. Sporting CP responded through a shot from Campbell that finished up the wrong side of the post, before Marega netted with 14 minutes let on the clock.

Yellow cards for Bruno César (23') and Alan Ruiz (33') mean that Jorge Jesus will be forced into making chances for his side's next outing, with the pair suspended for the coming trip to Tondela (11th of Match).

Squad list for Liga NOS matchday 24

Jorge Jesus has released his squad list for Sunday's hosting of Vitória de Guimarães (20h30):

1 – Rui Patrício
26 – Azbe Jug
34 – Beto Pimparel

2 – Ezequiel Schelotto
4 – Jefferson Moreira
7 – Joel Campbell
10 – Bryan Ruiz
11 – Bruno César
13 – Sebastian Coates
14 – William Carvalho
15 – Paulo Oliveira
20 – Luc Castaignos
28 – Bas Dost
31 – Marvin Zeegelaar
35 – Rúben Semedo
47 – Ricardo Esgaio
56 – Daniel Podence
66 – João Palhinha
77 – Gelson Martins
99 – Alan Ruiz

Jesus looks ahead to Liga NOS matchday 24

Estádio José Alvalade will host Liga NOS matchday 24 between Sporting CP and V. Guimarães this Sunday, with Sporting CP looking to put together a fourth consecutive win.

For coach Jorge Jesus, there is no margin for error against a Guimarães team that also have their eyes on a European spot: "The obligation to win is part of being at Sporting CP. Our last few wins have given us confidence and you can see the players improving. We know we will be facing one of the league's better sides, so I am sure it will be an emotionally charged game."

"We have no idea how we let in three goals"

While congratulating Guimarães for coming back from three-nil down, Jorge Jesus considered the draw as a harsh reflection of his side's performance.

"We were a quality side for 75 minutes, with some really dynamic, quick and creative football. We scored three and everyone was probably expecting us to score four. Up until the penalty we controlled the match. It was us who played for the win, although Vit. Guimarães deserve merit for what they did in the final stages", said Jorge Jesus in his post-match conference, adding: "With tiredness hurting us we lost a bit of aggressiveness and we couldn't win the second balls. It was all Sporting for 75 minutes and we have no idea how we let in three goals. It is a shame, because we deserved to win. I congratulate Vit. Guimarães, because they believed they could get back into it."

Sporting CP dominates for 74 minutes before conceding three

It was an extremely harsh final result after how Sporting dominated in D. Afonso Henriques. In fact, Jorge Jesus' side led 3-0 at one point, before two goals from Marega in the space of just a minute gave Vit. Guimarães the momentum to snatch a draw.

The encounter got off to a well balanced start, with neither team really willing to throw anything forward. Guimarães did have a half chance early on when a well placed pass picked out Marega, but the winger took a poor first touch and was able to capitalise. After 20 minutes Jorge Jesus' side took control, holding down long spells of possession and probing forward almost at will. The first big chance came from a snap shot by Adrien, denied by a fine save from Douglas.

The opportunity was a warning for the coming goal and who else but Gelson to rip open the Guimarães defence with a dazzling run and shot that Douglas parried into the path of Markovic for the opener. The goal triggered an avanlance of attacking football from the team from Alvalade and Rúben Semedo came close to doubling the lead, but his looping header ended up with wrong side of the post after a corner from Bryan Ruiz. However it didn't take long for Sporting to find the back of the net for a second time, when Coates made the most of Douglas' miscalculated run off his line. There was however bad news for Jesus at the end of the first-half, when Adrien was forced off through injury (replaced by Elias).

Sporting looked even more dominant after the break and chances naturally followed. First it was Markovic to break through on goal, but the Serbian was unable to beat the isolated Guimarães keeper. It was Elias who fired in Sporting's third, with a well placed effort from outside of the area.

The result looked secure, however a penalty against William Carvalho saw Marega pull one back from the spot in the 74th minute to give the hosts a lift. Just one minute later, the winger on loan from FC Porto converted on a cross to put his side back into contention. Soares scored the equaliser with one minute to play after latching on to a free-kick.

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to Saturday's visit to Guimarães

Sporting will travel to Guimarães tomorrow for what is always a tricky encounter. While Sporting have been in blistering form, Vitória are having a solid start to the campaign, having tallied 10 points. 

Jorge Jesus proved well aware of the difficulties awaiting, but guaranteed that his team have done their homework in preparation to go for the three points: "We have to be as careful as possible when traveling to Guimarães. It is a hard stadium to go to and win, but we are ready for what they will throw at us. Our objective is the three points."

Gelson Martins was also an inevitable talking point in the day's press conference, after the youngster was given his first international senior cap. "Gelson had a great season last year and this year he is making a name for himself, but he still has a long way to go. He is a young lad who knows how good he is and right now he is the only player in Portugal who can bring magic, creativity, speed and the positioning he has learnt at Sporting. It won't be long before Rúben Semedo is called up as well", finished Jesus.

Sales information for Liga NOS matchday seven

Tickets for Liga NOS matchday 7, between Vitória Sport Clube and Sporting Clube de Portugal will go on sale at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket office as follows:

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY (10H TO 20H) | Gamebox 2016/2017 holders
FRIDAY (10H TO 15H) | Club Members
FRIDAY (15H ÀS 20H) | General public

Club members must show a valid Gamebox or Member card (August 2016 fees applicable), with each card valid for one ticket. Each person may bring a maximum of four cards.

V. Guimarães vs. Sporting will get underway at 18h15 on Saturday the 1st of October, in Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques. Tickets are for the North Goal End and are priced at 15€ each.

Jorge Jesus at the final whistle on Monday night

The Sporting coach took a moment to speak with the press after his side's draw in Guimarães this Monday night.

“It was a really intense game, but it was also once in which Sporting had enough chances to win. The Guimarães keeper also did his bit. The big chances in the first-half were all ours and we kept Guimarães under control when they attacked. We showed a real defensive and physical capacity tonight. It was one of the best games I have seen my team play, but still we didn't win."

Jesus finshed with the inevitable, namely the coming Lisbon derby: “We have one more point than the team behind usand our next game is in Alvalade, where we want to defend first place. There are still ten games to go and it is the team that has the best run now that will win the league."