Sporting CP held by Nacional on a foggy night in Madeira

Sporting were held to a stalemate in Madeira this Friday night by Nacional, in a match which saw both teams come together in a tribute to the fight against brest cancer and strokes.

Jorge Jesus made two changes to his side that took on Tondela last weekend, introducing Lazar Markovic and Bruno César for André Filipe and Elias. Sporting did look the most likely to score right from the off and a brilliant chance went wanting in the 8th minute thanks to a last ditch tackle, when William Carvalho saw a penalty saved after a push on Sebastian Coates inside the area.

The team from Alvalade were also looking sure in defence, thanks largely to some calculated defending by Sebastian Coates. On 14 minutes the big Uruguayan dispossessed Hamzaoiu, just before the Algerian broke through against Rui Patrício.

Choupana's typical fog shrouded the stadium half-way through the first 45, but it wasn't enough to slow Sporting's forays forward. Next up it was Gelson Martins with a darting run in the 21st minute, but his shot across the face of goal was denied by a sensational save from Rui Silva. The fans were up celebrating what looked to be a certain goal on the half-hour mark when Bas Dost connected, but the big Dutchman wasted his golden opportunity to open the scoring.

Manuel Machado's dug in after the break and Sporting's attacks slowed. Meanwhile, Nacional started establishing a bulkhead down the other end. On 64 minutes, Ricardo Gomes raced away from Coates and almost got the better of Rui Patrício.

Jesus responded with the replacement of Markovic and Bryan Ruiz for Alan Ruiz and Campbell, but it was Bruno César who came closest in the dying stages, testing his luck on 58’, 74’ and 82’.

Ricardo Gomes had an opportunity to steal the points in the 89th minute, but the Cape Verdean was unable to find the target with his header after getting slightly ahead of Rui Patrício.

Information for Club Members and fans

Sporting Clube de Portugal headed to Madeira today, ahead of Friday's encounter with Nacional.

The club will hold a some special initiatives for the local and traveling fans:

- Ticket sales for 10€ (with a free postcard gift), from 11h to 17h, at the Hotel Meliá Madeira Mare;

- Autograph session at 15h00 at the same place with one of the players.

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to a tasking trip to Madeira

After last week's slip up to Tondela, Jorge Jesus's side takes aim at Nacional, with a usually difficult trip to Madeira awaiting on Friday.

"It is hard to play against Nacional. It is hard to play Choupana. The big sides have a tough time in this stadium, but we are ready for a competitive match. To come away from Madeira with three points we will have to play well on the attack, like we did against Guimarães. We will face a Nacional team that will play like they usually do", opened the Sporting coach in his pre-match press conference this Thursday afternoon.

For Jesus, it was a meeting of reflection with the press, with the Alvalade boss going on to speak about how his team approaches each game: "We try to get the best out of the team. You can look at that as a strategy for each individual game, but what we do is believe in our players and the way we play. Of course we could look to take advantage of Nacional's weaker points, but the fact that they are letting in goals doesn't mean much.

Sporting CP will take on Nacional at 21h00 on Friday, on Liga NOS matchday 9.

Information from the club's medical department

Sporting's medical department has released the following clinical update:

Petrovic - muscle injury to the left thigh - in treatment

Jefferson - twisted right ankle - in treatment

Adrien - recovering from knee surgery and a muscle injury to the left thigh

Spalvis - recovering from knee surgery

Bruno Paulista - recovering from dental surgery

Real Madrid sold out

Sporting Clube de Portugal has announced the following in relation to Champions League ticket sales:

MATCHDAY 4 | BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs SPORTING CP

Following the first two phases of sales for Club Members, the remaining tickets are on sale to the general public, priced at 44.90€ each. Kick-off is scheduled for Wednesday the 2nd of November at 20h45CET. ticket offices are open from 10h to 20h until Monday the 31st of October.

MATCHDAY 5 | SPORTING CP vs REAL MADRID CF

The second phase of sales (exclusively for Club Members) has finished, with Estádio José Alvalade sold out for the return of the World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. The stadium will without doubt have its best Champions League crowd ever and the best since the stadium's inauguration on the 6th of August 2003. A third phase of sales may take place, depending on the return of tickets from Real Madrid or the Champions League sponsors.

Estádio José Alvalade set for yet another sell-out

Sporting Clube de Portugal will begin the second stage of ticket sales for the Champions League hosting of Real Madrid CF.

The phase is exclusively for Sporting Clube de Portugal members (with October 2016 fee paid), with tickets only available for Central Stand A and priced at €50 each. Ticket offices are open from 10h to 20h.

Alvalade keeper topping this year's top-30

Who should win the 2016 Ballon D'Or? According to Eurosport, Rui Patrício leads the way, ahead of a pack which includes Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez (Barcelona), and Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid).

If you also think Patrício should scoop the award, then vote here here.

You can also show your preference on the France Football website here.

Rui Patrício on his inclusion in the Ballon D'Or race

"Obviously any player would feel really proud and I am no exception. I will carry on working hard, because our objective is to keep improving and to win every title possible", said Patrício in an interview with Sporting TV after finding out about his nomination for the Ballon D'Or short list.

The Alvalade keeper also took the opportunity to look ahead to Liga NOS matchday 9: "Our last result wasn't what we wanted, but we we will go to Madeira for the win. It will be hard, like it always is in Madeira, but we are going there to get the win."

Alvalade shotstopper joins Portuguese contingent of Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo in final short list

France Football has announced the short list for the Ballon D'Or nomination this week, with Rui Patrício making the cut along with fellow Portugal stars Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sporting CP held to draw in Alvalade

Sporting CP were held to a draw this Saturday evening by Tonela (1-1), on Liga NOS matchday 8.

The game was in many ways a reflection of the midweek Champions League hosting of Borussia Dortmund, with Jorge Jesus's side struggling to get a foothold in the first-half against a team that looked happy to sap away time.

The usual suspect Gelson Martins looked the most likely to score in the early exchanges and actually hammered a shot against the post after just four minutes. The next opportunity was made to wait until the 21st minute, when a cross from Schelotto ended with a header high over the bar from Bas Dost. One minute before the break Schelotto carved out another chance, this time with Bryan Ruiz arriving just a second to late to convert.

With Bruno César introduced at the restart, there was a clear improvement from Sporting CP and chances soon began to follow. A goal looked likely, but it was Tondela who struck, when Jaílson put in a hopeful cross that ended up with Jhon Murillo for a simple finish (74').

With the fans feeling disgruntled with Tondela's far from deserved goal, Jesus introduced Campbell to the action four minutes later and the Costa Rican soon pulled a stop out of Cláudio with a header. Tondela dropped back in an effort to defend what would have been a precious three points and time wasting became the theme of the evening, with a touch of facilitation from referee Rui Costa. Five minutes into added time Campbell struck to avoid what would have been an extremely harsh defeat.