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."

Sporting fall to first domestic defeat of the season at the hands of União

24 shots against just four. 13 corners against none. 74% possession. Despite one of Sporting's best showings on paper this season, Jorge Jesus' side were unable to overcome a stubborn União da Madeira this Sunday and slipped to a first Liga NOS defeat of the season after an impressive run of 14 games.

The first minute was a reflection of the rest of the evening, with Sporting holding down possession in the opposition half. Gelson managed to find space in the area, but the youngster's shot ended up high of the mark. Cadiz tried a low drive in the 7th minute, but it was little more than an odd foray forward in what was an encounter completely dominated by the team from Alvalade. Another three golden opportunities game before the break: firstly through Jefferson from a free-kick that pulled a save out of the in-form André Moreira, followed by a Slimani header after Adrien battled back possession and finally from Montero after the Colombian latched on to a cross from Gelson Martins.

The second-half was more of the same, with Sporting bossing proceedings while União bunkered down and seemed happy to wait for the odd counter-attack. Montero came painfully close with a shot across the face of goal in the 48th minute and Bryan Ruiz headed over seven minutes later, before Paulo Oliveira also saw a header finish up just wide of the post in the 58th minute.

Despite the completely one-way action, União took the lead in the 69th minute, when Paulinho found Danilo Dias at the back post with the enviable task of heading in past a stranded Rui Patrício. Sporting cranked up the pressure in response, but a clinical touch in front goal was missing and neither Slimani or Montero were unable to capitalise on their chances against a seemingly unbeatable André Moreira in the União goal.

The result keeps Sporting in first place with 35 points, with FC Porto hosting Académia later this evening.

Sporting squad for Liga NOS matchday 14

Jorge Jesus has included 21 players in his squad for Sunday's trip to Madeira, on Liga NOS matchday 14.

Squad list in full: Rui Patrício, Ezequiel Schelotto, Jefferson, Ewerton, Aquilani, Tanaka, Slimani,  Montero, William, Paulo Oliveira, João Mário, Bryan Ruiz, João Pereira, Marcelo Boeck, Adrien, Azbe Jug, André Martins, Naldo, Esgaio, Gelson Martins and Matheus Pereira

U. Madeira-Sporting will kick-off at 18h15, in Estádio da Madeira.

Jorge Jesus on this Sunday's trip to Madeira

Sporting will face União in Madeira this Sunday, on Liga NOS matchday 14, with Jorge Jesus' side on the verge of topping the table going into the Christmas break.

“The year hasn't finished yet. We are in first because of our quality and the truth is that we are having a really good start to the season, which gives us confidence. When I arrived here it was with the goal of being where we are now, but maybe not as good as we are now. I wasn't sure we would be so far ahead and this is a new experience for the team. What I want now is for the team to show the capacity to defend first place, affirmed Jorge Jesus in his pre-match press conference.

Before catching the short flight to Madeira, the Alvalade boss highlighted the difficulties of taking on União: "Every game in Madeira, against whoever, is difficult. União showed that in their last game against our rival, as well as with Braga. They will be organised in defence and we will have to find a way to create space. It won't be easily. We feel good about what we did in the Cup and if we play like we did against Braga it will make things much easier in Braga.

Asked if he is expecting the return of Carrillo for Christmas, Jorge Jesus instead preferred to focus on a different sector of his squad: "Carrillo? This is Christmas time, but I don't think Santa will give me that. Let's see what he does give me. A coach is never 100% happy and that is how I am as well. If I could have another player, then maybe it would be in defence."

Vasco Santos named for Liga NOS matchday 14

Vasco Santos, 39, from the Porto Football Association, has been named for Sporting's trop to Madeira to take on União, on Liga NOS matchday 14.

Sérgio Jesus and Bruno Trindade will act as linesmen.

U. Madeira-Sporting will kick off at 18h15 on Sunday, in Estádio da Madeira (Funchal).

Sales to begin on the 26th of December

Due to high demand for tickets for Sporting-FC Porto, to be played on the 2nd of January, Sporting Clube de Portugal will make available non-renewed Special Seats at 10h00 on the 26th of December.

All holders of a Special Seat for this season will receive an SMS/email if updated contact details are available, through which tickets can be purchased up until the 25th of December through the official Sporting website or at the Estádio José Alvalade ticket offices until the 23rd of December (10h00 to 20h00). The ticket offices will be closed on the 24th and 25th of December.

William Carvalho after his side's Portuguese Cup exit

William Carvalho was on target for Sporting in the Portuguese Cup extra-time loss to Braga this Wednesday. Speaking with the press at the final whistle, the Portuguese international highlighted the quality of his side's opposition on the night.

“It was a hard-fought game between two good teams. In the first-half we controlled it and we took the lead, but Braga ended up scoring from their only chance. In the second-half we let another goal in and the team dipped a bit, but we did have a goal ruled out in extra-time. Braga are a good side, on the same level as the big three, and they deserve a pat on the back for the work they are doing. We fought as hard as we could to defend our title, but now we will focus on our other objectives in the league", said William.

Holders out of the Portuguese Cup

With 99 minutes on the clock, Slimani is on-side and latches onto a pass to make it 4-3 to Sporting, only to see his goal wrongly ruled out. This Wednesday night's Portuguese Cup trip to Braga will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, with the match's refereeing weighting heavily on the final result. Despite the debatable officiating, it was also a highly entertaining game of football, with both teams putting on a tactical master class packed full of goals. At the final whistle, Braga edged it and revenged last year's final with what was amazingly only Sporting's first domestic defeat this season.

The opening exchanges were the starting gun for the encounter that could develop in the Braga Municipal Stadium, with both sides pushing the intensity and pace going forward. After just two minutes João Mário forced a save out of Matheus, before his brother Wilson Eduardo responded down the other end with a shot that ended up wide of the mark. Sporting were first to tally on the scoreboard, when Bryan Ruiz made the most of a hashed clearance in the 10th minute to make it 1-0.

The placement of Aquilani next to William and Adrien in the middle of the park added an extra spark to Sporting's possession recovery and passing and it was the Italian himself who could have doubled his side's lead, but Matheus stood firm. A minute after the half-hour mark, it was Baiano who was unable to convert on a good chance. The encounter looked to be heading for the break after a calm first-half, but Rafa's apparent foul on William was waved away and Wilson Eduardo was free to race and beat the isolated Rui Patrício three minutes before the whistle.

The second-half started with another blistering effort by Ruiz, but this time Matheus was able to stop the Costa Rican. In response, Alan managed to convert on a cross from Marcelo Goiano down the left to make it 2-1 in favour of Braga. Sporting needed just five minutes to rally back up the other end and Slimani equalised after connecting with an Aquiliani cross. Turning the result on its head for the third time in the match, William popped up at the edge of the area to fire a shot into the top corner and put Sporting back into the lead.

The game looked resolved, but seven minutes from time Marcelo Goiano drifted in from the left to beat Rui Patrício against the run of play. Tired legs kicked in as the game moved into extra-time that was essentially decided by a just a couple of forays forward.

Jorge Jesus with the press ahead of tomorrow's visit to Braga

Jorge Jesus was with the press in the Estádio José Alvalade Auditorium this Tuesday afternoon to speak about this week's Portuguese Cup visit to Braga.

“We Know that this is a cup match with very specific characteristics. No points can be won and it will be decided on the day. In my opinion, Sp. Braga is the team closest to the big three in terms of quality. We know that this will be a difficult match because of of the quality of their players and because they have a good coach, but we are confident", affirmed the Alvalade boss, adding: "The fact that we will travel to Braga means that we won't have time to prepare for the match. We have just focused on recovery like Braga have, who also played on Sunday. The most important thing is that luckily we haven't picked up any problems, with the exception of Teo who we already knew about. It will be a hard game and we will suffer a lot, because Sp. Braga will make life difficult for our defence."

In parallel, Jorge Jesus responded to a question on complaints being made by Sporting's rivals about match refereeing, while highlighting that Sporting are top of the league on merit: Look, the Refereeing Council is the same, the president who picks the referees is the name. What is changed is that Sporting is in first and people aren't used to it. That is all that has changed, everything else is the same. Nobody can take credit away from us for what we have done in every competition. We won the first trophy this season and we are at the top of the league with 11 wins and 2 draws in 13 matches. Now we are playing in the cup again, where we have already beaten one of our rivals and we will face the same team we did last season in the final. The people who are speculating are doing so because they were not expecting a strong Sporting at the top of the league."

Sp. Braga-Sporting will get underway at 20h00 on Wednesday the 16th of December, in the Braga Municipal Stadium.

Portuguese Cup visit to Braga

Sporting Clube de Portugal would like to release the following information for Wednesday the 16th of December's Portuguese Cup visit to Braga:

- Sporting fans leaving from Lisbon should meet at Estádio José Alvalade at 13h00.

- Preparations have been made for Sporting fans to meet at the Decathlon next to the stadium at 18h00.