Marvin Zeegelaar

Sporting Clube de Portugal - Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with the player Marvin Zeegelaar for a contract valid until 2020 and with a buy-out clause of 45,000,000.00€.

Sporting SAD wishes Marvin Zeegelaar the best of professional and personal success.

More than 8,000 fans donate 3,000 presents for children in need

Sporting's main squad were back on the training pitch this Saturday afternoon after the Christmas break, in a special session open to club Members and fans in Estádio José Alvalade. More than 8,000 turned out to cheer the players on, answering the club's call to bring along presents to be given to children in need.

It wasn't only the fans who were feeling in a charitable mood, with president Bruno de Carvalho and the players adding their own gifts to the more than 3,000 packed under the club's Christmas tree.

"We will do this again, because a lot of people need our support. We want to go into 2016 together, united. We know where we want to go and the fans will help us get there. I want to thank they players and the fans for everything they have done and the support they have given us", affirmed Bruno de Carvalho at the end of the day.

There was still time at the end of the day for Jorge Jesus to share a few words: "Thank you all for contributing to this cause. Five months ago I said there would be one more team fighting for the title. Today that is what we are doing."

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."

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.