Sporting miss out in Europa League opener

Jorge Jesus made three major changes to his side for the Europa League hosting of the Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow this Thursday night, introducing Tobias Figueiredo, Carlos Mané and Gelson Martins into the starting line-up in place of Naldo, João Mário (suspended) and Carrillo.

The game got off to a well-contested start, with neither side creating any clear chances on goal and with Sporting holding a slight edge in terms of possession. The bulk of Sporting’s early efforts game through attempts from range from Adrien and Aquilani, before the Russian visitors opened the scoring on 20 minutes from a speedy counter-attack rounded off by Samedov. In fact, attacking on the break proved to be Lokomotiv’s theme for the night, with the Russians looking happy to sit back and let Sporting enjoy length spells with the ball.

Jorge Jesus’ side came out looking much more determined after the break and were soon pushing forward. Montero restored the deadlock with an unstoppable drive high into the net, triggering a spell of Sporting dominance that was more than deserving of a second, before Lokomotiv took the lead again through Samedov five minutes later. The occasional crack began to show in the Alvalade defence and on 65 minutes Diasse effectively secured the three points with his side’s third goal of the night.

Sporting are next in action on the 21st of September, in a I Liga hosting of Nacional.

Alvalade boss in Europa League pre-match press conference

Jorge Jesus shared his thoughts on this year’s Europa League opener in a pre-match press conference on Wednesday. For the Alvalade coach, there is no hiding from what will likely prove to be a tricky Group H campaign.

“This group has three really balanced sides: Sporting, Besiktas and Lokomotiv. The Russians are strong with some well-known players and they are in second in there league. We are expecting problems, but we will be ready for them”, opened Jesus.

Asked if he plans to make some changes to his squad to rest tired legs and a possible pairing of Aquilani in the midfield with Adrien, Jesus said: “It isn’t about resting players. We will choose the right 11 for each particular game, taking into account how the players are. Sporting has a squad that allows us to do that, whether it be due to tiredness, injury or options. Aquilani didn’t play the pre-season with us, so it was important for him to play in Vila do Conde. He played for more time that I thought he would, but he responded well.”

To finish, Jesus spoke about his side’s chances of going on an extensive European run: “I think that the Europa League is getting harder every year. To reach the final you have to play teams who could be in the Champions League, but I believe that Sporting has the quality to go far.”

Adrien Silva sets sights on a lengthy Europa League campaign

Alvalade skipper Adrien Silva spoke with the press this Wednesday afternoon, ahead of Sporting’s Europa League hosting of Lokomotiv Moscow.

“It is true that our objective wasn’t to be in the Europa League, but there is no point thinking about that now. This is a prestigious competition and we want to reach the final, but that doesn’t mean that this competition is more important for us because we didn’t qualify for the Champions League. Every game is important when you play for Sporting”, opened Adrien, going on speak more depth about Thursday’s encounter: “We aren’t comparing this game to the one with CSKA. We have looked at Lokomotiv and what matters is that we focus on what we have to do. We can’t relax, or we will be surprised.”

Shikabala

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Zamalek Sports Club for the transfer of the athlete Shikabala for a fee of 650,000.00 dollars and with Sporting SAD having the right to 15% of a future transfer.

Sporting SAD wishes Shikabala the best of personal and professional success.

Sporting set out Europa League squad list

Sporting have included a total of 16 players in the Europa League squad list: Goalkeepers: Guilherme Oliveira, Pedro Silva and Stojkovic;
Defenders: Mauro Riquicho, Tobias Figueiredo, Domingos Duarte and Ruben Ribeiro;
Midfielders: Fokobo, Fábio Martins, Francisco Geraldes and Rafael Barbosa;
Forwards: Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Carlos Mané, Daniel Podence and Cristian Ponde.

List A had already been announced, with 22 players included:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício, Marcelo Boeck and Azbe Jug;
Defenders: João Pereira, Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Ewerton, Jefferson and Jonathan Silva;
Midfields: William Carvalho, Bruno Paulista, Aquilani, Adrien, João Mário and André Martins;
Forwards: Carrillo, Bryan Ruiz, Tanaka, Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani.

Jorge Jesus on his side's win in Vila do Conde

Jorge Jesus was happy with another three points this Sunday, keeping his side at the top of the I Liga table.

“It was a difficult game like we thought it would be and it isn’t easy to win here. We played really well in the first-half. While the lads were relaxed we were really aggressive both in attack and defence. After that we have Rio Ave too much space and it made it harder for us, particularly down the left. We conceded a goal that we really didn’t have to, but we came close to making it 3-1 as well. Our objective was the three points and we got them”, opened the Alvalade coach in a post-match press conference.

Jesus went on to reveal some of his technical decisions: “I felt we were buckling a bit down the left and with João Mário it got a bit worse. After that, with Mané there, we sorted the problem about and got forward again. Carrillo and Bryan struggled a bit at the end. Sporting, Rio Ave and the referee deserve a well done for this game.”

Adrien, who scored Sporting’s first with a first-half penalty, also highlighted the quality of side’s performance: “It is always hard to come here, but we did well. Rio Ave didn’t create any clear chances. We didn’t have that much possession, but we controlled the game and we could have scored at the end as well.”

Sporting maintain grip on top spot with three points in Rio Ave

Sporting claimed an important win at the traditionally difficult Rio Ave this Sunday evening, on I Liga matchday four. The result keeps Sporting tied for 1st position with FC Porto, on 10 points.

The story of the encounter was eventually written in the first-half, with Sporting finding the back of the net twice before the break. First it was Adrien, striking from the penalty spot after Wakaso was adjudged to have made contact with the ball with his hand in the 10th minute. Sporting smartly went about controlling proceedings, while Rio Ave were limited to just a single opportunity, coming in the 36th minute when Marvin hit the post. Three minutes later, a cross by Jefferson lingered dangerously in the box and Slimani capitalized to make it 2-0.

The big Algerian could have made it three at the restart, but he drove his shot at Cássio’s body, before Rio Ave pulled a goal back through Yazalde after some confusion in the Sporting backline. However, the hosts did little to get forward for the rest of the evening, while Sporting came close to securing a more comfortable scoreline through Slimani, João Mário, Carrillo and João Pereira before the final whistle.

Jorge Jesus talks with the press ahead of the weekend's visit to Rio Ave

A Sporting on par with the team that put three past Académica is what Jorge Jesus expects to see for Sunday’s visit to Rio Ave, on I Liga matchday 4.

Speaking with the press in the weekend’s pre-match press conference, the Alvalade boss affirmed: “Rio Ave are traditionally tough opposition. They are even harder to play against at home and they are well drilled by a coach who has been with them for a few years now. It will be a hard game, like they always are in the Portuguese league. Sporting will have to be up for it like we were in Coimbra if we are going to win the three points.

Asked if any tired legs are of concern following the international break, Jesus proved settled: “We have to be ready and the lads are used to it. The most important thing is that noone picked up an injury. Of course the players lose a bit of the routine we work on while they are away and some recover quicker than others, but that is obvious and I will take decisions based on that.”

With Sporting playing on Sunday evening, the Alvalade side have both the blessing and curse of already knowing this weekend’s other results. “We have made it clear that we want to be at the top of the league and to fight for the title. This is a risky game, but they all are. Our competition has already played and won, but that is going to happen a lot more times this season and it doesn’t worry me.”

Wilson Eduardo

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Sporting Clube de Braga, Futebol, SAD for the transfer of the player Wilson Eduardo, with Sporting SAD remaining with 45% of the player’s economic rights

Sporting SAD wishes Wilson Eduardo the best of personal and professional success.

Ramy Rabia

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has reached an agreement with Al-Ahly Cairo for the transfer of the player Ramy Rabia for a fee of 750,000.00€, with Sporting SAD also receiving 15% of a future transfer

Sporting SAD wishes Rabia the best of personal and professional success.