Gelson Martins reflects on Sporting's draw with Boavista

Gelson Martins spoke briefly with radio journalists after Sporting’s draw with Boavista on Saturday night.

"We started well, but we slipped up when it came to finishing”, opened the Alvalade younger, going on to add that the result does little to influence the title race: “We didn’t want this result, but our objectives are the same. We are still at the top and we want to be champions.”

Jorge Jesus names squad of 19

Jorge Jesus has included a total of 19 players in his squad to face Boavista, in I Liga matchday six:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Marcelo Boeck;
Defenders: Ricardo Esgaio, João Pereira, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Tobias Figueiredo and Jefferson;
Midfielders: Adrien, Aquilani, William Carvalho and João Mário;
Forwards: Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Bryan Ruiz, Carlos Mané, Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani.

Boavista-Sporting will get underway at 20h45 on Saturday the 26th of September, in Estádio do Bessa.

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William Carvalho returns after injury spell

William Carvalho is back from a long spell on the line with a leg fracture and features in tomorrow’s squad to face Boavista

Speaking with Sporting TV about the weekend’s encounter, the Portuguese international proved to be in a confident mood: “It is going to be difficult, against a really aggressive team. We know that we will have to be focused and we will fight for the three points.”

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Jorge Jesus ahead of Saturday's visit to Boavista

“It was a good week for us, with William and Ewerton coming back”, opened Jorge Jesus in Friday’s pre-match press conference, ahead of what the Sporting coach sees as a tough weekend trip north to take on Boavista

While visits to Estádio do Bessa is never an easy task, the Alvalade boss is looking to build on recent results: “After a win, things always go that bit better, but we are going to take on a good team who are recovering well. They are a team with a long history and it will be a hard game, like they all are in this league. Boavista throw everything they can at you, but we are ready.”

Jesus also commented on his possible squad for tomorrow: “William is included and he is recovering quicker than Ewerton. Thing could change tomorrow, but I will decide tomorrow. His (William) characteristics will fit into the way we play. Good players get into any team.”

The Sporting coach also spoke about Fredy Montero’s recent scoring form, as well as Gelson Martins’ spell with the senior squad and the inclusion of Matheus Pereira: “The lads win their place during the week and on the pitch, which goes for those who normally play and for those who are coming in for the first time. It is good to know that we have two players like Teo and Montero, who are both quality players for both the team and the squad. Gelson Martins has been playing well and he is a young lad with a lot of potential, just like Mateus. We believe in their potential and they will get their chance. We are really happy with Gelson.”

Boavista-Sporting will kick-off at 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio do Bessa, Porto.

Artur Soares Dias named for I Liga matchday six

Artur Soares Dias, 36, from the Porto Football Association, has been named to take charge of Sporting's visit to Boavista, on I Liga matchday six.

Rui Licínio and Bruno Rodrigues will act as linesmen.

Boavista-Sporting will kick off at 20h45 on Saturday the 26th of September, in Estádio do Bessa (Porto).

Tickets on sale in Alvalade for Boavista and Besiktas

Tickets for the next two matches, which will see Sporting visit Boavista (Saturday) and Besiktas (Thursday) are now on sale.

Tickets for I Liga matchday 6 will be on sale on Thursday and Friday from 10h00 to 20h00 and are priced at 12.5€ (North End). Ticket sales are exclusively for Club Members on Thursday. Kick-off is scheduled from 20h45 on Saturday, in Estádio do Bessa (Porto).

Tickets for Europa League Group H matchday two will be on sale until Monday and are priced from 9€ (Goal End) to 24€ (Central). Besiktas-Sporting will kick-off on Thursday the 1st of October at 20h00 EET.

Jorge Jesus reflects on another three I Liga points

“It was hard to win against a side that defended well”, opened Jorge Jesus in a post-match press conference after his side’s battling victory against Nacional on Monday night.

For the Sporting coach, the key to unlocking the three points was some calm nerves in the closing stages: “We never showed anxiety and that it why we scored. Only a team that keeps their calm can make the difference when it matters. In the first-half we had trouble finding space. Montero was important to remedy that.”

Reflecting on the win, Jesus added: “You have to battle to win. There are no easy games and that is why we are at the top of the table. It was important to win and we want to fight for the title until the end. The lads deserve a pat on the back for playing as a team like they did. To win the league you have to suffer sometimes and the fans really got behind us.”

Montero scores late winner to keep Sporting ahead of the pack

Jorge Jesus’ side were only interested in a win this Monday evening against Nacional that would keep Sporting at the top of the I Liga table and no other result looked likely, with the team from Alvalade holding down long spells of possession and pegging the visitors back into their final third.

Chance after chance failed to put the ball in the ball of the net, with Gelson, Slimani and Jefferson all coming close in the first-half. However, the pressure soon paid off, when Sequeira was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. A man down, the visitors could do little more than bunker down in defence, while Sporting continued to press for a goal.

The second-half was much of the game, with Jorge Jesus’ charges piling on the pressure but struggling to create space to get a shot away against a closed Nacional defence. Nerves began to show in the crowd, but some calm, collective play finally got its reward four minutes from time, when Montero found a yard to tuck away the winner.

The result keeps Sporting in 1st, tied on 13 points with FC Porto. Sporting are next in action at the weekend against Boavista, in Estádio do Bessa.

Montero happy with Monday's winner against Nacional

Fredy Montero proved crucial in Monday’s win over Nacional, coming off the bench to score the winner four minutes from time.

"We knew that Nacional are a tough side. We tried to score early, but we didn’t and that makes things harder”, opened the Colombian at the final whistle, adding a word on his side’s recovery from last week’s loss to Lokomotiv Moscow: “Sporting has some really experienced players and we know how to deal with this kind of situation.”

In parallel, Montero promised to keep putting in the work to keep up his goal streak: “I am going to carry on working and I will try to take opportunities when they come to score and to help the team.”

Jorge Jesus includes 19 for I Liga matchday five

Jorge Jesus, has included a total of 19 players in his I Liga matchday five squad to face Nacional:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício and Marcelo Boeck;
Defenders: Ricardo Esgaio, Paulo Oliveira, Naldo, Tobias Figueiredo, Jefferson and Jonathan Silva;
Midfielders: Adrien, Bruno Paulista, Aquilani, André Martins and João Mário;
Forwards: Gelson Martins, Bryan Ruiz, Carlos Mané, Montero, Teo Gutiérrez and Slimani.

Sporting-Nacional will get underway at 21h00 on Monday the 21st of September, in Estádio José Alvalade.