Jorge Jesus with squad of 21 players for first session out on the pitch

The senior squad were out on the training pitch at the Sporting Academy for the first time this pre-season on Monday morning. Jorge Jesus had a total of 21 players at his disposal, including the new faces Rodrigo Battaglia, André Pinto (who had already trained with the squad at the end of last season), Cristiano Piccini and Mattheus Oliveira.

Still away on international duty are Rui Patrício, Beto, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho, Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence, Francisco Geraldes and Iuri Medeiros.

Jorge Jesus on final day win

"We wanted to finish with a win and the fans came out for us again. I thought the lads were great today and found it easy to score", said Jorge Jesus after his side's 4-1 win against Chaves this Sunday.

Despite the win, Jesus saw this as a time for reflection on what was a tough season: "We finished with 70 points, which is 16 less than last season."

The Alvalade coach also took a moment to focus on two of his star performers: "Gelson used to be a very individual player, but now he gets involved with the rest of the team. He has really developed tactically throughout the season. We were hoping Bas Dost would win the Golden Boot, but Messi can score every which way. However it was a really important season for him and for Sporting CP."

Jorge Jesus on the last game of the campaign

The last match of the season, the 2017/18 campaign and the coming transfer window were the three main topics covered by Jorge Jesus in this Saturday's pre-match press conference. While keeping the focus on winning the three points on Liga NOS matchday 34, the Alvalade coach also dismissed rumours on his relationship with president Bruno de Carvalho.

"This is the last game of a season that hasn't gone how we wanted it to. Our last game wasn't how we wanted it to be either. We are on the back of two loses and the atmosphere isn't great now, but we want to end this season with a win for the fans. We want to finish on a good note and turn our attention to next season", opened Jesus, who is already looking ahead to a series of preparatory meetings with Bruno de Carvalho: "We have ideas to talk about and we are working on them. What we want next season is one that is like my first here. A team that fights tooth and nail for the title. That is what we are looking to build and that is what we will be talking about."

To finish Jorge Jesus proved puzzled in relation to interest in Adrien, William Carvalho and Rui Patrício: "I honestly don't know anything about what is being said in the press. They are all important players for us, they are Euro 2016 winners and they are central to our project. We have grown in terms of developing our players and losing one of them wouldn't be complete unexpected."

Jorge Jesus looks ahead to the weekend's Liga NOS action

Speaking in his pre-match press conference this Friday, coach Jorge Jesus accepted that last weekend's loss at the hands of Belenenses brought to an end one of the club's objectives for the 2016/17 campaign.

"The team really felt the loss, because we were on the back of a good run of games, with nine wins and two draws. It was a special day with a lot of families at the stadium, even though we are out of the title race. It was hard for us to lose like that, but players and coaches have to learn to live with both wins and loses. We have totalled 33 points in the second half of the season, which is at the same level as the teams at the top of the table. The match against Belenenses has stopped us going for 42 points, which is what we did last season", said Jesus.

Next on his list for analysis was the weekend's visit to 9th place Feirense: "This is one of the last games of the season and the win will be important for us. Feirense is a chance for us to pick up where we left off. It will be a hard game, like they all are in this league. Feirense have had a great season by their standards, built around intensity and good defensive organisation. "

About president Bruno de Carvalho's statement midweek, Jesus is in agreement: "The president said what he said and I have nothing to add. I agree with him and what we have to do now is pick ourselves up for the match against Feirense. The president took the right approach."

Jorge Jesus reflects on the weekend's loss to Belenenses

After watching his side let in three goals against Os Belenenses on Sunday, Jorge Jesus was never going to be happy in his post-match press conference. "We let in a penalty at a time when we were dominating. After that we let in two more from set pieces. Belenenses scored whenever they had the chance", opened the Alvalade coach, continuing: "We were slow, especially in the first-half. We just couldn't find the space to create clear opportunities. We have been playing really good football recently, but it just didn't happen for us today. The substitutions [Castaignos, Francisco Geraldes and Joel Campbell] didn't work and we didn't improve. In fact, I would say the changes damaged us a bit in terms of positioning."

With two matches to go and the battle for 2nd in Liga NOS thrown open by the weekend's previous results, Jesus was understandably surprised by what was only a third home loss of the season: "Belenenses were not better than us, but they were fortunate. We came into this on the back of a good run and nobody was expecting today. This kind of match gives us important experience and if we would have scored another goal it would have been a lot easier. We didn't take advantage of FC Porto's draw, but it wasn't because we didn't press. It was down to a lack of quality."

Jorge Jesus on the early kick-off, his possible starting XI and the video assistant referee

The kick-off time was inevitably the focus of questions in this Saturday's pre-match press conference, with Sporting CP hosting cross-town rivals Os Belenenses at 11h45.

"This will be a different match because we are playing in the morning, but the fans have turned out anyway and it will be a sell out. It is Mother's Day as well, so it will be nice occasion. Sporting CP is playing some really attractive football right now and although we are a way off our objectives, the fans are showing they believe in the future. This is a Lisbon derby and although Belenenses aren't doing very well in the league it will be a hard fought game. I remember the game last year, when William Carvalho won it for us with a penalty in the last minute", opened Jorge Jesus in his meeting with the press.

The absence of Gelson Martins, Daniel Podence and Alan Ruiz was largely brushed off by the Alvalade coach, who has other options available: "Results define the team I use. Belenenses will be relaxed and I am sure they are feeling confident, but of course we have done what we have to do on the training pitch. We shifted our training times a bit, but physically nothing really changed. Francisco Geraldes could come in for us, just like João Palhinha and Podence have, if I think that is the best decision. Strategically having a few players out makes a difference, but our overall system will be the same."

Sporting CP announced the signing of André Pinto this week and Jesus was keen to highlight the importance of the new Alvalade acquisition: "Having André with us is important for Sporting CP. He hasn't been working with the first team, so bringing him over earlier means we can help him get into form. He is with us already, thanks to the great relationship that exists between Sporting CP and Sporting de Braga”.

Jorge Jesus finished with a world of praise for the introduction of the video assistant referee for next season's league campaign: "Both Sporting CP and the Portuguese Football Federation deserve to be congratulated for this decision. the video assistant referee is really important for Portuguese football. We have great coaches and clubs in this country, but we don't have the financial resources others do and it is important that we are on the cutting edge of technology. It won't fix everything, but it will certainly help."

Alvalade boss thanks the fans for their support

I am writing to thank the hundreds of people from every club and all parts of society who over the last few days have sent me words of comfort following the death of my father.

I cannot remain indifferent to such displays of affection, which although cannot take away the pain being felt by me and my family, have encourages and help me through a difficult time.

Over recent decades, sport in general and football in particular, has shown that something really important exists beyond our health rivalries: solidarity and respect for one another.

For that I am deeply grateful to all of the directors, coaches, athletes, referees and citizens who have given tributes to my father.

Thank you everyone,

Jorge Jesus           

Jorge Jesus sees Sunday's win in Braga as more than deserved and looks to Bas Dost as inspiration for the rest of the squad

Jorge Jesus spoke with the press after his side's 3-2 win in Braga this Sunday afternoon and the Alvalade boss was sure to thank the players and fans for the tribute to his father, who passed away last week.

"My players always want to give me wins and it would have been a huge injustice if we didn't get the three points today. We were really good in the first-half, we missed a penalty and Sp. Braga scored from the only chance they had. This team is growing with every game and we just need a bit more defensively. At half-time I told the lads that goals will come, but that we had to defend better out wide", said Jesus, adding a word on the unstoppable form of Bas Dost: "Bas has the mentality of champion, the image of what I want the future of Sporting CP to be. If he can win the Golden Boot, well Messi is having a really good end to the season."

Raul José guarantees a strong Sporting CP for the weekend's trip to Braga

Standing in for Jorge Jesus in this Saturday's pre-match press conference, Raul José promised "a strong Sporting CP", in tribute to the Alvalade coach following the death of his father this week.

"Whenever you lose a loved one it is always painful, but Jorge will be back with the same dedication and passion and the players are with him to get the win on Sunday", opened the Sporting CP assistant coach, adding: "Winning is always the priority for Sporting CP. We are with Jorge (Jesus) and we will go to Braga to get the win with the support of the fans."

As for the weekend's opposition and Sporting CP's chances of still finishing 2nd in Liga NOS, Raul José commented: ""Sp. Braga have some great players and are always strong at home. They have shown against the big teams that they are a solid team, who are difficult to play against. We will have to be at our best to win. We are focused on winning our games and at the end we will see where we finish."

Luís Figo contributes to panel on training

Luís Figo also took to the stage at The Future of Football International Congress this week, as part of a panel on what makes the difference in training. Also joining the Portuguese legend, in a panel moderated by Luciano Cefaratti, were Jorge Jesus, Francisco Maturana and Susana Torres.

Speaking in front of a capacity auditorium, Figo did not hide is pride on returning to Alvalade: "After so many years it is always nice to come back. In relation to coaching, I think there are two kinds of coach: youth coaches and senior coaches. Coaches are extremely important for youth teams and they are directly responsible for the future of the young players they work with. Senior team coaches have to know everything about the sport, know how to plan and how to deal with certain behaviours to they can get the best out of the players."

Maturana also took took to the stage to share his experience as both a player and a coach, while Susana Torres spoke about the mental side of the game.