THESporting’s hopes of winning the title of national champion may have vanished, this Sunday, once and for all, due to what was their first home defeat to Académico de Viseu in more than 40 years (the last was on January 20, 1981, 0-1), 1-2, in which the signs were beyond worrying.
After an affirmative entry onto the field, including the threat of a goal from Nestory Irankunda, the lions went into ‘jelly’ mode, trembling at the slightest sign that the visiting ‘spoon’ was arriving. The first sign of uneasiness came in the 20th minute, when an attempted dribble by Kaique Pereira narrowly missed a goal by André Clóvis.
On the second attempt, the viriatos didn’t need to ask for permission, especially because the hosts insisted on extending the carpet to them. Robinho received the ball completely free on the left wing and had time to perfectly time the cross for João Guilherme’s goal.
Moments later, the ball entered the green and white goal again, this time, through the feet of Cihan Kahraman, drawing the attention of Miguel Nogueira’s refereeing team, who noticed that, when making the previous throw-in, Miguel Breu put one foot beyond the line, so the move was promptly cancelled.
The scenario was complicated, and Sporting returned for the second half, apparently committed to solving it, with such a strong entry that they needed just 17 minutes to restore equality, through the inevitable Luis Suárez, who responded with a precise deflection to a pass from Iván Fresneda.
However, everything was just a flash in the pan, as, in the 74th minute, the defensive weaknesses came to the fore again. In circumstances similar to those of the first goal, the left wing opened up, this time, for Soufiane Messeguem to put the ball to João Guilherme, who, with another goal, gave the ‘final blow’.
After nine rounds, Sporting is in third place, with 18 points, nine less than the leader, FC Porto (who visited and defeated Gil Vicente, by 0-1), so it now remains to be seen whether it will be more favorable for them to, in São Miguel, beat Santa Clara (which has the same points) or Benfica (which is, for now, the minimum distance).
Académico de Viseu, for its part, cemented its status as one of the sensational teams of the new 2026/27 sports season in the main echelon of national football, to which it has just returned, as it gained 17 points and rose to sixth place, equal with Arouca (who beat Alverca, 0-1).
Figure
A distinction that cannot go to any player other than John Guilhermewho was a real ‘devil on the loose’ on the left side of Académico de Viseu’s attack. Always very active, he made his virtues available to the team, and saw his generosity rewarded with two goals.
Surprise
This Robinho he may not be the same man who became popular during his time at clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City or AC Milan, but the truth is that he did not lack ‘star quality’ at the José Alvaldede Stadium, combining defensive consistency with boldness in attack, as was evident in the assist for the first goal of the game.
Disillusionment
Kaique Pereira surprised, against Lens, left doubts, against LASK Linz, and was a source of problems, against Académico de Viseu. A goalkeeper is asked, above all, to transmit calm to his teammates, but the truth is that the Brazilian was more of a center of vibration than anything else.
Coaches
Rui Borges: It’s becoming increasingly difficult to put the finger on what’s going on with Sporting. If, at the beginning of the season, the feeling was that, with mere adjustments, the team was going there, now, everything seems to be wrong. In defense, he was a complete strainer, and in attack, he depended, above all, on the ‘hot flashes’ of one or another player.
Bruno Pinheiro: Another very competent performance by Académico de Viseu, who demonstrated, once again, that it is possible to be consistent in defending without ever losing sight of what is needed to attack. In many moments, he suffered, of course, but the victory does not deserve the slightest contestation.
Arbitrator
The decision to reverse the penalty awarded in favor of Sporting, due to Ewerton’s foul on Maxi Araújo, promises to make people talk, but the truth is that the images prove that the Académico de Viseu goalkeeper tried to play the ball. Miguel Nogueira calm, even in the face of the ‘volcano’ that the Alvalade Stadium has become, and knew how to manage the disciplinary component.
