THEacquired from Venezia, in the past summer transfer market, in exchange for a sum of around 20.5 million euros (which could rise to 26.8 million euros, subject to the achievement of objectives), Issa Doumbia arrived at Sporting labeled as a star, the result of a performance that placed him on the ‘half-Europe’ agenda, but the truth is that, precisely five months after the day he was officially presented, it takes time to do justice. to fame.
The Italian international continues to show difficulties in imposing himself on a team that, for many years, was accustomed to the football supported by Hidemasa Morita (who left for Hull City, at ‘zero cost’), and, after having revealed himself to be a ‘machine’ for producing goals (he scored ten and scored another five, last season), he has been on the sidelines in the vast majority of games in which he is called upon to participate.
One goal and one assist in 14 matches are not enough to ‘camouflage’ a sequence of less successful performances, which could even end up costing him a place in the starting eleven, especially because, in his ‘last breath’, Rui Borges seemed to have started to find a formula that could end up giving another type of balance to a midfield that has caused so much mistrust since the start of the new 2026/27 sports season.
Pedro Lima, recruited from AVS for close to four million euros, made the most of the opportunities given to him, and, in the last two matches alone, scored three goals, which proved to be crucial in the victories achieved against MarÃtimo (2-1, which qualified for the ‘final four’ of the League Cup) and in the visit to Casa Pia (0-2, for the tenth round of the I League).
Silas Andersen, signed from BK Hacken for 7.25 million euros (plus 2.75 million euros in bonuses), did not score or assist, it is true, but it is also true that his performance ended up being a positive surprise, giving clear signs that he is prepared to be used on a more regular basis, if the likely new coach, Paulo Fonseca, so decides, from now on.
It is also important to take into account that João Simões is getting closer to ideal physical performance, that Flávio Gonçalves continues to show his potential and that Rodrigo Zalazar is on the verge of returning from injury, meaning that Issa Doumbia runs a serious risk of losing this train, unless he is able to present another face in the next duels.
Two games before another break
Sporting now turns all its attention to the fourth round match of the Champions League league phase, in which they will face Shakhtar Donetsk, starting at 5:45 pm (Mainland Portugal time) next Tuesday, at Stamford Bridge (due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. After that, on Saturday, they will return to the José Alvalade Stadium, to face Moreirense, as part of the 11th round of the I League.
Another break for international commitments will follow, with Issa Doumbia hoping to understand whether this phase of greater ‘blackout’ will have consequences or whether he will, once again, be called up by Roberto Mancini for Italy’s last two games in the group stage of the Nations League, against France and Belgium, respectively, on the 12th and 15th of November.
