FHi, I need blood, sweat and a few tears for another European victory in shades of green and white. In a Sporting team in full swing, which in the space of three days fired Rui Borges, announced an interim position and is preparing for a change towards the future, calm was the necessary ingredient for a return to the Champions League.
At Stamford Bridge, in the city of London, and against a Shakhtar Donetsk team that has their home ground on their shoulders for the European competitions, a goal from the Italian Issa Doumbia proved to be enough for Sporting to beat the Ukrainian side, in a very painful way, in what was the first game without Rui Borges.
From one day to the next, Tiago Fernandes took on caretaker duties, something that is no stranger to the Lions, and assembled the team for the European duel, which followed the home defeat against LASK Linz. Back in London, where a few years ago he achieved a draw against Arsenal in this same transition mode, the Portuguese operated a tactical revolution.
Tiago Fernandes took a risk and brought back the three-central formation, making five changes to the eleven compared to the one that had beaten Casa Pia a few days ago. Rui Silva returned to the starting lineup and young Eduardo Felicíssimo made his debut in European competitions. A bet on reinvention that ended up going well.
In a first half with little history and played almost exclusively in midfield, the moment of greatest pressure for the Ukrainian goal arrived early. Catamo gained space on the right flank and put the ball to Silas Andersen. The Danish crossed to the second post, where Maxi Araújo appeared to shoot across a defender from the home team. On the other side, and on the verge of half-time, Kauã Elias, from close range and unopposed, shot well over the top, when he had everything to score.
Looking to make people forget their home defeat against LASK Linz, Sporting started with more vigor in the second half. Issa Doumbia, who had been somewhat missing in the initial stage, showed the first sign of danger when he appeared to finish off a ball served by Luis Suárez. In the 59th minute, the Italian really didn’t forgive. With the help of Brazilian Pedro Henrique, who missed the cut at the right moment, the midfielder shot for his second European goal of the season.
Once the count opened, the Portuguese had two new opportunities to increase their score – first through the head of Eduardo Quaresma, and then through Suárez, who, isolated, shot in an absurd way – but they preferred the path of suffering. The Ukrainians played their hearts out and forced Rui Silva to shine to maintain the short advantage, before Suárez’s waste of a direct free-kick was again missed.
The minimum margin was enough for the third victory in four games in the league stage of the Champions League, which leaves the green and whites with nine points and, as a result, fifth place in the table. The path to the playoff is, at least, set in motion.
But let’s look at the notes for this match:
Figure
Silas Andersen it was the clock that Sporting needed for this match. He rarely lost track of time and space and always found solutions to the problems he faced. It’s at the beginning of the play that led to Doumbia’s goal.
Surprise
Alisson Santanarecently called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil squad, was a constant danger for Sporting’s defensive sector. It combined speed with unbalanced power and explosion. All that was missing was the goal.
Disillusionment
Kauã Elias failed in essentials last night. The forward created several opportunities, but failed to convert them into goals.
Coaches
Tiago Fernandes
Called urgently from one day to the next to bridge the gap between Rui Borges and Paulo Fonseca, the coach chose to resort to the ‘Amorim strategy’ that had given the Lions many successes in recent years and saw the players respond positively. The union was strong towards the goal and, after that, the lions had the head to manage the result.
Arda Turan
Note the Ukrainians’ bravery and ability to create problems for Sporting. Even though they were losing, they never gave up on reaching a draw. The lack of definition when finishing ended up saying defeat. But there is a lot of talent loose on this team.
Arbitration
Ivan Kruzliak appears to have made a mistake by not awarding a penalty in favor of the Ukrainians, but he also did not count on the help of VAR. Also on the verge of the end he seems to have forgiven an expulsion to the Ukrainians.
