O Sporting visits the mythical Estádio José Gomes, in Reboleira, to face Estrela da Amadora, tomorrow, Friday. A game predictably favorable to the lions, both due to the current moment (1st against 13th ranked) and the historical record – the last time Estrela beat Sporting in Reboleira was 25 years ago.
Curiously, This Friday this game turns 26 years old – it was on March 29, 1998 that the amateurs celebrated a victory against Carlos Manuel’s Sporting. The two teams will now face each other again on the same date.
O Sport at the Minute spoke to one of the Estrela da Amadora players who played in that game. Carlos Chaínhoa former footballer, says he remembers that match well, which started with an early free-kick from Assis, brother of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, but ended with a brace from substitute Renato Anjos.
“I remember it well, it was a complicated game. Sporting had a great team, but we were very strong at home. Barring a mistake, we beat the big three at home. Renato played a great game, he showed up in these big games. He was able to finish easily, we turned it around and it was an achievement that lasts until now. We had a very capable team, we were confident, we knew our weaknesses, but we ran more. We had a very compact team, with players who made the difference, like Velic, Renato Anjos, Fonseca… We were very capable at home. I recently saw these images”, confides the former midfielder.
[Carlos Chaínho em ação pelo Estrela da Amadora]© Courtesy Carlos Chaínho
Chaínho details the reason for the success of this game, which had Fernando Santos, Estrela coach, as a key element. “We knew each other very well on the field, we were in a situation where we wanted to do the best qualification ever. The ‘man’ put together the team well, we worked well that week. We trained in Almada, in Marinha, which had a huge field. The lecture was fundamental. I don’t remember anything about the celebrations, but when we won, we always celebrated. After the game, we often went to dinner”, says the former FC Porto player.
It was not uncommon for Estrela to train on that field, as the club only had the main field at Estádio José Gomes, in ‘different’ times in Portuguese football. Times with other protagonists, which Chaínho remembers with nostalgia.
There was Sá Pinto, Beto… playing against Oceano and Vidigal was no joke
“Assis hit very well. There was Sá Pinto, Beto… Playing against Oceano and Vidigal was no joke. There was quality on the opposite side and we had to overcome ourselves. I loved playing against them, because of the characteristics they had, because of their commitment. It gave me pleasure”, adds the Portuguese-Angolan.
Making a bridge to the present, Sporting is favoritism, at a time when they have scored 75 goals, conceded 25 and only two defeats in the championship. Estrela, on the other hand, only has 25 goals scored. However, five of their six victories were achieved at home.
“I don’t believe in unbeatable teams. Sporting is fighting for the title, but Estrela is difficult at home, they have good players, a coach who prepares his teams well, I really like him [Sérgio Vieira]. It won’t be easy, obviously, but if Sporting wants to win this game, they will have to run more, sweat more. Estrela is a team that doesn’t give up”, concludes Carlos Chaínho.
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