O This Sunday, Sporting may have taken a decisive step towards winning the title of national champion, thanks to the 2-2 draw, wrenched from iron, at the Estádio do Dragão, against FC Porto, in the long-awaited 31st Clásico. round of the First League.
On the first day after André Villas-Boas dethroned Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa from the presidency of the dragons, Sérgio Conceição also gave a ‘new face’ to the team, with the introduction, especially, of Martim Fernandes, who ended up revealing is fundamental. But we will get there.
The blue and whites started the game better, installing themselves in the opponent’s midfield, and took the lead after just eight minutes, when Pepê took advantage of a ‘slip’ by Franco Israel to assist Evanilson’s goal.
The lions still made a ‘shy’ response, with dangerous shots from Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho, but it was the blue and whites, who, on the verge of the half-time whistle, saw Pepê extend the advantage, after a ‘genius’ move by Martin Fernandes.
In the second half, Rúben Amorim made four changes in a mere 15 minutes, introducing Viktor Gyokeres, Eduardo Quaresma, Hidemasa Morita and Nuno Santos, managing to remove the danger, but maintaining the difficulties in approaching the goal.
It was then that, just before the final whistle, what seemed unthinkable actually happened. In the space of just a minute, Viktor Gyokeres scored two goals, which ended the game, despite Marcus Edwards being sent off moments later.
All things considered, with three rounds to go, Sporting leads, but now with a five-point advantage over Benfica. FC Porto, on the other hand, is isolated in third place, with 63 points, against Sporting de Braga’s 62 and Vitória SC’s 60.
Figure
A distinction that cannot go to any player other than Viktor Gyokeres. When Sporting seemed to be completely lost, the Swedish international, coming off the bench, did the unthinkable, scoring two goals in the space of just two minutes and ‘rescuing’ a draw.
Surprise
Making your debut as a starter in a Classic, at the age of 18, is not for everyone. Doing it without compromising, much less. And doing it with a moment of ‘magic’ seemed to be impossible. However, that’s what did Martim Fernandeswho knew how to seize the opportunity granted by Sérgio Conceição, with a masterful play, which culminated in Pepê’s goal.
Disillusionment
Sporting didn’t start the game well at all, but the mistake Franco Israel made an eventual recovery almost utopian. In the eighth minute, the Uruguayan goalkeeper literally handed the ball to the FC Porto attack, in a move that led to Evanilson’s goal. From then on, he was no longer able to recover himself, and he revealed himself to be a source of insecurity.
Coaches
Sérgio Conceição: From one of the most delicate periods of the season came what seemed to be one of the most perennial versions of FC Porto, with solidity in defense and creativity in attack. However, the team seems to have started to manage the result too soon, and paid dearly at the final whistle.
Rúben Amorim: Sporting seemed to have been waiting for Viktor Gyokeres the entire game, even when he wasn’t on the field. The performance wasn’t the best, especially in the first half, but the coach knew how to not only stabilize the team, but also mix up the opponent’s markings, and ended up ‘saving’ a draw.
Referee
In a Classic that was expected to be ‘warm’, Nuno Almeida chose to apply broad technical criteria, not sanctioning some more virile contacts. However, from a disciplinary point of view, there are errors that cannot be ignored, such as the second yellow card forgiven to Jeremiah St. Juste, at the start of the second half, for a harsh foul on Wenderson Galeno. An error that Rúben Amorim himself recognized, so much so that, in the next minute, he removed the Dutchman from the field.
Read Also: Sérgio Conceição’s ‘Joker’ assists Pepê and complicates life for Sporting
Download our free App.
Eighth consecutive year Consumer Choice for Online Press and elected product of the year 2024.
* Study by e Netsonda, Nov. and ten. 2023 product of the year – pt.com
Download our free App.
Eighth consecutive year Consumer Choice for Online Press and elected product of the year 2024.
* Study by e Netsonda, Nov. and ten. 2023 product of the year – pt.com
