Better team won. Funny thing to say when we deemed most of those players not good enough to play for Sporting. Who needs back up players right?
Montero isnt starter material anymore. Mind as well just give Diaby a chance until Bas Dost comes back.
Many players underperformed too. But yes the squad isnt very deep at all. Bruno Fernandes had a horrible game. Battaglia can't pass a ball. Gudelj actually held up but he's not a DM.
Bruno Fernandes is a different player than the guy we had last year. I don't know if it's that JJ really does know how to get the best out of what he has, the Peseiro is shittier than we thought, or he just doesn't want to be here. Acuna is, next to Elias, the worst spent money in Sportings history. I'm not sure what the scouts saw in him that made them think he was worth 10mil. Headless chicken on the pitch. Would be nice if we could just fast-forward to next year with a new coach and a full squad.
Problems can't be just down to Bas Dost although he is missed. It's amazing how much we lost the ball in midfield and how much we resorted to long balls forward. And with players up front that aren't suited to long ball, like Montero, Nani, etc... Bruno Fernandes lost the ball 8 times yesterday and had a horrible performance. Battaglia and Gudelj partnership didn't really work, Gudelj seems a bit out of form but also he's not an anchorman, more like a box-to-box who likes to get forward. Battaglia also doesn't like to stay back, which leaves a hole in defensive midfield (William used to stay back). Add to that his inability to pass means countless turnovers in midfield. Sturaro if/when he plays, is also not a DM. We're sorely lacking a DM that can not just defend, but also pass and start plays. Right now we just recycle possession between the defenders and then pass it to the full backs, and Braga countered that the whole game by pressing the full backs. If the rumours are true and we are close to striking a deal for Patricio and Gelson, hopefully we use the funds to strengthen the squad adequately.
If Porto has another good season, they won't fire Sergio. Which leaves only 1 club that will be looking for a coach, cause we all know Pesseiro isn't a long term solution.
Would love to see Jardim back, but my gut still tells me JJ will be at SCP again next year provided FCP doesn't make a coaching change.
JJ has said he's returning to Portugal next season. I can't see him going to Benfica. I can't see him going to a smaller club. If porto sticks with Sergio, it only leaves SCP as Pesseiros contract is for 1 year with a option.
That was before a crazy man left the club in shambles. I doubt Varandas will make the same manic mistakes.
JJ publically threw his support behind Varandas and is on his Honour Guard. That being said, LJ would be nice to have but going from Monaco to SCP would be tough.
That's why I believe JJ will return to SCP if he indeed returns to Portugal next year like he's stated. NO coach is perfect, but I'd rather have JJ over Pesseiro any day of the week.