When: Thursday 10/25 @ 12:55 EST. TV: B/R Live, check local Spanish tv listings as well. 10 wins on the trot with our first “real” European test although quarabag put up more of a fight than we expected. I expect a strong side as a win will likely mean we win the group. Not even going to guess at the lineup, but I think we will see Ramsey and auba start along with guen. Not sure about the rest, but don’t really care. The team seems to be on fire and I expect “next man up” mentality to keep it going.
Right back on schedule with @crazy150... the thread-starting machine!! This away match seems tricky to me. I don't follow Portugal but I presume that Sporting are, as usual, one of the better teams there. Healthy rotation is called for, but will he?? His hands might be tied in the back line... if Sokratis is still not fit, and Nacho is going to be out for a while. Lastly, I checked my DVR and it says that Gala and Futura are going with Anderlecht/Fenerbahce and Milan/Betis. So for me, who is not exactly dying to plunk down $10/mo for B/R, I'm either going to skip this one live or go back to r/soccerstreams for the first time in I can't remember
Oh yeah right. Did they ever fire that divisive manager/director of theirs? Did the players who revolted and wanted to force their way out of Sporting, succeed??
I just realized that there's another way to watch this match on B/R for $3! https://live.bleacherreport.com/soccer/soccer-tournament/events/arsenal-fc-sporting-cp/52618 Edit: And better yet?! I just found it's also on Univision Deportes on my TV. All good.
Hey guys, hope for a good game tomorrow. Cheers! Yes the president was voted out by the club members. Many of the players did leave the club citing just cause to break their contract (Rui Patricio went to Wolves, Gelson Martins to Atletico Madrid) but some did return (Bas Dost, Bruno Fernandes). Still, the team isn't in the best of form as we're obviously in a transition season, so you guys will be favourites. Still hoping for a competitive match.
I'm confident about this one. With all due respect to Sporting, we've been in good form and the turmoil from their offseason can't be helping them. I'm thinking Welbz has a big night and Auba and Ramsey are prime candidates to get on the scoring sheet as well.
I didn't notice Jenks in the training pictures. I have no idea where he's at development wise, so I'd feel better if he's just along for the ride. Also didn't see Nacho... if he plays it will be without any recent training... I hope Emery doesn't risk making his hammie worse. I did spot Sokratis & Lichsteiner in the background of one or two photos, so that might give us the cover we need. And of course now we know that Xhaka can play LB in an emergency. Also Danny was somewhat involved in training... a good sign for him, having supposedly got some sort of knock during Interlull.
Unfortunately I have DISH so I'm out due to Dish's ongoing carriage dispute with Univision, which also effects Telefutura and also Galavision, in which they also own.
Not sure if Xhaka at LB or 3 man back line with no true WBs? Assume 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-2-2-2 with Xhaka at LB.
Sokratis back in the XI... yesssssssssssssssssssss! And overall I like that line-up a lot. And I wonder if Cech was left behind because he's not quite fit, or because the manager is allowing him to save face a little longer, while he continues with Leno? In any case... COYG!!!!
Sokratis a lucky boy. Could've seen red there, when he had a hold of his opponent's shirt to stop him from having a 1-on-1 with Leno. WWVD? p.s. Reminded me a lot of our lucky break w/ Holding's handball on Monday. Let's push on and turn this match in our favor! Like we did then
Meanwhile Nani with a shameless dive in the box. Earns him a talking to by the ref. This game seems to have the potential to descend into an ugly affair. Let's hope not.
You can blame it on DST? No worries, you just caught the best action of the game so far: PEA with 2 point-blank shots in 2 minutes, both requiring solid saves by their keep.