Sunday, March 5 @ 8:15 pm local time / 3:15 pm EST Location: Estadio Jose Alvalade - Lisbon, Portugal Sporting CP: Current league position: 3rd Current league record: 14W-5D-4L 42 goals scored / 24 goals conceded Rio Ave: Current league position: 5th Current league record: 11W-6D-6L 31 goals scored / 25 goals conceded
ONZE DO SPORTING: Rui Patrício; Schelotto, Coates, Paulo Oliveira e Esgaio; William, Bruno César, Gelson e Bryan Ruiz; Alan Ruiz e Bas Dost Esgaio playing in Jefferson's place Bruno Cesar in place of Palhinha
Esgaio put a beautiful ball into the box, right to Bas Dost. I thought it was wasted when he headed it back to the spot but Dost knew where he was putting that ball lol. Dost-A.Ruiz pairing continues to make me happy 1-0
Halftime 1-0 Bas Dost hasn't scored but has shown some really nice technique. With a more balanced squad next year this Alan/Dost duo can really shine. William also having one of his better games. Also looks like Paulo Oliveira has definitely benched Ruben Semedo. Esgaio on the left has been burned by Hernani several times but his inverted cross is what led to the goal.
Bryan ruiz with another mediocre game, should be subbed off soon. But no its alan ruiz who comes off... Campbell on Palhinha on for Bruno Cesar
He almost cost a goal earlier in the half with that atrocious turnover in the mid field. Luckily Coates got back in time to cut it out
********ing knew 1 goal wouldn't hold up. Guimarães speed on that front line was gonna burn us eventually for 1 1-1
How frustrating are these last 15 minutes? Did we even have a shot on goal? No urgency whatsoever they don't even care anymore. Also we never win with this awful ref Jorge Sousa
Yeah our subs were a mistake, not to put blame on Palhinha or Campbell but the removal of A. Ruiz and Bruno Cesar were poor choices in a 1-0 game. Meanwhile Rafael Martins came in for Guimarães and immediately made an impact.
Credit to Guimaraes and Pedro Martins for playing well and not parking the bus. But this ref is cursed for us - in the first half there was a foul on Bruno Cesar which was a clear red card and would have changed the game.
Picking a proper lineup, getting a LB and RB in January, and a coach who doesn't suck ass would've changed the game too. In fact, it would've changed the season