We're in Group A this year with Varzim, Setubal and Arouca. First match is tomorrow (Nov. 30) at 6:15 pm local time / 1:15 pm EST vs. Arouca at Alvalade.
1-0 win, Alan Ruiz with the only goal. Not the best performance but some of the less-used players got minutes today.
Our next match is at home vs. Varzim When: Tomorrow (Friday, December 30th) at 9:15 pm local / 4:15 pm EST Where: Estadio Jose Alvalade Round 1 results: Sporting 1-0 Arouca Varzim 1-0 Setubal
1-0 win, not convincing at all, still relying on Gelson for everything offensively. Castaignos + Dost works when there's 15 mins left in a match and you need a goal, but other than that it does not work at all. Midfield again with so many bad passes, Adrien ended up subbed off through injury, hopefully not too serious but he was having a poor game. Gelson again MOTM - his footwork is incredible, still lacking that killer instinct
Ditto. I was sweating it, hoping that there wouldn't be a late equalizer . Varzim hang in there 'til the end, with a bit of luck to be sure. The two flying Dutchmen could fly right out of Sporting and an improvement it would be. They sucked on the day, again. Why not give PO a game ? JJ, you suck too!
Gelson is a Carrillo clone, easily beats defenders, very tricky player, but always always makes the wrong decision when it counts. Hopefully we'll see a lot of players leave and a couple come in.
He's way better than Carrillo on ball control and dribbling, but second place on passing. Equal on shooting ability,but you wouldn't think so today . What a goal .
Rewatched the game and Bas Dost very unlucky he could of had a hat trick he was very wasteful and would time his runs very late and Gelson was feeding him all game long. Hopefully for you're clubs sake the likes of Spalvis absolutely do the job in the second half of the season. Gelson is on another level he reminded me of the 2004 version of Quaresma absolutely made that fullback his. Spalvis is back from injury and will be a big help. Also I always liked Markovic and hope he comes good as he is a talented player, I would start him over Bruno Cesar all day
Markovic over Bruno Cesar? Oh hell nooooooooooooooooo Spalvis is a very unknown quantity. And for what we paid for Dost, he'd best start burying those chances. Gotta have more players help carry the scoring load in the second half of the season. Let's set Adrien loose a bit more, and get Campbell going opposite Gelson. Bryan as the 10, or support striker.
Yeah Markovic has been trash. That kid is done. Bruno Cesar has been 1000x better in his tenure here even if on paper he has half the talent. And I agree nate. That's the formation I've been hoping to see since this team was put together. Also I don't know how many games this year we could say Dost should've finished with a hat trick. But there's mutliple. He really should be tops in scoring in Portugal.
Once again , I see Joel Campbell not as effective when starting as opposed to coming in in the 2nd half. Didn't have a good game.
Marko hasn't made any mark while wearing green. Agreed . He's nowhere near Slimani's accomplishments as a lion.
I still think I'd like to give it a string of a few games and give him a fair shot. But otherwise you're right. Evidence this season has shown that his best role is supersub off the bench.
And yet he played better than Bryan has all season. I think Campbell was the only player that did anything besides gelson.
Which bodes badly on future games imo, although I thought Bruno Cesar had a decent game, better than Joel.
Setubal vs Sporting - 3rd and final round of the group phase. A draw is enough to qualify for the knockout round. Jefferson, Markovic and Castaignos starting. Gelson, Adrien on the bench
Halftime. 1-0 to Setubal. Poor poor first half, defense continues to be poor with Douglas looking shaky and the full backs once again lacking (i can't believe we're not looking for fullbacks). We also have almost nothing going forward. Markovic once again useless, Bryan with a lot of bad passes, Castaignos invisible, Campbell can't put a cross in today.