Good game, easily best of the pre season so far. BF was his standard unreal. Ilori has made at least one critical error in every game so far. Vietto unfortunately continues to offer nothing. Hopefully he just needs to get more comfortable with the team..
This issue for me is teams are paying for "potential" instead of "finished" product. Reverse the roles, felix in a SCP jersey and Fernandes in a Benfica jersey based on last years stats, who get's more? Does Felix still get 120m? I'd bet no.
Of course not, because Sporting isn't Benfica. Same reason someone with a ton of potential on Real Madrid would be sold for a lot more than someone with a ton of potential on Valencia.
2-1 Valencia. Coates with one of his dumb runs forward and we lose possession and get countered hard.
Before anything else, Matheus Pereira, Gelson Dala and Ivanildo Fernandes were not announced, which probably means they're out of the squad (either loan or sale). For example Battaglia was announced even though there were rumours of an exit. As for the pre-season as a whole, if we go by the results, then there's definitely some concern. No wins in the whole pre-season. But we did have good performances against Liverpool and Valencia (1st half). There were moments of one touch football and mobility, and it seems Keizer is willing to play a 4-4-2 to accomodate a front 2 of Vietto and Dost (golaço today from the Dutchman). But the Argentinian hasn't really shown anything yet and Dost not much better. We also still have issues with defensive positioning and defensive transitions. GK: Seems to be set in stone - Renan and Max Left Back: Thierry Correia has had enough chances this pre-season that it seems like he will be an option. We haven't seen any of Rosier and Ristovski through injury so Correia could be playing for the start of the season. Centre Back: Coates is very rusty and Neto has looked sharp, I would start Neto and Mathieu right now based on form. Ilori is awful and a flop, I would replace with Ivanildo but it doesn't seem to be happening. Right Back: Acuna and Borja will be the options unless something changes in the transfer window. Midfield: Doumbia had a great outing this last game, although he still has some work to do - he's only 20. Questions obviously about if/when Battaglia will return. Wendel is a definite starter with Eduardo a solid back-up. As for Bruno Fernandes... nothing new we didn't know already. Bragança and Miguel Luis will likely be loaned out. Wingers: Raphinha has good dribbling and speed but a lot of bad decisions and passes. Diaby was woeful, tripping over himself and everything, Yannick Djalo 2.0. Plata could be a revelation this season. Camacho is an unknown to me at this point. Since Matheus is likely leaving we need a solid winger big time. Forwards: Dost with a great goal today but offers nothing else. Phellype would still be a starter for me but we need a top striker who does more than be a pylon. Vietto could still kick it up a gear as a secondary striker. Summary: we have a better squad than last year with more depth, but we absolutely still need a top winger (preferably left footed as we have an excess of right-footed players) and a starting #9 to be truly competitive. Hopefully we can get rid of more deadweight players to free up space for these signings.
Today signals the official end of pre-season with a Super Cup derby between us and arch-rivals Benfica. Starting XI: Sporting: Renan; Thierry Correia, Coates, Neto, Mathieu; Doumbia, Wendel, Acuña, Bruno Fernandes; Raphinha, Bas Dost Benfica: Vlachodimos; Nuno Tavares, Rúben Dias, Ferro, Grimaldo; Gabriel, Florentino, Rafa, Pizzi; Raul de Tomas, Seferovic
Goal. Benfica. When you don't take your chances... Pizzi to Rafa who shoots first time. Thierry so far with a good game but caught ball watching a bit
Kinda hard too on a far post finish. Not much Renan can do. Correia got burned ball Watchung and left him wide open.
Thierry was good until the goal. Neto was good too. He can long pass from the back which is a plus. Doumbia and Wendel looked good. One for his physicality, the other being able to link defense to attack. Acuna looks rusty, Bruno doesnt seem 100% and Dost had a couple touches but is still a player that doesn't run or close down anyone.
Yea agree on this. Raphinha has been immense so far. Acuna brings nothing to this team. Same with Dost. Just doesn't fit Keizers style