A traditionally tough trip to Madeira to face newly promoted Nacional. It's Been a couple of years since the island teams were in the top flight. SPORTING Starting XI: Kovacevic; Eduardo Quaresma, Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio; Daniel Bragança, Hidemasa Morita, Geovany Quenda, Geny Catamo; Francisco Trincão, Pote, Viktor Gyökeres. SUBS: Franco Israel, Matheus Reis, Debast, Edwards, Dário Essugo, Fresneda, Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Esgaio, Gabriel Silva
We're starting to have a deep squad beyond the starting XI, which is good to see. Hjulmand was injured, but Bragança slotted right in. Esgaio? Haven't seen him at all with Quenda sitting him finally, and Fresneda is there too. Geny has been putting a shift on the left and with Maxi Araujo potentially coming, plenty of depth on the wings with Nuno Santos too. Remember the days we had the worst full backs, like Grimi, Pereirinha, Cedric... Just need that striker depth and GK is a question mark still but I'm liking our options.
80 goals and 54 assists for Pote. In 4 years at Sporting Too bad he ain't Portuguese, maybe we could use him
Porto and Benfica both losing more depth as Evanilson and David Neres have been sold off Porto in particular look the thinnest that they have in many years
Porto are in big financial trouble so they'll probably go with the youth. I feel like Benfica Will make a big signing before the window closes.
1-0! They finally crack. We needed that, as if they'd managed to snatch something it could have made this a horrible match. Took 11 shots, and 2 great saves from their side.
Gyokeres with his second from the spot! 2-0 no more than we deserve, Farense's sitting in a low block won't do much for them now
And just like that it's 4-0. Gyokeres hat trick and an own goal, and it's another rout. Good warm up for next week's derby
Another demolition, 14 goals in 3 games. But the real test is up next vs Porto, we need to stay focused and learn from the Supertaça Gyo with 3 goals and our front line is crazy, but can Morita get a shoutout? This little samurai is the motor of our team, he just doesn't stop running