What a horrid second-half display from Sporting versus Sunderland. Losing 3-1 is not a good start, I would rather loose these games, but come on boys were at home we can do better. The defense looked shaky considering no regulars started together. PB mixed the mid/defense, and looked lost most of the time. The offense still has Tiui as option, not good. Can't wait till the team has all the options, that joined today. I still see a lack of depth, but a bit better then last year.
first half, Carrico-Polga were immaculate. Second half..tonel-caniera-pedro silva were horrible. Adrien-rochemback dominated in the first..but rochemback alone in midfield is never going to work as seen in the second.
Carrico did play well, just had one poor giveaway, but with more game experience he'll compete for a spot. Yannick had golden opportunity, but his lack of finishing is starting to be annoying. Hope he works this out this weekend. Were doomed with Tiago as a backup, and yet we let Nelson, and Stoik go for nothing. Roka did look good at times, but his lack of game situation surfaced. He seems fit, and gives us that lethal outside shot. Not sure why Tiui was left on the squad, and Saleiro left off.
The next game is on the 26th vs another English club, Blackburn in the Torneio do Guadiana. That will be followed on the 27th with another Torneio match vs SL Benfica.
All games will be live on SPT USA starting time for all matches 4:15PM EST. Friday: SLB-Blackburn Saturday: Sporting-Blackburn Sunday: Sporting-SLB
Sporting won 2-1 today vs Blackburn, also won on the PK tie breaker. Moutinho, Patricio, and Postiga were in the lineup, and right away we saw a improvement over last weeks loss. Sporting went doen 1-0 against the run of play, but dominated possesion, and the tying wasn't far off. Beautiful goal from Pedro Silva with a 30yd bomb off a unusual set piece. Adrien looks really good out there, and so did Postiga. Postiga is not in game form yet, but that will come with time. The whole team played well, and are starting to look ready for the Super Taca Cup with Porto. PB is giving just about everyone a chance to play, The players are making it hard for him to pick a starting lineup, which BTW is a good thing. Benfas are next, and we know their going to come out all guns firing, considering they lost yesterday vs Blackburn, and have nothing to play for.
Only one thing to say of the match with the Benfas, too much Sporting. The defense was solid with the CD duo of Polga, and Tonel. Abel filled the right, and Grimi on the left. Unusual start for Caneira at DM, with Roka at CM. Izmailov, and Pipi filling the other midfield spots. Derlei, and Yannick up front. Great to see how they both assisted on each others goals. Tiago started in goal, but didn't have much work, besides a few corner kicks, and a shot by Aimar. Ronny then subbed Grimi, and Adrien for Caneira. Pereirinha, and Postiga later subbed Pipi, and Derlei. Sporting dominated more of the play, and it took a few poor mistakes from Benfas defense for Sporting to take the well deserved lead. Sporting won the tourney without a loss, and better yet NO MOUTINHO.
"O Sporting empatou esta noite com o PSV Eindhoven (1-1), no jogo de apresentação da equipa leonina aos sócios. Vukcevic (6m) inaugurou o marcador, pertencendo a Wuytens (88m) o tento do empate da equipa holandesa, quando os «leões» jogavam reduzidos a dez, por expulsão de Pedro Silva (84m). " Sporting 1-1 PSV