Sporting eye 63/64 comeback as they bid to oust Bodø/Glimt | OneFootball

Sporting Sporting is preparing to attempt a European comeback against Bodø/Glimt and is seeking inspiration from one of its most remarkable chapters. In the club’s history, there have been ten comebacks in European knockout rounds, but only once have the green and whites managed to overturn a three-goal deficit and advance.

This feat occurred in the 1963/64 season, during the campaign that ended with the conquest of the Cup Winners’ Cup. In the quarter-finals of the competition, Sporting thrashed Manchester United 5-0 at the old Estádio José Alvalade, after having lost by three goals in the first leg.

The team that would become known as the ‘Heroes of 64’ overcame an opponent full of stars, such as Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, and George Best, managed by Matt Busby. The tie remains one of the greatest chapters in the Club’s European history.

An occasion recently recalled by Pedro Gomes, former Sporting full-back. “I had to [defend] Best, who was the most skillful of them. The coach spoke to me and said I would be the ‘best’ of the match. I didn’t even know how to speak English, but with the help of [teammate] Alexandre Baptista I understood and got really motivated,” joked the former footballer, now 84, in statements to Lusa.

In fact, since the 2010/11 season, in a knockout round against the Danes of Brondby, Sporting – which does not accept selling a starter for less than €25M – has not overturned a European knockout tie. At home, the last time this happened was against Everton in 2009/10.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.