Sporting relive nightmare unseen for 22 years in the Portuguese league | OneFootball

Sporting are experiencing an unusual start to the league campaign, and the numbers help explain the concern surrounding the team. The Lions have conceded four goals in the first two league matches, something that had not happened since the 2004/05 season, exactly 22 years ago.

In both matches, Rui Borges's side managed to build comfortable leads but failed to control the games until the end. In Reboleira, Sporting were 2-0 up before allowing Estrela da Amadora to fight back and eventually equalise in the closing stages.

The same scenario was repeated at Alvalade. After an excellent first half, which ended with the Lions leading 3-0, Vitória de Guimarães responded after the break and scored twice in just two minutes, leaving the Lisbon side in trouble once again. Despite the scare, this time Sporting managed to hold on to their lead and pick up their first three points.

Defensive frailties have been one of the main causes for concern at the start of the season. In addition to the four goals conceded, Rui Silva has also come in for criticism, especially after the mistake he made in Estrela da Amadora's equaliser.

To find a league start in which Sporting conceded so many goals in the first two rounds, you have to go back to 2004/05, when José Peseiro's team beat Gil Vicente 3-2 and then lost 2-0 to Vitória de Setúbal. The contrast with last season is even greater: at the same stage, the Lions had scored eight goals and conceded none, after beating Casa Pia (2-0) and Arouca (6-0).

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