Sporting scare England: “I wouldn't fancy facing them” | OneFootball

Sporting’s Champions League debut did not go unnoticed outside Portugal. The 3-1 win over Galatasaray, secured with a second-half comeback, drew plenty of praise, especially for the quality and intensity shown by the Lions.

On CBS Sports, Mike Grella, the former American forward who played for Brentford and Leeds, said he was won over by Rui Borges’ team. “If I were a defender, I wouldn’t want to play against Sporting. This is how football should be played.”

The former player also highlighted the traits he most appreciates in the Lisbon side. “The game is evolving toward younger, more athletic, quicker and more technical players. And Sporting have all of that. The way they play is so enjoyable to watch,” he added.

Troy Deeney, also a former Premier League striker, was even more forceful in his comparison with Galatasaray. “With all the talent Galatasaray have… it looked like all the money had been spent on Sporting’s side”, he said, in a clear criticism of the Turkish team’s performance.

The praise reinforces the impact of the green-and-whites’ European debut. After going behind, Sporting delivered a performance that resonated beyond Portugal’s borders.

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