Filipe Alexandre Dias on Sporting player's display: best not mention it | OneFootball

Filipe Alexandre Dias analyzed the match between Sporting and Santa Clara (4-2). The expert assessed the performance of the Lions’ team and pointed out shortcomings in some players from the green-and-white club, namely Souleymane Faye, considering that the winger had a game to forget.

“It was not an immediate recovery. It is true that Sporting turned things around and took care of business even before half-time, but the Azorean goal came very early, before the game had any structure. More than that: the two-time champion felt the blow. Sporting appeared with a rotational starting eleven, without some key pieces, and the team’s structure wobbled. Especially in a back line that was almost entirely patched together, which shook whenever Santa Clara — who came out bold and intense — used pace. It took inspiration up front to make the difference”, it can be read in the newspaper 'Record'.

Regarding the absence of Morten Hjulmand, Filipe Alexandre Dias says it was felt especially in defense: “Very much so, but in the defensive process. In possession and when increasing the tempo, Sporting gradually managed to impose themselves and the goals came naturally. The penalty was the unlocker and the talent of players like Bragança, Morita, Pote and Trincão did much of the rest. But without the ball the Lions suffered and had little physical presence. They lacked aggression in winning it back. In fact, Sporting’s permissiveness in their own final third was a constant. And that Quaresma-Debast pairing did not convince...”

The introduction of players from the bench was also assessed: “Maxi, Hjulmand and João Simões did not bring all the balance that was expected. It’s better not to even talk about Faye... Sporting had greater control, but Petit was happier and more accurate when he brought Gonçalo Paciência off the bench. The forward caused all sorts of problems, cut the deficit, put the Azoreans back in the game, and the Lion was only spared further suffering thanks to Rafael Nel’s goal... which fully justified his place in the starting eleven”.

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