6 December 2006, by Marco Pereira

Sporting 1-3 Spartak Moscow – match reaction

Sporting coach, Paulo Bento:

“We did not achieve our minimum objective. We permitted our opponents to get the advantage when we knew that we could have had two results that would have served us. Then we had to chase the damage done.”

“We reduced the deficit which gave us added energy for the second half. As against Benfica we started well, constructed some chances on goal, we hit the crossbar, but our opponents also created dangerous chances.”

“It is a bad moment for the team. The game in the championship was not decisive, but this was. It is a difficult moment that the team is experiencing.”

Joao Moutinho, Sporting midfielder:

“In this group phase of the Champions League we had some bad luck. We didn’t manage to finish the opportunities we had and unfortunately it cost us dearly.”

“We suffered two early goals, and after we played good football, and I believe we deserved at least a draw. We had a lack of luck when the ball hit the crossbar and after we did not manage to score the equaliser. We paid dearly for the small mistakes that we made.”

Carlos Bueno, Sporting striker:

“We are out of a cup that was important to us, but football is like that. After my goal, we were motivated to get the equaliser, but unfortunately, we did not manage it. They shut us down really well.”

Vladimir Fedotov, Spartak Moscow coach:

“All’s well that ends well. We ended the season in Russia in second place with the same amount of points as CSKA Moscow and now, in the Champions League, despite being in a difficult group, we managed a good result and are in the UEFA Cup.”

“I am very content with the team, with the effort by the players and the tactical choice which gave a good result. I do not like to individualise, but all of the players in defence were good.”

Sporting 1-3 Spartak Moscow - Match Report