 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 16 September 2010 21:01 |
New-look Sporting win in FranceLille 1-2 Sporting First-half goals from Vukcevic and Postiga, both set up by Abel (pictured) gave an unfamiliar-looking Sporting an excellent 2-1 win away at Lille in the Europa League tonight. The French side pulled a goal back through Frau but could not deny the Lions a deserved win.
Coach Paulo Sergio undertook a radical overhaul of the starting XI, making nine changes to the side that took to the pitch against Olhanense on Saturday, giving competitive debuts to Argentinean centre-back Torsiglieri and young winger Diogo Salomao.
Despite all the changes, Sporting looked a cohesive unit from the off as they made a confident start in what was theoretically their most difficult match in Grupo C. The two debutants had their moments, but it was Spanish midfielder Zapater, striker Postiga and much-maligned central defender Polga who really caught the eye.
Sporting settled immediately and were two up shortly after the half hour as Vukcevic and Postiga made the most of two fine crosses from Abel. Postiga’s goal was a throwback to the striker’s best moments early in his career, as he climbed superbly to thud a powerful header into the top corner.
The visitors thoroughly deserved their comfortable two-goal lead going into the interval. Lille improved in the second half, and halved the deficit on 58 minutes as Tiago failed to hold on to Hazard’s fierce shot and Frau knocked in the rebound. As heavy rain began to fall the home team surged forward in search of an equaliser, but Sporting held on without undue alarm, with Polga marshalling the defence with authority.
Paulo Sergio, Sporting coach:“The victory fits Sporting like a glove, as we played very well. The changes were not made thinking of the Benfica game. The changes were made thinking of this game and to reinforce the confidence of my players. I don’t guarantee that the players who did not play tonight will play on Sunday.”
by Tom Kundert
Lille: Landreau, Debuchy, Rami, Rozenhal, Vandam (Emerson, 39), Dumont (Hazard, 39), Mavuba (Cabaye, 74), Balmont, Gervinho, Frau, Obraniak
Yellow Cards: Rami, Debuchy
Sporting:
Tiago, Abel, Daniel Carrico, Polga, Torsiglieri, Vukcevic (Joao Pereira, 73), Zapater, Andre Santos, Diogo Salomao (Evaldo, 82), Saleiro (Nuno Andre Coelho, 91), Postiga
Yellow Cards: Torsiglieri, Vukcevic, Carrico, Polga
Goals: [0-1] Vukcevic, 11
[0-2] Postiga, 34
[1-2] Frau, 58
|
Disappointing results domestically but some impressive displays in Europe?
Quite unusual for a Portuguese side but Sporting seem to have a knack of doing it...