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| Thursday, 15 March 2012 22:06 |
Sporting oust Manchester City to make Europa Liga quarter-finalsManchester City 2-3 Sporting (agg. 3-3, Sporting win on away goals) Sporting are into the last eight of the Europa League after a dramatic match at the Etihad Stadium tonight. A brilliant first hour from the Lions was crowned with goals from Matias Fernandez and Wolfswinkel. But a Sergio Aguero inspired fight-back from City saw them get to within one goal of turning the tie on its head thanks to a brace from the Argentine and a Balotelli penalty. If the final second of stoppage time Manchester City goalkeeper Hart headed what looked like the winner but Rui Patricio tipped his effort wide and Sporting were into the next round. Ricardo Sa Pinto made one change from the first leg, Bruno Pereirinha coming in to replace the suspended Joao Pereira.
Roberto Mancini went for a much more attacking line up with a 1-0 defict from the first leg to chase. Sergio Aguero was supported by Mario Balotelli, David Silva and Adam Johnson. Sporting opened the game well and were bright in the first 10 minutes, with a Xandao header from a corner not missing by much with Joe Hart beaten. Manchester City responded with an Adam Johnson volley from the right-hand side that flew wide of the target. Anderson Polga had to do well to block Mario Balotelli's strike from the right-hand side as the home side looked to threaten early on, but Sporting weathered a brief storm and always looked dangerous going forward. Matias opens scoring in styleThe Portuguese team opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Mario Balotelli fouled Emiliano Insua five yards outside the area and Matias Fernandez stepped up to take the free kick. It was an excellent strike from the in-form Chilean and Joe Hart's palm was not enough to deny Sporting the lead.
City immediately pressured once more with a series of corners but Sporting managed to survive. Sporting doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Bruno Pereirinha picked up the ball on the right and found Marat Izmailov. The Russian crossed early and Ricky van Wolfswinkel was on hand to finish from close range. Roberto Mancini made a change at half time in an attempt to bring his side back into the game, Nigel de Jong coming on for Adam Johnson, then followed that up soon after by bringing on Edin Dzeko for David Pizarro. Aguero gives City hopeThe changes seemed to make the difference as after 60 minutes Yaya Toure found Sergio Aguero and the Argentinian finished well to give hope to Manchester City.
Ricardo Sa Pinto reacted by changing his team's tactics bringing on defensive minded Renato Neto for Diego Capel as well as introducing Jeffren in place of Matias Fernandez. It was City pressure for almost the entire second half as Sporting only went forward on the counter attack. City's comeback continued in the 75th minute when Renato Neto brought down Sergio Aguero inside the box. Mario Balotelli coolly slotted home with Rui Patricio rooted to the spot. Sergio Aguero put Manchester City ahead on the night with an opportunistic finish from a corner as Sporting threatened to collapse after holding such a strong position at the interval. The home side pressed and pressed for the 4th goal to put them ahead on aggregate as Sporting tried to waste time and play for the result. Goalkeeper versus goalkeeperIt was almost an incredible ending when City goalkeeper Joe Hart, coming forward at for the last throw of the dice, had a free header in the final second of the match, only for his opposite number, Rui Patricio, to deny him with a fingertip save.
Sa Pinto's side rode their luck in the second half but will feel they deserved to go through on their showing in the first leg and in the first half of the second leg. by Richard Cole
Sporting: Rui Patricio, Pereirinha, Xandao, Polga, Insua, Carrico, Matias Fernandez (Renato Neto, 64), Schaars, Izmailov, Capel (Jeffren, 64), Wolfswinkel (Carrillo, 68) Manchester City: Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Kolo Toure, Savic, Kolarov, Pizarro (Dzeko, 55), Adam Johnson (De Jong, HT), David Silva (Nasri, 66), Yaya Toure, Balotelli, Aguero Goals: [0-1] Matias Fernandez, 33 [0-2] Wolfswinkel, 41 [1-2] Aguero, 60 [2-2] Balotelli, 75 (pen) [3-2] Aguero, 82 Follow PortuGOAL on Twitter and Facebook |
Although Rui Patricio while a great keeper needs start practising defending his penalties. ;P
There is lots of space to go all the way
I twould be pure Magic if Benfica won the Champion's League and Sporting won the Europa.
Wishful thinking I know, but nonetheless I cheer for Portugal and ALL portuguese squads in european competition. In the Domestic League well...
SLB SLB SLB!!!!!!!
Viva O Glorioso
Best regards from Turkey
Galatasaray Fans
Superrrrr marıoooooo jardel jardel!!!!
Regardless, it was a heart-stopping evening of sensational football from Sporting, a true team effort. When was the last time this team put an hour of football together like it did today? The 2005 UEFA Cup final run?
The first hour was tremendous and it took a lot of stones for Sporting to walk into Manchester and play that way. Kudos galore to Sa Pinto there.
A note on Balotelli--the guy is nuts. Truly. He's a jackass. A cancer to any team he plays for. No need for his attitude, behavior or stupidity. He's too talented to behave like that. Gross, immature idiot. The sooner he goes away, the better.
After looking at the remaining 7 teams in the competition, I'd say that Sporting have a great shot of making a deep run, and maybe even winning it. Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, and Schalke are the best teams left in the competition. There are also Hannover, AZ Alkamaar (Schaars' old club), and Metalist Kharkiv.
I am absolutely thrilled!!! Sporting showed that despite alot of arrogance from City fans, SCP and Portugal has alot of great talent, and should not be underestimated.
SCP vindicated the Portuguese League, to a degree, to those who don't take it seriously.
FORCA SPORTING!
unfortunately british media won't ever lose their ignorance, they can't understand that there are big clubs outside of england, madrid and barcelona. Parabéns Sporting!
When Sporting were up by two goals, I was ecstatic, but I knew that they would have to weather a storm towards the end of the game. The unrelenting pressure imposed by Man City in the last 30 minutes was unbeleivable and Sporting successfully soaked it all up. Balotelli's "penalty" was ridiculous, Neto tripped him up outside the box. Man City were outplayed over the course of the whole tie and I have to admit that I really enjoy watching Balotelli scowl and pout.
As a Sportinguista, this game made me very proud and I would like to congratulate Sporting and Sa Pinto for winning and for showing the rest of Europe how to topple a "mighty" collection of paychecks.