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| Thursday, 26 April 2012 09:44 |
Ricardo Sa Pinto: “We are focused and with a strong desire to win”Athletic Bilbao v Sporting preview After two epic Champions League semi-finals, attention now turns to the same stage of the Europa League. Sporting defend a 2-1 first-leg lead at Athletic Bilbao’s mythical San Mames stadium tonight with their sights firmly set on reaching a European final for the third time in their history.
Despite the reputation of an infernal atmosphere at the venue, Sporting coach Ricardo Sa Pinto insists his team will not be affected. “We will not be afraid. We have played in atmospheres just as hostile or worse, such as in Manchester, against City, and in Warsaw, against Legia. The atmosphere in Poland was very, very difficult - the more difficult of the two,” said Pinto.
Since taking over as Sporting boss in February, Pinto has won nine out of nine games at home, but his record away from the Alvalade is less impressive. Seven games have yielded three defeats, two draws and two victories. Indeed, the Lions have won none of their seven Europa League away matches this season. On the plus side, they have scored in each of the three away ties in the knockout stages, goals that have proved crucial in making progress this far.
Pinto recognises how important away goals could be. “We are not going to change our way of playing. Regardless of the opponents, we always believe we can win. This game will be no different.”
Izmailov outThe Portuguese side have to overcome a major absentee. Midfielder Marat Izmailov has been in outstanding form in recent months, but the extravagantly talented Russian is suspended. Better news is that both Matias Fernandez and Jeffren have overcome injuries and are ready to play if called upon.
The Sporting coach, together with veteran defender Anderson Polga, will be especially motivated to book a date with either Atletico Madrid or Valencia in Bucharest, in order to help exorcise the memory of the 2005 defeat in the final played in Sporting’s home stadium. Both Pinto and Polga played in the loss to CSKA Moscow. “I played the UEFA Cup final in 2005. Now I hope to reach the final of the competition again as a coach,” added Pinto.
However, any thoughts of misty-eyed emotion getting in the way of preparations were swiftly dismissed by a sober dose of realism from the coach. “We haven’t made any plans for future journeys. I have a lot of respect for football. Football has taught me humility and the capacity to understand that anything can happen. What I know is that we are prepared, focused, concentrated and with a strong desire to win,” concluded Pinto.
Although missing Izmailov, the rest of the team should be well rested. Of the probable starters tonight, only Rui Patricio, Xandao and Daniel Carrico were in the initial line-up in Sunday’s victory at Nacional da Madeira.
While an intimidating atmosphere awaits the Green and Whites, Sporting’s players will not be feeling alone. A large contingent of away fans have made the trip from the Portuguese capital to the Basque country. Sporting’s allocation of 3,000 tickets was snapped up in a flash. Back in Lisbon, there will be another big crowd at the Alvalade Stadium, which will open its doors and screen the match live.
Likely Sporting starting XI:
Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Polga, Xandao, Insua, Carrico, Schaars, Andre Martins, Matias Fernandez, Wolfswinkel, Capel
by Tom Kundert
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Bilbao are going to come at them pretty hard but they will be vulnerable at the back. Sporting need to watch for this and take their chances when they come. ON TO BUCHAREST!!! FORCA SPORTING!