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| Thursday, 26 April 2012 21:06 |
Llorente sinks shattered SportingLions bow out of Europe after thrilling second leg Sporting produced a fine performance at the San Mames tonight, but eventually folded under the relentless pressure of Athletic Bilbao, exiting this season’s Europa League 4-3 on aggregate. Van Wolfswinkel’s crisp finish sandwiched first half goals from Susaeta and Ibai Gomez, and extra time appeared inevitable; but Fernando Llorente struck agonisingly late to end another memorable European campaign from the Lions.
Ricardo Sa Pinto continued to keep faith with young Andre Martins, handing the 22 year-old a third consecutive start alongside Stijn Schaars in midfield, with Daniel Carrico dropping to the substitutes’ bench. Bruno Pereirinha replaced the suspended Marat Izmailov, whilst fit-again Matias Fernandez returned to his playmaking role. Marcelo Bielsa took the unorthodox decision to announce his starting XI on the eve of the match, with the return of Javi Martinez the main change from last week’s first leg. Ibai Gomez replaced the suspended Oscar de Marcos for the Basque outfit.  Despite the presence of the ball-playing Martinez in the midfield, Athletic delivered a number of searching aerial deliveries in an opening that saw the home side pressing fiercely. However, Sporting soon settled, winning a corner with just over five minutes on the clock after some incisive running from Diego Capel. Athletic’s long ball strategy also resulted in an early opening, but Llorente was unable to gather a raking Martinez pass properly, under pressure from Xandao. As well as coming closest to scoring, Athletic also struck a psychological blow with ten minutes gone, when Van Wolfswinkel’s late challenge saw Martin Atkinson produce the first yellow card of the evening; one which ruled the Dutchman out of any potential final appearance.  Moments later, another swift raid forward from Athletic teed up Iker Muniain for a close-range strike, which was blocked at the last second by Andre Martins. The pressure from the home side was virtually unceasing, with some swift interplay between Muniain, Aurtenetxe and Susaeta denying Sporting both possession and time to recover. It had been a searing start by Athletic, and thus when the opener came, it was no great surprise. A succession of short, quick passes set Muniain free just outside the box, his cross was met by Llorente, and Susaeta finished the move, firing beyond Patricio from ten yards out. Sporting appealed for a foul in the build-up, but in vain. Superior as Athletic were in the opening 20 minutes, Sporting continued to plug away, and almost levelled the scores less than two minutes after falling behind. A surging run from Capel saw the Spaniard blocked off, but his persistence led to an opening on the left wing. Pereirinha had arrived unmarked at the back post and in space, but the utility man could only nudge his header over the bar from six yards out. That near miss signalled a slight lull, as both teams pulled back slightly to consider their positions. It lasted barely ten minutes, as the tempo ratcheted up again during the final quarter of an hour. Ibai put the ball in the net for Athletic but the forward was pulled up for offside, and Polga forced an instinctive save from Iraizoz with a near post header from an inswinging Capel corner. Athletic responded well, and with four minutes remaining until half time Llorente might have doubled their lead. The forward swatted at Susaeta ball’s in, but he was slightly off-balance and Patricio was able to divert his shot around the post.  At that point, Sporting would have taken the half time whistle, but what followed was 45 minutes’ worth of action crammed into just over three minutes. First, Sporting drew level through the hitherto quiet Van Wolfswinkel. A Fernandez corner was punched clear by Iraizoz, but Martins fired back in instantly, and the ball eventually fell to the Dutchman, who rifled home through a sea of legs to stun San Mames.They did not remain stunned for long, as Athletic strode up the field and calmly re-took the lead with a delightful goal. A dummy from Susaeta fed Llorente, and the imperious number nine produced a twinkle-toed through ball for Ibai, who gently lifted his shot over Patricio. It had been a half of undulating emotions for Sporting, and the final counterpunch from their relentless opponents left the Lions in a different but no less troublesome position to the one they had started the night in – needing a goal.  The entrance of Daniel Carrico in place of Fernandez signalled a second half tactical shift from Ricardo Sa Pinto, with Andre Martins taking up a more advanced role ahead of Schaars and the aforementioned number three. Carrico’s introduction did not prevent Llorente from being slipped through in the opening moments, but just as in the first half, some pressure from Polga and Xandao was enough to distract the number nine from testing Patricio. Not that the Sporting goalkeeper could afford to relax for a second. With 51 minutes gone, Susaeta received the ball just inside the box, bamboozled Anderson Polga with a deft nutmeg, and forced Patricio into a full-stretch save with a fierce strike. The resulting corner saw Javi Martinez strike the woodwork with a glancing header, but thankfully for the Lions, Polga was well placed to clear. Having ridden their luck once more, Sporting again managed to conjure up a moment of concern for their opponents, after Capel was needlessly fouled from 30 yards out. Insua stepped up purposefully, and unleashed a scud missile of a free kick that was scarcely slowed by a slight deflection and crashed off the post, with Iraizoz scrambling. As the hour mark passed, the tie was on a knife-edge.  As the clock continued to edge imperceptibly towards full time, the tension continued to mount. Roars of rage from the respective supporters greeted each refereeing decision, and the thought of extra time and penalties could almost be seen taking root in the minds of the players. The middle period of the half were therefore short on clear-cut chances, with Llorente’s header straight at Patricio on 67 minutes the pick of a limited bunch. Despite having made two changes to Athletic’s none, Sporting looked the more tired of the two sides as the game entered the last fifteen minutes of normal time. A series of piercing deliveries from the home side stretched Patricio, Xandao and Polga’s reflexes to breaking point, and likely did much the same to their coach’s nerves, as he pondered whether to stick or twist. The introduction of Andre Carrillo in place of Andre Martins with seven minutes left was the main talking point in a cagey, excruciatingly tense finale, as extra time loomed. Or so it seemed. All night Sporting’s defensive elastic had strained under the tension of Athletic’s attacking thrust, and with three minutes of normal time remaining, it was finally snapped for good. Another rapidly worked move left Ibai one-on-one with Joao Pereira five yards inside the box, and the forward managed to wrong-foot the Sporting right back just enough to fire towards goal. His cross took a slight deflection off Xandao, but Llorente was there to ahead of Polga to apply the most telling touch, the forward’s strike beating Patricio at his near post by the thinnest of margins. It was a characteristically breathless ending to one of the great ties involving Portuguese clubs of modern times – but unfortunately for Sa Pinto and Sporting, the ghosts of 2005 will remain very much at large. Goals [1-0] Susaeta 17’ [1-1] Van Wolfswinkel 44’ [2-1] Ibai Gomez 45’ [3-1] Llorente 87’ Athletic: Iraizoz, Aurtenetxe, Amorebieta, Iraola, Iturraspe, Ander Herrera (Inigo Perez 90’), Javi Martinez, Llorente, Susaeta, Muniain (Ekiza 89’), Ibai (Toquero 90’). Sporting: Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Polga, Xandao, Insua; Schaars, Andre Martins (Carrillo 83’); Pereirinha (Jeffren 62’), Matias Fernandez (Carrico 45’), Capel; Van Wolfswinkel. Ben Shave |
All this is great for the national team too and I completely agree with the other posters who rate Daniel Carrico highly! Daniel Carrico is hugely important for Sporting's midfield you could see it when he came on immediatly. He is a very good defensive midfielder and I definitely want him to start in the national team also. Bento is a Sporting manager, so he would be happy to call up Carrico! I believe he will make the squad. It makes too much sense so much sense that its like almost a given since offers that great defensive coverage that we need more of.
He's faster stronger more aggressive, he's just a real lion! He's a quality player and I'm looking forward to him playing in the national team behind Moutinho and Meireles. That would be a very strong midfield!
Also some more praise for Rui Patricio! He made a number of good saves in this game as well! He is a great goalkeeper! All in all things are shapping up nicely for the national team leading into the Euro. Hopefully Real win La Liga highly likely, hopefully Man Utd Nani win Premier League, Real and Sporting had very good highly respectable runs in their respective European competitions! Chelsea with Meireles and Bosingwa making it to the final is incredible as well!
All good stuff for the team! The only bad thing is that Helder Postiga has gone missing again as he is famous for in club football, last couple games I think he was even on the bench lol lol. And Nelson is not a priority in Benfica so he's not really been properly prepared by them. So hmm :\ At least when Postiga plays for the national team he is awesome! Looking forward to Euro 2012! Portugal can do some great things!
In the Euro 2008, our technical, but physically weak midfield of Deco, Meireles, and Petit was completely overrun by the much stronger, albeit less technical Germans. The current German side maintains the steel and strength of the 2008 squad with the likes of Schweinstiger and Khedira, but they are also much better technically with the brilliant Mesut Ozil.
I have said it before on many posts: Ozil will destroy Miguel Veloso. Miguel Veloso is a calm passer and he's great at taking set pieces. This is great against weak teams in qualification, but against the likes of Germany and Holland, we'll need a real defensive midfielder. Pepe can be excellent in this role, but he is needed at the heart of the defense.
Daniel Carrico is better technically than Pepe, and as a center back by trade, he'll offer the protection we so desperately need in the big teams.
Also against Holland, another team with physical midfielders, Carrico definitely should start. Not only do they have Sneijder, but their threat from the wings will cause us a lot of trouble. We saw what happened to Coentrao when Robben and Lahm constantly came down his wing. Ronaldo will not offer much support against Robben and van der Wiel, so Carrico will be needed to support Coentrao.
Hopefully Bento will realize what Carrico can do for the seleccao. If we use a midfield of Moutinho, Meireles, and Veloso, we will definitely be eliminated.
Since Costinha (I used to be critical at times) Portugal has not had a destroyer in def midfield except for Carlos Q positioning Pepe at def mid which was his best move as a coach.
I have dreams of reliving Euro 2008 with the likes of Petit roaming as the def mid who got destroyed against Czech Rep and the Germans. These fast physical teams with some skill will over run our midfield and offer no protection for the back four which can be a reckless back four.
Not sure if Bento wll change at this time but one must look at the match and fnd the players who match up best.
This has to be admired, and they go out with honour. It was so close, and i believe had it gone to extra-time Sporting would have been big favourites to progress, as a secod away goal would've killed the tie off. Sa Pinto has done a great job turning around their season and next season they should be genuine title-contenders. Congratulations to Bilbao though too, a very talented team who play in the right way, and I hope they win the final now.
On another note, i was impressed yet again with Carrico (why wasn't he played from the start?), and they looked much more solid in that second half with him on the pitch. I'm really starting to believe that he is the Seleccao's best option to play defensive midfield in the Euro opener against Germany. I know he's not very experienced, but he has been awesome in the Europa League, which will have given him big-match experience. We really need some steel and power to be able to protect our back four against the likes of Ozil and Gomez, and Carrico looks a better option for this than Veloso or the others. He could also act as a 3rd centre-back to defend against dangerous set-pieces...
I support Sa Pinto, he has brought hope and confidence back to the team. Hopefully next year at the time Sporting is competing for the title.
Forca
You my friend have the heart of a lion!!!
Second, the failure to get a third goal in the first leg proved costly.
Third, I was surprised Carrico did not start the game. It would have been more settling to have started him in the first half. I don't think the starting midfield made sense unless someone knows something I don't. Pereirinha is decent but certainly not someone I would have played with other options available.
Martins is a promising player but like many of the young players seems to lack a final ball. Not sure if Fernandez was fully fit but I would have left him in.
It proved down the stretch that the attacking options brought on were not capable (Jeffern and Carrillo). These options did not help the Sporting cause and Sporting's fate was sealed late. Given what was left on the field it was going to be difficult to get a positive outcome.
as the greatest non Portuguese Selecção supporter in the world i have no other wishes to wish.so i tell him i want Portuguese NT to win euro this time.
he said "OK son but sadly you have to give up two most important cups before fulfill your wish"
so all my .portugoal friends i am very sorry for these sad days that you experiencing right now.
i think you all enjoy much when we lift the euro this time.
Sorry for bad English.I am neither a a Portuguese nor English.
Also, Joao Pereira got clowned pretty good on one of the Athletic goals.
Life goes on, and I must congratulate Athletic Bilbao for playing a good, hard match and I wish them luck in the final.
I am very proud of Sporting's accomplishment of nearly reaching the final and Sa Pinto has a lot of good things to look back on and a lot of great things to look forward to.
Sporting Sempre
I was very surprised to see the very offensive midfield trio of Fernandez, Martins, and Schaars. It was a bold move, but the lightweight midfield offered very little cover for the defense. Once Carrico was introduced, Athletic were not as dominant.
Andre Martins definitely showed some flashes of his brilliant talent, but his final ball just wasn't good enough. However, he definitely has a big future ahead of him.