 |
 |
 |
| Sunday, 15 January 2012 23:54 |
Braga beat Sporting to go thirdBraga 2-1 Sporting It was an unhappy return to Braga for Domingos Paciencia as his former side leapfrogged Sporting with an impressive 2-1 win. Goals from Helder Barbosa and Lima gave the Arsenalistas victory with Andre Carrillo getting the consolation for Sporting.
The returning manger surprised a few in his team selection by giving a debut to Sebastian Ribas in place of the injured Ricky van Wolfswinkel ahead of Valeri Bojinov. Hugo Viana returned for Braga. Braga could have found themselves ahead within just a couple of minutes when Hugo Viana’s shot was inadvertently blocked by Braga forward Lima before it could go on to test Rui Patricio. The first half, although intriguing, was lacking in goalmouth action. When there were attacks in the game it was Braga doing most of the work. Mossoro’s chance in particular forced Rui Patricio into a solid save to keep the scores level. Matias hits the woodworkAfter the break the action improved and within three minutes of the restart some excellent work in the box by Matias Fernadez worked himself room for a shot. The strike hit the post before being cleared away by Braga.Sporting were left to rue their bad luck when Lima’s drilled ball in from the right eluded the Sporting defence and fell to Helder Barbosa to put the home side 1-0 up. Braga played with more confidence after the goal and weren’t too far from scoring another when Hugo Viana forced Rui Patricio into another fine save. Lima on fireThere was nothing that the Portugal goalkeeper could do in the 64th minute when Lima's pace put him far ahead of Joao Pereira after ex-Braga man Alberto Rodriguez gave the ball away. Lima’s classy finish - his 10th goal in his last 11 games - looked to have finished the game off.Leandro Jardim’s side weren’t going to earn the three points that easily though. Domingos Paciencia made changes by bringing on Valeri Bojinov and Andre Martins to try and change his side’s fortunes. The goal duly came for Sporting, although it was a Braga mistake that put it on a plate for the earlier substitute, Andre Carrillo. Goalkeeper Quim fumbled a corner and the young Peruvian gave Sporting hope as he tapped in from close range. Braga did not panic after conceding and continued to keep their defensive shape and made it hard for the away side to break them down. Sporting clearly lacked Ricky van Wolfswinkel going forward but created very little for Sebastian Ribas or Valeri Bojinov. There was drama at the end when Rui Patricio picked up Evaldo’s poor touch back to him resulting in a freekick for a pass-back just six yards out. Hugo Viana’s shot was kept out more by luck than anything and the final whistle went with a 2-1 triumph for the Arsenalistas. Braga leading race for Champions League placeThere will be concern now for Sporting as there are hints that in spite of the new-look squad things are starting to revisit their disappointing results of last season. The Lions have won just one of their last seven games and now find themselves in fourth.Full credit must be given however to a great win for Leandro Jardim’s side. Significantly, the three points see Braga move ahead of the Lions into 3rd place and the final Champions League spot. Braga: Quim, Douglao, Ewerton, Elderson, Márcio Mossoro (Luis Alberto, 68), Salino, Custodio, Hugo Viana, Lima (Paulo Cesar, 87), Helder Barbosa (Carlao, 79), Alan Sporting: Rui Patrício, Joao Pereira, Onyewu, Rodríguez, Evaldo, Elias (Andre Martins, 72), Matias Fernandez, Diego Capel, Schaars, Insua (Carrillo, 54), Ribas (Bojinov, 68) Goals: [1-0] Barbosa, 51 [2-0] Lima, 64 [2-1] Carrillo, 74 Other Sunday results:Academica 0-2 Vitoria GuimaraesNacional 2-2 Uniao de Leiria Olhanense 2-1 Beira-Mar by Richard Cole Follow PortuGOAL on Twitter and Facebook |
Please read posts before making assumptions. What I did was validate my opinion.
I've said all along that I felt Braga would drop this season (so far proving me wrong), and that Sporting would nab third easily. Just not be able to compete for the title. Now it seems as if hey will need much more help than I thought.
As for the "Maca Podre", Sporting came up with that moniquer.
Don't worry, I know plenty other Portuguese terms that I can se
Nobody has called for his head, at least Mdot and I haven't. Last time I checked we still feel that Sporting will earn that 3rd CL spot.
I don't deny Paciencia being a very good manager, although Porugueses 2nd best is a bit high. But he clearly underestimated the scope of the job, pressure or both.
I too actually believe that this is just a blip on the road. The problem is that it was Paciencia's very own responses and actions that have turned this into more than a blip. You can say that he's brought on all the questioning and doubting on himself.
As for Godinho, he's like the rest of the presidents of portuguese clubs. He's smirky and always knows best. He can do no wrong and we are the fools. He thought that riling up his fan base with idiotic images was ok. He even defended the arson that took place at the Luz. To this day I don't think an apology has been given.
Like I said, Sporting should come through and nab 3rd place. It's just that now, it seems as if they will need help with Braga slipping up here and there.
Mdot can say say Benfica had a ton of new players but if you look at JJ's core..
Artur
Maxi, Luisao, Garay, Emerson
Javi
Aimar, Gaitan
Cardozo wasn't a starter from the beginning and Witsel was an after thought too until he dominated and earned his role early both are now in the core too.
Of those only two are new (with Witsel 3).. Artur is great and was great for Paciencia who now owns the Portuguese Chicken in net. Emerson is only good in JJ's books, and to be honest almost anyone looks good next to Luisao, Maxi, and Artur. Garay is decent.. is he great NO.
So the comparison is wrong... Sporting has completely changed their core with at least 6 new core players.
Some of you thought by lashing out a boat load of money that it would guarantee some placement.. unfortunately reality works differently as Real Madrid will prove.. sure they won a few trophies.. but most seasons they are just over-rated scalps. Mourinho has changed that albeit against Barcelona.. the only team that matters.
Sporting didn't go in the hole because of Portuguese players it was the Brazilian Premiership hacks that they brought back in that failed so miserably.. that decision is what led to their demise.
The paid more to get back those hacks.. and wasted some prime time on them failing.. the team. That caused the Portuguese youngsters to be put on undo pressure.. and they had mixed results. Sporting still has the best school and still has many talented players that need to work through, that is my only concern about Paciencia.
My prediction was that although spending a fortune.. this year would be full of growing pains.. whoever said Sporting started well missed the first quarter of the season when they had poor results... at the time I stated.. relax it will come and it definitely did.. Sporting has had some great results since then.. now what they need to do is develop consistency.
This mid-season blip is par for the course.. at least it was for me this team is only getting better.. and I would hate to play them later on in the season. They will scalp a few.. next year is the big year where I think they will contend closely at the top.. after ridding themselves of a few and adding a couple of more core players.. one of which should be a Goalkeeper that is good.
I have complete confidence in the rebuild because Paciencia has done it before and his track record is to do better.. I will remind you that his team of misfits last season... challenged the super squad of Porto last season in the Europa final.. and beat a good Benfica team.. that was a massive achievement, and he is the best Manager in the Liga at the moment hands down.
Some will say how good Braga is doing this season under Jardim.. and we loved him as a replacement and will not deny his masterful performance.. he is at the top of Managers in the Liga.. so only myself and Bryan suggested that Braga would have a great year... Jardim was the reason for the prediction besides the fact that the squad's core remained.. even after such great success.
So you might want to accept that endorsement from Kleenex to do those crying commercials, cry cry cry... wah wah wah.. because Paciencia is guaranteed. He is the second best Portuguese Manager on the planet.. sure there are others coming through.. like AVB.. and JJ now.. but Mou & Pacman are too far ahead.
I look forward to Benfica locking horns with Sporting.. and hope the eagles fly.. but I expect Pacman to make it very very very difficult, even with our squad with a GREAT experienced CORE.
As for the CL and its financial impact.. that only happens if you win... and against the juggernauts of Europe and the scrappiest of the best.. in the minnows.. it is a tough task. Benfica in this great season did not smash Europe.. they lost to a minnow and drew against the elite.. a great result because we topped our group.. and now can get some huge pay days but we could've done better.
But I think Sporting will be better off in Europa taking in loads of gate receipts.. and going extremely deep like Porto did last season than having to qualify against some good teams and then locking horns in a tight group in the CL.
The huge difference comes when a team does not qualify for Europe at all.. that is crippling for a team like Sporting, Benfica, & Porto with huge payrolls, that isn't about to happen, so the whole premise is wrong.
As for financial worries.. all of the Liga teams are under it.. they have to justify their spending with their returns.. a team like Sporting will be nearer to the line because they replaced their whole core.. the same will be true in a few years for both Porto & Benfica.. but if you believe tabloid journalists then I have some swamp land in my backyard that I am selling for millions because there could be some oil.
Sporting is sputtering but is on track.. and it won't be until the end of next season before we can properly judge Pacman.. till then it sounds like sour grapes from some of you gentlemen.. trying to hamper the campaign.
I am a Benfica fan.. but I want to beat the best Sporting ever.. the best Porto.. the best Braga.. I don't want excuses.. and I can respect them as teams.. so subversion is not my game and is not productive in terms of my goal.
To fight and beat the best you have to respect them... and then after shaking their hands and hugging them.. with pure admiration.. you then step into the ring and pound them until they are unconscious.
Bloodied and stumbling you help them up.. pat them on the back.. buy them a drink.. and look forward to the next battle.. because you respect them.. next time could be different.. and you would like a drink.
I never thought it would happen but I am backing Nick & Bryan and some of their views.. now Bryan I have agreed with from time to time but Nick & Bryan.. wtf
Anyways the point is don't get too excited by the blip it will be over soon and Sporting is only getting better. They are still missing 4 core players..
One of the fears I had in regards to our SuperLiga, is us not regaining that 3rd CL spot. We would become a Big 2 league instead of Big 3, very quickly.
Sporting to me will always be my hated rival. But I also know their importance to Portuguese football and the history they bring to it. Hence me wanting them to get the 3rd CL spot. Sporting has the following and has shown to be capable of investing to remain and compete in European play.
Although Braga has competed, and competed well, they have shown to be unwilling to make further investments in order to strengthen and stabilize the club. It will only be a matter of time when competing on all fronts will really hurt them.
Sadly, it seems that Sporting would be losing youngsters on the cheap. Maybe its the best thing for the Seleccao, since they will be able to develop in better situations.
http://www.footie.co.za/breaking-news/everton-show-interest-in-sporting-lisbon-midfielder/
Another transfer rumor posted a couple of hours ago quoting that financial problems are why Everton think they can get Portugal Under-21 midfielder Adrien Silva on the cheap.
"Sporting rate the 22-year-old highly, but financial problems mean they may sell on the cheap"
So for anyone thinking that not making the CL isn't an issue, this shows how needed that CL cash is.
Sporting Lisbon teenager Joao Carlos, who has not made a senior first-team appearance for the side, is highly-rated in his native Portugal and has been compared to Deco, but Sporting have been forced to part ways with his services due to their financial difficulties. Carlos, 19, is set to move to Anfield in a deal worth £1 million.
If he is being as highly touted as that, if true, this deal is just plain stupid. This looks worse that the Pizzi deal.
By the way Pizzi was ranting about Atletico and going to the Champions League. LOL. Please keep in mind that he's been used mainly as a late on sub, and has one goal. We'll see if his fortunes change with Reyes gone.
I’ll never say a club is entitled to CL play but given the current situation I would hate to see Sporting go into financial ruin because their coach doesn’t know how to use good talent. Funny how you poke fun at JJ yet he had the same amount of new talent.
Braga has done a great job at not over spending, so if they don’t make it to the CL, they will be ok but at the same time it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve it. I do like how they took that Cinderella story of fighting for the liga title a couple of seasons back and each year since they have continued to be impressive.
I also love how the liga schedule has worked out since the final match of the season will be Sporting v. Braga. It’s either Sporting bounces back and makes a statement that it’s still a big 3 or Braga makes a statement that they are going to continue to take their club to the next level. Fun watching for us neutrals.
By the way Moutinho does look better with better talent around him. The fact remains that he didn't like the regime that was in place, hence demanding a move.
You would have us believe that they would have been better off with Djalo, Postiga, etc... which is ridiculous.
at the very least Sporting has some valuable assets for teh future.
All the kudos to Braga and Jardim. I thought the bottom would have fallen off after Paciencia's departure, especially in the way it ended. I still that they are too thin and will fall back, but he's managed so far.
The problem is Sportings management and many of their fans turned on the portuguese players and blamed them for Sportings problems. Why does Moutinho look like a superstar at Porto when he looks mediocre at Sporting? because Porto believed a good team around him. So if Sportings portuguese can become champions in other clubs they could win at Sporting too... but unfortunately instead of trying to build a stable base of portuguese talent with talented foreigned around them Sportings team has decided... irresponsibly that they need foreigners. Is anyone going to tell me Elias or Schaars are better than Adrien Silva? Geez laeez. Sporting have dug their own grave.
As for Paciencia, he left a very sour taste with me when he announced his departure to Sporting while still at Braga. He basically killed Bragas season, especially since they had a game left with Sporting that decided third place. If it was this season it would have meant a lost CL spot and millions.
I still think that Paciencia will get this club turned around, and they should be better as the season progresses and next season as well. But I will say that it will be very interesting on how Sporting proceed if they should miss out on a CL spot. A lot money has been spent and is owed.
At this point last season Paulo Sergio had the same amount of points as they do now, same wins, ties and losses. Also same amount of goals conceded. Only difference is this years Sporting scored four more goals.
Some may say domingos had half or more of a new squad, but Paulo Sergio had a worse team no doubt, the club was not at all stable. So all in all Domingos has a better condition than paulo, but equalled him in all aspects. Interestingly enough no one is asking for domingos to leave while Paulo people were asking why he had not left yet.
So the question is are Sportinguistas being to kind to Domingos or were they very unfair on Paulo Sergio.
Did I see 4 Portuguese players on the field at one time for Braga? That impressed me Hugo, Quim, Barbosa and Custodio. They all played well and hopefully one day Ukra can contribute in the 2nd half of the season and give Braga a chance to hold 3rd. This team is well coached regardless of the revolving door with their managers. God Speed fellow minhotos!
As for Sporting, they spent a record amount of cash, so much so that they had to hold off on fixing their messed up field this year. They desperately need to get back into the CL for that cash.
I still think that Braga is to thin to be able to keep up on all fronts. They always get up for the tough teams, but I could see them dropping points.
Then again,I have questioned them all season and they just keep proving me wrong.
As for Sporting, oh oh. They have spent over 22 mil in the transfer market, so a CL spot is a must. Paciencia will learn quickly that the those same people on the offending posters could turn on him very quickly. Paciencia isn't one of heir virtues.
Ps Helder Barbosa is still crap!!!