Braga enjoyed a perfect start to their Europa League campaign as a Rafa Silva goal gave the Arsenalistas a 1-0 win against Slovan Liberec in the Czech Republic.
Belenenses also prospered on foreign soils, drawing 0-0 at Polish champions Lech Poznan, and Sá Pinto's men were unlucky not to come away with a victory after hitting the woodwork twice.
It was a different story at the Alvalade as a 2nd-string Sporting side fell to a 3-1 defeat against Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow.
Sporting 1-3 Lokomotiv Moscow
The season-opening Super Cup win followed by a series of positive results led to sky-high expectations among Sporting fans. But the Champions League defeat by CSKA Moscow, followed by the contract renewal dispute involving André Carrillo (probably not disconnected events) is threatening to change the mood at the Alvalade.
Carrillo has been Sporting's best player in 2015/16, and his absence was one of five changes made by coach Jorge Jesus in relation to the game against Rio Ave last Sunday. There were rare starts for Tobias Figueiredo and Gelson Martins, the former not making the most of his opportunity, in stark contrast to Martins who was the Lions' best player on the night.
But it is at the back where Sporting are having problems, and once again the defence looked fragile, especially when faced with speedy opposition down the flanks. Jorge Jesus's team are yet to keep a clean sheet in seven league and European games, and tonight the defending was at times nothing short of shambolic.
Senegalese forward Niasse had a field day as his powerful running caused havoc throughout the match. On 12 minutes he raced towards goal after a rapid counter-attack, Rui Patrício did well so save his cross-shot, but the ball fell to Samedov who headed in from close range.
The impressive Niasse would be at the heart of Lokomotiv's other two goals as well, first racing down the left flank, waiting for the right time then passing to Semadov again who had the easy task of beating Patrício while a string of Sporting defenders inexplicably looked on in static fashion. Niasse by now realised he had the beating of the home defence, and he scored the third himself after ripping through the defence and slotting in from an angle. Only a fine Patrício save soon afterwards prevented a carbon-copy goal.
Fredy Montero had briefly given the home fans hope with a fine equaliser, crashing in an angled shot after being set up by Gelson Martins - one of the few Sporting players who came out of the match with any credit.
And on a forgettable night for the Lisbon side Jorge Jesus's post-match declarations that: "the Liga is our overriding priority" and "I knew that we could have difficulties with this line-up" left it crystal clear that European glory is not on the club's agenda this year.
Three wins in four Liga games suggests it may yet prove to be a wise policy, but it is also a risky one, with Sporting forbidden from failing to mount a lasting title challenge.
by Tom Kundert at the Alvalade
Positive start for Braga and Belenenses
Both Braga and Belenenses went into their opening Europa League matches on the back of poor results on the weekend, in the case of the Azuis a particularly humbling 6-0 rout at the Estádio da Luz against Benfica. So both will be delighted with their night's work.
Braga travelled to the Czech Republic to take on Slovan Liberec who have enjoyed an excellent start to their domestic season. In an even contest, Rafa's goal on the hour mark proved enough to earn Paulo Fonseca's side all three points. "We started very well, didn't allow them to create danger near our goal and I think we always had the game under control," said Fonseca post-match.
As for Belenenses, the Lisbon club would doubtless have taken a goalless draw before the game started, but with a little bit of luck they could have ended up with all three points, Miguel Rosa and Carlos Martins both hitting the woodwork, and Rosa and Luís Leal also coming close on other occasions. Nevertheless, Belenenses goalkeeper Ventura had to be at his best to deny the home team on several occasions, so a draw can be considered a fair result.
