Sporting CP 5 S.C. Braga 0

Sporting CP v S.C. Braga
February 11th, 2024
Estádio José Alvalade 
Matchday 20

The Warm Up

In the best part of a decade I’ve been watching Sporting in the Primeira Liga there are very few opposition players that have made a lasting impression on me. Whether that says more about me or the quality of the league as a whole is debatable but I doubt I’d find anyone bored enough to take the debate on. João Félix as I’ve admitted previously still lives rent free in my head having put the fear of God into me when turning into Geppetto and leaving our defenders like little boys spinning on the end of a bit of string. Milutin Osmajić really impressed me when playing for Vizela against us last season. All bar Vizela fans are now going who and even their fans might be going why? Mehdi Taremi at Porto who thankfully is set to depart for Serie A in the summer is another. *My last name to throw into the ring is Simon Banza freshly returned from Afcon to rejoin with his Braga colleagues and tonight's opponents. I'm struggling to then genuinely add any names to that list off the top of my head.

With Banza this isn’t a Johnny come lately, after timing statement based on his success this season. I believe I’m right in stating that he actually made his competitive debut for Braga against us in August 2022 when he scored one in the 3-3 draw and was for me head and shoulders the best player for them that day and had he been offered to Sporting at that point I’d have taken him six days out of seven. On the seventh day I’d have remembered at that point he was largely unproven. That being said I’d still have taken him over Paulinho on the strength of 85 minutes of evidence. The 27 year old DR Congo forward finished the season having scored 14 in 29 league games with 2 assists. This season he’s already equalled those 14 goals in just 15 games and has assisted a further three times. Prior to Afcon he had been the league’s top scorer, now overtaken by who else but Gyökeres who has taken advantage of his absence. He averages a goal every 76 minutes coming into this game, outperforming his XG metric by 5 goals. He’s scored 7 headers, 7 with his left peg of which only one came from the penalty spot and those goals came in 1,064 minutes of football.

Gyökeres by comparison now has 15 goals in 18 games, so he’s only one goal ahead and he’s outperforming his XG metric by 4 goals. 8 assists see him 5 ahead of Banza. Gyökeres averages a goal every 108 minutes and he’s played 1616 in total, 552 more than Banza. Three penalties for the Swede and 6 goals less coming from the head. Other than the goals scored it’s fair to suggest that it’s like comparing apples with oranges. Gyökeres is a far complete all round player but you can bet your bottom dollar if we sold the Swede in the summer I’d definitely angle for Sporting to buy Banza as his replacement. I’m not sure whether Banza features in this game and it may be that if he does get minutes on the pitch it’ll be from the substitutes bench but it wouldn’t surprise me with Sporting spreading their goals around that Banza finishes t’p scorer in the league if he remains fit and free from suspensions. Given he’s only had one yellow to date I imagine that the latter is a safe bet.

Whilst the 8-0 win to Casa Pia laid the ghosts of the Braga Taça semi final defeat to bed, it didn’t erase the actual mark it left; two attempts on target, scoring one and somehow walking away with a 1-0 win after one of the most one sided first halves you’ll see in any competition in Portugal this season one question remained, how exactly did we fucking lose that game? Firm proof ever it was needed that you only ever need to take the one chance if you don’t concede. It can’t fail to leave a bad taste in the mouth and surely Sporting’s players will be eager to put things right. That being said, this is always the fixture where I can’t call a result before the game. It’s a rarity in that you could make an argument for any of three possible outcomes. For the 1-0 recent defeat you could then point to last season’s 5-0 home win. The first league game this season finished 1-1 and as already mentioned last season’s curtain opener to the season finished 3-3. So there’s either a glut of goals or barely a threat on the net at either end. I’ll be honest the defeat in the Taça didn’t hurt as much as it should have done. I’d sold my soul to the devil, for me there is only one piece of silverware that matters come the end of the season and I went on record saying I’d take a defeat if it meant we won the big one. Whether last week’s cancelled game proves ultimately to have been a hindrance or of benefit long term remains to be seen. It’s one of football’s best loved clichés but it truly now one game at a time. There’s no point looking long term at the fixture list and trying to work out how many points you expect us to finish with. I did that last season and had decided that Sporting would have enough to pip Braga for the Champions League place and we know how well that worked out in what for us was ultimately a season to forget. What I do know is with investment from PSG owners Qatar Sports Investment, Braga have all but cemented their position as Portugal’s fourth best club and most likely to provide any resistance to the big three going forward.

A Bola reported this week that a €10m big h’d been rejected by an unnamed Bundesliga club for 18 year old João Muniz who is the heir apparent and anointed successor to Inácio who is set to depart for pastures new when the summer transfer window opens. Currently playing for the B team in the third division we’ll see if his name appears amongst the substitutes at any point between now and the end of the season. I’m already starting to suspect that Rafael will be the latest player to depart the club just as quickly as he arrived having played 46 minutes in the 4-0 win to Tondela and a solitary minute from the subs bench against Vizela.

The money markets

Sporting ½ = 66.66% probability chance of win
Draw 7/2 = 22.22% probability chance of draw
Braga 5/1 = 16.66% probability chance of win 

*Having wrote this piece on Saturday morning, at 23.58 I then discovered Banza played in the 3^rd place play off game between DR Congo and South Africa but if proof was ever needed I don’t edit these to make myself look clever I’ve left it as was, naturally assuming Braga haven’t put him on a private jet back to Portugal. To be fair I do go on to write I’m not sure he features in this game... he types clutching at straws for dear reputational purposes.

Team News

Adán returns in goal, Inácio swaps with Reis, Morita returns post Asia Cup swapping out with Gonçalves who in turn swaps out with Edwards in the front three. Despite reports that Paulinho wouldn’t play any part in the game he is named amongst the substitutes and new boy Koindredi will wait and see if he gets to make his Sporting debut tonight from the bench. Otherwise as you were for the starting XI away to União during the week. Of the side that lost to Braga less than a month ago eight of the starting XI start again with Esgaio and Edwards the two casualties from the outfield players and thankfully no Israel in between the sticks. They totally dominated the first half last time around and were guilty of not taking their chances hitting the woodwork three times in the opening 45. Let’s hope they’re far more clinical tonight in a game that could see them briefly regain top spot and then hope that Vitória continue their good home form against that lot down the road in the late kick off at 8.30. Just a reminder Cote d’Ivoire take on Nigeria in the final of the Afcon straight after this game. Will the coach come to his senses and start Diomande from the start and allow him the chance of redemption for the penalty he conceded in their 1-0 loss to the same side in game two of the tournament? Doubtful. Something seriously fishy has been going on there and I’d love to know what.

First Half

Braga get the game underway in front of a full house. The green and white half of Lisboa expects. Ten straight home wins, a record only matched in Europe by PSV in the Nederland’s. The residue of white smoke engulfs the pitch from flares let off prior to kick off. Sporting will attack right to left.

1 Gyökeres pulls the ball back for Gonçalves in the area but he has four men around him and his first touch let him down as the ball goes out for a goal kick.

8 GOAL Sporting CP 1 Braga 0. Trincão picked up a wayward back-pass centrally 20 yards out, ran into the box and calmly slotted it into the bottom right hand corner. Second game on the trot they’ve decided we don’t need a minute clock on coverage. You’ll excuse the possible mistiming’s as I try to do the mental arithmetic

12 Geny cuts in from the right and past his marker before unleashing a venomous shot that goes over the top of the bar from 16 yards.

18 GOAL Sporting CP 2 Braga 0. Quaresma sweeps home from close range after Sporting were initially claiming for a penalty in the build-up. Trincão put Gonçalves free into the box who was then upended, Quaresma had followed up on the move picking up the loose ball. He beautifully swapped the ball from right foot to left and back again before smashing it into the net from close range. You can tell by his celebration that boy has a Lion’s heart.

22 I can tell you the minutes gone now with conviction because someone has kicked the YTS lad and woken him up. Or maybe it’s a been a less effective strike than the police at Famalicão? Give us better pay and conditions otherwise you don’t get to know what minute of the game it is.

23 I’m not suggesting Quaresma was overzealous in his celebration but the bandaging on his right arm is now loose and he resembles a mummy in a Scooby Doo cartoon. You don’t get top level reporting like that in other minute by minutes do you?

27 Free kick centrally 24 yards out to Sporting as Hjulmand is felled.

28 Gonçalves shaped to take but Trincão took the eventual shot getting the ball over the wall but it was always climbing. It’s really wet out there and you pity the poor sod laying down as the draught excluded in the wall today.

32 This game mirrors the semi final in the Taça, it’s pretty much been one way traffic on the Braga goal, the only difference being this time around we’ve taken our chances.

34 Borja goes down in the box as he takes a whack from Coates who was clearing the ball for a throw-in. I don’t think he’s putting that on as I’d not want to be lying in that wet for long. Neither was he trying to appeal for a penalty, just an unfortunate coming together.

36 I said a few games ago I thought Trincão should play in a #10 role to allow him to run from deeper. He seems to be taking up more of that position tonight and so far he’s causing Braga all sorts of problems, definitely not what his former employers would have wanted. Hadn’t realised that’s where he started his club career until his non celebration of the opener which left a big clue.

40 I think some of the Braga players have been taking acting classes. That’s the fourth or fifth time one of them has gone down like they’re an extra from Platoon. I find it all frankly embarrassing, I’ve seen toddlers go down during the terrible twos with less fuss after being told no.

Plus one indicated

45 Djalo strikes from range and Coates just gets the slightest of touches to deflect for a corner. Braga are yet to register a shot on target

Half time

Sporting CP 2 S.C. Braga 0

Well I had no complaints come half time in the last game between the two sides and was utterly convinced we were marching towards a position in the final of the Taça da Liga only to be proven utterly wrong. We’ve probably had a quarter of the chances we did in that game to boot. Gyökeres has been largely kept quiet again by the Braga defence but like with Lukaku when he was playing for Inter in their title winning season, if he’s being kept quiet it’s because he’s being man marked and usually by more than one defender which allows the space for others to flourish in. Braga have offered nothing going forward and they’ll have to open up and attack more which will allow for space, something that Sporting have been capitalising on well this season in the second half of games. Remember Sporting haven’t lost a single half of football at the José Alvalade this season in the league and they don’t look on this evidence that they’re likely to today. A repeat of last season’s 5-0 could well be a possibility. 

Second half

Sporting get the second half underway

45 I’m still trying to work out who is getting the special treatment from the home fans as whistles reverberate around the ground each time he touches the ball. I assume it’s Olivera the ex Sporting player

53 I lied when I said Sporting haven’t lost a half of football at home this season – They’ve not lost a second half of football this season. Clearly blanked out the opener to Vizela when they went in at half time trailing 2-1. Braga have only failed to score against Porto in their opening 10 away games and have won at least won one half in nine of those ten games. They’ve also scored three or more goals away in six of those games so they’re capable of scoring but I assume most of those would have seen Banza leading the line for them.

59 Clever switch of play from right to left by Trincão found Santos in space. His attempt from 25 yards skims past the right hand post

60 Morita departs for Bragança. I imagine that was a preplanned substitution to give him an hour after his sojourn to the Asia Cup.

61 Adán with a neat save from a Djalo header from 7 yards. That’s the first time he’s been called into action tonight.

64 Diomande only amongst the substitutes again for Cote d’Ivoire. I hope they get stuffed by Nigeria quite frankly. What a waste of talent just sat in the stands or on the bench when he could have been playing for Sporting.

65 Another corner to Braga. Coates has been equal to everything thrown at him tonight. He’s my early candidate for man of the match on the night he was presented with a shirt by Varandas on the pitch to commemorate his 350 appearances to date for the club.

67 I definitely went too early suggesting this could be another 5-0. Sporting with the game management just looking to soak pressure up this half.

68 Djalo pulls his shot wide from eight yards. He might come to regret that miss

70 GOAL Sporting CP 3 Braga 0. Regret it Djalo will as Gyökeres makes it 3. Trincão left defenders looking like they were skating on ice as he cut the ball back to allow space to cross into the centre for the Swede to volley home. I think the keeper got a touch but was unable to keep it out. I say I think for now because…

72 GOAL Sporting CP 4 Braga 0. No time for replays. Perhaps I might be right after all with my 5-0 call. Gonçalves tries to turn inside the area and get a shot away but a defender just gets a touch onto the ball and it pops out to Bragança who slotted home from 8 yards. Djalo definitely regrets that miss now with two goals in the space of two minutes.

74 Standing ovation for Quaresma as he’s replaced by Reis. Gonçalves replaced by Edwards. What’s the Portuguese for ‘he’s one of our own?’

79 JENGA! Another Braga player goes down like the block of bricks. Why don’t they use VAR to check for simulation and book those involved and bring an end to it?

82 Esgaio and Paulinho come on to face their former employers. Geny and Gyökeres come off. You don’t see the Swede withdrawn very often so that’s clearly with Thursday night in mind. They could have done it ten minutes ago though, not sure how seven minutes additional rest will benefit the Swedish Panzer

84 GOAL Sporting CP 5 Braga 0. I’m going to be super pissed if it finishes 5-0 as I didn’t bet my half time prediction. Santos with the goal flicking it in with the outside of his left boot from ten yards. At least I tweeted it out at half time so I can’t be accused of altering my blog.

Plus two

+1 Marcus Edwards you bastard. Shot blocked from 7 yards and out for a corner. This will finish 5-0 now won’t it?

The whistle blows.

Full time

Sporting CP 5 S.C. Braga 0

The Final Word

Well I called the 5-0 at half time and yes I’m fully aware I called a win in the Taça da Liga at half time so I’m not claiming to show any area of expertise with these things – Even a broken clock is right twice a day. They’ve given Trincão man of the match and whilst it’s hard to argue that as he was outstanding in parts of the game,  I’m going to give my award to Coates who was solid for the full 90 at the back. Last time I gave him man of the match against Braga was away in the title winning season so I’m taking it as an omen and a good sign. Superstitious twaddle I know and if you think I’m bad now it’ll only get worse with every week that passes to pre warn you all. Back to the top of the table, we now look to Vitória to do us any sort of favour so that we’re not back to second by half ten. They’ve won 8 from 10 at home… They’ve beaten us at home… They did it in awful weather conditions though TBF it might not be wet there but I’m looking for good omens again. I’ve been right once tonight and as I said already even the broken clock is right twice a day.