CF Estrela da Amadora 2 Sporting CP 2
CF Estrela da Amadora v Sporting CP
Sunday August 9th, 2026
Estádio José Gómes
Matchday 1
Temperature - 28°C
Referee - João António Ferreira Gonçalves
The Warm Up
Of the seventeen possible opponents for the lions to face in
their opening fixture of the 2026/27 campaign, other than maybe newly promoted Academico
Viseu, I don’t think you could have picked a better opponent than Estrela. They
survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last time out finishing level on
points with 3rd bottom Casa Pia who went into the play offs. Moreover,
all the signs were that they were about to do a Boavista and implode
financially so it feels a genuine surprise that they’ve been able to provide
the guarantees that will enable them to start in the Liga for the forthcoming
season. By the time the sides meet, what is left of the neighbours squad will
be anyone’s guess. If I was to put money on any side going down come the end of
May then sorry Estrela fans but I’m betting the house on you in the here and
now unless much needed capital and investment is found. It feels like they’re
facing a tough ten months ahead of them. As the crow flies the two stadiums are
separated by no more than 6 kms, but the future of the two clubs feels worlds
apart right now.
On May 22nd it was reported in the Portuguese media outlet Sapo that
the club currently carries a debt in the region of €25m and were seeking to pay
just 10% of what they owe to creditors which equates to just €2.5m. They had to
submit an application to the Court of Sintra on how they hoped to proceed and
meet their current liabilities. The SAD claims to believe the situation is recoverable
despite having no cash in hand. The creditors include the Brazilian side Flamengo
who have a claim with the Portuguese courts for €5.7m. Owing money to any
creditor is bad enough, but when you owe money to other clubs that you cannot pay
back then the footballing authorities first line of punishment is to prevent
you from signing new players. Tie this is with a need to sell players to pay
off your debts and it’s a recipe for disaster and as we’ve already pointed out,
it’s not like last season went that well to begin with.
Financial woes are nothing new to this club in a historical context. The
current iteration only began in 2011 so it’s taken just 15 years to end up back
in the same sort of financial mess that took the previous club under
financially. In UK law we have the CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangements) process
which companies use to try secure a deal with their creditors to move forward
and allow them to continue to trade. Generally in terms of football clubs the
offer has traditionally been for around 20p in the pound meaning 80% of debt is
written off if accepted. The introduction of the Football Creditors Rule however
means that all football related debt (unpaid transfer fees, player contracts and
agent wages) have to be paid in full. Previously it was also the case that the
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) would only potentially receive a % of their debt
owed but I believe this has now been changed so that they also get the
preferred creditor status. In Portugal they have the PER - Processo Especial de
Revitalização (Special Revitalization Process) which I will assume to be a similar
legal procedure as the CVA here. Having submitted their proposal to the courts,
it was rejected and in a statement on the club website on June 26th,
they confirmed that they would appeal the decision. Their statement;
In the present case, the plan was approved by an absolutely expressive
majority, more than 99% of the voting creditors in number and by more than 60%
of the value of the credits, unequivocally demonstrating the confidence of the
creditors in the solution presented and in the viability of Estrela da Amadora.
The Club and SAD therefore understand that the will
clearly expressed by the creditors deserves special respect, especially as it
constitutes the essence of the revitalisation mechanism provided for in the
Insolvency and Business Recovery Code.
Without prejudice to the appeal to be filed, and despite
the fact that Estrela da Amadora continues to disagree with the understanding
adopted by the Court, the necessary steps were taken to respond to the issues
identified in the decision, eliminating any doubt that could remain as to the
compliance of the plan with the legal requirements.
Estrela da Amadora maintains full confidence that the
higher court will assess the matter in accordance with the applicable legal
framework, ensuring a balance between the control of legality entrusted to the
courts and respect for the sovereign will of creditors, expressed through the
legally required majorities.
Finally, Estrela da Amadora regrets the dissemination of
incorrect information that has been circulating in some media regarding its
situation.
In this sense, it categorically clarifies that it
complies with the legally required assumptions for sports licensing, remaining
committed to ensuring the institutional, financial and sporting stability of
the Club and SAD.
Estrela da Amadora will continue to act with
transparency, responsibility and absolute respect for the institutions, while
defending, by all legally provided means, the legitimate interests of the Club,
SAD, its employees, its creditors, its members and fans.
The Portuguese paper O Jogo stated - Even with this
non-approval of the PER, licensing in the League should not be compromised, as
long as those responsible for Estrela present the certificates to the Tax and
Social Security Authority. That one assumes has happened and is the reason
why the club have been allowed to commence the new Liga season.
When you’re at the stage where you need to sell the family silver to survive,
it would be really helpful if the footballing Gods smiled down upon you and
gave you a moment that you could seize upon to your advantage. Like the early
hours of this morning when Sidny Lopes Cabral scores a wondergoal for Cape
Verde against the current World Cup holders Argentina. Unfortunately Estrela
sold him back in January for €5m to Benfica who just six months later have
already flipped him to Turkey. Having the worlds eyes on Jovane in the same
game could only be of benefit – well it would be if he wasn’t now out of
contract.
Former lion goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro was also released at the end of his contract. Paulo Moreira has joined Famalicão on a free transfer. Assane Ndiaye has gone to CyD Leonesa for free. João Resende has gone to Farense for an undisclosed amount and similarly Semeu Commey to Leixôes. Alex Sola has joined Kiryat Shmona on loan, whilst the loans for Bruno Langa and Billal Brahimi have ended.
Having to contend with financial difficulties which could spell the end of the
club is bad enough, they also have to contend with being at the centre of a new
refereeing controversy in Portugal. To be fair controversies between Portuguese
football and referees go hand in hand so this is nothing new. Duarte Gomes the
Technical Director of Refereeing of the Portuguese Football Federation has been
forced to resign his position. It’s alleged that there was interference in the
appointments of the Refereeing Council and the origin of the disagreement was
in the choice of referees was for Estrela’s last games of the 2025/26 season.
According to sources Gomes was informed by Hélder Malheiro that the match
official had become aware he was nominated for the game away to Moreirense even
before the official designation. Estrela strenuously deny that they had any
prior knowledge of the appointment of any referee.
Well that was a cheery start to my reporting on the lions
new campaign. I always like to bring you something new to read, so at least you
cannot accuse me of copying and pasting what I’ve written before.
Clearly Estrela are going to face an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Cristiano
Bacci was brought in for the last three games of last season on a contract that
ran until June 30th, 2026. 45 year old Pedro Miguel Marques da Costa
Filipe better known as Pepa was announced on July 1st as their new
mister. He was previously in charge at Campeonato Brasileiro Série B side Sport
Club do Recife. Their record last season read; played 34, won 6, drawn 12, lost
16, GF 38 GA 56. This was good enough for a 15th place finish. Their
home record the 14th best in the Liga, read; played 17, won 4, drawn
6, lost 7, GF 21, GA 24. Their away record the 17th best or 2nd worst depending on your point of view, played 17, won 2, drawn 6, lost 9, GF
17, GA 32. Top scorer was Jovane with 7. Their biggest defeats on the road were
4-0 to us and the other neighbours Benfica. They did however manage to record a
5-3 win over Casa Pia. At home their biggest win again came against the Geese
winning 4-0, their biggest defeat was 5-0 to Estoril. The lions won this
corresponding fixture by a single goal to nil.
Since their return to the top flight in their new guise Estrela have lost all six Liga fixtures to the lions by an aggregate score of 18-4. Their heaviest defeat the 5-1 loss at the José Alvalade in November of 2024.
So what does the future hold for the lions this season? Well if I knew that I'd be off down the bookies and wouldn't be writing this that's for certain. They'll clearly be keen to lay the ghost of Torreense to bed with this opening fixture. The loss in the Taça de Portugal Final at least means we've avoided having to play an additional game at the start of the campaign in the Supertaça. Last season for all its promise ended trophyless and in the end a lack of squad depth and another season of long term injuries put paid to all their ambitions. The lowest point was certainly the defeat by Liga 2 side Torreense in the final which will no doubt cost the Portuguese coefficient massively over the course of the next season with their involvement in European competition. The lions secured Champions League involvement for another season which will benefit them financially and they'll be another season wiser and looking to build on a remarkable European campaign last time out which saw them finish in the top 8 of the group phase and beat the eventual winners PSG 2-1. They've certainly not been shy in June with their investments but we'll certainly be looking at a much changed side by the time the campaign finally kicks off in August. Morita we know definitely won't be with us anymore having come to the end of his contract. At the time of writing captain Morten Hjulmand is said to be inching closer to a move to La Liga with Atlético de Madrid for a fee of around €40m plus €5m in objectives. They're actively looking to move on Daniel Bragança, Pedro Gonçalves and Trincão. Kochorashvili and Faye should either leave on permanent transfers or on loan. Talk is of Fresneda and Araújo being asked to join the captains setup for the season which seems a wise move though you imagine with the Uruguayan it's going to be very much a case of enjoying him whilst we still have him because his reputation has only grown after his two goals at the World Cup Finals. Rafael Nel has a decision to make on whether he stays within the setup or goes out on loan. You hope he stays given how short we were with the injury to Ioannidis last time out. Given how many changes we'll have to the starting XI it's going to take time to bed players in. The World Cup is going to have a knock on effect in August for a few faces with certain players joining pre-season at a later date following extended breaks - Suárez, Araújo, Zalazar, Silva, Diomande, Debast and Inácio. A lot will depend on where FC Porto and Benfica are at come the start of their campaigns. The pigeons have a familiar face at the helm in the shape of former Sporting mister Marco Silva who returns to Portugal having latterly been with Fulham in the Premier League. We'll see how their summer window develops with incoming transfers. They've certainly been active since the window opened but that's been with players exiting the building presumably to generate funds following their failure to guarantee Champions League football for next season. FC Porto as the current league champions will have that particular additional European burden to add to their season this time around. Given some of the dreadful football served up by Farioli last season you have to wonder how long their fans will be having him if they get off to an indifferent start this time around. One thing is certain, the propaganda wing of the Dragão will be in full effect, in fact it's already started and we've not had a ball kicked in anger. The lions for me were still the best side on the eye last time out and even without Gyökeres were the top scorers in the division. Rui Borges presided over just two defeats in the league which anywhere else in the world would be hailed as an achievement but this is Portugal where the top three generally writes itself season upon season, it's just the final order that's not known. We'll all of course have pencilled Braga in for their obligatory fourth place. They've been hugely active in the market already this summer although their signings have a feeling of your Nana in the corner shop patiently counting out the correct change which isn't necessarily a bad thing. They've just got to ensure they stay ahead of the chasing pack who all hope to finish fourth and become the best of the rest. Luis Suárez for all his goals last season equally demonstrated that he's nowhere near being an elite forward. His figures for big chances missed and those overall for the lions read as incredibly damning. The signing of Zalazar who's had success with Braga and knows how to find the net on a regular basis will hopefully pay dividends domestically if he can find the same sort of output in terms of goals this time around. Truthfully I'd just like to have a season where the players all stay fit right now. It's been a brutal 24 months. I've no idea how the other signings are likely to bed into the side given the relative failings in the market during that same period. I've written it a couple of times in my pre season match build ups but my biggest worry is that we end up blocking the development paths of some of the youngsters and end up losing another Mateus Fernandes or Afonso Moreira and for what in return? Some magic beans and players who've not worked out. Guilherme needs a big season after they shipped Alisson Santos out to Napoli for €20m. The sale of Reis was all the more painful when you consider how badly we stumbled through April and his experience and quality could have been pivotal. At some point just buying promising youngsters with a view to long term financial success is going to bite you in the ass. I'd like an experienced centre back in the mould of a Sebastián Coates albeit one who’s a bit faster and certainly more reliable fitness wise than Jerry St Juste. I'll be interested to see if Virgínial can provide more of a test to the number one jersey this time out because Rui Silva looked to be like yoghurt turning sour in the heat in the final weeks of the season. We shall see.
24th July - Parabéns to Jovane Cabral who has been picked up by Gremio in Brazil following the end of his contract with Estrela. Interestingly despite their financial difficulties they have brought in Lovro Zvonarek from Bayern München for a reported £1.3m. If I was a creditor being asked to take 10 cents on the Euro in respexts of debts owed to me I have to admit I'd be fuming.
29th July - Brazilian defender Otávio has left for Eintracht Frankfurt bringing with it a much needed fee of £3.9m. Ni has left for Coimbra on a free, Yahya Kalley has been released and Matthew Gbomadu has joined Dinamo Tbilisi on a free. Incoming signings - Léo Linck from Botafogo on loan, Bénito free from Benfica B, Rafa Soares as a free agent (formerly with Famalicão).
1st August update -
For some reason information on Estrela’s pre-season to date is as rare as rocking horse shit. From what I can ascertain the results were as follows;
July 15th v Naval 1º de Maio at Estádio José Gomes 2-0 W
July 18th v Casa Pia at Estádio José Gomes 1-2 L
July 23rd v Nacional 2-0 W
July 29th v Portimonense at Estádio da Nora 1-1 D
July 29th v Lusitano 1911 1-0 W
August 1st they faced off against Al Nassr at the Estádio José Gomes in a game that was free to the public. You imagine if their most famous player was present that the game wouldn’t have been free but no, Ronaldo wasn’t playing.
Starting XI – 24 Linck, 21 Scholze, 30 Patrick, 4 Schappo, 55 Soares, 78 Serra, 39 Doué, 99 Marcus, 14 Zvonarek and 10 Stoica
Substitutes – 22 Grilo, 79 Chernev, 88 Pinto, 75 Malaca, 6 Jansson, 91 Poniewas, 5 Leković, 93 B. Souza, 28 Moustier, 8 Robinho, 81 Vanga, 17 Encada, 80 Alisson Souza, 23 Tunguliadi, 51 Pinto and 9 van Hooijdonk
Antonetti opened the scoring for Estrela after 24 minutes assisted by Marcus and they led 1-0 at half time. Al Nassr were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Bento was given his marching orders on 51 minutes. Marcus added a goal to his earlier assist on 61, this time himself assisted by Scholze. van Hooijdonk looked to have made the game beyond the reach of the visitors when he made it 3-0 on 76 minutes. However Al Hamddan reduced the deficit to 3-1 just 2 minutes later. Abdulkareem made it 3-2 with 2 minutes of the 90 remaining with Al Ghamdi claiming the assist for both goals. Estrela finally put the game to bed 7 minutes into additional time after the 90 when B. Souza made it 4-2.
4th August - More free signings, Lucas Mincarelli Davin has signed a 3 year deal from Montpellier and Santiago Serra has joined from CD Marfa.
Estrela 10/1 - 14/1
Draw 19/4 - 11/2
Sporting CP 2/9 - 3/20
Post win over Nottingham Forest the implied probability of a Sporting win jumped from an 81.88% chance to an 87% chance. You're going to have to have deep pockets this season to find any value betting the lines or be quick to the market.
Title odds
Porto 7/4 (36.4% chance)
Benfica 15/8 (34.8% chance)
Sporting CP 2/1 (33% chance)
Braga 10/1
16/1 or greater the rest
5th August update - Confirmation that the matchday official will be João Gonçalves who took charge of 19 top flight games last season, three involving Sporting; the 2-1 defeat at home in O Clássico, the 2-1 win over Santa Clara away and the 4-1 away win over Rio Ave.
Team News
Ahead of time we know that João Simões, Nuno Santos, Ibrahima Ba and Zeno Debast all remain receiving treatment and will not feature. Maxi Araújo serves his suspension from the Torreense game.
Starting XI
Silva, Dias, Quaresma, Inácio, Vagiannidis, Doumbia, Altimira, Gonçalves, Zalazar, Geny and Ioaniddis
Substitutes
Callai, Virgínia, Fresneda, Diomande, Felicíssimo, Silas, Lima, Derry, Guilherme, Suárez and Nel
Dias makes his full league debut at left back for the suspended Araújo. Flávio Gonçalves replaces Silas Anderson. Diomande is included in the substitutes as is Luis Suárez for the first time since returning from the World Cup.
Estrela Starting XI
24 Linck, 21 Scholze, 30 Patrick, 4 Schappo, 55 Soares, 78 Serra, 39 Doué, 99 Marcus, 14 Zvonarek, 10 Stoica and 37 Antonetti
Substitutes – 22 Grilo, 79 Chernev, 88 Pinto, 17 Encada, 3 Davin, 71 Vanga, 8 Robinho, 28 Moustier, 80 Jesus, 93 Souza, 72 Poniewas and 9 van Hooijdonk
First half
The lions in gold and black get us underway and attack left to right in the opening 45.
Familiar face sat next to Frederico Varandas in the form of the ex-Sporting mister and new coach of Portugal Jorge Jesus. Perhaps they'll swap notes on the Alcochete attacks. I doubt their paths have crossed since.
2 The sides are playing on an absolute quagmire of a playing surface. If you're in any doubt how bad their financial position is here's your evidence first hand
4 I'm not sure Estrela have even passed the half way line in the opening exchanges. Now they do with a cultured hoof across the halfway line
5 Doumbia picks out Ioannidis who can only fire into the hands of Linck, low from ten yards
7 The entire middle 9 of Estrela are sat separated by no more than 12 yards
8 Foul called against Vagiannidis for a pull on Stoica just inside the lions half. They'll look to launch it into the box
9 Ironic cheers as Zvonarek puts the free kick behind for a goal kick clearing everyone and the far post. That's the closest they've come to the Sporting box
10 Huge save from Linck as Gonçalves cut inside his marker and tried to curl one into the far corner from the far left of the Estrela area
11 Third free kick against Sporting in the last five minutes. This new iteration happy to show their physicality
12 Free kick awarded for a foul on Zalazar by Schappo
13 The Uruguayan tries from 32 yards and hits the two man wall. That felt a waste after everyone had gone forward in support
14 Ioannidis goes down inside the box theatrically under a challenge from Scholze. Nothing given
15 Zalazar finds Gonçalves inside the box unmarked but too much pace on the ball, he still manages to control it and recycles possession
16 Ioannidis throws himself at a cross from Dias but can only steer it past the far post from 2 yards. Had that been inside the posts that was 1-0 but he was about 3 yards beyond the far post when he managed to connect and even then it wasn't the best of connections
16 Corner near side to Sporting
17 Zalazar picks out Quaresma on the far side, his header back across goal found the head of Ioannidis who could only head wide from 4 yards with a glancing effort
19 Estrela cross from the nearside hung up for a player to attack but Rui Silva claims with ease. At least his gloves are now dirty
20 Zalazar tries to dance his way through a sea of purple shirts but is dispossessed 20 yards out by Serra with an incredible tackle
21 Gonçalves bundled over. Free kick far side works its way out to Geny. His cross goes out for a goal kick.
21 We're treated to a shot of Maxi Araújo watching on from the stands
26 Marcus leaves his arm into the face of Geny. That looked a booking to me
27 Zalazar tries to pick out Geny but the ball runs out for a goal kick
29 Good skill from Gonçalves on the left but he tries to beat one man too many
29 Ioannidis goes down like he's in Platoon on the edge of the area. Nothing given
29 Huge tackle from Quaresma inside the area to stop an Estrela chance. That had to be perfectly timed and it was
31 Ioannidis dances clear of his marker but his first touch sends himself wide and he blasts over from the edge of the six yard box
34 Sporting free kick 30 yards out finds Geny who can only put the ball behind for a goal kick
35 Quaresma in the final third tries to slip a pass into the Estrela box but can't find a gold shirt
36 Linck keeps his side in it and he stops Ioannidis at point blank range. He lifts an arm to the sky presumably claiming divine intervention. Zalazar picked him out with a low cross hit first time from 3 yards
37 Marcus tries from 10 yards inside his own half. Not sure where it ended up but it wasn't the goal
40 Geny with a clever flick found the head of Gonçalves who could only steer it wide from ten yards
41 Quaresma with another block inside the box. He's been excellent when called upon. Zvonarek with the chance from a narrow angle far side. That's their first serious effort with four minutes of the half remaining
43 Zalazar scuffs his effort from 12 yards and an easy save for Linck
43 Free kick against Altimira. Genuinely not a clue what the referee saw there as the Estrela player was all over the back of him
44 Zalazar dispossessed 17 yards out
44 Doué penalised for a shove in the back of Inácio. He continued his run, put Rui Silva on the ground and tapped home into an empty net from 2 yards but it was in vain.
No additional time shown
Half time
CF Estrela da Amadora 0 Sporting CP 0
The lions could not find a way past the Estrela back line despite having the vast majority of chances. It took the home side four minutes before the half time interval before they even had a meaningful chance on goal. Not that they hadn't caused issues with their counter attack which was thwarted quite brilliantly by the last ditch tackle of Quaresma who has incidentally looked superb throughout the half and commanding at the back. Touch of controvesy just before the break with the free kick awarded for a foul on Inácio. I'm not sure how much contact there was and whether he was already off balance. I'll do an Arsene Wenger and say I need to see it again to really comment on it. The home side have benefited largely from every key chance the lions have had been fired straight at their keeper. Either side and they could have probably gone in at 2 or even 3-0 but the they didn't and the scoreline remains level for now. Ioaniddis looks like he won't last the 90 if I'm being honest, he's quite red in the face. Whether that's down to the heat or a lack of full fitness, or possibly both I'm not sure. He's definately had all the lions best opportunities though and will be left wondering how he hasn't opened his and Sportings account for the season. Sporting are vulnerable at the back even if Estrela's chances have been limited. We'll see in the second half what this side are made of having coasted through pre-season - None of those results mean anything now. Plenty of fire power on the bench for Sporting however including the leagues top goalscorer from last season in the form of Luis Suárez. Nice problem to have for Borges.
Xg 1.43 to 0.30. 9 attempts to 2, both in favour of Sporting.
Second Half
Estrela get us back underway
45 GOAL Estrela 0 Sporting CP 1. That didn't take more than 40 seconds as Zalazar finds the bottom left hand of the net from 16 yards centrally.
48 All the noise is coming away from the away fans now who have finally silenced those of the home fans who had been vocal in the opening 45
49 It's my well trodden line but the opponents will now have to open up space at the back which will allow the lions more opportunities as the half goes on to attack into
50 Zalazar causing all sorts of issues inside the box. Schappo concedes a corner far side as he manages to drag the pass from behind him out of play
50 Tame effort from 20 yards from Gonçalves goes straight into the hands of the keeper
51 Doue is booked for a late challenge on Vagiannidis
53 Geny shot blocked from 18 yards. it popped back up to Gonçalves far side who couldn't control it
53 Disappointing effort from Ioaniddis who fires into the stand from a tight angle wide left
55 Sensational through ball from the youngster Gonçalves who tried to pick out Ioannidis. The Greek tried to let it run but just too much pace on it in the end. Audacious piece of skill nonetheless
56 My head hurts. A day of sunshine and I've watched three games live today including 120 minutes of the lionesses in the Champions League.
57 Geny stings the hands of the keeper from 20 yards who pushes the ball over for a corner far side
58 GOAL Estrela 0 Sporting CP 2. Finally Ioaniddis has his goal. Zalazar with a mazy run on the edge of the box far side, finally got rid of his marker and pulled it across the six yard box for the Greek to tap home from 2 yards. I was just about to write his night is done before he scored with the sight of a Colombian stripped and ready to come on
60 ➡️⬅️All smiles from the Greek as he's replaced by Suárez. Silas is on for Gonçalves
60 Quaremsa is shoved out of play and rightfully asks why it wasn't a free kick. In the end corner awarded near side
61 Blocked shot from 18 yards by Doué. Justice done eventually.
63 Poor challenge by Inácio, free kick awarded.
64 ➡️⬅️Serra replaced by Robinho
65 Corner far side to Estrela
65 I can't work out whether it's the lights or Silas has dyed his hair silver
66 Suárez booked for an off the ball challenge right under the nose of the refreree
67 Stoica with an attempt from down town that probably ended up in the Lisboa city centre some 5 kilometres away it was that off target and travelling at pace
68 Referee just has a word with the Sporting captain about Suárez. He responds by doing the universal tap to the head in the Colombians direction to use his head.
70 Brilliant from Silas as he carries the ball across the backline and out of danger
70 Poor from Geny having done the hard work on the edge of the box and shanked it well wide from 20 yards.
71 GOAL Estrela 1 Sporing CP 2. Quaresma felt he was pulled back by Antonetti who carried on his run and fired home into the bottom left hand corner from 19 yards.
72 The referee clearly had a good view from the replay being shown of the pull back but felt there wasn't enough in it
73 ➡️⬅️ The home side making a doube change, Souza for Stoica and Encada for Scholze
74 Goal stands and we're back underway.
74 Rui Silva stops it from being 2-2 as Zvonarek connects with the ball inside the 6 yard box and sent it towards the lions goal
75 Tempers are just starting to fray on the near touchline. Doumbia involved with the Estrela substitute Encada who had a large chunk of the Italians shirt
76 Awful ball from Geny on the edge of the box found an Estrela shirt. His night is surely done
77 ➡️⬅️ That was clearly prophetic. Geny off for Guilherme and Vaginannidis for Fresneda
80 Corner far side to Estrela as Quaresma blocks a low attempted cross
81 Attempt headed over from 10 yards by Schappo
81 ➡️⬅️ Doumbia for Derry
82 Good defending from Fresneda to play the ball of the left winger and out for a goal kick
83 GOAL Estrela 2 Sporitng CP 2. Rui Silva initially saved an effort from wide left from Souza but instead of going clear it went goalwards and despite the best attempt of Inacio to clear it, it went over the line according to the referees watch. Just when you think you've seen it all
85 Jesus wept. Big save from Rui Silva making amends to keep Marcus' shot out from 5 yards. That's a huge save, or miss depending on your point of view
87 Some idiot wrote we had plenty of fire power from the bench at half time. Diomande is watching on thinking Lord knows what
88 ➡️⬅️ van Hooijdonk for Antonetti and Jesus for Marcus
89 Inacio concedes a corner nearside. Sporting head clear
Plus four shown
90 Corner near side to Estrela. The lions thankfully clear
+1 Yellow to Derry for a shove on Souza. He also gets booked for the blatant pull back on the young loanees shirt
+3 I don't even remember the lions having a chance for at least 20 minutes or one of any worth at any rate
Full time
CF Estrela da Amadora 2 Sporting CP 2
The Final Word
That second half felt like I was watching a Shakespearean tragedy. Or maybe it was a Shakespearean comedy but I don't feel much like laughing if I'm being completely honest. The first test of resilience failed and it wasn't even a big test. I had been very careful to caveat each of the pre-season wins in my summary after the final whistle. Each one with a - that was great, however…
Jesus where do you even start to unpick that mess? If you're a conspiracy theorist you'll point to the Estrela disallowed goal and say the referee levelled it up with the decision not to award a free kick for the pull back on Quaresma which led to 2-1. Two wrongs don't make a right. But on a night that Eduardo was one of the stand out players the fact he simply gave up and didn't even attempt to track his man back does feel inexcusable. There is definitely a touch of misfortune about the Silva save which ends up in the goal but I'm not actually that surprised. His heart hasn't looked in it for months now. I don't know what his issues are, if they're personal I hope he sorts them soon but he looks a liability. A liability they looks like it's going to be worth at least one goal to our opponents every time he plays. There's no point in bemoaning refereeing decisions after the Lord Mayor's show because they don't change the result. You have to pick your way through the wreckage and asked what they should have done better?
Inácio has all the leadership qualities of a wet dish cloth and that's probably being unkind to the dishcloth. I'm watching Diomande sat on the bench and thinking what I wouldn't have given for him to have been on the pitch with the captain's armband on and Inácio being close to being out of the door. Still I don't get paid to make those decisions and it would look poor form if we reversed them now.
The warning signs were there. I wrote it in my last line at half time, they just didn't heed them. The Portuguese press stories about Geny and Luis Suárez seem to have worked an absolute treat. Footballers are clearly fragile individuals. Estrela managed to get under the skin of more than one of our players as well. We saw flare ups at the end between Derry and Doumbia at having their shirts literally pulled off the backs. At least we know they both care if nothing else.
Yes this game is a Dérbi and the result clearly means something to Estrela who have their backs to the wall and they're going to need every point they can but then again so are we and two dropped points is always huge in this league, it's won on the very finest of margins. You probably couldn't have hand picked a better game for Sporting to have opened their campaign with and they've already handed the impetus to FC Porto and Benfica instead of laying down a marker.
The lions should have finished the game off long before it went to 2-1. But there's a soft underbelly at the back. This side is supposed to have a solid spine now with the signings made but they didn't show it here tonight. Not a good day for Sporting with the lionesses knocked out of the Champions League 45 minutes before the men kicked off. God I hate football. You get lured into this false sense of hope and security and someone steals the jam out of your doughnut with just 90 minutes of the season gone.
Now it's about how we react on Friday against Vitória and we really need to see a good reaction. I have to admit I was surprised that they started with Ioannidis over Nel but he deserved his goal and when he went off all looked well, you couldn't really have envisaged what would follow. Yet whilst he was guilty of missing the lions best chances, he did still bring something. Whereas Luis Suárez just brought with him a sense of petulance not even since the days of Bruno Fernandes in the colours of Sporting. We owe the referee for at least having the decency to pre-warn Inácio that is he didn't get Suárez to wind his neck in he'd be off. At that point I'd have expected my captain to have gone over to the Colombian and have a proper word with him, explain what the referee must said, not just point to his head. Yes it's a universal symbol easily understood but show us you are a leader of men Gonçalo for fucks sakes that's what captains do. Then lead by example and ensure we leave with three points. In the end we were probably fortunate to leave with one.
We know losing the quality of Maxi is an issue but even still we should have been more than well equipped to deal with that. I can't remember Rodrigo Dias being overwhelmed by the occasion or really making any critical errors so I'm not about to point the finger at him. I can't even remember Araújo getting sent off in the final against Torreense but really and truthfully I should point the finger of blame at him for being sent off and being banned in the first place but as I say we should have enough in the squad to cope without him for one game. Is any of this helping? I'm not sure it is if I'm being completely honest with myself. It's been a frustrating night of football.
Football as we know is a simple game - you just need to out score your opponents. Can you legislate for the ball coming off Silva's glove and directing towards the net? Not really I suppose these things happen. I think we've covered that part enough. He made a critical save after it went 2-2 to earn the point. I think the disappointment comes from having all that attacking talent and we couldn't get out of our own half for about the last twenty minutes. That just seems ridiculous when I write it down afterall it's not like we were playing PSG away. The threat was coming down the left, Rui Borges replaced Vagiannidis so I've no qualms with that. Inácio is the substitute I'd have made in hindsight, you should have no qualms with taking your captain off if they're not playing well. No one remembers it if you win the match which we clearly didn't. I think the issue was that none of the five substitutes made really had any impact at all and if you're swapping out nearly half your team then that's a massive problem. Five poor performances from those coming on plus Rui Silva, Inácio, Geny, Vagiannidis and I'm going to throw Doumbia in there as well and thats ten sub par performances. Not good enough.
So what went right? Well we've highlighted Ioannidis’ performance. It was a bit huff and puff but he deserved a goal. Again no complaints with Dias. Let's do four for man of the match. Despite Quaresma’s part in the first goal and giving up expecting the free kick I still think he was outstanding at points during the night. That tackle in the first half was as good a challenge as we'll see anywhere in the month of August so he gets my first vote. Second goes to Flávio Gonçalves who again really impressed me. That ball he put through for Ioannidis to run onto was something else on the replay behind. Genuinely thrilled he was given the nod to start tonight and he didn't disappoint. I don't remember writing Altimiras name once in my minute by minute which probably says more about me than it did him because I've just looked at his statistics and was like oh. Well throwing those into the mix I can't really not have you in the final four. Admittedly had I not seen them he wouldn't have been but the numbers don't lie. He edges out Ioannidis who would have been my third choice. No actually he is my third choice because if I've not paid any attention to the Spaniard then bollocks to the numbers. No one reads these anyway. Final pick Zalazar who caused maximum chaos for the opening part of the second half. He's not firing on all cylinders just yet but truthfully anything positive in the final third came through him. It's a toss up between him and Eduardo Quaresma for me personally and when you weigh in the fact he scored against Eduardos part in the second goal then that tips the balance. Rodrigo Zalazar is my man of the match. Christ I should sleep well tonight. Sadly after watching 300 minutes of football from 3pm onwards I suspect I know what my dreams will be all about.
In all that summing up I've forgotten to give Estrela any credit. Fully deserved point on their part and to be fair the way they ended the game had they won I'm not sure I'd have any complaints from their point of view. Only one side at the end was looking for the win and it wasn't us. Note to self a about comments about firepower from the bench in my halftime summaries.
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