Sporting CP v Manchester United
Sporting CP v Manchester United
Wednesday November 25th, 2026
The Warm Up
Wednesday November 25th, 2026
Estádio José Alvalade
UEFA Champions League Matchday 5
The Warm Up
It struck me very quickly after the Champions League draw was made that this matchday post was going to be one that wrote itself. Having opened a word document up a couple of weeks ago and left it, it transpires that no, I still have to write the bloody thing.
Matchday 1 - Sabah FK (H) 4-0 W
Michael Carrick's side took on the champions of Azerbaijan on matchday 1 and as expected made light work of their return to Europe's Premier Competition. Cunha opened the scoring from 5 yards on 26' slotting home a low cross from the left wing in at the near post. On 41' the reds doubled their lead, Tielemans pulled the ball back from the left hand side again, this time for Bruno Fernandes to slot home from 8 yards. On 44' Šeško was sent clear down the centre and left one on one with Pokatilov, rounded the keeper to the left and tapped in from almost the same position as Fernandes 3 minutes before. 60' Cunha came close to his second of the game as he struck a low shot centrally from half a yard outside the area which was saved low to Pokatilov's left. 62' Puchacz put a 27 yard free kick half a yard wide of the top of the right hand post. Five minutes later Sabah had conceded again in a moment their keeper will want to forget. He handled the ball down onto the ground almost like a basketball player starting to dribble the ball, between his legs, spins around in confusion and appears to then nutmeg himself, all the time unaware of the presence of Martinez who pokes it home from a yard.
Matchday 1 - Sabah FK (H) 4-0 W
Michael Carrick's side took on the champions of Azerbaijan on matchday 1 and as expected made light work of their return to Europe's Premier Competition. Cunha opened the scoring from 5 yards on 26' slotting home a low cross from the left wing in at the near post. On 41' the reds doubled their lead, Tielemans pulled the ball back from the left hand side again, this time for Bruno Fernandes to slot home from 8 yards. On 44' Šeško was sent clear down the centre and left one on one with Pokatilov, rounded the keeper to the left and tapped in from almost the same position as Fernandes 3 minutes before. 60' Cunha came close to his second of the game as he struck a low shot centrally from half a yard outside the area which was saved low to Pokatilov's left. 62' Puchacz put a 27 yard free kick half a yard wide of the top of the right hand post. Five minutes later Sabah had conceded again in a moment their keeper will want to forget. He handled the ball down onto the ground almost like a basketball player starting to dribble the ball, between his legs, spins around in confusion and appears to then nutmeg himself, all the time unaware of the presence of Martinez who pokes it home from a yard.
xG 3.67 - 0.92
Total Attempts 21 - 11
Shots on target 10 - 0
Total Attempts 21 - 11
Shots on target 10 - 0
Big Chances 5 - 2
Big Chances Missed 1 - 2
Big Chances Missed 1 - 2
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