Sporting CP hosting Arsenal at Estádio Jose Alvalade in Portugal is shaping up to be a crucial encounter for this week’s round of the UCL. A strong start to the UCL campaign sees the hosts remaining unbeaten and sitting in second place; however, Sporting’s recent managerial changes add a new dimension to this fixture.
When and Where?
Date: 26th November 2024, Tuesday
Time: 8:00 PM BST.
Venue: Estádio Jose Alvalade
Match Officials
Referee: Szymon Marciniak POL
Assistants: Adam Kupsik POL, Radosław Siejka POL
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski POL
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL
Assistant VAR: Jérôme Brisard FRA
Analysing Sporting CP’s football
The most talked-about team had the most talked-about manager, Ruben Amorim, who recently changed roles and took up a position at Manchester United earlier this month. Nevertheless, we’ll try to understand some of Amorim’s key concepts/ideas that established Sporting CP as one of the best clubs in Europe this season, whilst having a clear identity in their football.
Amorim has always implemented a 3-4-2-1 system, which functions with 3 ball-playing CBs, advanced wingbacks, a balanced midfield, and a double #10 combination that operates in central spaces to feed the CF. Control during build-up and resistance to pressing are defining traits of their approach.
In build-up play, Sporting Lisbon hold possession patiently, inviting opposition pressure to create openings in midfield. Wingbacks hug the touchline, almost playing as wingers, baiting defenders to open up central passing lanes and continuing forward runs. The #10s act as the creative outlets.
Usually receiving in the central spaces, they like dropping deep to connect play or moving close to the box for cutbacks/crosses. They complement the attacking play by supporting Viktor Gyökeres with smart positioning.
Out of possession, Sporting CP deploy a mid-block in a 5-3-2 shape. Their compact structure and high defensive line leave occasional gaps in central areas, but they remain organized to recover possession and launch counterattacks.
Sporting’s ability to capitalize on limited chances is noteworthy. Their recent 4-1 win over Manchester City is a testament to their clinical finishing, a factor that has kept them in contention.
Some key players ⬇️
Viktor Gyökeres – Sweden
26 | CF | 6’2
The inform Swedish striker has bagged goals for fun this season, breaking records like it’s a joke. Gyökeres’ ball striking, smooth channel running and superb finishing help him become the gunman for the Portuguese side. The one person to keep your eyes on.
Geovany Quenda – Portugal
17 | RW/RWB | 5’8
The 17 y/o is a winger converted to a wingback by Amorim was his X factor from the wings – prefers taking on players with his smart dribbling ability mixed with his rapid burst of pace. Tidy with his defensive duties + tracking back and has an eye for a line breaking pass.
Morten Hjulmand – Denmark
25 | CM | 6’1
The Danish slots into midfielder being Sporting’s composer in attack and defence. Tactically very mature with his positioning, natural ball winner and composed + safe with the ball at his feet. Can the captain make a difference?
Ousmane Diomande – Ivory Coast
20 | CB | 6’3
Reliability in Sporting’s heart of defence comes with Diomande’s playing style. His physicality + technical abilities seperate him from the best at his age – elite ball playing assets + sets the tempo + breaks legs with his tackling.
Key Battles
Gyökeres vs Saliba/Gabriel
Arsenal’s reliable duo would have to face one of Europe’s most lethal CFs. The UCL top goal scorer might not have the space to run into with the CB’s closing gaps through the middle but his physicality can make things really difficult for the pair.
Trincao vs Calafiori
Trincao is a very quick and tricky winger to come up against, especially with the form he is in this season. Calafiori might have inverting duties but would need strike a balance and be vary of the spaces that can be exploited on the LHS.
Saka vs Araujo
Arsenal’s starboy likes stretching opposing backlines and isolate wingbacks in 1v1 situations. Araujo coming up against Saka would need to hold his ground and provide the defensive security whilst also wishing for his teammates to double up.
Sporting’s compact shape and precision with counter could frustrate Arsenal’s rhythm where Arteta emphasises on possession based football – high press + dominating through the RHS. Winning the individual battles in the game will be key to proceedings.
