And in the ninth game the defeat. Sporting did not escape the European curse of its two great rivals and also lost in the Europa League (1-2) in a match in which it was completely dominated by Atalanta in the first half, but which could even have reached a draw in the second, especially after Gyökeres reduced the penalty. And the one that left Alvalade with pleasure was Gasperini’s team, who now lead Group D alone with six points.
Contrary to what happened in the 1st round in Austria, this time Rúben Amorim did not change much in the eleven: Fresneda made his debut as a starter on the right wing, rested captain Coates (who had played in Faro and started on the bench, with Matheus Reis as starter and Inácio in the central position) and bet on the Paulinho/Gyökeres duo that will accompany Pedro Gonçalves in attack, “sacrificing” Edwards.
On a hot afternoon in Lisbon, Sporting hosted an opponent they had beaten in the only successful European campaign in their history. Atalanta, which finished in sixth place in Serie A, one of the most interesting teams in Italy since Gasperini took charge, attracted many fans, who took advantage of the holidays to fill the stadium. In the preview, Rúben Amorim confessed the difficulty of explaining to his players how the Italians played and the truth is that it was confirmed from the first minute, with Atalanta doing to Sporting what the Lions did to their opponents (at least until they met) . with an advantage), making the first 45 minutes virtually a one-way game.
It quickly became clear what a bad idea it was to play the Spanish full-back in a match with these characteristics, just as Lookman explored the spaces on that flank in the first half. Always solid and very pressing all over the pitch, Atalanta managed to trap an opponent who always had great difficulty getting out in transition and who, when they succeeded, always missed the final pass, while Pedro Gonçalves looked uninspired was in that role and always played. at ten o’clock, when more intensity was needed. That’s why no one was surprised when the Bergamascos took the lead (33″). It all started with another corner that the Lions couldn’t clear and because the defense was disorganized, Zappacosta came in from the right and crossed for Scalvini from the baseline. in front of goal, deflects into the back of the net.
Another game
Sporting were not used to not being in control of a game and conceded a second goal before half time, this time in a game built up on the other flank. Without rhythm and without protection from his teammates, Fresneda was beaten on speed by Ruggeri, who countered with Lookman and became isolated. The first shot was stopped by Adán, but the ball was again within the reach of the winger, who only had to push it towards the goal (43″).
What Amorim feared, ‘the suffering’ in a match against a coach who was one of his sources of inspiration, happened and it was not fun – no matter how fun it was for the Italians -, so it was not fashionable to make three substitutions to implement. during halftime. Coates, Catamo and Edwards replaced Nuno Santos, Hjulmand and Paulinho to avoid a bigger “catastrophe”. And the truth is that Sporting were different in the second half, more confident at the back and creative at the front. The Italians began to focus on control rather than looking for a goal that would kill the Portuguese’s response – as they have done in the Liga – and although they did not allow as many chances as Sporting did in the first half, they almost missed out on winning. Gonçalo Inácio, one of the best Lions on the field, was close to 51”, but his header went wide of the post.
Despite being more dominant, Amorim’s team only managed to reduce the deficit towards the end, with a penalty punishing Scalvini’s hand after Diomande’s shot. Gyökeres wasted nothing (76″) and the team continued for a few demonic minutes. Edwards hit the goalkeeper in the face of Musso (77″), and in the next minute he knocked out Geny Catamo, who hit the post. But the Lions were never close to the goal again and it was Adán who prevented Scamacca from making it 1-3.
Source: DN
