From the budget (EUR 24 million against EUR 105 million from the gunners), the value of the squad (233 million against London’s 803 million), including the negative statistics of direct confrontations with Arsenal (four defeats and a draw in five games) and trips to England (haven’t won in 18 years), Sporting have all against tonight in London (8pm, SIC and Sport TV1).
All but the desire and the result achieved in the first leg, in Alvalade. The draw (2-2) not only gives hope to Rúben Amorim’s team, but also opens possibilities for progression to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, as the teams start on equal footing – away goals are no longer valued for football purposes. selection.
For that, the Lions must win in England (either in the 90 minutes, in extra time or on penalties), something they have not managed since March 2005, when they beat Middlesbrough (3-2) in the round of 16 of the final. the then UEFA Cup. That year, Sporting, then still coached by José Peseiro, was only stopped in the final by CSKA in Moscow. Since victory in Middlesbrough, with goals from Pedro Barbosa, Liedson and Douala, the Lions have never returned from England with that result, with a total of nine defeats, four draws and two wins.
This time the task is even more complicated. The opponent is the Premier League leaders, who reign at home this season (13 wins in 17 games) and Sporting are without captain Coates, Morita (suspended) and Bellerín (injured), but want to repeat the quarters of 2011/12 and 2017 /18 and add another €1.8 million to the €36.8 million already won.
Overcoming the tie is vital to Europe’s survival. And again with the statistics against. Sporting have fallen in their first 11 European Cup matches to start with a draw at home, including one with Arsenal, but have qualified in three of the last four. The current scenario is a repeat of the previous European confrontation, in the playoff entry into the round of 16, against Midtjylland, with the draw (1-1) in Alvalade being surpassed by a thrashing in Denmark (4-0). But the opponent is much more complicated…
Three kids called. Adam in doubt
Essugo, Mateus Fernandes and Diogo Pinto are the under-24 newcomers called up by Rúben Amorim for the match against Arsenal. Adán was one of those who traveled to London, even though he had doubts.
For the Sporting coach, the “responsibility for the game lies with Arsenal”, but that “does not diminish the ambition” of the lions, who are “by law” in the eighth finals. Even without forgetting that “on the other side is a team that plays in the best league in the world”, in the case of “one game everything is possible”, especially if the team believes: “And we really believe, we can go through take off the tie and move on.”
And that is exactly what he passed on to the group, admitting that he “started biting the players” after the duel with Boavista (3-0 win). Whether he will use Paulinho or Chermiti remains to be seen, as revealing that the day before would give the opponent trumps, as the characteristics of one and the other force different reactions from Arteta. Sitting next to the coach, Paulinho listened, after revealing that “Sporting will present themselves with ambition” and the will to “go against the quality of Arsenal”. The striker scored in the first leg and came close to scoring twice, in a move he will never forget: “It was 2-1 and a lot could happen, it turns out it’s a bit hard to say what could happen…”
In addition, “football is the moment” and Rúben Amorim “is a happy coach”, because he has “a good contract”, he works in a club he likes and in a project for the future. Reasons why he wants to beat Arsenal and not show up in the Premier League. “What happens badly is my responsibility and what happens well is the responsibility of the players,” said the Leonine coach, who admitted that “beating the Premier League leader would be good on many levels”. What they really don’t want is for players to think that an elimination could mean the end of a season. “It’s not the end of everything,” he assured.
Arteta: “Do better than in Lisbon”
The Arsenal coach wants to do “better than in Lisbon” to beat Sporting. For Mikel Arteta, the good atmosphere in the spa shooter is a plus, as is the return of Gabriel Jesus (after a long hiatus due to injury).
Asked if the Europa League could distract Arsenal from the race for the English title, the Spaniard put things into perspective: “We haven’t had major European nights in three years because of the covid-19 pandemic. It’s probably the first in a while and we hope to build a really good atmosphere and enjoy an evening with our fans against a really good team who will give us a great challenge.”
Source: DN
