 "Sporting-Casa Pia Preview: Heal Leiria’s sorrows at home")
Meeting kicking off this Monday at 8:45 pm
There was no better time for Sporting to return to Alvalade. The last duel was on January 9th and now the house is shaking after the defeat in Leiria.
The Lions thus have the opportunity at Estádio José Alvalade to return to their triumphs and return to the identity that made the team the leader of the championship.
Ahead is Casa Pia who already caused difficulties in the first round, despite being a completely different opponent. They are comfortable in the league table and will demand from Rúben Amorim’s team the offensive efficiency that they did not have in the final four of the League Cup. Once again, leadership could be at stake.
Lion beats Goose in statistics
If we look at the history of clashes in this Lisbon Derby, Sporting’s supremacy is clear, especially because Casa Pia only won on three occasions in 39 games. The last triumph was in 1929/1930…
If we go even further and focus only on Sporting’s home games, Casa Pia has never even managed to score in league games. In 19 games, in total competitions, the lions won 14.
In the first round, the green and whites won in Rio Maior.
Sporting
Rúben Amorim confirmed in a press conference that he will now be able to count on Geny Catamo, who returned early from CAN. However, the absences of Diomande, Morita and Fresneda are still felt.
It’s the return to Alvalade, and in addition to focusing on defense, we need to score goals, which also failed in the League Cup. The competitions are different and it is about leading the championship.
Probable team: Adán; Quaresma, Coates and Gonçalo Inácio; Esgaio, Hjulmand, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos; Edwards, Gyokeres and Paulinho
Tactical system: 3x4x3
Absences: Fresneda (injury), Morita (Asian Cup) and Diomande (CAN)
Trainer: Rúben Amorim
«A difficult game in which, unfortunately, we had more time to work. We have to win to keep our place.”
Sporting coach was in preview of the reception to Casa Pia
Figure: Pedro Gonçalves
They are the ones who arrive in the best shape, despite the strong clash in the League Cup. Pedro Gonçalves was one of the most unhappy against SC Braga, unlike Trincão and Gyokeres, who were quite dull. Furthermore, he should return to playing in midfield.
Pious House
The last time the Gansos won was precisely away from home, which gives some encouragement on their visit to Alvalade, but the truth is that Casa Pia is coming off two consecutive defeats.
They are far from being in trouble in the league table, but a visit to the leader is almost like an oxygen balloon. There is little to lose and much to gain. A duel in which the Goose will want to take advantage of a wounded Lion.
Probable team: Ricardo Batista, Gaizka Larrazabal, João Nunes, Nermin Zolotic and Leonardo Lelo; Neto, Rafael Brito, Tiago Dias and Yuki Soma; Felippe Cardoso and Clayton.
Tactical system: 4x4x2
Absences: Telasco Segovia who is on the Venezuela under-23 team.
Trainer: Pedro Moreira
«I have the group prepared and I’m not too focused on the market right now, I’m focusing a lot on this game with Sporting.»
The geese coach responded to the curious analogy made by Rúben Amorim, minutes earlier, acknowledging sharing ideas with his former ‘team leader’, but ensuring his “personal touch” in Pina Manique
Figure: Clayton
He is the team’s top scorer, with 6 goals in 18 games. A clear threat to Adán’s goal, at a time when Sporting’s defense is not stable.