JAKARTA, sport.suaramerdeka.com – Sporting CP will host Atalanta at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, in the first leg of the last 16 of the Europa League, Thursday (7/3) early morning WIB.
This match is predicted to be fierce and interesting, considering that both teams are in good form.
Sporting is currently at the top of the Portuguese League standings and is on a winning streak in the Europa League. Victories over Sturm Graz (2-1) and Lazio (4-2) saw them qualify for the round of 16 with an impressive record.
Also read: Allegedly because a married woman rejected her love, a middle-aged man in Palembang was determined to burn down his house
Sporting coach, Ruben Amorim, hopes his team can maintain this consistency when they host Atalanta.
“This is an important match and we have to perform at our best. “Atalanta is a strong team and we have to be wary of them,” said Amorim.
Amorim had to face challenges at the back due to the absence of Jerry St Juste and Sebastian Coates due to injury.
Also Read: Semen Padang Faces PSBS Biak in Second Leg League 2 Final, Delfiadri: Nothing is Impossible
“Coates’ injury is not negotiable, but he is an experienced player and knows how to recover quickly,” explained Amorim.
Fortunately, Sporting still has a sharp attacking duo, Viktor Gyokeres and Pedro ‘Pote’ Goncalves, who are in their best form. Gyokeres scored twice and Pote scored once as Sporting beat Farense in the Portuguese League.
On the other hand, Atalanta cannot be underestimated either. They showed consistency by winning over Rakow Czechowa (2-0) in the Europa League and gaining important points in the Italian Serie A (2-0 win over Cagliari, 1-0 win over Verona, and 0-0 draw against Juventus).
Also Read: One Leg of PSBS Biak Already Wins League 2 2023/2024, Regi Aditya: Our Second Leg is Without Burdens
Currently, Atalanta is in sixth place in the Serie A standings with a difference of five points from leaders Inter Milan.
Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, could not field El Bilal Toure and Gianluca Scamacca due to injury. However, Mario Pasalic has the potential to fill the front line.
It is predicted that Scamacca will be deployed from the early minutes as the main striker, ahead of Charles De Ketelaere.