Leões/Lions Awards 2017

As always, another year where I don’t actually post anything but I do do this.

It’s been a difficult year for Sporting with a season that ended too early and a transfer policy that reeked of prime Godinho Lopes. However, the were some bright spots and some reason for optimism for next year.

Goal of the Season: Gelson Martins vs. Paços de Ferreira (Link) – After collecting a lovely through ball, Gelson Martins flicks the ball over toe goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net. It was this kind of creative play that made Gelson one of the bright spots on the season.
Runners Up: 2. Bruno César vs. Vitória de Setúbal (Link), Alan Ruiz vs. Porto (Link)
Bonus: Gelson Martins vs. Porto (Link), Bas Dost vs. Boavista (Link), Elias vs. Vitória de Guimarães (Link), Bas Dost vs. Estoril (Link)
2016: João Mário vs. Vitória de Setúbal (Link)
2015: Nani vs. Gil Vicente (Link)
2014: Carlos Mané vs. Marítimo (Link)
2013: Ricky van Wolfswinkel vs. Braga (Link)
2012: Marat Izmailov vs. Rio Ave (Link)

Worst Signing of the Season: Luc Castaignos – It’s been a difficult choice to pick just one player out to be the worst. You have Elias, Lazar Markovic, Marcelo Meli, André, Joel Campbell and Radosav Petrović. There can be a case made for each of those players. However, Luc Castaignos is the only one of those players who made it past January, and I can only assume that is because no other club wanted to take him of our hands. The once promising Dutch forward had an excellent chance to reignite his career in Portugal but could barely even get into a scoring position when given the chance. On the rare times he did get into a good position for a chance it inevitably went high and wide. A total dud.
Runners Up: 2. Lazar Markovic (Possibly an undercover agent), 3. Elias (It was worth a try)
2016: 1. Hernán Barcos, 2. Michaël Ciani, 3. Bruno Paulista
2015: 1. Simeon Slavchev, 2. Naby Sarr, 3. Ramy Rabia
2014: 1. Gérson Magrão, 2. Welder, 3. Iván Piris
2013: 1. Khalid Boulahrouz, 2. Danijel Pranjic, 3. Gelson Fernandes
2012: 1. Valeri Bojinov, 2. Luis Aguiar, 3. Elias

Best Signing of the Season: Bas Dost – It was always going to be tough to fill in for the departing Islam Slimani. Bas Dost came in form an average season in Germany with Wolfsburg but was quick to settle in to life in Portugal. Under Jorge Jesus his link up play has improved greatly as the season progressed. His aerial presence and strikers instinct are what was helped him racked up the goals all season long. Currently, he’s looking even better after forming an exciting and mildly amusing Arnie / DeVito tribute act. If he can replicate this form next season it will be something.
Runners Up: 2. Beto (A superb backup to Rui Patrício), 2. Gelson Dala (A very exciting prospect)
2016: 1. Jorge Jesus, 2. Bryan Ruiz, 3. Bruno César
2015: 1. Paulo Oliveira, 2. Nani, 3. Ewerton
2014: 1. Leonardo Jardim, 2. Islam Slimani, 3. Jefferson
2013: 1. Fabrice Fokobo, 2. Marcos Rojo, 3. Zakaria Labyad
2012: 1. Stijn Schaars, 2. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, 3. Emiliano Insúa

Next is a new award I have just made up. This season whilst some trash signings were taking up spaces there were improvements waiting for game time.

Most Under-utilised Player: Paulo Oliveira – Although Sebastián Coates was solid all season, Rúben Semedo was hot and cold. When he was good, he was excellent however when he was poor he was a massive liability. Paulo Oliveira however has always been an assured player and perhaps suffers from his relative lack of size and strength in comparison to Semedo, something Jorge Jesus seems to value in his centre-backs. He’s an intelligent defender and it would be a shame for him to leave in summer whilst pursing game time, especially after the signing of André Pinto from Braga.
Runners Up: 2. Ricardo Esgaio (Out of position at left back, he was still better than Jefferson and Marvin), 3. Matheus Pereira (When he played he was better than all our other wingers except Gelson)
Bonus Answer: Ryan Gauld

U23 Player of the Season: Gelson Martins – When times have been tough this season there has always been something to admire in watching Gelson Martins play. His game is natural which can mean he occasionally does something that looks stupid, however, it also means he can do outrageous pieces of skill and become our most powerful creative force. Hopefully Gelson (rumoured with every big club) sticks around for at least one more season to really develop further as a player.
Runners Up: 2. Daniel Podence, 3. Matheus Pereira
2016: 1. João Mário, 2. Gelson Martins, 3. Carlos Mané
2015: 1. Paulo Oliveira, 2. João Mário, 3. Carlos Mané
2014: 1. William Carvalho, 2. Carlos Mané, 3. André Carrillo
2013: 1. André Martins, 2. Eric Dier, 3. Tiago Ilori
2012: 1. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, 2. André Martins, 3. André Carrillo

B Team Player of the Season: Gelson Dala – Yes, he only arrived in January but when he came Sporting B were struggling in a relegation scrap and it looked like perhaps the first team would all have to chip in to prevent a disaster. However, with the arrival of Gelson Dala there seemed to be a player who was a level ahead of everyone else. It was no surprise he was pushing for the first team by the end of the season after his fantastic goal scoring record and eye-catching performances.
Runners Up: 2. Leonardo Ruiz, 3. Ivanildo Fernandes
2016: 1. Daniel Podence, 2. Francisco Geraldes, 3. Matheus Pereira
2015: 1. Wallyson Mallmann, 2. Gelson Martins, 3. Ryan Gauld
2014: 1. Ricardo Esgaio, 2. Iuri Medeiros, 3. Wallyson Mallmann
2013: 1. Ricardo Esgaio, 2. Eric Dier, 3. Bruma

Player of the Season: Bas Dost – As stated above, what a signing Bas Dost has been. He was even chasing Lionel Messi for the Golden Boot, no mean feat.
Runners Up: 2. Gelson Martins (Excellent creative output), 3. Sebastián Coates (Solid all season long)
2016: 1. Islam Slimani, 2. Adrien Silva, 3. João Mário
2015: 1. André Carrillo, 2. Nani, 3. Adrien Silva
2014: 1. William Carvalho, 2. Adrien Silva, 3. Cédric Soares
2013: 1. Rui Patrício, 2. Diego Capel, 3. Fabián Rinaudo
2012: 1. Rui Patrício, 2. Stijn Schaars, 3. Ricky van Wolfswinkel

Sporting players called up to Portugal squads

The latest squad selections for the Portuguese national teams have been announced and, as ever, Sporting are greatly represented.

The biggest news is Gelson Martins’ first called up to the senior squad by Fernando Santos. The winger’s excellent start to the season has not gone unnoticed however Rúben Semedo has not made it to the senior team and is included in the U21 squad.

Portugal: Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, Gelson Martins
Portugal U21: Domingos Duarte, Rúben Semedo, Tobias Figueiredo, Pedro Empis, Francisco Geraldes, Daniel Podence
Portugal U19: Abdu Conté, Bruno Paz, Gonçalo Vieira, Pedro Marques

Elsewhere there were players selected for the Women’s side as well. Susana Cova named 5 Sporting players in her U19 team and 3 Sporting players were selected for the U17 team.

Portugal U19: Bárbara Marques, Bruna Costa, Inês Pereira, Neuza Besugo, Tânia Rodrigues
Portugal U17: Joana Martins, Beatriz Conduto, Carolina Monteiro

Taça de Portugal Draw: Famalicão (Away)

The draw for the Taça de Portugal has been made and Sporting will face FC Famalicão away from home on the 16th October.

The game takes place just before the game against Borussia Dortmund so expect a second string Sporting side to feature.

The last time the two teams met was also in the Taça de Portugal back in January 2015 when goals from André Carrillo, João Mário, Paulo Oliveira, and Fredy Montero completed a comfortable 4-0 win.

SPORTING B 5-1 Cova da Piedade

Sporting B returned to winning ways in style with a 5-1 thrashing off Cova da Piedade. A brace from Leonardo Ruiz and goals from Pedro Delgado, Matheus Pereira and Bilel Aouacheria gave Sporting the win.

João de Deus had 2 reinforcements from the first team squad with Ricardo Esgaio and Matheus Pereira both starting to regain their match fitness. Cova da Piedade had a familiar face in their team with Evaldo starting in defence.

It was 21 minutes before Sporting took the lead through Leonardo Ruiz, the Colombian heading in Matheus Pereira’s cross. The Brazilian winger had been the danger for Sporting early on in the game.

Most of the goals came in the second half and it was only a minute after the restart that Ruiz completed his brace. This time it was Mama Baldé with the cross for Ruiz to head in yet again.

However, Cova da Piedade got back in the back when Boubakar Kouyaté fouled Christian Irobiso in the area. André Carvalhas stepped up to put the penalty past Pedro Silva.

This time Sporting B didn’t concede a late equaliser as Pedro Delgado popped up to make it 3-1 in the 66th minute, his first goal for Sporting B.

In the 79th minute Matheus Pereira got a much deserved goal after his excellent display and then just before the end substitute Bilel Aouacheria completed the route.

This was easily Sporting B’s best performance of the season and hopefully they can continue their form against Viseu in their next game to get out of the bottom third of the table.

SPORTING B XI: Pedro Silva; Mama Baldé, Boubakar Kouyaté, Ivanildo Fernandes, Pedro Empis; Fábio Martins (Edu Pinheiro, 86′), Ricardo Guima, Pedro Delgado (Scored, 66′) (Bilel Aouacheria, 82′, Scored 90′); Ricardo Esgaio, Matheus Pereira (Scored, 79′), Leonardo Ruiz (Scored 21′, 46′) (Ronaldo Tavares, 71;)
Substitutes Not Used: Vladimir Stojković, Fidel Escobar, Budag Nasyrov, Jovane Cabral

SPORTING 2-0 Legia Warszawa

Sporting had a comfortable night in the Alvalade against Legia Warszawa. Bryan Ruiz and Bas Dost’s first half goals were enough to seal the win.

Sporting were without Jorge Jesus after his sending off against Real Madrid last time out. Assistant coach Raul José was the main man at the dug out in his place.

The Polish side themselves have just gone under a chance of management and in the first 10 minutes they looked hugely improved over the time that were thrashed by Borussia Dortmund in their first round game.

However, Sporting soon grew in confidence and dominated the rest of the second half.

Gelson Martins had a golden opportunity when a corner fell his way. The ball was coming at him quick but Gelson was just a few years in front of an open goal when his shot cannoned off the cross bar.

The first goal came from a corner in the 28th minute that was flicked on by a Legia player but it went straight to the feet of Bryan Ruiz. The Costa Rican calmly passed the ball into the net.

Sporting got the second when a pinpoint Adrien Silva pass found Bas Dost who peeled away from his marker. The Dutch striker made no mistake in boosting his excellent scoring record so far this season.

The game after the break was completely different. Sporting didn’t put too much effort into looking of a third goal where as Legia didn’t look threatening going forward. It’s the kind of half that could have done with Jorge Jesus screaming manically from the sidelines.

The second half did see the debut of Serbian midfielder Radosav Petrović as a late substitution but that is as interesting as it got.

Still, it’s 3 important points with these 2 games against Legia must wins for Sporting.

SPORTING XI: Rui Patrício; João Pereira, Sebastián Coates, Rúben Semedo, Jefferson; William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, Bruno César (Lazar Marković, 66′), Gelson Martins (Joel Campbell, 76′); Bryan Ruiz (Scored, 28′) (Radosav Petrović, 87′), Bas Dost (Scored, 37′)
Substitutes Not Used: Beto, Ezequiel Schelotto, Paulo Oliveira, André

Player Ratings: Rio Ave vs. SPORTING

Well, instead of (maybe) writing a match report after last night’s shambles against Rio Ave, I thought it would work out better to give ratings to the players instead of telling you everything you already saw. So, here we go:

Rui Patrício – 6: Couldn’t do anything about any of the goals and made plenty of good saves in between.

Ezequiel Schelotto – 3: Looked very shaky defensively and wasn’t much of a threat going forward.

Sebastián Coates – 5: He seemed very out of sorts after ordinarily being assured at the bank since he arrived.

Rúben Semedo – 6: Probably the best player on the pitch for Sporting. Made some crucial interceptions and his pace and strength were evident throughout.

Bruno César – 0: After playing so well and scoring against Real Madrid, this is probably Bruno César’s worst performance in a Sporting shirt. Jorge Jesus’ experiment with him at left-back is head scratcher when Jefferson is such a superior replacement.

William Carvalho – 5: Some good moments but generally a poor overall performance from William.

Adrien Silva – 6: As always, he gave 100%. He created more chances in centre midfielder than most of our strikers.

Gelson Martins – 4: Back to earth for Gelson Martins after his stella performance in Madrid. Perhaps the reports in the press comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo and Luís Figo went to his head. He did however set up the goal and took a whack to the head by the goal post in the process.

Joel Campbell – 2: Looked lost on the pitch and couldn’t get involved. On the left he offered little support for Bruno César.

Alan Ruiz – 3: Couldn’t influence the game at all, had a few bright spots but was most anonymous.

André – 2: If Alan Ruiz was mostly anonymous then André was definitely anonymous. Didn’t do anything the entire game.

Substitutes:

Bryan Ruiz – 5: Certainly a big improvement when he came on and he was a far more creative than any of the other attackers in the first half. His cross helped set up Sporting’s goal.

Bas Dost – 6: 2 goals in 2 games is a great start for Bas Dost. He had a few other decent chances and looked the part up front.

Lazar Marković – 4: Couldn’t put his stamp on the game and was booked at the end for diving to try and win a penalty. That only works at Benfica, Lazar.

Jorge Jesus – 3: After the usual egotistical comments in the press, it was a dramatic slice of humble pie for Jesus. Clearly made a mistake in his initial team selection and the Bruno César at left-back experiment is still worrying.

João Pinheiro – 5: It was generally an easy game to referee but João Pinheiro still got a lot of calls in the middle of the park wrong. However, the bigger calls, (e.g. Marković’s dive) were correct.

SPORTING B 2-2 Gil Vicente

Sporting B were denied a much needed win by a last minute Gil Vicente equaliser in Alcochete.

João de Deus’ men have been struggling to get wins in recent weeks but this time the coach had reinforcements. Ricardo Esgaio, Bruno Paulista and Matheus Pereira all started, the 3 first team players in need of first team action.

All 4 goals came in the last 30 minutes of the game. Gil Vicente struck first through defender Ricardo Miranda.

Sporting hit back immediately through substitute Pedro Marques, who was the hero against Real Madrid in the UEFA Youth Cup, scoring just a minute after Miranda’s goal.

It looked like Marques had struck the winner for Sporting when he made it 2-1 in the 80th minute.

However Gil Vicente stole a point in the end with Brazilian midfielder Arthur Rezende beating Pedro Silva to make it 2-2.

Sporting currently sit way down in 20th place but with so many games left and a young team that should only get better there shouldn’t be any reason for Sporting to panic just yet.

SPORTING B XI: Pedro Silva; Ricardo Esgaio, Fidel Escobar (Bilel Aouacheria, 46′), Boubakar Kouyaté, Ivanildo Fernandes; Bruno Paulista (YC), Ricardo Guima, Pedro Delgado (Jovane Cabral, 77′); Pedro Empis, Matheus Pereira, Ronaldo Tavares (Pedro Marques, 57′, Scored 61′, 80′)
Substitutes Not Used: Vladimir Stojković, Fabrice Fokobo, Budag Nasyrov, Leonardo Ruiz

Sporting Squad to Face Real Madrid

Sporting’s squad that travels to Spain to face Cristiano Ronaldo and friends tomorrow has been announced.

The Champions League allows for bigger squads than the Primeira Liga so it’s no surprise to see players like Vladimir Stojković make the cut.

Here’s the full squad:

Goalkeepers: Rui Patrício, Beto, Vladimir Stojković
Defenders: João Pereira, Ezequiel Schelotto, Ricardo Esgaio, Rúben Semedo, Sebastián Coates, Paulo Oliveira, Douglas Teixeira, Marvin Zeegelaar, Jefferson
Midfielders: William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, Bruno César, Elias, Radosav Petrović, Marcelo Meli, Bruno Paulista
Forwards: Lazar Marković, Bryan Ruiz, Gelson Martins, Matheus Pereira, Alan Ruiz, André, Bas Dost, Joel Campbell, Luc Castaignos

SPORTING 3-0 Moreirense

Sporting retained top spot of the Primeira Liga with a comfortable 3-0 win of Moreirense. The visitors were proving difficult opponents until Ângelo Neto stupidly got himself sent off in the first half which made it plain sailing for Sporting.

Jorge Jesus was without the departed Islam Slimani so Bas Dost made his debut in place of the Algerian. Bruno César dropped down to left-back and Joel Campbell made his first start. Alan Ruiz started ahead of Bryan Ruiz whilst new signings Elias, André, and Lazar Marković were on the bench.

Initially Sporting it found it difficult to find time on the ball against Moreirense Pepa’s team pressed high up the pitch and caused Sporting problems with their pace.

Sporting did find a goal though after 27 minutes. William Carvalho’s looped pass found Gelson Martins in the area. The winger, fresh off scoring against Porto, made no mistake here against Giorgi Makaridze.

Moreirense shot themselves in the foot when Ângelo Neto received his second yellow card after just 34 minutes. His first had been for wearing his wedding ring and this one was for a studs up challenge on William Carvalho.

After that the game was all Sporting, especially in the second half when Sporting’s attack flowed more than in the first.

Sporting got the 2nd goal after 52 minutes when Alan Ruiz found the head of Joel Campbell. The Costa Rican made no mistake from close range to continue his eye catching start to life in Portugal.

The third goal came through Bas Dost who needed to goes at it but the Dutch man opened his account.

Sporting breezed through the rest of the match in which Jorge Jesus gave debuts (and re-debuts) to Lazar Marković, André and Elias.

Having the job finished early was important for Sporting with facing Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday.

SPORTING XI: Rui Patrício; Ezequiel Schelotto, Sebastián Coates, Rúben Semedo, Bruno César; William Carvalho, Adrien Silva (Elias, 67′); Gelson Martins (Lazar Marković, 60′), Joel Campbell; Alan Ruiz (André, 78′), Bas Dost
Substitutes Not Used: Beto, Paulo Oliveira, Jefferson, Bryan Ruiz

Futebol Feminino: Belenenses 0-5 SPORTING

The Women’s football team returned with a bang after a 21-year absence from the league. Nuno Cristovão’s side won 5-0 in a very one sided game.

The game was not shown on TV, however highlights of the goals are now up and can be found here.

The pick of the goals was probably the first, when Tatiana Pinto looped a shot over the Belenenses goalkeeper after 12 minutes gone. Diana Silva made it 2-0 just before half-time heading in from a corner.

In the second half the goals came through Solange Carvalhas, Fátima Pinto, and Joana Marchão.

Usually, a 5-0 in the first round of the league puts you at the top of the table but with Braga winning 9-0 in their game it sees Sporting second.

SPORTING XI: Patrícia Morais; Rita Fontemanha, Bruna Costa, Matilde Figueiras, Joana Marchão; Patrícia Gouveia, Fátima Pinto, Tatiana Pinto; Solange Carvalhas, Diana Silva, Ana Capeta