Clássico Preview: Sporting v. The Tripe Consumers

By: Greg | October 3rd, 2008

2008/09 Portuguese Liga Sagres Jornada 5
Sporting v. Tripeiros
October 5th, 2008 @ 19:45 Local time
Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon

Preview
Porto are coming off a thorough Champions League ass whooping at the hands of Arsenal midweek to the tune of 4-0. Sporting, on the other hand, won their home Champions League tie against FC Basel 2-0 on two second half goals. I’m by no means trying to say that Basel = Arsenal and therefore Sporting > Porto. Different teams react in varying ways to wins and losses. Some become complacent with victories while others are able to compartmentalize each match and move forward from staggering defeats. We’ll see what each team is made of this Sunday in Lisbon, where Porto haven’t left with a win since the 05/06 season…

Possible Sporting Starting XI

Yannick Djaló – Hélder Postiga
João Moutinho – Romagnoli – Simon Vukčević
Miguel Veloso
Grimi – Polga – Tonel – Abel
Rui Patrício

Polga, Simon Vukčević, and Izmailov are all doubts. Polga seems a bit more serious than the other two, so we may see Grimi slide over and Bruno Pereirinha take one of the wings. Either way, the formation is somewhat fucked by the recent anti-windfall of injuries.

Key Player
Rui Patrício, Keeper — The combination of a depleted defense and a somewhat formidable Porto attack should make for a decent amount of balls flying at the Sporting net. Since it’s his job to stop the aforementioned balls, his performance in this match will be critical to Sporting’s success (or failure).

Tactics
Sporting’s tactics are the same for almost every match: stick to the short, crisp, creative passing and bring the ball to goal methodically. That’s the formula for their wins. If you see the ball start leaving the pitch and heading skyward for thirty yards to two guys who can’t be taller than 5′1″ (Postiga and Yannick), you can be sure that Sporting are frustrated, off their game, and bound to lose.

Porto will be looking to assert themselves early and take the Alvalade faithful out of the equation with an early strike. They’ll test the Sporting defense with every manner of probe: be it long ball, set piece (oh shit), or step-ladder passing. If Polga is out and the defense is further compromised, it could be a long night for the Leões.

Prediction
After losing to the fucking Lamps, we can’t possibly drop it to these ass clowns… Sporting 3 – 1 Porto That’s right, I want to see a THREE SPOT hung on them! LIGHT IT UP, BOYS!!!!

Viva O Sporting!!!