Another victory | Sporting Clube de Portugal official website
Sporting CP holds three points in Paços de Ferreira
This Sunday, Sporting Clube de Portugal’s main football team went to FC Paços de Ferreira to win by 0-2 in the 11th round of the League. Gonçalo Inácio and Pedro Gonçalves, in the second half, scored the Leoninos goals.
With Sportinguistas appearing in large numbers at Mata Real, dominating as stands at Estádio Capital do Móvel since Luís Godinho’s opening whistle, Rúben Amorim promoted two novelties in the starting lineup compared to the reception of Beşiktaş JK: Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Santos replaced Pedro Porro (injured, from outside) and Zouhair Feddal (no bench).
With clear skies and no wind, but cold in Paços de Ferreira, Sporting CP should immediately take control of incidences and, in the first ten minutes, they had two chances to score. First it was Sebastián Coates, in response to a corner kick taken by Pablo Sarabia, a header to save André Ferreira. Shortly thereafter, the beaver’s keeper was back in the spotlight by blocking Ricardo Esgaio’s 0-1, who fired a strong shot after a cross from Nuno Santos.
In response, FC Paços de Ferreira shot to the sidelines of João Pedro’s intermediary, even though Antonio Adán was on the lookout. The sources, even so, were doing very well playing and felt very comfortable with the ball, which made the green and white task difficult. In defense, however, Sporting CP remained safe, not allowing the home team to have the space to get close to scoring.
Shortly after half an hour of play, Pablo Sarabia spotted Ricardo Esgaio on the right and the latter shot across, with a ball just passing the goal from Pablo. On the other side, João Pedro tried his luck again, but Antonio Adán easily defended. At half-time, FC Paços de Ferreira had their best opportunity of the first half, with Vitorino Antunes, in a beautiful individual move, a shot with danger for Matheus Reis, with the head, deflecting it into a corner.
The entry to the second half proved to be extremely important for the outcome of the match. After 47 minutes, Ricardo Esgaio crossed for Nuno Santos to shoot into the side nets, with the ball bouncing off an opponent. In the corner kick that followed, Pablo Sarabia put the ball in the area, Sebastián Coates went up to the second floor and served Gonçalo Inácio, who headed it 0-1. A great Leonina party broke out in Mata Real.
FC Paços de Ferreira could even have tied shortly after, in a somewhat confused move in the Sporting CP area with several shots being blocked by the green and white defense, but the truth is that the visitors dominated the second half.
In the 59th minute, Pedro Gonçalves shot outside and, about ten minutes later, Bruno Tabata came in for Pablo Sarabia’s exit. Soon after, 0-2: an excellent move by Sporting CP culminating in Bruno Tabata launching Ricardo Esgaio on the right and this one, with discretion, serving Pedro Gonçalves. On top of the penalty mark, the 28 jersey didn’t forgive and doubled the advantage.
The National Champions continued on top and had a few more chances to score from Paulinho, Matheus Reis and Bruno Tabata before seeing a goal disallowed by Sebastián Coates for offside. With ten minutes to go, and after a direct free-kick from Pedro Gonçalves that didn’t go far, Matheus Nunes gave way to Daniel Bragança.
Until the end, the highlight was the entry of Jovane Cabral (leaved Pedro Gonçalves), for João Palhinha’s header wide and Daniel Bragança’s chance at 90 + 5 minutes, having tried for a hat that ended up in André Ferreira’s hands.
Sporting CP thus added three more points in the League, continuing at the top of the league table. Now follows a stop for the commitments of national teams and the emblem of Alvalade returns to play on November 18, hosting Varzim SC for the Cup of Portugal.
Sporting CP: Antonio Adam [GR], Gonçalo Inácio, Sebastián Coates [C], Matheus Reis, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes (Daniel Bragança, 80′), Nuno Santos, Pablo Sarabia (Bruno Tabata, 68′), Pedro Gonçalves (Jovane Cabral, 89′) and Paulinho.