In 14 previous visits to German clubs in European competition Sporting had a record of 13 defeats and one draw, but it was a different story tonight at the Waldstadion.
After withstanding heavy pressure in first half, Sporting came out a transformed team after the break, and goals from Marcus Edwards, Francisco Trincão and Nuno Santos gave the Lions a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt to get their Champions League campaign off to the perfect start.
Sporting coach Rúben Amorim made one change from the team that beat Estoril on Friday, Gonçalo Inácio returning to the starting line-up in place of Nuno Santos, with Matheus Reis moving from centre-back to left wing-back.
Around 50,000 fans in the stadium created a frenetic atmosphere and they almost got a dream start. A disastrous back pass by Ugarte went straight to Kolo Muani, the striker completely on his own with just Adán to beat, but Sporting’s number one won the duel with an excellent stop with his outstretched left boot.
Penalty decision overturned
The Germans continued to pile on the pressure with Sporting’s midfield duo Morita and Ugarte struggling to impose themselves but out of nowhere the visitors thought they had won a penalty. Marcus Edwards raced into the box, fell under a challenge from Lenz, and the referee pointed to the spot. Upon a VAR intervention though, the decision was correctly overturned.
Sporting’s insistence of playing out from the back was proving their undoing in the face of Frankfurt’s pressing, Adán and Inácio relieved to see loose turnovers of the ball in dangerous zones of the pitch not taken advantage of by the hosts.
On 30 minutes Adán produced a sharp save from Kamada’s attempt to score from a tight angle.
Play soon switched to the other end of the pitch with Edwards playing a one-two with Pedro Porro, cutting into the box and shooting low towards the near post, Trapp reacting well to save.
Captain fantastic Coates
Frankfurt again turned the screw with half time approaching, Sporting coming under intense pressure and thankful for several moments of staunch defending by captain Sebastián Coates to keep the home side at bay.
Sporting were dealt a blow in the 51st minute as St. Juste went down injured and had to be replaced by Neto. The experienced centre-back was immediately in the thick of it, stretching to block a Kamada shot.
But the visitors were now enjoying more possession and control, Pedro Porro smashing an effort into the side-netting after a dangerous break, and the Spaniard producing more good play to set up Edwards who won a dangerous free kick on the edge of the box. Trincão took it on but shot over the bar.
Sporting’s more adventurous approach was rewarded soon afterwards. Pedro Gonçalves spotted Morita’s clever diagonal run and his pass was cut back into the box by the Japanese for Edwards, who despite being closed down managed to get his shot off which flew into the back of the net.
One soon became two as another fine move involving Morita, Pote and Edwards enabled the Englishman to pick out Trincão inside the box, who confidently beat Trapp with a left-foot finish. 67 minutes gone, 2-0 Sporting.
Primeiro jogo da @ChampionsLeague ✅
— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) September 9, 2022
🔜 Portimonense SC
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Mobile attack on song
The Portuguese side were now cutting through Frankfurt frequently, Trincão forcing Trapp into another save, while simultaneously the chances had completely dried up for the Bundesliga team.
Therefore, it was not a huge surprise when Sporting made it 3-0, substitute Nuno Santos finishing off confidently after brilliant work by Porro to progress down the right flank and swing over a sumptuous cross. Amazingly, only a timely interception by Pellegrini prevented Rochinha from scoring a fourth goal for Sporting.
Amorim’s men will be delighted to lay down a marker in what appears a balanced Group H.
More importantly perhaps, the convincing nature of the victory and the superb combination play of Sporting’s attacking game will restore confidence among the squad and fans that the poor start to the campaign is behind them and the Lisbon club can in fact enjoy a successful season.
by Tom Kundert
Goals:
[0-1] Marcus Edwards, 65’
[0-2] Francisco Trincão, 67’
[0-3] Nuno Santos, 82’
