Interim manager Tiago Fernandes guided Sporting to a 1-0 victory in their Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, played in London this evening.
Issa Doumbia scored the all-important goal on the hour and a backs-to-the-wall defensive effort, grounded on a brilliant display by Silas Andersen, saw the Lions over the line for a third victory in four matches in this season’s competition.
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All change under Fernandes
With Rui Borges sacked on the weekend to make way for Paulo Fonseca, but the former Lyon coach not yet occupying the Sporting dugout, it fell upon B-team manager Tiago Fernandes, son of Sporting great Manuel Fernandes, to prepare the team for the clash against the Ukrainians.
He will probably only have one match in charge, but Fernandes stamped his mark on the occasion with several bold decisions. The system was changed to accommodate three centre-backs, one of whom was 19-year-old Eduardo Felicíssimo, as well as two forwards – Fotis Ioannidis keeping Luis Suárez company up front – and goalkeeper Rui Silva was restored to starting lineup.
Shakhtar, who play their “home” matches in the Champions League at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium in London owing the war with Russia, started brightly, but it was Sporting who created the first near thing to a goal. Geny Catamo jinked his way into the box and cut the ball back to Silas Andersen whose cross caused panic in the Ukrainians’ defence, Maxi Araújo’s angled shot scrambled clear.
Chances were proving scarce at both ends of the pitch in a highly physical game with some intense one-on-one duels, notably Geny versus Pedro Henrique and Maxi versus Alisson Santana.
Just before half time Kauã Elias looked set to open the scoring for Shaktar but he shanked his effort high and wide.
Doumbia turns up!
Sporting’s expensive summer signing Issa Doumbia had endured another frustrating half in the opening 45 minutes, but he came to life after the break. In the 47th minute a brilliant run and cross by Suárez was met by the sliding Italian whose effort fizzed just the wrong side of the post.
The hosts hit back, Elias again close to scoring but a combination of Felicíssimo, Inácio and Silva prevented the Brazilian’s effort from point-blank range from hitting the net.
There was no let-up in the high tempo of the game, which was opening up, and Sporting took the lead in the 59th minute. Doumbia started the move and benefited from a fortunate ricochet of Henrique, adjusting his feet quickly to fire into the net from close range in front of the large contingent of Portuguese fans.
Sporting threatened to take a firm grasp of the match as they poured forward, Eduardo Quaresma unlucky to see his header from a corner well saved by Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Action-man Andersen to the fore
The irrepressible Andersen was everywhere, executing both his defensive and attacking duties with acumen, and a beautiful dinked pass into Suárez’s path by the Dane created a huge chance, the normally lethal Colombian showing a rare lack of composure and he blazed his effort miles over the bar.
A similarly glaring opportunity then appeared at the other end of the pitch, Elias turning and somehow scooping the ball over the bar from practically on the goal-line.
Shakhtar were now throwing caution to wind, livewire Santana causing all sorts of problems for Maxi. The Brazilian almost scored the equaliser with a clever direct free kick when everyone was expecting a cross, but the alert Rui Silva scrambled across his goal to push the ball away. Santana then smacked an effort against the post after waltzing past Maxi again.
Shakhtar spurn late chance
Sporting’s increasingly desperate defensive seemed about to be undone when Oleg Ocheretko swung over a delicious cross right onto the head of Newerton, but the substitute could only direct his header straight at the relieved Rui Silva who pouched the ball to secure the all-important three points.
