Sporting ended a series of four straight defeats by beating Boavista 3-2 at Alvalade tonight. The Lions attacked the visitors incessantly virtually the whole match, but once again revealed a defensive insecurity that has dogged the team since Ruben Amorim left.

Viktor Gyökeres put Sporting ahead midway through the first half, but Boavista equalised on the stroke of half time from their only effort up until then, by Róbert Bozenik.

A Francisco Trincão brace in the second half earned the Portuguese champions the three points, although in between Boavista equalised for a second time through Bruno Onyemaechi and the performance will do little to ease Sporting supporters’ worries about the capacities of the new coach João Pereira. 

Saturday’s Primeira Liga match between Sporting CP and Boavista FC sees two of Portugal’s most storied clubs face off in a fascinating midseason encounter. Both sides enter the Journada 14 fixture in desperate need of points after staggering over the last few weeks.  

Sporting remain top of the league standings, but a string of poor results sees the Lisbon club struggling at a critical stage. With rivals SL Benfica and FC Porto both on their heels, Sporting will be feeling the pressure after failing to secure a single point from their last four matches.

Boavista’s paper thin squad continues to scrape and battle for points over the early part of the season, with the Porto club hovering just over the relegation zone in 14th position. A visit to the Estádio José Alvalade will be the ultimate test for Os Axadrezados who will be aiming for their first league win since November 2. 

From Lev Yashin to Rinat Dasayev, Russia’s footballing history is filled with imposing goalkeepers who have left their mark on the game for club and country. And at 27 years of age, Ivan Zlobin is well on his way to announcing himself as Russia’s next top shot-stopper.

Zach Lowy profiles the goalkeeper who travelled the length of Europe to pursue his dream, had to show resilience, but has found a happy home in Famalicão. 

Porto got their UEFA Europa League campaign back on track at Estádio do Dragão where they produced a deserved 2-0 victory against Midtjylland.

Danny Namaso’s deflected header put them ahead in the first half before Fábio Vieira instigated their second goal in the 56th minute when Pepê’s cross was converted by Samu Aghehowa.

Adam Buksa scored in added time with the goal ruled out by the VAR, the Dragons collecting a vital three points which puts them back into the play-off positions.