In the sixth round of the competition, Catamo still gave the 'lions' an advantage after three minutes, but Eduardo Quaresma, in an unfortunate move at 24, and Nielsen, at 84, guaranteed the triumph of Club Brugge, who made the best of the total lack of direction and leadership that is clear in the formation of Alvalade.
Just as happened against Moreirense (2-1 defeat), Sporting started well and came out ahead, but, as the match progressed, there was a clear divorce between players and João Pereira's technical committee, ending the team, without having support and leadership, for losing himself on the field as the game went on.
In fact, in Bruges, it was rare to see any Sporting player receiving any indication from his coaching staff, something that was even exhausting in the Rúben Amorim 'era'.
Sometimes, the image given in Flanders was that the players even preferred to be themselves – or forced to do so – to organize themselves on the field rather than seek any indication from João Pereira or someone from his 'staff'.
The truth is that Sporting suffered the fourth consecutive setback in all competitions, something that hadn't happened in over a decade (2012) and, suddenly, they were left with the championship and round of 16 of the 'Champions' at risk.
For now, the national champions remain in 12th place, with 10 points, a situation that allows access to the play-off, but, taking into account the phase they are going through in Alvalade, the 'lions' risk transforming a campaign that was being historic at 'Champions' in a disaster.
When this is the case, luck also seems to be lacking and this happened with the injury to Gonçalo Inácio, who was in the starting eleven and ended up not making it past the warm-up, being replaced even before the final whistle by Matheus Reis, and Eduardo Quaresma, returning to the initial options, but had to leave close to half-time after a violent clash, after the own goal.
In the next move, after conceding the equalizing goal, Sporting rightly celebrated scoring a penalty, but the move ended in an unbelievable way as it was reversed as a direct free kick by the VAR, when the foul committed on Maxi Araújo already happened well within of the area.
With João Simões, 17 years old, enjoying his first game as a starter in Sporting's main team, taking advantage of the 'casualties' of Daniel Bragança and Morita, Sporting reached the goal the first time they invaded the Belgian area, with Catamo shooting successfully reloading a shot from Maxi Araújo, which hit the post.
It was a phase of total dominance for João Pereira's team, which during the first 20 minutes had almost 80% possession of the ball, however, lacking offensive courage, with Gyokeres always left to the 'wolves'.
The striker, the great sensation of European football this season, seems like a 'ghost' of the original version, always being alone up front and forced to attack his opponents in search of a miracle or to imitate a goal like the mythical one achieved by ' Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo against Compostela when he played for FC Barcelona, in the 90s of the last century.
Without having done much about it, Brugge equalized in the 24th minute, with Tzolis appearing free in the area and shooting towards the returning Israel's goal, which ended up betrayed by a touch from Quaresma, when the ball seemed to go out.
Even with the draw and the penalty that was suddenly turned into a foul, Sporting remained on top of the match, however, it was Brugge who created danger.
Israel had to take action twice, the last time with a painful defender with his face preventing the comeback.
In the second half, the Belgians balanced the game, with Sporting ending up not having much of the ball, with the match having few scoring opportunities, although enough for the hosts to win, in that was the first ever duel between the two. emblems in official UEFA competitions.
Even with Geny Catamo very active on the right, Sporting were practically harmless, again with Gyokeres 'abandoned' and with Trincão and Quenda, today 'promoted' to the attacking trio, both having to retreat a lot looking for the ball.
Tzolis got scared in the 58th minute and it was the Greek's substitute, the Dane Casper Nielsen, in the 84th minute, who decided the match, shortly after coming on.
The Scandinavian took advantage of the 'lions' defensive line's lack of balance – St. Juste did not adjust his position in relation to his two teammates – and, in the game, beat a helpless Israel.
