This Sunday, Sporting drew 0-0, against Gil Vicente, in a game in the 15th round of the championship. In Barcelos, with eight injured, the lion hit the wall, allowed FC Porto to equal 37 points, in the lead, and could find themselves overtaken by Benfica, tomorrow, one week before the classic in Alvalade.
Without being able to count on Sandro Cruz, who was dropped at the last minute due to a muscle injury, Bruno Pinheiro changed three pieces in relation to the eleven that beat Farense, passing over Fujimoto, in addition to the injured Sithole, to bet on Kazu, Cáseres and Santi García. On Sporting's side, João Pereira opted for Harder as a starter, moving Geovany Quenda to the right wing, to the detriment of Geny Catamo, and swapping Matheus Reis for Diomande in defense.
Field took a while to stretch
It was quickly realized that Mory Gbane, playing as a midfielder, would retreat between Gil Vicente's defenders, individually marking Gyokeres, expanding the defensive line to five units. And it was Gbane who, in the 10th minute, denied the goal, with a header, to Sporting's Swedish striker, in the first opportunity of the match, after a cross from the left by Maxi Araújo.
Shortly afterwards, Debast switched flanks with Eduardo Quaresma, leaving the Portuguese on the left side of the defense trio, but only momentarily, before Gil Vicente aimed for Franco Israel's goal for the first time, in the quarter of an hour, with Josué the header very deflected after a free kick. At 18', another attempt by Gyokeres, with an arcing shot, and the ball coming close to Andrew's post.
From the 20th minute onwards, we started to see more of Gil Vicente, moving up the lines, with Santi García leaving a warning, in the 25th minute, with a shot at Franco Israel. Only in the 42nd minute did Sporting appear again, once again by Gyokeres, again with a header, served by Quenda, but for an easy save by Andrew.
A defender to change the attack
For the second half, João Pereira launched Matheus Reis in place of Eduardo Quaresma, and Sporting improved. Gyokeres, in the second burst, in the 53rd minute, crossed but Harder appeared too early to deflect it. At 55' another sprint from the Swede, falling inside the area with Mory Gbane. André Narciso ordered to continue. At 62', from a free kick by Quenda, Hjulmand almost headed the ball in, with Andrew on his back.
In the 66th minute there was a real chill in the Sporting area, with a dangerous cross from Félix Correia, with no one coming to take the deflection. Soon after, João Pereira moved again, launching Geny Catamo in place of Quenda. Seconds later, it was Andrew flying in to deny Harder's header at 0-1. Bruno Pinheiro, from the bench, responded, launching Castillo and Fujimoto in place of Santi García and Mboula, both yellowed.
In the 70th minute, Geny Catamo, from medium distance, tested Andrew, before Kazu fell, in difficulty, and was replaced by Mutombo, in the 74th minute. At 75' the same Mutombo, after Catamo's corner, saw Harder believe, deflect and managed to cut the ball with Gyokeres close to try to deflect the goal.
Penalty reversed
Sporting tightened its grip and, in the 77th minute, Debast penetrated Gil Vicente's penalty area, overtook Mutombo and ended up falling in a play with Rúben Fernandes. André Narciso pointed to the penalty spot but, when called to the VAR, he went to review the move and reversed the decision, in a move in which he whistled at the moment Trincão shot at the goal.
At 81, Andrew was again in the spotlight, stopping the shots of Geny Catamo, first, and Catamo, then, deflecting for a corner, when Pablo and João Teixeira replaced Cáseres and Jorge Aguirre. João Pereira responded, launching young Mauro Couto in place of Maxi Araújo.
In the eight minutes of added time, Félix Correia, at 90+4', forced Franco Israel to go onto the field and concede a corner, before Rúben Fernandes brought Catamo down, receiving a yellow card and, at 90+8', seeing Catamo shoot over, without any danger.
Flashscore man of the match: Andrew (Gil Vicente)
