The necessary personnel problems at Sporting Portugal in the run-up to the Champions League match against Ajax on Wednesday evening. Trainer Rúben Amorim cannot rely on star player Pedro Goncalves during the first game in the group stage. The 23-year-old attacker is expected to be out of circulation for at least another week due to minor injuries. Sebastián Coates also has to put an end to the meeting with Ajax at home because of a suspension.
Goncalves, who had a large share in Sporting’s national title last season with 23 goals, was already missing in the top match against FC Porto (1-1) on Saturday evening. Gonçalo Inácio, Tiago Tomás and Manuel Ugarte also did not play for Sporting on Saturday, although the trio may be able to play in the home game against Ajax on Wednesday. Nuno Santos gave the reigning champions the lead against Porto, but Luis Díaz’s goal meant that there was no more than a point in the end.
Upcoming Ajax opponent in the lead! ??
A super sharp cross to Nuno Santos and he slides in with his toe?#ZiggoSport #PrimeiraLiga #SPOFCP pic.twitter.com/TCNm2cqYuH— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 11, 2021
With a view to the Champions League meeting with Ajax, Amorim would have preferred that the top match against Porto had been postponed by the Portuguese Football Association. “It doesn’t really make any sense that we have to play against Porto at the moment,” said the angry Sporting coach, who does not want to hide behind apologies. He believes that with the input of a number of talents Porto should also be won. “If we suddenly change everything with the Champions League in sight, then something is wrong.”
During the top match between Sporting and Porto, something remarkable happened. After Santos’ opening goal, the joy in the Estádio José Alvalade was very great. A supporter in all his euphoria even fell down a stand. After allegedly falling from seven to eight meters, he was taken to a hospital on a stretcher, to the applause of supporters.
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